Thanks, Kelly, evrafter, and others on your thoughts of this episode. I have another note I wish to make after rewatching the episode 5 times. (I really think it's that good.). It regards Lena's closing scene. I used to play chess and there are two things that come to mind. White (Lena's piece) always goes first and secondly she won with and is still studying a white rook or knight. I wonder if there is a key clue and symbol in that choice. I raise the concept of the "white knight" who is a savior and a chess piece that is highly maneuverable and dangerous. As the EPs love to play around with symbols and Easter eggs, I just wonder if this is an indication of Lena's character. In any event I would not want to be Lillian with Lena on the loose.

Just a thought.

Argo

Checkmate...

Been thinking about it....I think the writers were trying to make us believe Lena is "bad" with that ending. But, hmmmmmm, now I believe she's actually going to go after her MOTHER in "Luthor style"--that's she'g going to be more like her DAD than brother and "step-mom." Now that she knows she's a Luthor because of her DAD's blood, she's going to perhaps be more a super hero than super villain. Either that, OR she's going to become revengeful--going after her step-mom for the wrong reasons. But, I think she adores Kara too much and respects Supergirl, and is grateful to her...that she won't become a villain in THAT sense of the word. Maybe in a future episodes we see Kara needing to "talk Lena off the edge." And, maybe this works, or maybe it's her revenge that eventually puts her at odds with Kara/Supergirl.

I like this a lot. I hope that is how it comes down. I mean, I don't want her to end up on the opposite side of Kara. But, seeing her trying to take down Lillian and having Kara support her on some things and have a conflict with her on others would be interesting. I hope their friendship will remain strong because Kara needs a woman friend, and I rather like Lena and their whole dynamic.

But, I don't want her to become all James and become yet another superhero. What I mean is, I'd rather she still retain some traits that would make her look out for herself or her corporation, but be someone who would risk a lot for her friends, who could eventually include rest of the gang.

Since the show is already confirmed for a third season, I think it's certainly possible they are setting up a concept for later on, borrowing again from DC comics history.

Chess pieces were used as ranks in the intelligence/covert operations agency Checkmate in the comics.

What if Cadmus is "officially" destroyed at the end of this season. But then someone in the government decides not to let all its resources go to waste? General Lane comes to mind.

Recruiting someone wealthy, brilliant and familiar with most of the alien/super community to run it would make for an interesting "counterweight" to the current DEO.

Yep. I'm thinking Lena - "White Queen".

Plus, the director of the agency in the comics was someone we've already met: Maxwell Lord.

Setting up a situation wher Lena had to keep secrets from Kara/Supergirl "for the greater good" could add drama to their friendship.

Plus, if Max returns, he'd undoubtedly have his own agenda.

Very much in "agreeance" with the above posters who are sick of Supergirl (the most powerful female in this spiral of the Galaxy) being rescued by her sister or J'onn or the Petticoat Junction Volunteer Fire Department. That trend needs to change immediately....it ruined an otherwise good ep for me, I like Katie McGrath quite a bit she brings to Calista Flockhart gravitas to all her eps....Supergirl works best in comics, TV and movies when she is self confident, self reliant and self rescuing no matter what mishaugas she faces....

JF

sorry for the late review, been a busy week.

It seems most things have been hit on so I am just going to say I felt it was a great episode with a lot of potential depth for future stories.

I see some have picked up on the chess pieces alluding to checkmate. let me take it 1 step further; back in episode 3 when the president was coming into town to sign the alien amnesty act. If you recall Snapper took over James' meeting and began to dole out assignments, and many of them seemed pretty smartly done with a vast variety of demos covered. Didnt go get an interview with Lena Luthor seem like a weird choice. Sure she was a new character and maybe they just wanted to play with all the new toys, but did you know that Snapper is a pawn in Checkmate. Maybe he sent her to see Lena for a reason past what was the commonly thought obvious reason. Kara was then greeted with an alien detection device, how many people bought that her heat vision made the device work wrongly? or do you think maybe it just collected some DNA or something?

Another giant easter egg in the Luthor vault was the atomic axe. I am sure most think its the axe from Vartox, but that axe was destroyed. I do believe that axe belongs to the Persuader who is a member of the fatal five which happens to be a villain group to the legion of superheroes. I am sure many here know Mon-El becomes a member and I would bet we will see that play out perhaps at the start of season 3.

TV Fanatic: Supergirl Round Table: Can Lena be Trusted?