Here's How Supergirl Sets Up The CW's Epic Four-Show Crossover

Although The CW has been advertising a four-series crossover between its DC Comics properties, the truth is that it's more of a three-show crossover with special guest star Supergirl (Melissa Benoist).

With the exception of a few mystery breaches opening over National City and a 30-second tag that saw The Flash's Barry (Grant Gustin) and Cisco (Carlos Valdes) traveling to Kara's Earth for help with Earth-1's latest issue, "Medusa" was largely a self-contained story about Cadmus' latest nefarious plan to eliminate all alien lifeforms on Earth via a virus designed by Kara's father to attack all aliens not of Kryptonian birth. Her father's involvement in creating the weaponized virus as part of Project Medusa caused Kara to agonize over how little she knew of her birth family. This then opened the door for Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath) to prove that family -- whether in name or blood -- doesn't have to define you if you don't want it to. She worked some science magic and the virus became inert. Lena: 1, Mommy Dearest: 0.

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However, before Lena intervened, because of the nature of the virus, humans were safe and Kara was safe, but any and all other aliens were at risk, including Mon-El (Chris Wood), who was exposed to the virus but didn't die instantly because of his Daxamite heritage. Although Eliza (Helen Slater) -- who was conveniently in town for Thanksgiving -- was eventually able to save Mon-El, while he was sick he confessed his growing feelings for Kara through a kiss -- which he promptly pretended to forget about as soon as he was better because Mon-El is a man and the writers needed to draw out this emotional torture for at least a few more episodes. And who are we to complain if it means more longing looks from Wood, who gives a pretty good impression of the heart eyes emoji.

However, Mon-El and Kara weren't the only people locking lips this week. After coming out to her mother, Alex (Chyler Leigh) realized coming out wasn't just about her growing feelings for Maggie (Floriana Lima) but about being happy in her own life and living the life she wanted. This confession later sparked something in Maggie and she admitted life was too short to not "kiss the girls we want to kiss."

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Overall, "Medusa" and its streamlined storyline was a breath of fresh air compared to last week's "The Darkest Places," which seemed to introduce new developments around every corner. But let's not pretend this was part one of a four-night crossover event because it really only gets there on a technicality. The fact Supergirl doesn't exist in the same universe as the Flash, Green Arrow or any of the legends who claim to be from tomorrow, is a perfectly acceptable explanation for why only Supergirl is involved in the three remaining superhero episodes airing this week. But let's be a bit more honest about the situation for the next time. Because you know The CW isn't going to let this be the last team up of its kind.

Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.

(Full disclosure: TVGuide.com is owned by CBS, one of The CW's parent companies.)