The CW's Supergirl - Episode 4.17 "All About Eve"
Supergirl must deal with the destructive aftermath of Lex's nefarious plans. Shocked at what Lex has created, Supergirl faces her biggest challenge yet.
In 2018, there were 495 scripted shows airing amongst the linear channels and streaming services. The way people are consuming content now is so different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, there is less necessity to provide ample coverage of each specific episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site is making the move to shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's Supergirl.
"All About Eve" was directed by Ben Bray with story by Gabriel Llanas and teleplay by Katie Rose Rogers & Brooke Pohl
This season is at the point in which Lex Luthor's nefarious plan has to come to fruition with everyone realizing just how elaborate it has always been. The show already teased out a fair amount of this in the previous episode. That hour had a ton of emotional depth to it. And now, this one is mostly about catching the main characters up to what the super-villain has been up to. Kara feels defeated because Clark's arch-nemesis has escaped while she was watching over the planet while he's away on Argo City. She wants to understand what Lex is planning and stop him before he strikes. The entire world is making this a priority. As such, it runs the risk of distracting from the big vote regarding the alien amnesty act. That too ties into everything that Lex has planned. He has been moving the pieces all across the board in order to create the optics for this very situation. So, that means Kara, Alex and Lena are left playing catch up. As a result, it means the show has to rush through a peaceful understanding between Supergirl and Lena. They have been at odds in the past. There was always the fear that the work Lena was doing would only increase that tension. But now, Supergirl learns the truth and actually opens up about the immense pressure and responsibility she is feeling at this exact moment. She has to protect this planet from all of the threats that are looming. That includes both Lex and Ben Lockwood. However, Ben now just presents as another angry white man who believes he's charismatic and gets things done even though he isn't responsible for anything that happens here. He believes he has universal support for the repeal of alien rights. He has no idea that he is being used by Lex. He balks at the suggestion when James makes it. The audience knows the truth though. This repeal only happens because Eve uses face-swapping technology to pose as one of the representatives who can threaten to make this deal pass. Ben is so confused but doesn't question it at all. He just believes that people are swayed by his arguments. He is just playing into Lex's hands though. Jon Cryer doesn't even appear in this episode at all. But Lex and his evil plan loom over every single action taken. Eve presents as the person responsible for putting all of this into motion. Sure, it's silly how her motivations are the simple "she is in love with a villain" trope. That's a little lame. But it's also a character turn that makes her much more vital to the plot. She is also revealed to be the one who shot James. She did so in order to save Lex. She has been conducting many tests in secret as well. That is bound to carry even more consequences moving forward. Right now though, it's just more important to see the Red Daughter make her big debut posing as Supergirl. She storms into the Oval Office and completely destroys everything. This law is repealed and the first image is of an alien destroying the nation's capitol. That is horrifying and immediately turns the public against Supergirl. She can no longer serve as the protector of the planet. Many of her close associates understand she would never commit an act as heinous as this. But there is only the potential lead from Lillian Luthor to potentially explain where Lex is and what he has been plotting. Elsewhere, J'onn is going through an identity crisis and seeks his father for advice. It's a story that mainly states that J'onn didn't have to change his ways to be what his father was. He simply had to become a man of peace in his own way without compromising his values. That is clarifying for him. But it's mostly the show giving him something to do so he can't help too much in containing this threat from Lex.
