Supergirl season 1, episode 8, “Hostile Takeover,” aired tonight. Read our recap and discuss the episode with fellow fans.
Kara versus Astra
Astra lures Kara out for a public fight in National City. When Kara defeats her, Kara brings her to the DEO, where they hold her in a Kryptonite-lined cell. Astra will only speak to Kara and reveals that Alura used Kara as a child to arrest her because they were close. In a flashback, Astra revealed to Kara that Krypton was dying and she and her husband, Non, had resorted to violence to get their message heard. Kara is understandably betrayed by this revelation, which shatters the view she’s held of her mother — which is the only thing she has left of Alura.
It’s worth noting that while Astra is a character original to the Supergirl series, the story of the lead up to Krypton’s demise — and Non’s involvement — is not. In the DC Comics, Non was a scientist on Krypton who, along with his student Jor-El (yes, Superman’s father), discovered Krypton’s sun was unstable and would cause the planet’s destruction. When they presented these findings to the Kryptonian Science Council, they were arrested for heresy. Though their punishments were light, they were warned against telling anyone what they had found.
While Jor-El kept silent, Non kept trying to share the news. Eventually he was arrested and lobotomized. He was eventually exiled to the Phantom Zone. After escaping many years later, he headed to Earth and fought against Jor-El’s son.
Later in the episode, Alex and Hank/J’onn realize that Astra lost her fight to Kara on purpose; she wanted to keep Kara and the DEO distracted while Non and their lackeys fulfill their real mission. For some reason, their mission is to attack Maxwell Lord, indicating his role in this story is much bigger than anyone likely anticipated. What could he have that the Fort Rozz escapees want? The episode closes with Kara and Non engaged in battle.
CatCo hacking
In Kara’s professional life, Cat Grant is hacked and her dirty laundry is aired to the public. She realizes the board of directors smells blood in the water and will take her down at the first opportunity. To avoid that, she has Kara, James and Winn go through her emails to discover any explosive material before the media does. They find that Cat has been paying someone named Adam Foster.
Cat reveals that Adam is her son; he was born before Carter to someone Cat didn’t stay with long-term. She tried suing for custody but ended up withdrawing her lawsuit when she realized her child might be better without her. Not wanting to bring a media storm down on her son, she plans to step down. However, the Supergirl Scooby gang discovers one of the board members paid to hack her. They bug his computer and find proof in his emails, which they turn over to Cat. She does not step down and has her betraying board member arrested.
That night, while celebrating the victory, Cat confronts Kara with her suspicion that she is Supergirl and has the suspicion confirmed.
Cat putting together all the clues about Kara shows that not only is she smarter than most comic book series characters, but she pays more attention to her assistant than it seems. And the fact that her first order of business after confirming that Kara is Supergirl is to thank her shows a lot of development from the Miranda Priestly caricature who stepped out of the elevator in the pilot. The show has done a lot to humanize Cat over the last eight episodes and, for the most part, has succeeded.
Also worth noting
- Kara is suspicious when Alex and “Hank” are on good terms again. We have to wonder how long it will take for Kara to lean his true identity as well.
- Hank/J’onn reveals to Alex that while he can read minds, he cannot read Kryptonian minds — which Superman finds hilarious. We need some backstory on J’onn and Superman meeting now!
- Winn continues his Nice GuyTM antics in this episode, not disguising his disdain for James after walking in on the James/Kara hug. James, for his part, tells Winn he should admit his feelings to Kara. So, you know, one is handling the awkward dynamic with class and one is not.
- As an excuse for being in the board member’s office after bugging his computer, James comments that he supports the board if Cat is removed as CEO. We have to wonder if this will come back to bite him at some point.
- Adam Foster is the character Melissa Benoist’s former Glee costar and real life husband, Blake Jenner, will be playing.