- Kara Danvers: Ever since J'onn left the DEO, I just feel so far from him. I don't really know what his life is like.
- Alex Danvers: Yeah.
- Kara Danvers: All I know is I hate his new point of view. It just feels so ominous.
- Alex Danvers: Well, J'onn is not an alarmist, Kara. I mean, if he's trying to tell you something, I would listen. What are you so afraid of?
- Kara Danvers: I'm not afraid of anything. It... I just finally feel like the world is good. And I so badly want it to stay that way, even if it's just for a little while.
- Alex Danvers: Kara Danvers, you are the most courageous person I know. And even if it's hard, if you face it, you can conquer anything.
- Kara Danvers: I'll try.
- Alex Danvers: Ha.
- Kara Danvers: Only if you conquer the urge to not punch Brainy in the face.
- Alex Danvers: Mm. That is an unfair bargain.
- Kara Danvers: You're back. Oh, how was Metropolis?
- Lena Luthor: Oh, well, I am very happy to report that Sam is doing amazing at L-Corp Northeast. She has made two acquisitions that are already turning a profit. She's coaching Ruby's soccer team.
- Kara Danvers: Oh.
- Lena Luthor: Apparently, they're playing a 4-3-3 with the Gegenpress, and Ruby's playing as sweeper keeper.
- Kara Danvers: I have no idea what that means.
- Lena Luthor: I think it means they're living happily ever after.
- Kara Danvers: Cat says amazing things about you.
- Nia Nal: Really?
- Kara Danvers: Yeah.
- Nia Nal: [handing over a cup] Oh, the coffee's for you.
- Kara Danvers: Oh, thanks.
- Nia Nal: I'm sorry.
- Kara Danvers: Thank you. But you're a reporter. You don't have to get me coffee.
- Nia Nal: Oh, I know, um, but Ms. Grant mentioned that you liked lattes, so I thought I'd pick one up. She said you were particular about the temperature, so I had it all perfectly planned out, but then my plan went haywire, no thanks to my roommate, and I... it's probably too cold by now. I'm sorry.
- Kara Danvers: Oh, my God. You're me.
- Nia Nal: I am?
- Kara Danvers: Yeah, totally. It's... it's unnerving.
- Querl Dox: I used the info you got from Lillian Luthor and found a location for Mercy and Otis. Would you believe it's an abandoned warehouse?
- Alex Danvers: I analyzed our recent torrent of conflicts, and I couldn't find a common factor. I did things your way wrong. I did things the Legion way wrong. I did things my way so very wrong.
- [he accidentally fires his toy dart gun; he sets it down, embarrassed]
- Querl Dox: I just couldn't win. And then I realized that's it. I can't win because I'm not Winn. He was your... bro. I'm not him. Unless... unless I... I am.
- Alex Danvers: I'm not... I'm not very good with change. And I do miss Winn. A lot. And I guess in some ways, I've been punishing you for not being him, and that is... that's not fair.
- Querl Dox: I understand. I miss my friends, too.
- Alex Danvers: I'm sorry, I didn't even think about that. And you left them behind.
- Querl Dox: Well, technically, they're ahead.
- Alex Danvers: Right. Yes. Look, either way, we are stuck with each other, so...
- [seeing his face fall]
- Alex Danvers: No, I mean, it's not a bad thing. It-it's-it's actually a good thing. You know? We just have to find our rhythm.
- Querl Dox: That, I can do. I've been told I have excellent rhythm.
- Alex Danvers: [blocking a friendly punch in the shoulder] No.
- Querl Dox: Just let me...
- Alex Danvers: [blocking him again] No.
- Querl Dox: All right.
- Alex Danvers: Just no more sweaters, all right?
- Querl Dox: Thank god. These things are restrictively tight.
- Kara Danvers: What happened in the meeting with James?
- Nia Nal: Well, um... MacKenzie pitched her take on the article, and she had a good approach.
- Kara Danvers: Yours was better. You were so passionate when you talked to just me about it, but why'd you shut down?
