Supergirl Review: Make It Reign (Season 3 Episode 22)

Loss visits in several forms, including the apparent start of an apocalypse, on Supergirl Season 3 Episode 22, “Make It Reign.”

Well, if nothing else, we definitely know we’re in the season’s final episodes.

Like last season, the drama as we approach peak climax is a life-or-death situation for many lives beyond those of our heroes. This time the entire planet is in jeopardy.

Speaking of death, we’re not shying away from that in any way, either. We’ve been steeling ourselves for M’yrnn’s death for some time now, but another comes totally out of the blue.

To be fair, I can say “Demos, we hardly knew you,” and mean that literally. There was that one episode where psychic disturbances caused he and Winn to nearly kill each other, and then this one, where they have a long-standing relationship as frenemies.

Like with Sam’s mom, we are made to care for this character quickly in relation to the emotional impact on someone else. In this case, that means Winn’s guilt over the limitations of his otherwise extremely next level tech.

I understand Winn’s guilt, much as he shouldn’t be blaming himself. It’s just another highlight of how much literally everyone has been through. I know there are higher priorities right now, but all our characters need some serious therapy.

And as for that other death, it is indeed being as beautifully handled as I could have hoped. I only wish it didn’t have to be sidelined for the main conflict.

Heartwrenching as M’rynn’s goodbye to Alex is, he’s spent more time with other characters, Winn included. I’d love to see multiple scenes like that one. Even J’onn’s own time to grieve is shortened and interrupted.

That said, the scenes of memories shared between father and son are not only emotionally powerful, but visually striking as well. The memories are a small comfort, but the detail in which there are preserved will allow M’rynn to live on.

Or, at least, the ones they are able to share before that aforementioned interruption goes down will. Unfortunately, it’s kind of the end of the world as we know it, and nobody feels fine.

With Kara and Mon-El still in Argo City, the focus quickly switches to the need to getting them back. It gives anxious and comic moments alike. It also means we must breeze past the hints of Mon-El’s lingering feelings for Kara.

At this point, my biggest concern for the finale is that there simply won’t be time to explore the complexities of everything we need to, that included. Keep in mind we haven’t even touched on Sam yet.

Sure enough, all seeming totally fine and settled with two episodes remaining proves to be a classic case of “that which seems too good to be true probably is.” Sam has fallen ill, and the reason is even worse than our heroes see coming.

I believe Sam will survive, but I also won’t bet on it. Her willingness to sacrifice herself is directly established, and her proclamation to “not die today” can easily be seen as foreshadowing.

For Sam to go through electroshock therapy again—and in front her daughter—tells just how serious this business is. Once again, we are down to a survival match between her and Reign. Who, oh yeah, is not dead at all.

My biggest issue with the episode is the number of conveniences required to move this plot forward. I know the speed at which it moves makes them necessary, but still.

We have Coville’s quick appearance and disposal. We have the blood needed just happening to be in the open at the DEO. We have speedy adjustment to longtime friends being evil and speedier adjustments to the challenges of Earth.

There’s also the way the good guys can immediately communicate through holograms and a return to Earth going through after only a few difficulties. There’s even Alex being within earshot of Winn calling for her when Alura’s image randomly appears.

The point is, we’re reaching the time when we have to accept a lot of things happening “just because” so we can reach the climax point required of a finale. And when I say “a lot of things,” I mean a lot of things.

From Kara and Mon-El to J’onn and his father, there is so much beyond the Big Bad Showdown. I haven’t even mentioned Alex’s interest in adoption, which will have to extend into next season. This is all really just a rush.

In the end, we must give Sam’s fate, whatever it may be, the depth it deserves. At the same time, we must recognize that the stories of main characters we’ve seen for two or three seasons have a powerful impact on the audience.

Here’s hoping the show remembers all of that, and somehow finds the time to unpack all of this in the way we’re so anxiously hoping it will.

 

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

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