Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Melissa Benoist, Mehcad Brooks, Chyler Leigh, Katie McGrath, Jesse Rath, Nicole Maines, Azie Tesfai, Andrea Brooks, Julie Gonzalo, Staz Nair, LaMonica Garrett, David Harwood, Jon Cryer, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly, Mitch Pileggi, Cara Buono, Brenda Strong, Sean Astin, Jeremy Jordan, Henry Czerny, Chris Wood, Sam Witwer, Odette Annable.
Fighting on all fronts, opening new worlds, only to see them collide and burn, that is the fate of us all, so it would seem. Yet through the eyes of many, we are given insight into how super we can become, that when the true moment of possible destruction is upon us, we can fly in the face of fear and look upon ourselves as something more than heroic, we can be genuinely human.
The fifth and penultimate series of Supergirl is such a case in point of how the truth of a person’s character will win out, and how our actions can play out across the theory of multiple dimensions and lives of one person. It is in this presented evidence that Melissa Benoist finds a deeper meaning to her role as Kara Danvers/Supergirl, and whilst moving away from the lighter side of the ethos of the original series, sees her grasp the chance to perform a meatier, more focused, understanding, and intense version of the character first brought to life by Otto Binder and Al Plastino.
The series itself once more crosses path with others from the Arrowverse stable and provides a backdrop which complements the graphic novel titles of the 1980s and 1990s in which Supergirl was far too easily dispensed with as D.C. consolidated the titles available down to a more manageable and cost- effective stream. It is in this expansion that the Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline is weaved with brutal ecstasy as it brings about a detailed structure in which the team will go into the final planned series with larger dreams than the prospect of a finale that will devastate the heart beautifully and capture the very soul of what the vision of the series has been working towards.
Once more it is to the core team of Melissa Benoist as the hero from Krypton, Chyler Leigh as her sister Alex Danvers, Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor, Jesse Rath as Brainy, Nicole Maines as Nia Nal and David Harewood as J’onn J’onzz that enrich each episode, however it is the further inclusion of Jon Cryer as the archnemesis of all things Kryptonian, Lex Luthor, that brings the enjoyment to the series to it fullest possible potential. Whilst we all cheer on those on the side of angels, it is hard not to allow the heart to whisper sweet nothings into the ear of master criminal, and it should be noted that across all the incarnations of Luthor, Jon Cryer is easily the one actor who carries the persona off expertly.
As Supergirl heads full steam off to its final chapter, it should be recognised in how ground-breaking the series overall has been, the subtly of the writing, the ability to bring Transgender rights into focus, and to embrace them openly, and the pedigree to showcase villain and hero alike in performances that have been tastefully portrayed without having to resort to cliché or pantomime.
Entertaining, thoughtful, enjoyable, dramatic, Supergirl is the dream hero for the 21st Century.
Ian D. Hall