TV Show Review

TV Review: SUPERGIRL: Season 2, Episode 20: City of Lost Children [The CW]

Lonnie Chavis Mehcad Brooks City of Lost Children Supergirl

Supergirl: City of Lost Children Review 

The CW’s Supergirl Season 2, Episode 20: ‘City of Lost Children’ has proved that if there’s one character that’s the weakest link on Supergirl this season, it would have to be James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks). The show has tried so hard to develop James Olsen following his break up with Kara (Melissa Benoist). Ultimately, turning him into a vigilante certainly isn’t working nor is exploring his father issues. The episode did nothing to improve that James is a good character on the show.

The problem with James’ storyline this season is that becoming Guardian didn’t feel like a call for him to be a vigilante. His sudden urge to be a hero felt rushed and wasn’t explained to the fullest. It seemed as if this was more of a pipe dream for James than finding a purpose. Being an editor-in-chief at CatCo would’ve been enough for him to make a difference in National City, but apparently it isn’t for him. We never even get to see how James transitioned from being a photographer into a crime-fighting hero.

We get the exact same dilemma when James faces another big step in his stint as Guardian. It’s shown on this week’s installment that James begins to doubt his role as Guardian when he takes care on a little alien boy named Marcus. Rather than an explanation, we just accept the fact that James and Marcus end up having this strong bond similar to a father and son. How does hanging with a kid you barely knew has you end up pouring your soul into him?

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At least the show isn’t focusing on James’ exploits as a vigilante and instead giving him something new to deal with. By moving away from the Guardian subplot, it gives more material for Mehcad Brooks to do rather than beating up criminals. However, if there’s no layered background work or planning, this new direction will just end up being less rewarding like the last one. What we do end up getting is a reference to the Dark Knight. By mentioning Clark’s friend, it pretty much confirms the obvious that Batman does exist on this Earth. It does give us the possibility of having the Caped Crusader show up on Supergirl if the opportunity arises.

In the long haul, James’ arc became more of a background story compared to the Daxamite invasion coming up. The partnership between Rhea (Teri Hatcher) and Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath) continues to be gratifying. Other than the relationship between James and Marcus, Rhea and Lena happen to make a better connection in the episode. Lena has been missing a mother figure that supports her work ever since Lilian went to prison. Rhea comes off as a great alternative for Lena, who treats her more like a daughter. Despite Rhea’s evil plans, she makes a deep connection with Lena that she couldn’t have with Mon-El (Chris Wood). It will be interesting to see how that holds up for Lena after she finds out Rhea’s true intentions.

This week’s installment really does set up a big season finale to close out the second season. With Earth about to be invaded by Daxamites, Kara will be facing off against an entire alien race in the biggest battle she’s ever faced. She doesn’t have much allies left, so this will be a struggle for the Girl of Steel to handle by herself. The setup does seem similar to how the first season ended, but this time, Rhea has proven herself to be a far superior villain than Astra. We also have the return of Superman, so seeing both cousins team up will be an anticipated reunion.

The most important aspect of all is that Lena is now in the middle of this conflict. It all leads up to whether Lena will become a friend or foe in this upcoming fight. It’s been teased all season on what Lena’s legacy will be, making the possible assumption of her going down the same path as her family. It’s going to be great to see Lena trying to make things right in these last two episodes and whether it all works out or falls apart.

The episode overall didn’t come out to be one of Supergirl’s strongest episodes after focusing too much on James. It’s becoming difficult for the show to figure out what James’ place is after many attempts. His sudden connection to Marcus seemed just as strange as when he became Guardian. The one good thing coming off this episode is the dynamic between Rhea and Lena as it sets up the big invasion that’s about to unfold in the last two episodes of the season.

Leave your thoughts on this review and this episode of Supergirl in the comments section below. Readers seeking more TV show reviews can visit our TV Show Review Page, our TV Show Review Twitter Page, our TV Show Review Facebook Page, and our TV Show Review Google+ Page. Readers seeking more Supergirl can visit our Supergirl Page. FilmBook staff members publish articles by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and Facebook.

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Mufsin Mahbub

**Fired from FilmBook for Plagiarism** Mufsin is a freelance writer from New York who has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism at Long Island University. He has written for publications like HollywoodLife, Clubplanet, and Heavy. He is an avid lover for everything related to TV and film. He has gone to dozens of film screenings, press events, and loves to attend New York Comic Con every year. He gives an honest opinion on every TV show or film that people are going to be talking about.
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