Supergirl season 1, episode 3, “Fight or Flight,” aired tonight. Read our recap and discuss the episode with fellow fans.
Kara finding her path
One of Superman’s rogues, Reactron, arrived in National City to target Kara because she’s Superman’s cousin (revealed in her interview with Cat Grant). For Kara, this presented an opportunity to prove herself as a hero on her own terms. However, this would become more challenging after Superman had to come in and save her from being killed by Reactron. James, knowing how Superman struggled to fight Reactron in Metropolis, called him in for help. However, Kara eventually defeated Reactron with the help of James and the DEO.
This storyline felt necessary for Supergirl to address early on. Not only is Supergirl in Superman’s shadow in our popular culture, but she is also in his shadow in her world. Superman has been an active superhero for longer than Kara has been on Earth, so her putting on the S will inevitably lead to comparisons. With her cousin’s shadow and a social media-driven world, Kara has less room to make mistakes as a fledgling superhero than Clark did.
It was satisfying to see Kara go from needing Superman to save her life to defeating the same villain — one Superman never managed to defeat on his own. And from here on out, Kara will continue proving to National City (and the world) that she is a true hero.
James finding his path
James called in the Man of Steel when Kara faced off against Reactron. While Kara felt hurt that he didn’t believe in her, he admitted that he called Superman to help with Reactron out of his own fear — fear that he would lose Kara. He’d always had Superman as a safety net, so when things go south, his first instinct is to call the Man of Steel. But that’s something he pushed through when Reactron attacks the CatCo party. Rather than call Superman, he put himself in danger as a diversion until Kara could find a way to defeat him.
This is an interesting parallel with Kara’s story, as both characters are trying to find their places in a world they aren’t quite familiar with yet. Kara had a job for when she came to Earth, only to find her mission no longer relevant with her cousin having grown up while she was in the Phantom Zone. Now that she has donned the S, she’s trying to find a new mission.
Meanwhile, James spent years as Superman’s sidekick, and coming to National City presented an opportunity to step out from Superman’s shadow, both personally and professionally. So, how does he spread his wings when he’s joined the team of another superhero? It’s an intriguing balance he’s looking to find.
Romance drama
Alex, recognizing the way James makes Kara feel, encouraged her sister to go after James. However, Kara waited too long, as Lucy Lane, the sister of Lois, and James’ ex, arrived in National City before Kara could ask James out. Lucy wants to try to rekindle her relationship with James, who agreed to dinner with Lucy and unknowingly broke Kara’s heart.
Romance hasn’t been at the center of the show thus far — the core relationship has been and remains between Kara and Alex — but Kara’s feelings for James have been growing. And James clearly has strong feelings for Kara, though where romance fits in with those feelings remains to be seen.
Also worth noting
- We got another glimpse of Hank Henshaw’s eyes glowing red, but he offered to help Supergirl fight Reactron after initially being opposed to the idea.
- Winn scored an empty office in the CatCo building for the Scooby Gang to do their superheroing.
- Winn learned Superman’s secret identity in this episode.
- We were properly introduced to Maxwell Lord, as he was kidnapped by Reactron to fix his suit. Kara rescued him from the kidnapping and again when Reactron showed up at the CatCo party, where Maxwell was a guest. He also seems to have a history with Cat Grant.
- Cat Grant ran a beautifully-worded but critical expose on Supergirl after their interview.
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