To start things off we get to see Supergirl and Martian Manhunter save National City some collateral damage when a space pod crashes. It’s a cool sequence that shows each character’s strengths, and by God I love how J’onn J’onzz is portrayed on this show – David Harewood shows a levelheaded reserve perfectly, but still emotes through the typically stoic nature of the alien.

When it’s discovered that the inhabitant of the vessel is indeed a Kryptonian – a fully grown-ass man of a Kryptonian at that – Kara lets her cousin know, and we finally (FINALLY) get to see the Man of Steel himself show up in this series.

One of the big problems this show had in the first season was the constant references to “her cousin” or “Clark” or any of the multitude of allusions to Superman without showing him or talking too much about him, so finally seeing Clark was extremely gratifying, especially in how he’s introduced: Tyler Hoechlin’s first screen time as the Last Son of Krypton is as Clark Kent in the midst of a Perry White tirade.

And this is really where the whole off-season discussion of actually having Supes on the show pays off: Hoechlin is sublime in the role, embodying both Kent and Superman in a way that appeases longtime fans. As Clark he is klutzy and awkward, but with a steely resolve beneath the thick-framed glasses. As Superman he relishes his role as a hero, and loves interacting with the civilians he has sworn to protect. There’s a really poignant scene where he saves a group of people, turns, winks, and then flies away.