*This review contains spoilers*
Watch my SPOILER YouTube review
Season three of “Supergirl” may have been its best season so far, but that’s not saying much. All the pieces were there, especially with the well-set up villain, but the show stumbled to the finish line with too mystical mumbo jumbo and huge reveals that never delivered the emotional punch they should have.
The best new addition this season was adding Reign as the main villain. Not only was she an physical threat to Supergirl, but the slow buildup of watching Sam unknowingly transform into the worldkiller was done almost perfectly. There was such a strong bond created between Kara, Sam and Lena that it was heartbreaking thinking that Reign may have to die in the end. That drama was ditched in the final few episodes after things got overly entwined with more fantasy elements. We went from genetically-engineered Kryptonians to magically created beings working for witches.
Like always, Melissa Benoist is the rock this show is built on. Her strengths and vulnerabilities make her a hero to root for, while still grounding her in reality. There’s a point where they give her an unnecessary attitude adjustment where she decides to ditch her “human” emotions. It seems forced, but luckily doesn’t last all that long.
Regarding the other returning characters, Winn really clicks as the DEO’s “guy in the chair,” although he doesn’t have much else going on this season. Thankfully, they shy away from James’ Guardian persona for many of the early episodes, but we still end off with plenty of the mediocre gimmick. And his relationship with Lena always feels a bit off because there’s just something untrustworthy with her. Alex has some strong emotional moments as they end the likable romance she has with Maggie. That leaves her spending a lot of time moping and pining for kids of her own. Mon-El, now back as a full-fledged superhero works well, although his and Kara’s relationship goes down the drain as well.
As far as the other new characters besides Reign, there’s not much to write home about. Moran Edge was just a stereotypical sleazy businessman that they just dropped from the show. Martian Manhunter’s father was likable, but it always felt like he was going to die sooner than later. There was something stiff about the Imra (Saturn-Girl) character, and she just never fit in. Brainiac 5 has some strong moments, and some odd ones, but he’s slated to join the show full-time next season so hopefully they improve on him.
Much of what happened this season had a lot of potential, but failed to deliver. The Supergirl-worshiping cult was interesting, but the way they morphed into an evil, Reign worshipping cult was lackluster. It was cool seeing the Legion of Superheroes, but they really didn’t have any stand out action sequences as a team. The other two worldkillers ended being busts after the big buildup. The Argo City reveal would’ve been an awesome season finale cliffhanger, but instead it’s just thrown in there, and the huge emotional payoff that it should’ve delivered never really happens. The show attempts to cover racial-profiling and the gun-control debate, but it’s done so heavy-handed that it doesn’t feel like it organically came out of the story they were telling.
“Supergirl” season three has its strongest villain, but they drop the ball near the goal line and give us a confusing and almost silly resolution. No matter how bad things get, Melissa Benoist is still able to hold the show together, with the help of some strong emotional beats from the other core characters. There were some really fun homages this season to the old “Superman” films that didn’t feel like rip-offs.
Season’s best episode: “Reign” (Episode 9): The slow build toward Reign pays off, ending with a brutal fight between her and Supergirl.
Season’s worst episode: “Midvale” (Episode 8): A somewhat pointless flashback episode, with a weak set-up and watered down “Riverdale”-style plot.
*** out of *****