Connect with us

Supergirl

Supergirl Review – Lex Luthor Planned Power Play On Prime-Earth (5×17)

Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer) executes his plans to perfection as shown in "Deus Lex Machina" / Supergirl.
Jon Cryer as Lex Luthor on SUPERGIRL "Deus Lex Machina" aired May 3, 2020. Courtesy of The CW. All rights reserved.

Published

on

Lex Luthor’s plans are revealed and he’s responsible for everything that has happened so far this season – from the Obsidian VR glitch to the death of Jeremiah Danvers.

The May 3, 2020 episode of Supergirl titledDeus Lex Machina,” shows how Lex had a hand in manipulating nearly every situation to his advantage.

His goal: eliminate Leviathan, the mysterious ancient alien organization, and Supergirl, so he can rise to power in the Post-Crisis Earth-Prime.

SINNER, SAVIOR, OR SAVANT?

As revealed in the episode, contrary to what Lex has been claiming all season, he does remember the Crisis of Infinite Earths.

He is not the heroic Luthor of Earth-Prime he’s been billed as, which is why even Brainy, one of the most intelligent beings in the DC universe, was so easily deceived.

Simply put, Brainy’s data from the future about Lex is flawed because he is not the same Lex.

Also contrary to prior knowledge, Lillian Luthor is apparently alive and well, and has been talking and playing chess with Lex from time to time.

The topic of their discussions mostly seems to be Lena’s allegiance to the family, and how Lex may be able to “turn her around.”

They also share a great scene where Lex checkmates her mother as he explains how he successfully executed every aspect of his convoluted plan.

I’ve said in the past that I enjoy Jon Cryer’s performance as Lex, but this episode just cements him as arguably the most prolific villain the show has ever had.

(With Reign probably coming in as a close 2nd, but I digress)

I can’t help but draw comparisons to The Flash’s Tom Cavanagh’s performance as Eobard Thawne/Reverse-Flash or Manu Bennet’s run in Arrow as Slade Wilson/Deathstroke.

However, what makes Lex so appealing is that he does not have superpowers or physical enhancements like the aforementioned villains have. He basically is just smarter than everyone else.

This appeal is similar to what makes Batman compelling as a character – both are just human beings that fulfilled their utmost potential – something everyone can relate to wanting to achieve at some point in their lives.

However, honestly speaking, if one is familiar at all with Lex as a character, his actions should not come as a surprise this season.

With the exception of Earth-3 Alexander Luthor from the comics, nearly every incarnation of Lex almost always turns to the dark side. (Star Wars reference because it’s May 4th)

But alas, Supergirl’s version of Lex is not heroic at all, even though he believes he is.

To sum it up, at the end of the episode Lex accomplishes the following:

  • Make himself look like a hero by killing the Leviathan alien Margot, the scientist who’s been collecting Obsidian VR users in comatose, and masterfully sets himself up to save them even though he was essentially the one responsible for putting them in a coma in the first place!
  • Elude Brainy, J’onn J’onnz, and basically every other so-called “genius-level” character in the series from uncovering his plans.
  • Manipulate Eve Tessmacher to doing his bidding by feigning romantic interest, and acting as his protector, then betraying and blackmailing her.
  • Gain Leviathan’s trust, which gives him direct access to destroying their organization from within.
  • Pitted Supergirl, and Gemma/Gamemnae, Leviathan’s eternal living god, on a collision course to mutual destruction.
  • Manipulate Lena into hating Supergirl, and handing him direct access to the Fortress of Solitude.

Because of his nigh omniscience in perfectly executing his plan, Lex sets himself up at a chance to become untouchable.

He is proven to be the most formidable evil mastermind in this episode, and it brings an element of a villainous gravitas to the show that’s never been showcased before.

 

VERDICT:

7.5 / 10!

“Deus Lex Machina” is an equal parts clip show, call-backs, and a mystery wrap-up reveal rolled into one that definitively places Lex Luthor at the top of the Supergirl supervillain heap.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Lorenz Bacani is a pop-culture enthusiast who's trying to watch as many good comic-book movies and TV shows as superhumanly possible. He received a bachelor's degree in Journalism and New Media at California Baptist University. Wrote for a news tabloid, worked for a couple of non-profits, and dabbled in some photography (mostly for Instagram purposes). He is probably currently binge-watching an old TV show for nostalgia.

Supergirl

Supergirl Review – Truth or Consequence (6×18)

Published

on

Supergirl Review Truth or Consequences Season 6 Episode 18

The penultimate episode of Supergirl was the most gripping installment of the season. 

