Supergirl’s 20th episode (its season finale, “Better Angels”) did what this show does best: pulled at heartstrings and inspired. Time and again, the message is that good can triumph over evil and that darkness doesn’t win, no matter the odds. The bond between all of the characters is strong. And in the end, it’s that bond that helps Kara save everyone—and the earth.
Eliza Danvers, flown in by a wounded J’onn, talks to a Myriad-controlled Alex and gets through to her. This paves the way for Kara to give an impassioned speech to National City, with a technical assist from Maxwell Lord. This scene is so important, because it succeeds through hope. No one is throwing a punch. No one is shooting a gun. This is just Supergirl and the power of words—the citizens come back to themselves. And I love that. I love that brute strength isn’t involved. Just a passionate plea.
Speaking of passionate pleas, the next day, Winn and Jimmy apologize for the things they said under Myriad’s control. (I suppose I should say I’m sorry for the things I’ve said when I’m hungry. It’s not dissimilar.) Kara’s kindness shines through when she assures them, “It wasn’t you. This is you.” A bit later, Jimmy and Kara discuss their kiss and she starts to apologize and casually brings up the issue of consent: “So, I’m sorry if I kissed you when you weren’t in control of yourself, because I’m all about consent.” This could’ve been just an awkward throwaway line, but it isn’t. I love the fact that the show brings up the importance of consent (regardless of gender roles, implied or otherwise) without harping on it. It’s a given, not a debatable fact.
Unfortunately, the threat isn’t over yet. Indigo and Non decide to kill everyone on Earth by making their heads explode (no, really). Max briefs everyone at the DEO on the technical aspects (“That’s like…using an Uzi on a mosquito.”) and the importance of finding the power source for this souped-up Myriad. While his motives aren’t entirely altruistic, he manages to fit in nicely at the DEO. And I’m not just saying that because he and Alex, in a moment of crap-we-might-die, end up holding hands. (Sorry, I ship them. I also ship Max and Cat a little. My heart is a complicated creature. Don’t judge me. Ships for everyone!)
Max does another kind and curious thing: he warns Kara that she’s basically going on a suicide mission. She takes the time to go around and say her goodbyes, touchingly to Winn (“I know I don’t say this enough, or ever really. But thank you. … Thank you for being such a great friend, always.”) and Cat (“Underneath the prickly exterior, you have the biggest heart of anyone I know.”). But she’s harsh toward Jimmy. In Kara’s eyes, she’s setting Jimmy free and doing what’s best for him by breaking his heart: “I mean, you and me. Maybe we’re just not meant to be. … James, I know in my heart, that we could’ve been happy together. But we missed our chance. And now, the most important thing to me is that you find happiness, find something who appreciates how amazing you are.”
But anyone who’s ever been in that situation knows that it is a steaming pile of bull. So, Jimmy calls Lucy (who spends almost the entire episode giving her father hell for his treatment of J’onn and his crappy fear-based attitude) and this results in a heart-to-heart with Hank. Kara has accepted the possibility that she might die, and it’s really beautifully done. The scene could’ve easily been trite, but Kara’s inner strength shines.
It turns out the source of Myriad is in Nevada, which is also home to “mediocre buffets and regret,” according to Max. Lane admits that, oops, Fort Rozz is there and cloaked using its own technology. The government labeled it a nuclear testing site and called it a day. (Your government at work, ladies and gentlemen!) J’onn insists on going with Supergirl, and Lucy orders his release. General Lane goes along with it, ordering someone to remove J’onn’s remaining cuff. J’onn removes it himself, proving that he could’ve fled any time and didn’t. That says a lot about his character, in just one small gesture.
After the fight (Kara defeats Non, because she’s a badass—and J’onn literally rips Indigo apart), there’s still the matter of Fort Rozz and Myriad. The only choice is Kara flying it into space, but without atmosphere, she’ll die. It’s a bit of a stretch, but I’ll overlook it, since it results in an excellent phone call between her and Alex. And by “excellent,” I mean, oh my god—stop making me cry (“[Jeremiah] needs to know that everything good I did, it came from you being my sister.”). The dynamic between these two has always been compelling, but never more than when one goes to bat for the other.
Thankfully, it turns out that Kara isn’t the only badass in the Danvers family: she uses Kara’s spaceship to fly into space to rescue her. To top it off, General Lane’s heart grows three sizes: he thanks J’onn, tells him that the president has reinstated him, and maybe stole a Kryptonian power source and gave it to Max.
And that’s okay, because I like that the characters are layered. I like that Max has many sides, and that while Lane can be reasoned with, he’s not suddenly going to be spotted hugging kittens. You know what else I liked? The final scene between Cat and Kara. Man, these two. I love their championing and challenging relationship. Yes, Cat spent the entire season calling her Kiera. But in one swift move (a promotion, the details of which to be determined later), Cat’s big heart shines through again: “This is your end of Working Girl moment. And if you take advantage of it, I really believe you can change the world. … If you work hard, there may be a window in your future…Kara.” Sometimes, we need someone to push us, to guide us. When it came down to it, Cat gave Kara what she needed when she needed it. She didn’t coddle her. She made it clear there were (often unreasonable) expectations, but Kara rose to meet them. I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops next season.
The ending scene was a dinner at Kara’s, involving Jimmy finally kissing her (and me cheering, because YAY KISSING) without any meddling. There was champagne, and it was a really fun scene…until a Kryptonian ship crashed. Of course, we didn’t get to see inside. Because nothing says season two like a cliffhanger made of longing.
I don’t know about y’all, but I’ll be glued to my TV in the fall, Monday nights at 8 o’clock on CBS. Same bat time, same bat channel. *makes a Zorro mark* Bugger it, that’s not right either. Regardless, Supergirl has stolen my heart. And like all great loves, I don’t even mind.
P.S. Really, Greg Berlanti and Ali Adler, send me those boots? I promise to wear that in pursuit of being a badass with a big heart.
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