“Back to the future – Part One”
Written by: Dana Horgan and Katie Rose Rogers
Directed by: David Harewood
Starring: Melissa Benoist, Chyler Leigh, Katie Mcgrath, David Harewood, Jesse Wrath, Nicole Maines, Jon Cryer, Azie Tesfai, Staz Nair, Julie Gonzalo
A much needed boost of energy and humour this week with my favourite episode of the season. I’m not sure if it was the writing by Supergirl vets Dana Horgan and Katie Rose Rogers or the energy from David Harewood directing his second episode or a mixture of the two but Back to the Future part one felt a step up from previous weeks.
RETURN OF THE WINN
There were a few other contributing factors to the brilliance of this week’s episode. The return of Jeremy Jordan as Winn Schott. A much loved character of mine from the early seasons injected a fresh slice of energy and dynamic with his return. The years spent in the future with the Legion has been good to him as his confidence appears to have grown exponentially.
DIRECTOR M. MANHUNTER
Directing his second episode David Harewood appears to have been a hit behind the camera. With social media full of praise and compliments from his Supergirl colleagues it was clear to see in the performances that his positivity lifted the cast. Directing episodic TV I imagine can be a difficult gig to come into for random episodes. A cast and production crew that work together week in week out, so it must be hard to make an impact in the short time you are on set. This is where David Harewood is at an advantage, already being on set and knowing exactly who does what and when. This is potentially why he is able to get that little bit extra out of his colleagues.
WHAT THE HELL IS A GIGAWATT?
This was easily the funniest episode this season, if not ever. I don’t recall laughing as much as I did during Back to the Future Part one. If it wasn’t the dry wit of Lex Luthor it was the unhinged reactions from Brainy or the perfect timing from Winn. I really hope Supergril continues in this vein as the show has seen a lot of doom and gloom over the years so it would be a nice change of pace to bring back the humor. The CW brand prides itself on Heart, Humor and Spectacle. All the shows have bags full of Heart and Spectacle but the humor is something I feel needs a big boost. Back to the Future Part One was a great shift in the right direction.
