My Adventures with Superman season 2 airs new episodes every Sunday on Max in the Nordics, Iberia & Central Europe and Saturdays on Max in the US. Episodes also air HBO Max in Poland & the Netherlands and on Channel 4 in the UK & Ireland.
Synopsis
Kidnapped and far from home, Superman bonds with his cousin Kara… and discovers the truth about Krypton from the last Kryptonians in existence.
Review
How do you follow up one of your biggest episodes to date? By sending your lead character off in to space to learn about his heritage from his newfound cousin. That’s how. After an incredible episode last week, My Adventures with Superman spins the debut of Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, in a whole new and exciting direction this week whilst also pulling back the curtain on its mysterious villain.
You’d think that by now fans would be used to My Adventures subverting all expectations. The series has made an incredible habit of introducing characters in unexpected and exciting ways. None has been more shocking and enthralling to watch that Kara going toe-to-toe with Clark after witnessing him winning Metropolos’ most eligible bachelor award. Going in to The Machine Who Would Be Empire” the expectations are clear. It’s going to be a showdown between the cousins… or is it?
Writer M. Willis plays with the audience by having the two spar verbally like siblings. Right out of the gate Jack Quaid and Kiana Madeira bounce off each other brilliantly. There’s a spark between Clark and Kara which fits perfectly in to the tone of the episode. Willis toys with the episode’s big reveal by wading through the differences between the cousins and their upbringings. It’s the perfect excuse to expose Clark to more of his Kryptonian heritage but in doing so it also reveals Kara’s own xenophobia of other races. It’s an approach to her character we’re not used to seeing but opens up an interesting opportunity to explore how she remembers life on Krypton where Clark does not. Of course Clark counters her argument with his own memories of growing up with Ma and Pa. Willis’ dialogue in these moments is extraordinary and goes above and beyond the call of duty for what some would call a mere cartoon.
Kara’s characterisation is a standout in a show of brilliantly written characters. Her dedication to her “father” and his mission is commendable. But as the episodes rolls on she comes to realise that things might not be what they seem. Small glimpses of her more human side (and hilariously her feelings for Jimmy) show there’s more to her than a simple solider of Krypton. But when the curtain is lifted and her eyes opened it spins the show off on a whole new axis.
The episode’s big reveal, the identity of Kara’s “father” and the mastermind behind rebuilding the Kryptonian empire might not be a surprise to all. But it’s still a cool moment in the episode and sets up the final four episodes of season 2 to be potentially a blockbuster battle to save the Earth. With Kara now on our side and a final cliffhanger shot which borders on jaw-dropping, I can’t wait for next week!
Verdict
A huge new episode for My Adventures with Superman. The story of Kara Zor-El is tragic has huge consequences for her character moving forwards. But with a major threat to Earth looming, the Man of Steel has plenty of challenges to contend with first.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
