Supergirl Review: Dark Side of the Moon (Season 3 Episode 20)

A huge revelation changes everything Kara knows on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 20, “Dark Side of the Moon.”

When Kara and Mon-El travel the universe in search of a mysterious substance, we know there’s going to be more to it than a quick errand run. Crash landing on the outskirts of a strange city isn’t that shocking. What lies within that city, though…

For a part of Krypton to have survived the literal death of the planet, and for Kara’s mother to be alive there alters the entire course of the series to date. That goes well beyond black kryptonite.

Of course, black kryptonite is still a big part of it. The debate over sharing a substance Argon City now needs cuts into some beautiful mother/daughter bonding time. It also brings us back to the woman who sent Reign to Earth in the first place.

Why is this woman playing a double role? Clearly, the Reign situation is about to get still more complicated. At first, I wondered whether it even was her. After all, what does identity truly mean when someone can so easily appear to be someone else?

On that note, the Ruby and Alex storyline continues, this time with the added spice of people trying to kill Alex. That means Ruby spends some time with Winn, Alex stalks potential stalkers, and J’onn dons a Danvers disguise, though with little success.

Before we get to Alex: I like Winn with Ruby, but forcing tension between them over his suddenly aggressive stress feels like an odd way to make them bond over their parents, especially when there are so many easier options.

Of course, we still haven’t seen Lena and Winn get to talk about the fact they both have evil parents who don’t get to use Wordkiller possession as an excuse. I won’t be holding my breath, even if I would like to see the dynamic explored more.

Either way, this is only a minor storyline, and much more focus is on Alex even after she takes down her own attempted murderer. Ruby has a lot to do with that.

My gut says the team is going to figure out how to save Sam from Reign. At the same time, Alex and Ruby are continuing to bond in a way that pushes a heck of a mother/daughter angle. Is adoption in the works if Sam is lost? I’m…not sure.

Unfortunately, whatever else happens, Reign is the season’s villain. Those characters rarely stick around after their defeat. There’s a good chance we won’t see Sam after season three. If we don’t see her, we may well not see Ruby, either.

That suggests this set up is giving Alex a taste of motherhood through Ruby before taking it away. Hasn’t Alex simply been through enough this year? Even other alternatives will be hard for her, as suggested by the end of the episode.

So, yes. Alex could use a break—but so could Lena Luthor.

Again, this matter is only growing increasingly complex. That means Lena’s new moral dilemma isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. For all her good intentions and noble nature, Lena can be ruthless where necessary. Does Reign have a point?

I am intrigued to see where the rest of the season will play. Controversial as they can be, the show’s efforts to play out gray areas in nearly every character pay off. Mon-El, who made so many mistakes last season, is truly noble here.

I will say, though, that if there are hints of Lena making a turn in the opposite direction, I hope they aren’t permanent. At the very least, I hope they’re given the emotional grit they deserve.

As for the rest of the season? Kara, it seems, may be going back to Krypton. And yet, once again, I direct you to these complications. We have a lot to resolve in very few episodes. Supergirl certainly needs be there for that.

….At least, I hope she does.

What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.

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