There is a hallucinogen-producing plant that has been used around the DC Universe called a “Black Mercy.” Tonight on SUPERGIRL, Kara’s evil uncle, Non (Chris Vance), uses a Black Mercy to trap his niece into a coma-like state.
The Black Mercy’s effects are not the most horrific punishment. Although the victims are unable to move or comprehend most events around them, the plant keeps the victims captive by tapping into the pleasure centers of the brain.
The result is that the victims think they are living in a perfect world, enjoying everything they ever have wanted. The same thing happens tonight to SUPERGIRL (Melissa Benoist).
As Uncle Non and Aunt Astra (Laura Benani) plot to manipulate Earth’s satellite system and network during a solar storm, Non decides to get Kara out of the way with a Black Mercy (that octopus-like plant skulking on the Danvers sisters’ ceiling at the end of last week’s episode).
Imprisoned in the tendrils of the hypnotic plant, SUPERGIRL is wheeled into the DEO so Alex (Chyler Leigh) and Hank (David Harewood) can try to figure out how to remove the parasite and neutralize its effects.
Meanwhile, Kara slumbers in what seems to be a new reality. She believes that she is back on an unexploded Krypton, living happily with her father, Zor-El (Robert Gant), and mother Alura (also played by Laura Benani).
Her cousin, Kal-El (Daniel DiMaggio) is there, having never been sent to Earth because there was no impending explosion, leaving Earth with no Superman.
With SUPERGIRL unavailable to save the day, Hank, Alex and the DEO suit up to fend off the attack by Astra, Non and the Kryptonian force that serves them.
Desperate times calling for desperate measures, Maxwell Lord (Peter Facinelli) is consulted. James (Mehcad Brooks) and Winn (Jeremy Jordan) are allowed to visit for some last goodbyes.
How to deal with this dilemma? There could be a small flaw in Non’s plan.
When victims notice something out of sync in the fake reality created by a Black Mercy, the plants often start to lose grip on the hosts, slowly making them easier to detach.
Many people in the DC Universe have been victims of a Black Mercy, including Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Batman and Superman. Even the evil Mongul, the supervillain who harvests the plants, has fallen victim to the Black Mercy’s effects.
Generally due to a flaw in the fictitious dream world, the victim awakens as the plant loses control of the brain and is detached from the body. Wonder if SUPERGIRL will see something incompatible in her dream-Krypton, or if she will sense the doom on the horizon for another planet she calls home…Earth.
SUPERGIRL also stars Calista Flockhart as media mogul, Cat Grant. Other guest stars tonight include Briana Venskus, Christopher Showerman, Alice Aoki, Emma Caulfield, Sarah Robson and Onrico Nightingale.
The story for tonight’s episode, “The Girl Who Has Everything,” was written by Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg, with a teleplay by producer Ted Sullivan, and Derek Simon. “The Girl Who Has Everything” was directed by Dermott Downs who did a great job directing last week’s DC’S LEGENDS OF TOMORROW.
Speaking of the DC TV-verse, mark those calendars for Monday, March 28, when THE FLASH (Grant Gustin) crosses country (and networks) for a guest appearance in National City.
SUPERGIRL airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS (U.S.) and Global TV (Canada).
