Supergirl season 4, episode 17 review: All About Eve

Lex Luthor was revealed to be behind all the villainous acts happening in this season of Supergirl, including turning the Red Daughter into a weapon against the Girl of Steel.

Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) is on the hunt for Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer). He now has superpowers and is more dangerous than ever. Her strongest ally, however, is suffering his own personal crisis. J’onn Jonzz (David Harewood) had promised his father that he would become a man of peace. Unfortunately, J’onn’s confrontation with Manchester Black has changed him and, in the latest episode of Supergirl, J’onn suffers because of his change of heart.

Meanwhile, the Alien Amnesty Act is being repealed by Ben Lockwood, and the DEO have been enlisted to protect the people against any hostile intentions. But they are not ready for what’s in store for them.

The Women of Supergirl Band Together

Supergirl — “All About Eve” — Image Number: SPG417a_0426r.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor and Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

In episode 15, Eve Teschmacher (Andrea Brooks) was revealed to have been working with Lex. We find out why she is so devoted to him in this episode through Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath), Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh), and Supergirl’s investigations.

Seeing these three characters bond, make amends and work as a team was a highlight of this episode. Not only that, but Colonel Lauren Haley (April Parker Jones) has also mellowed and become a better character. There’s a reason why inclusivity behind the scenes is as important as diversity on screen – the women on this show could easily have spent all their time bickering, but instead they band together to support each other.

One criticism is that the writing seems to have done Eve a great disservice. Eve has come across as intelligent and wily throughout this season so, for her to be diminished to being little more than a love-sick puppy, is derivative and cliché. Can’t bad girls just want to be bad? Do their characterizations have to be tied up in icky romances?

The Return of the Martian Manhunter

J’onn’s crisis of conscience has been the cornerstone of his arc in the latter half of this season of Supergirl. It’s an arc that’s been underplayed for the most part, so it’s great that it’s finally come to the fore in this episode.

J’onn has a complete breakdown once he realizes what a disappointment he is to his father’s legacy. The burden of carrying the history of Mars is something that should have been elucidated throughout the season, but that aspect is only made clear in “All About Eve.” Despite David Harewood’s striking performance, J’onn’s actions and reactions felt out of character for him. One can assume that he can now get back to being an integral part of the game while also using non-violent and less lethal methods to defeat the villains.

The Alien Amnesty Act

Supergirl — “All About Eve” — Image Number: SPG417b_0204_f.r.jpg — Pictured (L-R): Sam Witwer as Ben Lockwood/Agent Liberty and Graham Verchere as George Lockwood — Photo: Bettina Strauss/The CW — © 2019 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Admittedly, the previous two episodes of Supergirl have been action-packed homages to the source material. What they lacked was the analogies of real-world crises that this season of the show has placed front and center. Thankfully, we see the showrunners bring back the political message while using it to progress the plot.

The Alien Amnesty Act stands in for the many political acts that are under attack in the US today, and it seems almost apt that the impact of repealing this act on the show should fall on International Transgender Day of Visibility.

Even the denouement of this episode is a direct reflection of some of the controversial decisions made in America recently, as Bruce Boxleitner’s President Baker makes a hasty decision. All of this, of course, is orchestrated by Lex Luthor, who looms large in this episode while not actually being in it. He truly is the most evil character in the Arrowverse.

Super Sentiments

• To celebrate Supergirl’s 60th anniversary, this episode included a little nod to one of the most iconic Supergirl covers. Except, the showrunners switched it around so that Supergirl is doing the saving. Leave it to the CW’s Supergirl to find a way to give the Girl of Steel a long-overdue, empowering moment.
• Supergirl bringing donuts as a peace offering was a light, humorous touch that this episode needed. The best part was Haley’s reaction to the donuts – she’s becoming a great character on the show.
• James Olsen’s (Mehcad Brooks) tenuous relationship with his sister was a bit of a surprise because he’s such a likable person. But the siblings get a touching arc in this episode. Hopefully, the showrunners will deal with James’ PTSD in the final few episodes.
• The Red Daughter has finally been incorporated into the mainstream storyline. She is already a full-fledged character, and one can hope the showrunners do not diminish her to being yet another tool in Lex’s box like Eve.

After assuming the showrunners had abandoned the political message on the show, it was a delight to see this episode tackle it head-on once again while also amping up the stakes for all the characters. We’re counting down to the season finale, and it’s definitely looking to be one of the most exciting ones for Supergirl.