'Supergirl' Season 5 Episode 6's focus on broken antiheroes Lena Luthor and Andrea Rojas lends more depth to the show
Well, well, well. That last episode of 'Supergirl' left us with a lot to think about. The CW show switched up the narrative and dove into Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath) and Andrea Rojas's (Julie Gonzalo) past. Interspersed with flashbacks, the episode traced their friendship from the early days to the current status-quo. To say the least, the two will not be braiding each other's hair anytime soon.
Yet, it was quite an entertaining and gripping episode, more than a Kara-centered one, which is quite surprising considering she is supposed to be the main character. Instead, lately, Lena's presence in the show seems to have relegated Kara (Melissa Benoist) to the sidelines of her own show. And the sad part? We aren't complaining, as Lena and Andrea had very compelling backstories to keep the episode going.
The episode, titled 'Confidence Women', brought up Acrata, which is Rojas's superhero identity in the comics. The episode initially teased whether Lena would be Acrata. As a child, Lena's mother had told her stories about the medallion of Acrata. Later, Lena wanted to track down the medallion and Andrea accompanies her. However, Andrea falls into a pit and is accosted by a Leviathan-like stooge, who tells her to keep the medallion safe. In exchange, they will ensure the safety of her father and the profits of their company. Years later, Lena finds out about this and is furious and feels betrayed. At the end of the episode, she takes the medallion back after almost threatening to kill Andrea's boyfriend, Russell Rogers. But alas, Lena does not possess the powers of Acrata, while Andrea does, with or without the medallion.
This episode was about two broken antiheroes, with shades of grey, both victims of loss and betrayal. They know the dynamics of complicated familial relationships and the consequences of neglect. Andrea's fighting for people, including herself. She's trying to save her father, and her boyfriend, who she finally loses in the end, despite her best efforts. She doesn't want the power or the 'darkness' inside her, she just wants to be free of it all. Unfortunately, she's just a pawn in the Leviathan's plans, and at present, she cannot do anything to fight that.
The culmination of Lena's frigid trust issues were shown, and which was why Kara's 'betrayal' for not telling her about being Supergirl was the last straw for Lena. What's more fascinating about Lena's character is, which way will she swing? What will she do next?
Is she on the side of the angels or the demons, or is she going to ignore both sides? Her character is an intricately layered one and more complicated, unlike Kara, who is just your normal goodie-two shoes sweet superhero who wants to keep everyone alive and happy. To be fair, Kara has not been able to do much this season, apart from revealing her identity to Lena, which just enhanced Lena's storyline more than hers. Right now, the only question surrounding Kara is, whether she is going to fall in love with the seemingly brash-turned soft William. The makers are unsure about what to do with Kara, as she flits around from plot point to another. Perhaps this will change when the 'Crisis' comes. Perhaps.
This episode had two strong women at the center steering it forward. The problems are mounting and time is ticking. Leviathan is still hot on their trail and there are three episodes left to the multiversal 'Crisis' that will change their lives forever. What will the characters do then?
'Supergirl' airs on CW, on Mondays at 9 pm.