It’s all ramping up for the final battle between the Super Squad and power couple Lex and Nyxly,  known by their ship name “Lexly.” I don’t hate it, it’s cute. 

What I do hate is that they ruined Alex and Kelly’s bachelorette, manipulated a sweet and innocent girl, and killed William Dey. 

Who saw that coming?

This is the reason why mere mortals don’t cross Lex or ignite his wrath. He’s unpredictable and ruthless. William Dey’s life didn’t matter to him because the only thing that has ever mattered to Lex, up until now, has been himself. 

And William is such a good guy that he protected his sources at all costs. He never wanted his reputation put on the line with those private journal entries, but he didn’t out Andrea Rojas for being behind them either. 

It’s a grim fate for a character so full of promise. 

He was one of the good guys fighting the good fight because he knew it was the right thing to do. Engraining himself with the Super Friends started as a job at first, but he volunteered to watch Esme out of the kindness of his heart. 

Unfortunately, despite the Super Friends’ best attempt to stay one step ahead of Lex, it’s kind of hard to outsmart the Man of Tomorrow. He quite literally knows what’s going to happen next. 

Lex arranged William’s meeting with Otis, which the Super Friends definitely considered, but it never dawned on them that Lex used Lena’s tracking of the Lexosuit’s to put a virus on the Tower’s computer thus blocking the blood work results for Esme and allowing him to disable the security system that led to William’s death and Esme’s kidnapping. 

All I can say is ugh. Lex truly is a good villain.

William stood no chance against Lex, but the Super squad knew that. Why didn’t they consider an alternative in the instance that the Tower’s protections failed? 

Why didn’t William have one of those buttons that summoned Supergirl like the Kent brothers do on Superman & Lois.

Superheroes deserve a day off (cue Lena’s analysis: “what’s the point of saving the world if you don’t get to enjoy it?”), but maybe they should’ve held off until they put a stop to Lexly!

I would think that with Supergirl’s supersonic hearing, she would be alerted to what was happening at the Tower even if she was having some fun. 

Unfortunately, being a superhero means that you can never put your guard down. 

I’m really bummed that Esme blindly trusted Nyxly instead of channeling her powers and making a scene. 

I don’t blame her since she’s just a kid, but I wish they emphasized stranger danger! I feel like she would be able to sense people with bad intentions since she was so astute while in the group home. 

Supergirl Review Truth or Consequences Season 6 Episode 18

Supergirl — “Truth or Consequences” — Image Number: SPG618fg_0039r — Pictured: Staz Nairobis as William Day — Photo: The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

I’m scared of what Nyxly and Lex will do to her in order to get what they want. 

Would Nyxly really hurt a child?

I didn’t think she was the biggest threat the Super Squad ever faced, but with an assist from Lex, she definitely is. 

The one thing they have with Esme in their possession is leverage. 

And you know the Super Squad would immediately give up all the Totem’s they had in order to bring that little girl to safety. 

Truthfully, why didn’t anyone recognize the Love Totem when it appeared on Esme’s neck. Since they know the Totem’s energy reconstitutes, you would think they would’ve put two-and-two together. 

I also wonder if it’ll force Alex and Kelly to rethink their jobs. Their involvement in Tower business put Esme at risk when their one job is to protect her! I could see Alex walking away from this life and leaving the superhero-ing to Kara. 

With such a cliffhanger, Kara’s fight with Alex about how to raise Esme almost seems insignificant.

Alex’s reaction was harsh as Kara meant well seeing as she had a little experience growing up with powers, but it was important that Alex emphasized that she doesn’t want Esme to grow up feeling like “an other” and to hide part of her identity. 

I love that the storyline is encouraging everyone to boldly live their truth and own it. 

Supergirl’s existence was dangerous back in the day, but now, despite some bumps in the road, the world has become more accepting of aliens with powers. 

Esme doesn’t have to hide to thrive! Plus, the sooner she learns how to get a handle on her powers, the better it’ll be for her. She shouldn’t have to surpress them if she can control them. 

There was also a powerful moment between Lena and Andrea when the latter called for advice about leaking Lex’s journals. The takedown of Lex and getting the story is important, but at what cost. It was the same question William posed when he confronted Andrea. 

She eventually saw that the cost for getting those eyeballs onto CatCo was quite high. 

And in his dying moments, William still managed to get her the exclusive, or, as he called it, the real story. 

Andrea is never going to forgive herself for contributing to the death of her best reporter, however, I hope she learns from her mistake and gives CatCo the revamp it truly deserves. 

Let’s restore the magazine to its glory days under Cat Grant! 

Let’s have it stand for something rather than fall for nothing. 

