Supergirl Review: Elseworlds Part 3 (Season 4 Episode 9)
The CW wrapped its annual Arrowverse crossover with Arrow, I mean, Supergirl Season 4 Episode 9, “Elseworlds Part 3” and well, it was a thing that happened but not much else.
To be sure, the crossover started off strong with The Flash Season Season 5 Episode 9, “Elseworlds Part 1,” which was a fun, if a bit on the nose, start to a concept with lots of exciting of potential. From there though, things started to drag and deflate.
By the time we get to “Elseworlds Part 3,” all the fun and pop that made part one work so well is gone and what’s left is a pretty generic march to the finish line.
Narratively, “Elseworlds Part 3” did what it needed to do. Reality is restored, Dr. Deegan is defeated, and in the one bit of surprising Supergirl specific story development, Clark tells Kara that he and Lois are going to have a baby and move off world to Argo for a while.
Beyond just being dull though, the episode was frustrating. Throughout the crossover, Kara seems to be more along for the ride than an integral part of the story. For “Elseworlds Part 1” and for Arrow Season 7 Episode 9 “Elseworlds Part 2,” that’s ok if a little disappointing.
Kara is still a fun addition and provides some of the most fun moments in both episodes (Barry and Kara’s friendship remains one of the cutest things in the Arrowverse and something I wouldn’t be mad to see more of). It makes sense that Arrow and the Flash’s episodes of Elseworlds would focus more on Barry and Oliver than they would on Kara.
But when it is finally Supergirl’s turn at the plate, when she should be the anchor, she is still mostly an afterthought and not a central player in the story. “Elseworlds Part 3” feels more like an episode of Arrow with very special guest star Melissa Benoist than it does Supergirl’s contribution to the three-part crossover.
It should seem odd to say that Supergirl felt like a supporting character in her own show but it’s become somewhat of a pattern since Supergirl moved over to the CW. It’s almost always the biggest problems when a normal episode of Supergirl fails to meet it’s potential and it was one of the biggest problems with this crossover.
It’s not just Kara that feels a bit short-changed. None of the Supergirl characters have much to do during the crossover, especially in comparison to their Arrowverse counterparts. With the exceptions of Alex, who isn’t even Kara’s Alex, none of Supergirl’s supporting cast gets more than a cameo in their own show.
Killer Frost plays a bigger role in “Elseworlds Part 3” than J’onn does and as welcomed as the appearance of Legends Of Tomorrow’s Gary is, it seems odd that he has more significant screen time than Brainy.
It’s unfair to say there are no high points in “Elsewhere Part 3.” The scenes between Kara and Earth 1’s Alex are wonderful, and it is lovely to reaffirm that no matter what the reality or what earth they are on the Danvers sisters’ bond is strong.
I also quite like the scenes between Kara and Clark. Even though it feels like the episode centers Superman at the expense of Kara, their bond is very sweet and always a welcomed addition to any Supergirl story.
A few bright spots though is not enough to save “Elseworlds Part 3” and ultimately not enough to make this year’s crossover the fun, interesting event it should be. I hope they do better with Crisis on Infinite Earths next year.
What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supergirl airs Sundays at 8/7 c on The CW.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.