- Nia Nal: It was a scary room. James Olsen is the CEO of this incredible media empire, and MacKenzie has more famous friends than Oprah.
- Kara Danvers: Nia, what really happened when MacKenzie took that article? Why didn't you want to compete?
- Nia Nal: I guess, in the moment, I was afraid to make waves.
- Kara Danvers: Okay, fear. I get that. No matter how much we believe in ourselves, that never goes away. Not fully. Even now, I think that I'm not afraid of anything, and then something new and ugly rears its head and chases me right back down the rabbit hole. But once we catch ourselves, we have to jump right back out there. So, you're afraid to make waves? Okay. Make 'em anyway. Make a tsunami.
- Nia Nal: You're right.
- Kara Danvers: Of course I am. Acknowledge the fear, then kick its ass.
- Nia Nal: Thank you, Kara.
- Kara Danvers: Don't thank me. Just get out there and kick up a storm. Come on, seriously. Time's a-wasting. Tick tock.
- Kara Danvers: I know how much it means to you to honor your father's wishes. And I shouldn't have asked you to compromise that.
- J'onn J'onzz: Look, I know the last few days have been difficult for you. I'm just sorry I made it even more so.
- Kara Danvers: The thought of so much anger out there is... is not what I wanted to believe was true. I thought this country... that we were in a better place. The idea of having to fight something so vast, trying to unite such a divided world, it's... oh, it's overwhelming.
- J'onn J'onzz: It's your optimism that will help save us, Kara. You're a beacon of hope who sets an example, fighting for justice everywhere, the voice of unity and compassion. You inspire change.
- Kara Danvers: I feel like I don't know anything.
- J'onn J'onzz: Then you are wiser than you realize.
- Kara Danvers: Sorry I'm late, but I come bearing gifts.
- James Olsen: [accepting a bottle of vodka] Were you in Russia?
- Kara Danvers: Kasnia.
- Kara Danvers: You're about to hold a summit at Camp David on the anniversary of the Alien Amnesty Act. Can you say a few words about what this legislation has meant to you the past two years?
- President Olivia Marsdin: Of course. The impact has been far-reaching and profound.
- James Olsen: [quietly] You are really good at multitasking.
- Kara Danvers: Some might call it "super".
- [they share a small laugh]
- Kara Danvers: For the first time in my life, I've got everything under control.
- Alex Danvers: We're training, people. Never charge without a plan. Jensen, right?
- Jensen: Yes, Director Danvers.
- Alex Danvers: Let's dance.
- Querl Dox: Director Danvers, President Marsdin is arriving for her yearly visit.
- Alex Danvers: When?
- Querl Dox: Uh, now.
- Alex Danvers: Madam President, what a surprise.
- President Olivia Marsdin: So it seems.
- Alex Danvers: Yes, um, if you can just give me a minute, then I can, uh, get cleaned up and we can chat. Agent Dox was supposed to give me a warning before you arrived.
- Querl Dox: Uh, I believe I did. Right before she entered. Was that not enough?
- James Olsen: The way you pushed the president about her alien delegation selection was perfect. A reporter's job is to demand transparency. And with that said, I'd like you to talk to the cub reporters who are starting today about that.
- Kara Danvers: Sure.
- James Olsen: Yeah. And didn't Cat Grant recommend one to you?
- Kara Danvers: Yes, her name is Nia Nal.
- James Olsen: Well, Nia Nal's gonna need a mentor like you.
- Kara Danvers: You're incredible, you know that? Everything you're going through right now, the D.A. possibly indicting you for being Guardian, and here you are worrying about cub reporters.
- Lena Luthor: [waiting in his office as they enter] That's because he leaves the worrying about the D.A. to me.
- Lena Luthor: James, I'm worried about this thing with the D.A.
- James Olsen: Mm-hmm.
- Lena Luthor: Listen, I know you have your strategy, but I was speaking to my friends in the mayor's office, and they said the only path out of this is to use some leverage. They think the D.A. can be swayed, so I was thinking that maybe I...