And finally, Brainy is being summoned back to the 31st century. 

It never occurred to me that at some point, he’d have to return back home, but I guess it makes sense since he belongs to a different time. The consequences of not returning are too dire. Not only would it mess up the time-space continuum but it would cause the extinction of Coluans. Brainy can’t be responsible for that.

It’s a heartbreaking realization considering he’s created a pretty wonderful life for himself here, including his relationship with Nia.

It’s so easy to forget that these two are together as the series doesn’t put that much emphasis on their romance, but they also come as a pair — Nia and Brainy. 

It’ll be weird to see them both go their separate ways; they’ve learned so much from each other. 

However, I loved the poignant speech about being happy to feel the loss because that means that it all mattered. 

They always say that nothing worth having comes easy, and that couldn’t be more true in Brainy’s instance. 

What did you think of the penultimate episode of Supergirl?

How do you think everything will end?

And are you ready to say goodbye with a two-hour series finale? Let us know in the comments! 

Continue Reading

Supergirl

Supergirl Review – Love Totem and Romantic Proposal (6×17)

Published

on

Supergirl Review I Believe In A Thing Called Love Season 6 Episode 17

Love was in the air on Supergirl Season 6 Episode 17. 

The only saving grace for the episode was Lex Luthor’s return and Alex and Kelly’s engagement!

Supergirl may have suggested that Nyxly is the biggest threat they’ve faced to date, but I just don’t find that to be true. However, Nyxly with an assist from Lex and his ability to time travel? That’s a different story. 

Lex Luthor has never been a man who considered anyone else but himself, but his return to help Nyxyly is triggered by his love for her. Yes, Lex Luthor has puppy dog eyes for Nyxly. Or, as Otis put it, he’s “smitten.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at all the times Lex found himself uttering “I love you” as the present-day version of Nyxly pushed him away. 

Nyxly wasn’t interested in Lex’s help since she only saw him as an arrogant and manipulative man just like her father and brother, but Lex was determined to help her in any way he could in hopes of changing the future and saving her from her future demise. 

Lex eventually confirms that while Nyxly gets the AllStone and her revenge, it destroys her. 

Since he loves her, he decided to travel back in time to help her get it the right way. 

It’s honestly a different look for Lex, but it makes me slightly more invested in this Totem drama. 

And that’s even more true when the Love Totem is destroyed and Lex — who pulls Nyxly into the future in order to protect her from the Super Squad’s humanity spell — reveals that it’ll respawn in a new shell with the same energy. 

In the final moments, we see the Totem show up as a sort of tattoo on Esme’s back, which ups the stakes quite substantially. 

Esme is the cutest and sweetest little girl. She’s Alex and Kelly’s pride and joy, so naturally, they’ll do anything to protect her. 

However, two villains such as Lex and Nyxyly won’t think twice about destroying her. 

Love was in the air on Supergirl Season 6 Episode 17. 

Supergirl — “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” — Image Number: SPG617fg_0043r — Pictured (L-R): Azie Tesfai as Kelly Olsen and Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers — Photo: The CW — © 2021 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

It’s gearing up for a really intense battle. From the looks of it, the only way to bring down Luthor and Nyxly is to destroy them first. 

Will the series end with Lex Luthor’s demise?

If the Super Squad can figure out why Lex’s decision to forego grabbing the Love Totem was so irrational, they might get a leg up on them as well. 

The good thing is that Lex isn’t the only person with connections to the future. Brainy can also tap into the knowledge the Legion has, and this time, he’ll be kept in line by his team. 

I hope that all of this Nyxyly and Lex drama doesn’t keep Alex and Kelly from planning their perfect wedding. 

With just three episodes to go, Alex is getting everything she’s ever wanted out of life, and it’s really awesome to finally see it pan out after all these years. 

We’re going to a wedding!!

How sweet was it that Kelly and Alex both thought about proposing in the same way on the same day?

Their relationship is proof that there is something to fight for amongst all the chaos and darkness. They are the light. 

I wasn’t as invested in the whole Supergirl, J’onn, and Lena storyline, but I’m glad they all faced their fears and came out on top. 

Supergirl and Lena, specifically, had a lot to work through when it came to Lex’s return, but they pulled through for each other. 

Lena is finally free from his grasp; she no longer cares about what he thinks of her, and he no longer has a stronghold over her. 

Her character growth has really been exceptional these past few seasons. I’m glad she’s fully on board with the Super Squad, and it’s awesome to see her embracing her magic and giving it her all. 

Science and magic can co-exist, it seems. 

Andrea wanted William to get the scoop about Lex Luthor’s return, but he didn’t want to run the story without proof. 

