Ep 13. What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way

In the episode "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way" of Supergirl season 4, tensions arise between the more traditional superheroes and the new, more violent vigilantes. The episode is loosely based on the DC Comics story "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way?" by Joe Kelly.

Supergirl finds herself caught in the middle of the conflict when Manchester Black, a powerful telepath and leader of the "Elite," a group of vigilantes who believe in using lethal force to combat crime, comes to National City. Manchester has a personal vendetta against Ben Lockwood, aka Agent Liberty, and is seeking revenge.

The conflict comes to a head when the Elite and Agent Liberty's Children of Liberty engage in a violent battle on the streets of National City. Supergirl tries to intervene and put a stop to the fighting, but Manchester uses his telepathic powers to render her helpless.

Meanwhile, Kara's alter ego, reporter Kara Danvers, is tasked with covering the story. She interviews the Elite and is shocked to learn that some of the world's greatest heroes, including Superman and Batman, have expressed support for their violent tactics. Kara struggles with the moral implications of the conflict, as well as the struggles of her own personal life.

The episode explores themes of justice, morality, and the role of violence in achieving it. It also delves deeper into the character of Manchester Black, who up until this point had been a somewhat sympathetic figure, and his motivations for turning to violent means.

The title of the episode is a reference to the famous Superman tagline, "truth, justice, and the American way," which has been used in various forms throughout the character's history. The question posed in the title is whether or not violence is a justifiable means of achieving those ideals, and whether or not traditional superheroes are out of touch in their methods.

Overall, "What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way" is a thought-provoking episode that raises important questions about the nature of heroism and the moral complexities of fighting for justice. It features strong performances from the cast, particularly David Ajala as Manchester Black, and sets the stage for future conflicts and moral dilemmas for Supergirl and her allies.