- James Olsen: Lena, please, I don't want you pulling any strings for me. You've tried really hard to separate yourself from the criminal element in your family. Don't get mixed up in this. We'll handle the D.A. Look, I love the fact that you want to fight for me. I do. But the only thing that I need right now is you by my side.
- Fiona: What brings you to our group today?
- Kesse Kay: I guess I'm just happy today, and I wanted to share it. For the first time since I've been on this planet, I feel like I fit in. And it's 'cause of this.
- Fiona: [he taps his neck to change his appearance and back] An image inducer. You're not the only one who's purchased one recently.
- Kesse Kay: Bought it last week, applied for a job, and I actually got it. All because I look normal for once.
- Dr. Vose: Who decides what's normal? Why should we have to wear these devices that change our appearance so that we can be tolerated? I have these tusks. Why should I hide them?
- Kesse Kay: Well, that's easy for you to say. You just look like a Tolkien fan. You haven't been job hunting for six months and then been called a roach by your interviewer.
- J'onn J'onzz: It's not easy for any of us, young man. Dr. Vose has had his own struggles. But his research in nuclear physics is widely admired. And he's used his platform to become a great advocate for change.
- Dr. Vose: We all must have the courage to be seen.
- Querl Dox: I didn't think you needed more of a head's up that the president was arriving. You're good on your feet. True, I process terrabytes in microseconds, but you're not so slow yourself.
- Alex Danvers: You don't process as fast as you think you do. Because I have been telling you for months to warn me in advance when things are important.
- Querl Dox: [an alert goes off] Like Supergirl just cratered at Vose Laboratory?
- Alex Danvers: I'll assemble a strike team.
- Querl Dox: There's no time.
- [putting on his Legion ring and flying away]
- Querl Dox: Long live the Legion!
- Supergirl: J'onn, what are you doing here?
- J'onn J'onzz: Dr. Vose is a friend of mine. I heard the attack on the news. He's an outspoken advocate for alien rights, and most likely the target of a hate crime.
- Supergirl: This wasn't a hate crime, J'onn. This was a high-level robbery. These criminals were professionals. They brought gravity cuffs, they... they stole an EMP from Dr. Vose's lab. If they blow that thing, it could take out the entire power grid.
- J'onn J'onzz: They cut off his tusks, Supergirl. The very thing that distinguishes him as an alien.
- Supergirl: Yeah, to trick a biometric scan.
- J'onn J'onzz: Look, I've been living amongst the people, getting a feel for what's going on. There's a fresh wave of anti-alient sentiment. I can feel it.
- Supergirl: Look, I... I'm really sorry about what happened to your friend, but I think in this case, the fact that he's an alien is just happenstance.
- Querl Dox: I'm back, having assisted Supergirl, which was highly rewarding.
- Alex Danvers: I'm very happy you were able to help. But we seem to be having a communication problem.
- Querl Dox: Oh, no, I assure you, I understand every word that comes out of your mouth.
- Alex Danvers: Yes. But you are not comprehending it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have spent the last three months acting like a grain of sand in my boot.
- Querl Dox: Ooh. I guess that does sound annoying.
- Alex Danvers: Every time I tell you to do something, you either do too little or too much.
- Querl Dox: Yes, but I felt...
- Alex Danvers: This isn't the Legion. Okay, you don't get to just go rogue whenever you feel like it. So from now on, you don't leave this building, you don't breathe, unless I tell you to. Is that understood?
- Querl Dox: Affirmative.
- Alex Danvers: Good.
- Querl Dox: [she leaves] May I breathe now?
- Nia Nal: Oh, I am so late. You know, the crazy thing is I am always punctual. Always. But the the one day it matters, my roommate took the keys to my rental car, accidentally, of course, and I had to take the bus, and I spilled coffee all over my skirt, and all I wanted to do was make a good first impression on Ms...
- [seeing Kara and realizing who it is]
- Nia Nal: ...Danvers. It's you.
