Naomi joined the legacy of DC Comic superheroes to come to the small screen last week. An unassuming teen in small town Oregon has her life turned upside down when a Superman stunt reveals clues about her past. The big mystery of the series is to discover her past causing her to question everything she thinks.
“Unidentified Flying Object” picks up after the premiere following Dee’s big reveal of who he actually is. It’s all too much for Naomi and like any normal person, she finds ways to rationalize everything that has happened. Kaci Walfall conveys how all the secrets weigh on the character and the desperation of trying to maintain a normal life. The obsession begins to border conspiracy theorist
Luckily there is a good support system in place preventing her from becoming fully unhinged. Mary-Charles Jones’ Annabelle walks that fine line of being an encouraging friend but also reeling Naomi back in before she goes over the edge. There are some nice group scenes as they help investigate a UFO sighting that happens to coincide with the titular character’s adoption date. Despite the dark mystery, it’s fun to be reminded that they are all still high schoolers. From Jacob’s jalopy first car to everyone’s love of smoothies, it helps balance the tone and bring some levity.
Young romance is still heating up with Anthony making a play for a date. In addition, there’s still passive aggressiveness between him and Nathan. You would think with the crazy circumstances, Naomi would focus elsewhere but the series still pushes the relationship card. She is able to brush Anthony’s advances without insulting him. So far, everyone is helping her out because they are her friends. But when half the group is trying to get with her, there is a risk of poor optics if she continues to lead her interests on particularly when things can become dangerous.
With the love entanglements, Lourdes seems much of an afterthought. We know the least about her and she doesn’t receive as much screen time as the guys. She only pops up when the group need to do more sleuthing and nothing else. During press day, the creators stressed how inclusive they were by including a female suitor but she’s isn’t being used or developed. However, the looks Anthony and Nathan give each other when she shows up is priceless.
There are some intriguing developments with the adults of the show. Much of the episode revolves around Naomi coming to terms with herself and taking those first steps to embracing her destiny. Much of what Dee tells her has some credence and they develop a mentor/mentee relationship capped by a literal leap of faith. At least as she comes into her powers, she has someone who can relate and guide her every step of the way. Though it might be difficult at some point since Dee is a Thanagarian and we still don’t know her origins.
Likewise, the shadowy Zumbado might be looking after our heroine. He might actually be doing what he says he’s doing; protecting her but in his own way. He might even better relate to her than Dee because he understands the weird writings on the disc found last week. Only if he could express himself in a less creepy and threatening manner, Naomi might believe him as well. Then, with something with a longer term pay off, Papa McDuffie could soon come into conflict with his daughter with his latest assignment from his army superiors.
The second episode continues the slow burn mystery behind Naomi’s origins while gradually supplying answers and strengthening the dynamics between the other characters and its lead.
New episodes of Naomi are released Tuesdays on The CW.
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