Supergirl finds an opportunity to escape from the Phantom Zone but it comes with some dangerous strings attached. Lena joins the Super Friends on a mission but finds she disagrees with their plan of action against the Phantoms and wonders if she is truly ready to be a part of the team.
In 2020, the television industry aired 493 scripted shows across numerous outlets. The way people consume content now is different than it used to be. It happens according to one's own schedule. As such, it's less necessary to provide ample coverage of each episode in any given season from a show. Moreover, it is simply impossible to watch everything. As such, this site provides shorter episodic reviews in order to cover as many shows as possible. With all of that being said, here are my thoughts on the next episode of The CW's Supergirl.
"Lost Souls" was written by Karen E. Maser & Nicki Holcomb and directed by Alysse Leite-Rogers
Supergirl's spirit hasn't been broken by the Phantom Zone. That's the greatest risk that comes from being sent to this place. It's an environment with no hope. The souls trapped there cannot escape. They are destined to be tortured for all eternity with no time passing by whatsoever. Kara has been lucky to a certain extent. She has reunited with her father. That family connection was restored once more. And then, she formed a friendship with Nyxly. They could work together to escape. Kara knew how to do so. She just needed these additional resources to get to that potential exit. Even when all hope seems lost, she is determined to forge ahead. She will not be broken by this experience. And yet, she also feels compelled to break the mirror and sever any connection back to Earth in order to prevent a new threat from terrorizing it. Now, it's not particularly surprising to see this sudden heel turn from Nyxly. It seemed like a likely possibility. Her backstory is tragic. Kara immediately showed her friendship and support. Nyxly views themselves as kindred spirits. They are people who were banished to this realm through the malicious desires of others. They don't deserve this torment. They are both motivated to escape. Zor-El is the one who feels more hopeless. This is a huge risk for him. He found comfort in this life. He had to contain himself for a long time just to survive. It wasn't much of a life. He found a renewed sense of purpose through his daughter. He still brings valuable insight to this mission. He is also quick to give up. Nyxly views that as a liability. She sees him as the same as her own father. He isn't worthy of being saved. She attacks. She takes actions believing Kara will continue to support her completely. She doesn't. She loves her father and refuses to give up on him. She will protect Earth from any danger even if it means sacrificing her life to do so. That's the moral conviction she has always led with. The Super team still embodies that back in National City as they try to find a way to bring her home again. They still value the tone she set for being heroes. Kara makes a sacrifice. Nyxly seems lost after the final explosion. That's unlikely solely because Peta Sergeant is a new series regular this season. This may only further incentivize the conflict that is now brewing between Supergirl and Nyxly. It's a dynamic where they could have been trusted friends. And now, a desperation exists to use the other's powers to lord over whatever worlds they are in. Kara knows the danger of following that path. Nyxly is a threat. She doesn't deserve to die. That may not even be a possibility in the Phantom Zone. The show is still establishing the rules of this place. Meanwhile, it seems like the show will be taking a cue from Legends of Tomorrow in explaining how the Super team will find Kara again. They have to go back in time. That's what Nia's latest dreams are telling her. It's a glimpse of a time in high school. The show has mined those younger years of Kara and Alex sparingly. A meaningful story could still be found there. It also has the potential to mess up the timeline because that's frequently what happens when time travel occurs in this extended universe. But it also comes at the conclusion of an episode where the Super team successfully prevents a phantom from taking over the planet. They too have to sacrifice the search for Kara in order to protect everything of value on Earth. They cannot allow their selfish desires to cloud their judgment. Part of that comes from their training and the connection they have with Kara. They can't disappoint her. They must be proud of their actions. They can still be torn and lost over them as well. Everyone can relate to that. They simply have to be willing to express them with their loved ones. Lena does belong on the team. She needs that reassurance from Alex though. Choices made in the past don't have to define them in the future. They can still do good with the right influences guiding them along the way. This planet needs protection. The team provides that. They save the lost souls. It's a mission well done with a viable lead for how to potentially find Kara in the Phantom Zone as well.
Supergirl's spirit hasn't been broken by the Phantom Zone. That's the greatest risk that comes from being sent to this place. It's an environment with no hope. The souls trapped there cannot escape. They are destined to be tortured for all eternity with no time passing by whatsoever. Kara has been lucky to a certain extent. She has reunited with her father. That family connection was restored once more. And then, she formed a friendship with Nyxly. They could work together to escape. Kara knew how to do so. She just needed these additional resources to get to that potential exit. Even when all hope seems lost, she is determined to forge ahead. She will not be broken by this experience. And yet, she also feels compelled to break the mirror and sever any connection back to Earth in order to prevent a new threat from terrorizing it. Now, it's not particularly surprising to see this sudden heel turn from Nyxly. It seemed like a likely possibility. Her backstory is tragic. Kara immediately showed her friendship and support. Nyxly views themselves as kindred spirits. They are people who were banished to this realm through the malicious desires of others. They don't deserve this torment. They are both motivated to escape. Zor-El is the one who feels more hopeless. This is a huge risk for him. He found comfort in this life. He had to contain himself for a long time just to survive. It wasn't much of a life. He found a renewed sense of purpose through his daughter. He still brings valuable insight to this mission. He is also quick to give up. Nyxly views that as a liability. She sees him as the same as her own father. He isn't worthy of being saved. She attacks. She takes actions believing Kara will continue to support her completely. She doesn't. She loves her father and refuses to give up on him. She will protect Earth from any danger even if it means sacrificing her life to do so. That's the moral conviction she has always led with. The Super team still embodies that back in National City as they try to find a way to bring her home again. They still value the tone she set for being heroes. Kara makes a sacrifice. Nyxly seems lost after the final explosion. That's unlikely solely because Peta Sergeant is a new series regular this season. This may only further incentivize the conflict that is now brewing between Supergirl and Nyxly. It's a dynamic where they could have been trusted friends. And now, a desperation exists to use the other's powers to lord over whatever worlds they are in. Kara knows the danger of following that path. Nyxly is a threat. She doesn't deserve to die. That may not even be a possibility in the Phantom Zone. The show is still establishing the rules of this place. Meanwhile, it seems like the show will be taking a cue from Legends of Tomorrow in explaining how the Super team will find Kara again. They have to go back in time. That's what Nia's latest dreams are telling her. It's a glimpse of a time in high school. The show has mined those younger years of Kara and Alex sparingly. A meaningful story could still be found there. It also has the potential to mess up the timeline because that's frequently what happens when time travel occurs in this extended universe. But it also comes at the conclusion of an episode where the Super team successfully prevents a phantom from taking over the planet. They too have to sacrifice the search for Kara in order to protect everything of value on Earth. They cannot allow their selfish desires to cloud their judgment. Part of that comes from their training and the connection they have with Kara. They can't disappoint her. They must be proud of their actions. They can still be torn and lost over them as well. Everyone can relate to that. They simply have to be willing to express them with their loved ones. Lena does belong on the team. She needs that reassurance from Alex though. Choices made in the past don't have to define them in the future. They can still do good with the right influences guiding them along the way. This planet needs protection. The team provides that. They save the lost souls. It's a mission well done with a viable lead for how to potentially find Kara in the Phantom Zone as well.