- Mercy Graves: [Otis plays around with a set of nunchucks] That thing hits my hard drives, it'll be family vacation 1996 all over again, only this time the paramedics won't be there to resuscitate you.
- Otis Graves: Buzzkill.
- Agent Liberty: I see the good doctor was aminable.
- Mercy Graves: Vose, uh, took some convincing, but yes.
- Otis Graves: And then Supergirl showed up.
- Agent Liberty: [she surreptitiously kicks him] And the EMP?
- [Otis shows it to him]
- Agent Liberty: Let him who desires peace prepare for war.
- Nia Nal: You wanted to see me?
- Kara Danvers: Yeah, I was just checking in. I know James asked the new reporters to pitch him a list of story ideas. Did you pick an article?
- Nia Nal: Yes. Uh, the feature on National City's new fashion district.
- Kara Danvers: Really?
- Nia Nal: You don't think it's a good idea?
- Kara Danvers: It's fine. It's just I read on your résumé that you have a degree in international relations from Georgetown. Are you sure you don't want to do something with a little more heft?
- Nia Nal: There's nothing slight about fashion, Kara. It's one of the most visceral forms of art. What we choose to wear tells a story about who we are. Whether you wear black and leather or pastels and silk, you're creating an inner version of yourself whether you realize it or not.
- Kara Danvers: Never really thought about clothes that way.
- Nia Nal: Well, what makes this story so exciting is that the fashion district's setting up shop in the middle of East City. New legislation is allowing designers to live and work in industrial spaces that have been abandoned for decades. An area that's been a hotbed for crime is going to be infused with color and life. I just think of all the kids growing up in that neighborhood, all the new job opportunities that'll be created. The fashion district article I wanna write about isn't about clothes. It's about community and growth. And hope.
- Kara Danvers: You need to pitch the article exactly like that to James. He's gonna love it.
- Kara Danvers: Brainy, what's up?
- Querl Dox: Definitely not me. I was grounded by Director Danvers. But while I was chained to my desk, not literally, I stitched together various images from surveillance at Vose's lab and ran them. The images were rudimentary and brought up 754,231 potential suspects. I checked each image with known associates and narrowed identification down to two. Otis and Mercy Graves. A brother and sister team.
- Kara Danvers: Do you have a location?
- Querl Dox: Negative. However, I was able to identify an ex-employer who might be able to help you with an address.
- Kara Danvers: Who's that?
- [cut to her arriving at Albatross Bay as Supergirl]
- Supergirl: [surprised] Lena.
- Lillian Luthor: Oh, dear. I hope I didn't have that same expression when you showed up this afternoon.
- Lena Luthor: No, mother. Your face was a mask of enigma, as usual.
- Supergirl: What are you doing here?
- Lena Luthor: Funny, I could ask you the same question.
- Supergirl: [to Lillian] I need to find Mercy and Otis Graves. They worked for Lex. And then for you. Cadmus.
- Lena Luthor: Mercy was Lex's head of security.
- Supergirl: And then turned state's evidence on him, betrayed him. Put him behind bars.
- Lillian Luthor: So you think I'd help you as some sort of revenge? I'm not vengeful anymore. My heart's grown several sizes in here.
- Lena Luthor: Says the Grinch who stole Christmas.
- Lillian Luthor: A few months ago, when the planet was being terraformed by those other Kryptonians, I was in my cell, under a mattress, hoping the ceiling wouldn't fall and crush me. And I realized I didn't want to die alone. And if I didn't want to die alone, I had to change. So, what do you want to know about the Graves siblings, besides they're monsters?
- Supergirl: A list of every Cadmus location you think they might be using to hide.
- Lillian Luthor: Just domestic? Or international?
- J'onn J'onzz: This was a hate crime, no doubt about it.
- Supergirl: Agreed.
- J'onn J'onzz: I still believe the attack on Dr. Vose was motivated by anti-alien sentiment. He was a member of a support group here. You should dig into it, see if the two attacks were connected.
