The CW's Supergirl - Episode 4.05 "Parasite Lost"
Colonel Haley makes a surprising decision regarding Supergirl. Kara writes a series of articles highlighting aliens in National City in the hopes that humans will stop being so fearful of them. Unfortunately, the article puts some of the aliens in harm's way.
In 2018, it has become very difficult to keep up with every television show out there. It's even more difficult to provide adequate coverage on this site about the episodes that air every week. Not every show can get full coverage because of my busy and hectic viewing schedule. As such, some reviews will now be condensed to give only some summary thoughts. But it also affords a space for me to jot down my thoughts on the various episodes. And so, here are my thoughts on this week's episode of The CW's Supergirl.
"Parasite Lost" was written by Maria Maggenti & Aadrita Mukerji and directed by David McWhirter
The show never really features Kara when she is making a journalistic decision that actually goes well. There is so much hope and optimism that comes as she pitches this new weekly feature where she spotlights an alien in National City. However, it comes after an episode where she releases an article about a healer, is surprised by the reaction to the piece and then doubts herself about not doing enough as a journalist to vet the story. The show has absolutely put her in a powerful and experienced position with this job even though she has rarely been seen in that environment. This season is putting in the effort to ensure her journalism career is just as important as her superhero one. In fact, she does more in this hour as a writer than she does as Supergirl. But that also remains such a potent image because it's clear that the human race may not need the Kryptonians in order to protect themselves. Alex is the reason why the DEO is able to defeat Jensen. He seems completely indestructible because he has absorbed the powers of parasite and is wearing a healing metal. Trying to kill him also seems like it will come at a significant cost to life. And yet, Alex still makes the right decision in the heat of the moment. She reaches out to his humanity. She talks to the guy who signed up for this job hoping to make a difference in the world. He was easily corrupted by the evil forces at play this season that want to put Earth first. He was shocked and manipulated. And now, he pays the ultimate price because of it. Even when the threat from parasite is removed, it destroys the rest of his body. As such, it's a bittersweet victory for Alex because she didn't want to kill someone who had promise as an agent. Moreover, she is disturbed by Haley's appreciation for having a human running the DEO and eliminating this threat herself. That too is a very telling moment. Alex dreaded coming into work with this new boss looking over her shoulder and questioning every decision. But they actually worked well as a team. It just led to this subtle but blunt reveal that they don't share the same values. Kara and J'onn are Alex's family. To Haley, they are the enemy because they can't possibly share the same views. That continues to prove how an idea can infect so much of the world so quickly. Just because Jensen is gone doesn't mean the DEO is safe and can operate with unchecked power. The same is also true for CatCo. James ran into action as Guardian because he saw people in need. He has the abilities to help them. And now, his mission is being twisted and everyone is propping him up as a hero who represents everything that is great about this planet. He is open and accepting to all. But he is now becoming intrigued by this rising Children of Liberty movement. That's a very dangerous path he is pursuing. He does so hoping to expose the hatred and bigotry. But it mostly proves just how slick an operator Ben really is. He may actually succeed in splitting his personality into two like Kara has done. He can move amongst humanity as a former professor and journalist whispering into people's ears. But he is also the man behind the mask who is manipulating all of these violent actions into occurring as well. That's going to remain a tricky story for anyone to write about. And so, the audience has to have trust in the characters' ability to work as wonderful journalists.
