Supergirl Season 1 Episode 9 Review Blood Bonds

Okay, so, picture this: I was wrestling with a particularly stubborn jar of pickles the other day. You know, the kind where you swear the lid has fused itself to the glass with some kind of super-powered, extraterrestrial adhesive? I was twisting, I was grunting, I was pretty sure I was going to break a blood vessel. Then, just as I was about to admit defeat and reach for the butter knife (don't judge, we've all been there!), I remembered a little trick my grandma taught me. Run it under hot water. Simple, right? And BAM! The lid popped right off. It was a minor victory, but it got me thinking about how sometimes the biggest problems have the most surprisingly simple solutions, or at least, solutions that look simple once they're revealed.

And that, my friends, is a roundabout way of getting to Supergirl Season 1, Episode 9: "Blood Bonds." Because just like that pickle jar, this episode felt like a whole lot of tension building up to… well, something we should have seen coming. But was it satisfying? Let's dive in!

"Blood Bonds": More Like "Parental Issues Galore"

So, we left off last week with Alex looking pretty, pretty concerned about her mom, Eliza Danvers, showing up. And let me tell you, Eliza is not here to bake cookies and reminisce about Kara's childhood. Nope. She's here because, surprise surprise, the DEO is in a bit of a pickle. Or maybe a Kryptonian pickle. You get the idea.

The main thrust of this episode, the big ol' thing they're all trying to deal with, is the fallout from Astra's capture. Remember Astra? Kara's aunt? The one who’s been rocking the whole "misunderstood villain" vibe? Well, now she’s in DEO custody, and it's causing some serious ripple effects. And not just for Kara, oh no. This one’s personal for everyone involved.

First up, we have Kara dealing with the whole "my aunt is a terrorist who wants to destroy Earth" thing. Talk about a family reunion from hell, right? She’s torn, naturally. Because even though Astra is ostensibly the bad guy, there’s always that flicker of hope, that "maybe she can be redeemed" sentiment that Kara seems to cling to like a life raft.

Alex and Eliza: The Ultimate Mother-Daughter Duet of Drama

But the real drama? That’s where Alex and her mom, Eliza, come in. Eliza’s arrival immediately throws a wrench into Alex’s carefully constructed life. And by "carefully constructed," I mean the one where she’s been trying to balance being a secret agent for a clandestine government organization with, you know, having a semblance of a personal life. Which, let’s be honest, sounds exhausting. I can barely balance my work emails and remembering to water my plants, so props to Alex for even attempting this.

Eliza, bless her heart, is not subtle. She’s got that classic "concerned parent who knows more than she’s letting on" energy. And when she starts asking Alex about her work, about her… choices… it’s clear this isn’t just a casual visit. She’s here for a reason, and that reason involves something pretty big and pretty dangerous.

Turns out, Eliza has a history with Astra. Like, a deep history. This is where the "Blood Bonds" title really starts to hit home. We learn that Eliza and Astra weren't just acquaintances; they were… well, it’s complicated. Let's just say they’ve got a shared past that’s far from rosy. And Eliza’s arrival isn’t just about checking in; it’s about dealing with the consequences of that past, specifically as it pertains to Astra being captured.

The tension between Alex and Eliza is palpable. You can cut it with a Kryptonian knife. Eliza clearly disapproves of some of Alex's life choices, particularly her role in the DEO and her close relationship with Supergirl. And Alex, bless her, is struggling to navigate her mom’s judgment while also trying to maintain her professional integrity and protect her sister.

It’s the kind of parental dynamic that’s both frustratingly familiar and deeply unsettling. We’ve all had those moments where our parents seem to just… know… things. Or they have this way of looking at you that makes you feel like a kid again, even when you’re a grown adult with a secret identity and a penchant for punching aliens.

And the reveal that Eliza has been working with the DEO all along? That’s a twist! Not a mind-blowing, jaw-on-the-floor twist, mind you. More of a "oh, that makes sense, why didn't I see that coming?" kind of twist. It explains her knowledge, her concerns, and why she’s so invested in what’s happening with Astra.

But it also raises a whole new set of questions. If Eliza was involved, why wasn't she more upfront with Alex? Was she trying to protect her? Or was there something else going on? This is the kind of stuff that keeps me up at night, you know, the subtle machinations of parental figures in superhero narratives.