- Supergirl: But Dr. Vose's lab was robbed by ex-Cadmus operatives. This... this was an explosion outside of a bar. I-I don't believe there's any reason to believe they're related.
- J'onn J'onzz: I wouldn't dismiss the possibility.
- J'onn J'onzz: I've been trying to tell you the climate towards aliens is changing.
- Supergirl: Yeah. Yes, I agree it is, but for the better. And yes, there will always be extremists like whoever attacked the bar, but overall, I think this country has made incredible progress. The president is about to celebrate the second anniversary of the Alien Amnesty Act, and for the first time on Earth, aliens are embraced as citizens with equal rights.
- J'onn J'onzz: Which is part of the backlash. The assimilation with aliens has sparked fear among many humans. And aliens are feeling the brunt of that anger.
- Supergirl: I'm an alien, and I've been all over the world recently, and I've never felt more love.
- J'onn J'onzz: Part of the reason why you're embraced as a hero is because you present as human. Most aliens do not share that privilege. I'm afraid your experiences are not the best barometer here.
- Supergirl: I'm embraced as a hero because I'm good at my job. And I really don't appreciate you questioning my judgment.
- J'onn J'onzz: I'm just trying to offer you a different perspective.
- Supergirl: J'onn, you left the DEO. So maybe now it's time you leave protecting the city to me.
- Kara Danvers: Did you finish the fried rice?
- Alex Danvers: I'm sorry. I'm stress eating.
- Kara Danvers: Did you have a bad date?
- Alex Danvers: No, the dating, it's actually... it's been great.
- Kara Danvers: Really?
- Alex Danvers: No, don't get that look on your face like you're gonna officiate my wedding.
- Kara Danvers: So, why are you scarfing the lo mein?
- Alex Danvers: Brainy. Oh, my god. I'm sorry, but everything... everything he does just infuriates me. I know it's mean, but it's just... ugh, I can't help it.
- Kara Danvers: He's new to this time period. It's a big adjustment. I'm sure it's been hard. Try to go easy on him.
- Alex Danvers: I'll try.
- Alex Danvers: We ordered your favorite Chinese takeout and you haven't even taken a bite. What's going on? I thought you were on top of the world.
- Kara Danvers: I got in a fight with J'onn. After the attack at the bar.
- Alex Danvers: Really?
- Kara Danvers: He tried to convince me that there's this hate movement against aliens. I mean, am I crazy? I feel like the world is better than it's ever been. More diversity, more acceptance.
- Alex Danvers: Sure. I mean, in-in some ways.
- Lena Luthor: Checkmate.
- Lillian Luthor: You just love saying that to me, don't you?
- Lena Luthor: I've let go of my anger, too, mother. I can't waste my energy on it.
- Lillian Luthor: Right. You need all your energy to focus on saving the world. Although, all I've seen are the commercials for your image inducer. Making a mint hiding aliens in plain sight.
- Lena Luthor: It's not political mother, it's just business. It helps fund my other research; the important kind.
- Lillian Luthor: Ever the pragmatist.
- Lillian Luthor: I know chess with me is a good time, but the love of the game can't be the only reason I've seen you twice in as many days.
- Lena Luthor: The truth? It's James and the looming indictment. It made me think about my life, how much of it I've spent living on an island. I wanna reconnect, rebuild the relationships that I've lost. And yes, that does include you. For better or for worse, you're still my mother. Things weren't always rosy, but there were some good times. Even with Lex.
- Lillian Luthor: It made me sad when the two of you became enemies. If I were still vengeful, I'd blame Superman for tearing this family apart. Okay, I'm still vengeful.
- Lena Luthor: I don't know if it was all Superman. In my opinion, it was his relationship with Bruno Mannheim that started him down the wrong path.
- Lillian Luthor: That miscreant? They were business partners, sure, but Bruno was only in it for the money laundering. It's a shame how he used your brother's business and then dumped him.
- Lena Luthor: I didn't know Bruno laundered money through LuthorCorp. Is there anything in my books I need to worry about, since you know where all the bodies are buried?
