Supergirl Review: The Fanatical (Season 3 Episode 19 )

Tensions continue to escalate on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 19, “The Fanatical”—and that’s not even counting the reappearance of a cult.

Like Winn, who has been a bit more present since getting a character-centric episode, James Olsen has largely been on the sidelines recently. Now he too gets a chance to step forward, both through and away from his secret identity.

With the exception of a couple brief appearances, we’ve barely seen James acting as Guardian at all this season. For better or worse, most of his recent scenes are tied to Lena. It’s nice to see him stand out on his own in this episode.

We get some interesting discussions about why hidden identities are in fact hidden, which are more poignant when tied to issues that go beyond the show itself. As a black man, James has still more reason to stay under the radar than Kara.

The threat of ripping that away is addressed directly through Tanya, speaking on the fact that even a hero like Guardian can’t avoid the stigmas forced upon him. James speaking out about his past calls out a lot of things we don’t always like to think about

Kara’s role in this plot is largely to act as a foil for James’s experiences. That, along with addressing uncomfortable issues head on, inspires some great conversations. Their friendship, at least, is back to being strong.

When it comes to the cult itself, my feelings are rather “meh”. For the most part, it feels as though we’re bringing it back just to act as a plot device for the season’s main arc–although the last scene suggests that might change.

Admittedly, the cult members get a lot of drama in while acting as a vehicle to move the Worldkiller plot forward. Again, the emotional connection to minor characters who suddenly return feels a bit rushed, even if the scenes that come from it are powerful.

Along with all this talk of identity revelation, we are brought back to the topic of what Lena Luthor does and doesn’t know. That, in turn, brings us to the topic of how Lena continues to feel about everything going on. And on that note…yikes.

We are finally given some direct, if indistinct, reasons why Lena cannot know that Kara is Supergirl, but we are also given more reason to believe this ongoing secret will backfire. The messy triangle between these three characters is only made messier when two are the same person.

Will even the remaining good relationship here be dismantled? What will happen if it is? By now, it will have an impact that goes beyond Kara and Lena. Does the fight to save Sam hinge on how it all turns out?

With questions like that, there’s not a lot of room for subplot, but Ruby and Alex still get a fair bit to do. Alex’s varied attempts to break Ruby from depression are both awkwardly funny and heartbreaking, and reflect a lot on how grief is handled.

These scenes tie well J’onn and his father, a story that continues to give us a tightrope walk of pain and wonderful scenes. Here, we get M’yrnn and Ruby finding healing in each other, demonstrating the insights they both have beyond psychic devises or a young age.

In the midst of all else, we get a few glimpses of a funny Mon-El reminiscent of season two, and Winn and Lena getting the chance to work together again. I sure hope we get more of both those things before the season ends– or before all goes to hell.

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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