Post — Aaron Ngo

Major Spoilers are included in this episode Review. Please Read with Caution.

This centric episode put Agent Liberty, known as Ben Lockwood, in the front seat of this episode. Supergirl and her allies were taken back to let the average person’s perspective enlighten us on how superhero antics destroy lives.

Despite the villainous traits Agent Liberty has displayed so far, we learned how Ben wasn’t always hateful. The events in his life changed him into one, or exposed it. He had a wife, son, and father. We’re taken back to the season finales of Supergirl and the man’s reactions to each horrific event. “Roaches” was coined because aliens survive their planets and infest Earth.

Sam Wither played Agent Liberty wonderfully. I’ve enjoyed his roles on Being Human and Smallville.

He tried to protect an alien worker from being attacked by his fellow workers but ended up injured instead by the alien’s defense mechanism. Supergirl took care of the racists while Alex tended to Ben’s wound. She criticizes him for their behavior and treated the humans like criminals. Because they are, but Ben and his father see it as their rights being taken away.

Afterwards, Ben tries to talk to Lena Luthor about helping his father’s business, but she chose to give the deal to an alien factory instead. This causes his father to shut down his business. This happens around the season 2 finale when Rena (Teri Hatcher) declared war on Earth.

Ben and his family leave their home for safety just in time. Because Martian Manhunter and a Daxamite fly into the roof and fight in the house. He defeats the Daxamite and declares Ben’s family safe… as their house burns without being covered by alien invasions.

They’ve lost everything in the Daxamite Invasion. Hatred festers in Ben’s heart, which causes him to lash out at his classroom. He insults all of his alien students and makes comments on their complexion. Jesus, this dude is out of control!

After losing his job, Ben confronts the Alien Girl and almost attacks, but Kara Danvers saves the day. It’s karaoke night, and she makes him leave the girl alone. Ben calls Kara a “Earth traitor” and leaves the Alien Bar.

Then his father dies in the season 3 finale, passing on his hatred to Ben and officially putting him on the path to become Agent Liberty. Otis and Mercy Graves recruit him to their cause, which brings us to the current events of season three.

The kryptonite bomb has caused the entire atmosphere to get infected.

Supergirl is plummeting, but luckily Martian Manhunter saves her from falling to death. They are unable to reverse the damage and call Lena to help, who gifts Supergirl with a suit that will protect her from the poisonous air. Brainiac 5 is impressed with the device, but this will not permanently solve Supergirl’s situation.

If I were them, I’d send them to another Earth where kryptonite wasn’t killing her. That’s just me, but I’d think Earth-1 could use Supergirl right now. Star City is a mess. Anyway, the episode ends with Agent Liberty coercing Jensen, the rogue DEO agent, to give them access back into the building for a sinister plan.

Overall, I was fascinated with this episode. It gave us an honest perspective on the villain who didn’t start out that way and the events that transformed him. Episodes that sideline the main characters are always entertaining, like “Weekend At Bobby’s” from Supernatural.

I don’t approve of his actions, but his tragedy made him a sympathetic character, which I think is known as a tragic villain. Agent Liberty is a different type of villain compared to the aliens Supergirl has contended with before, as his army are the same people Supergirl protects.

Can’t wait for next week’s episode.

back to blog