“Supergirl” returns with episode focusing on the ethics of unlawful imprisonment and execution. An oft-told tale, mind you, but one that is still relevant in today’s world. The A-plot this week involved Kara tangling with Master Jailer (Jeff Branson), a former guard at the fallen Kryptonian prison, Fort Rozz. Now declaring himself judge, jury, and executioner, he has been hunting down escapees across the globe and executing them as he sees fit. Some of them are dangerous murderers, but others are far more benevolent and have since reformed themselves.
Naturally Kara and the DEO want to put a stop to Master Jailer’s quest, but what does that say about the hypocritical nature of their own clandestine prison? After all, while they haven’t been executing their alien prisons, they have been holding them without trial. Worse yet, they now have a human in their custody: Maxwell Lord (Peter Facinelli).
That’s where our B-conflict comes in. Jimmy Olsen has been tasked with looking into the disappearance of Lord and has been struggling with his own secret knowledge of the industrialist’s whereabouts. Does he remain silent for “the greater good”, despite his ethical objections to the nature of Lord’s imprisonment? Or does he risk his friendship with Kara and relationship with the DEO in an effort to tell the public the truth? I’m super curious to find out the answer as the season goes on.
Lexi Alexander (Green Street Hooligans, Punisher: War Zone) directing this episode already put it above many of the others this season. What really makes it interesting, however, is the fact that it marks director’s third superhero effort involving law enforcement taking matters into their own hands in extreme ways. Coincidence, or is there something more there? Regardless, I hope she continues to work with Greg Berlanti across his superhero shows.