- Lillian Luthor: I guess it's time I educated you.
- Kara Danvers: You were right, about the crimes. They were motivated by hate. And there's a web of people...
- J'onn J'onzz: Now that you know what's happening, you can fight it, Kara.
- Kara Danvers: But I need your help. They're going to attack the alien summit. Help me keep it safe, and then help me take on the rest of this movement, because it is bigger than anything I have ever fought. The people involved in it are like the people I save every day. A villian, I know how to stop, but these people...
- J'onn J'onzz: I'm sorry, but I cannot fight with you. Not this time.
- Kara Danvers: But... but you have to. You were the first person to see this. You... who yelled at me to open my eyes, so how can you not join me now?
- J'onn J'onzz: Because it's no longer my path to fight. When my father passed, he gave me a message: live as H'ronmeer taught and promote peace. I cannot do that whilst wielding a sword. I will help those in need, and I will be a voice for change like Dr. Vose. I will support you, Kara, but I cannot join your battle. I'm sorry.
- Alex Danvers: You doing okay?
- Supergirl: Yeah. And thanks for being here. I know you pick your battles now.
- Alex Danvers: Well, it seemed like a good battle to pick.
- Alex Danvers: The lights are blown in here. We're gonna move the president to the safe room. That was just the distraction. Madam President.
- President Olivia Marsdin: Do you think they're inside the perimeter?
- Alex Danvers: I know they are.
- [to the Secret Service agents]
- Alex Danvers: All right, take her back. You guys go, clear the house.
- Supergirl: [noticing something on patrol outside] Alex, they're in DEO uniforms.
- Mercy Graves: Supergirl, I know you can hear me, you filthy roach. You need to know you won't stop this.
- Supergirl: I'm stopping you both.
- Mercy Graves: This isn't one of your battles where it's good versus evil, because we are the good guys fighting to save this country. We'll do whatever it takes to win.
- [she turns and shoots Otis]
- Otis Graves: Help! Supergirl!
- [she flies in and saves him just before his motorcycle crashes; landing nearby, she sees he's wearing a bulletproof vest]
- Otis Graves: You really thought my sister would kill me? You think you stopped us tonight, but the fuse was lit. And it's gonna be beautiful.
- Alex Danvers: [with Otis in custody at the DEO] You can act as tough as you want, but you are gonna tell us where Mercy went. And when you do, you're gonna wish you had done it sooner.
- Alex Danvers: Where did you get all that stuff?
- Querl Dox: The comic book store on Excelsior.
- Alex Danvers: Oh, that's right down the street from Winn's old apartment. And that cardigan, Winn has the same one.
- Querl Dox: Does he?
- Lena Luthor: [playing a recording for the D.A] My mother goes on to name five more shell companies owned by Mannheim. You're the District Attorney. Subpoena their books; you'll find enough RICO violations to send Mannheim away for as long as Al Capone.
- District Attorney Diaz: So, does your mother know you played her?
- Lena Luthor: She will soon.
- [stopping Diaz as she moves to take the recorder]
- Lena Luthor: No. And your other investigation?
- District Attorney Diaz: Guardian who?
- James Olsen: You realize you're turning into Cat, right?
- Kara Danvers: What? No.
- James Olsen: To a "T". It's kind of freaking me out. You just said "tick tock". You might as well have said "chop chop".
- Kara Danvers: Did I say that?
- James Olsen: You... you did.
- Agent Liberty: We didn't ask for you to come here. You brought this on yourself.
- Fiona: Who are you?
- Agent Liberty: [stabbing her in the back] An agent of liberty.
- [first lines]
- Little Girl: [Her heroine stopped the meteor] Thank you, Supergirl.
- Supergirl: [bright beaming smile] You're welcome.
- [leaps into the sky]
- Otis Graves: [cut off Dr. Vose's other tusk as well] Wouldn't want you all lopsided now, would we?
- Mercy Graves: You're such a child.