When William didn’t pull through, Andrea decided to channel Arcata and sneak into the Luthor Mansion to get proof herself. Will she out his love for Nyxly to the world?

Meanwhile, William was meeting with Otis at the time, which honestly seems like a bad idea. 

William continues to be included in the episodes, and he has one foot in with the Super Squad, but it’s not entirely clear what the purpose of his character is. 

He gave Alex a speech about embracing love before it’s too late, but does that mean he’s going to tell Kara that he’s in love with her?

If he’s not going to be her love interest, what’s the point of keeping him so involved?

What did you think of the episode?

Continue Reading

Supergirl

Supergirl Review – Hope for Tomorrow (6×15)

Published

on

Supergirl Review Hope for Tomorrow Season 6 Episode 15

What happens when the world runs out of hope?

On Supergirl Season 6 Episode 15, Supergirl and the Super Friends aimed to stop Nyxly from getting her hands on the third totem — the Hope totem. 

Since Supergirl is the symbol for hope, the gauntlet should’ve been a no-brainer for her, and yet, it took her way too long to figure out what needed to be done. 

Eventually, it boiled down to stripping two countries of their missiles, which fell pretty flat as a storyline. 

Nyxly knew that she didn’t stand a chance at getting the Hope totem, so her plan was to gain leverage against Supergirl by kidnapping William Dey and forcing her to give them up. 

It was also a pretty weak plan, but that’s not all that surprising considering Nyxly is a pretty lame villain. 

Her motivation is getting revenge for a personal matter, whereas Supergirl has dealt with the likes of Lex Luthor, who want world domination. 

It doesn’t even come close. 

Supergirl was able to save William and preserve the totems at the same time. And her solution to put an end to Nyxly was to destroy the Hope totem by throwing it into the sun. 

This way, Nxyly would never be able to complete the AllStone and manipulate reality. 

What possible repercussions could the world face without hope? Could Supergirl potentially lose her powers if she is unable to inspire people?

While it wasn’t a terrible plan, the Super Squad probably should’ve had one to fall back on. 

Instead, the team has been less than super as of late. As Lena attempts to figure out her mother’s grimoire, Brainy’s calculations haven’t delivered anything promising. 

Supergirl was on her own with this one because the Super Squad wasn’t being all that super. 

In the final moments of the episode, Nyxly received a gift from a “secret admirer” that encouraged her not to give up hope. 

Once she activated the watch, she was suited up in her own protective armor. 

With talks of Nyxly teaming up with Lex Luthor, this could only be his doing. 

If that’s the case, this just got more interesting. 

Lex is the one enemy Supergirl hasn’t been able to thwart. And they always say, the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

With Nyxly’s blatant disregard for humanity, a super-suit, and Lex Luthor whispering in her ear, there’s no telling what she’ll do next. 

But at least it finally makes her a formidable foe. This is the kind of twist the final season has been missing. 

I’ll be honest that the search for the totems has been rather bland, much like William Dey’s personality. 

Why couldn’t they make him a more interesting character? 

I thought that he was supposed to be Supergirl’s potential love interest, but the man has no flavor, so I don’t even care to see that pan out. 

The real treat of the episode was Esme — what a bundle of cuteness. 

We finally got the see the moment where Alex Danvers’ dreams come true and she becomes a mother! 

Why couldn’t the whole episode focus on this?

The icing on the cake was Esme figuring out that Kara was Supergirl literally seconds after meeting her. I know she mimics powers, but Lena, William, and the lot should be embarrassed that it took them so long. 

They might not have superpowers, but they have eyes. Glasses and a ponytail do not make up a whole new person! 

Alex definitely pushed Esme a little too much on her first day. When she kept prompting her to “breathe” and keep going, I was waiting for the fallout. 

Alex has waited her whole life for this moment, so why couldn’t she be a little more patient?

There was no need to overwhelm the poor girl right from the jump. 

Meeting all these superheroes is a big deal in and of itself. Let Esme assimilate to her new life with a dreamy bedroom and access to a tower. 

That wasn’t even the biggest reason why Esme was thrown off. She was simply being cautious and suggested going back to the group home because abandonment is all she’s ever known. 

Thankfully, she has been adopted by two people who know more about alien powers than anyone else, who are also able to connect her with the experts. She’s in good hands, and she’ll never be alone again!

I also want a truth seeker as a pet. Can I pick one of those up at Petsmart?

There are only five episodes left until the series final. How do you think it all ends?

And will Supergirl and Lex Luthor face-off once again?

Sound off in the comments below with your hopes and wishes for the final few episodes. 

Continue Reading

Trending