'Supergirl' Season 5 Episode 8 review: 'The mid-season finale brings in the 'Crisis' amid a complicated Kara-Lena relationship plot
This review contains spoilers for 'Supergirl' Season 5 Episode 8: 'The Wrath of Rama Khan'
And finally, the 'Crisis' storyline comes to fruition in 'Supergirl'. After eight episodes that heavily focussed on the Kara-Lena relationship (Melissa Benoist and Katie McGrath), the show finally does its bit to set up the imminent epic crossover, 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'. Truth be told, this was a tad late considering 'The Flash' and 'Arrow' essentially wove their season's plot around the multiverse-shattering battle. In what could be called an emotional episode, Kara's love and affection for Lena are shown in all its glory.
The big baddie comes in the form of Mitch Pileggi's Rama Khan who plans to destroy earth in the same manner as he does Pompeii. But in Acrata (Andrea Rojas played by Julie Gonzalo), team Supergirl gains a formidable ally as she helps Kara outwit the Leviathan meta for the second time. Malefic too plays his part as the changed brother when he assists the DEO in countering Lena's plans of using Q-waves to impose her will and wish on the world, albeit in a way that will keep them from hurting others.
The major chunk of the episode is pretty predictable with the major storylines colliding. Acrata and Malefic are allies and the Leviathan threat seems to have simmered down. The main focus is on the icy and irreparable friendship between Kara and Lena— one that may presumably change considering the latter will be recruited to help in the looming 'Crisis'. Speaking of which, there are two major twists in the final minutes of the episodes— The Monitor (LaMonica Garrett introduced the Malefic situation as a test to J'onn J'onzz (David Harewood) and recruits Lex Luthor (Jon Chyler) to help with the 'Crisis'.
The Lex-Lena angle will be an interesting take as it sees the duo join the fight against the Anti-Monitor. 'The Wrath of Rama Khan' is a fairly decent watch. It does tie-up the storylines and leaves the final minutes in developing the crossover. It won't come as a surprise if the episode appears to be on the cheesy side with the emotional drama and the cliches, but in its defense, this is an essential part of the story. There are a few questions that pop up by the end of the episode. Will we see more of Acrata again? What exactly is Gamemnae's (Cara Buono) role in the series? Is this all that Leviathan is about?
The answers may come in due time, however, until then there's more to look forward to in the next week's episode that kicks off the 'Crisis'.
'Supergirl' airs Sundays 9 pm on The CW.