J’onn J’onzz: The Green Martian's Got Issues, Too

Now, while the Danvers women are busy with their dramatic family reunion, let’s not forget our favorite green Martian, J’onn J’onzz. Or Hank Henshaw, as he prefers to be called when he’s not, you know, shapeshifting and having existential crises. This episode really digs into his backstory, and let me tell you, it’s not pretty.

We get to see J’onn having visions, flashbacks, whatever you want to call them, of his homeworld, Mars. And it’s not a happy place. It’s a place of war, of destruction, of immense loss. And it’s all because of… Kryptonians. Uh oh.

Yeah, you heard that right. It turns out that the reason Mars is a barren wasteland is because of some kind of conflict with Kryptonians. And this is a HUGE revelation for J’onn. Suddenly, his whole perception of Superman, of Supergirl, of the entire Kryptonian race, is thrown into question. He’s been working alongside a Kryptonian for months, trusting her, protecting her, and all along, there’s this deep-seated resentment, this historical trauma that’s been simmering beneath the surface.

This is where the "Blood Bonds" really start to fray for J’onn. His bond with Kara, which has been this foundational element of the show, is suddenly under immense pressure. He’s a Martian who survived a war with Kryptonians, and now he’s working with a Kryptonian. It’s a lot to process. Imagine finding out your favorite pizza place actually caused that time you got food poisoning. It’s that kind of betrayal, but on a cosmic scale.

His struggle is so compelling. He’s a good person, he’s dedicated to protecting Earth, and he genuinely cares about Kara. But this newfound knowledge, this ancestral pain, is a heavy burden. We see him wrestling with it, trying to reconcile his duty with his deeply ingrained prejudices. It’s a masterclass in acting, honestly. David Harewood is just… chef’s kiss.

And the way they visually represent his torment is brilliant. The distorted images of Mars, the flashes of violence – it really puts you in his head. You feel the weight of his past, the loneliness of being the last of his kind, and the fear that history might be repeating itself.

The Antagonists: Maxwell Lord and the Sisters of Blood

Of course, no Supergirl episode is complete without a healthy dose of nefarious schemes from our favorite tech mogul with a god complex, Maxwell Lord. And in "Blood Bonds," he’s up to his usual tricks, trying to exploit the situation for his own gain. He’s not a subtle guy, is he? He’s like a supervillain version of that guy who talks too loudly on his phone in public.

Lord’s agenda is to get his hands on Astra, to somehow harness her power or knowledge. Because of course he does. He sees her as a tool, a means to an end, and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty to achieve his goals. He manipulates situations, he pulls strings behind the scenes, and he generally makes everyone’s lives a lot more complicated.

And then we have the "Sisters of Blood." This is where the more overt threats come into play. These are presumably Astra's loyal followers, and they're not happy that their leader is being held captive. They’re out for revenge, and they’re willing to do whatever it takes to free her. This is where the action kicks in, and honestly, it’s pretty exciting.

The fight sequences are well-choreographed, and there’s a sense of real danger. Supergirl and the DEO are stretched thin, trying to contain the threat while also dealing with the internal drama. It’s a delicate balancing act, and the episode does a good job of showing the pressure cooker environment they’re all operating in.

One of the key plot points is the attempt to extract information from Astra. And who better to do that than her estranged family, right? This is where the emotional stakes get even higher. Kara is forced to confront her aunt, to try and understand her motives, and to convince her to cooperate. It’s a classic hero’s journey trope, but it works because of the genuine emotional connection (or lack thereof) between them.

The Verdict: A Strong Chapter, But Predictable?

So, after all that, what’s the verdict on "Blood Bonds"? I think it’s a solid episode. It’s packed with character development, introduces some significant plot points that will clearly have repercussions down the line, and it’s got plenty of action to keep you entertained. The exploration of J’onn’s past and his internal conflict is particularly well done. And the mother-daughter drama between Alex and Eliza is, while sometimes a little too on the nose, undeniably engaging.

However, I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was a certain predictability to some of the reveals. The Eliza-as-DEO-agent twist felt a little telegraphed. And while Astra is an interesting villain, her motivations, or lack thereof, sometimes feel a little muddled. We’re still waiting for that truly game-changing moment with her.

But that’s just me being picky! The show is still finding its footing, and it’s doing a great job of building a compelling world with complex characters. The "Blood Bonds" of family, of shared history, of loyalty – they’re all being explored here in fascinating ways. It might not have been the most shocking episode, but it was definitely a crucial one for the overall narrative. It set the stage for a lot more drama, and I, for one, am here for it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a jar of kimchi that’s been giving me the evil eye all day.