Supergirl Review: It’s a Super Life (Season 5 Episode 13)
Supergirl Season 5 Episode 13, “It’s a Super Life,” marks the return of Mister Mxyzptlk for the show’s 100th episode. It is only fitting that such an achievement takes Kara on one of her most important and personal journeys yet.
Although this episode lacks the usual amount of Danvers sisters moments, its dedication to exploring Kara and Lena’s friendship makes “It’s a Super Life” a strong hour for the series, especially because Supergirl is its strongest when it focuses on female-led stories.
Don’t think about the logistics of altering the past in a post-Crisis world for too long because it will lead you down a wormhole of unanswerable questions. For example, since only heroes involved in Crisis (and Lex) have their memories of the timeline Mxy and Kara fast-forward through, what are the logistics of actually implementing a new reality?
Kara could have changed the way she remembers things, but she would likely need a device or maybe Mxy’s powers to carefully alter Lena’s memories, along with the memories of anyone else involved in the manipulation of a new timeline.
All of this is to say, although the alternate realities present extremely high stakes and emotional situations, it is difficult to believe that any of them will become the new normal because of the previously mentioned multiverse issues.
If anything, this makes watching the alternate realities more of an opportunity to celebrate the returns of characters like Sam Arias and revel in the excitement of revisiting old sets, costumes, and storylines.
These alternate timelines could initially appear as an excuse for Kara’s decision, except the opposite becomes true as the story unfolds. Thanks to encounters with returning characters, like Mon-El and Winn, and her interactions with many alternate Lenas, Kara learns to be kinder to herself despite any mistakes she does make.
“It’s a Super Life” reinforces Kara Danvers as a superhero in her own right, and it’s refreshing to watch Kara begin to see that strength in herself again. Kara shouldn’t have to shoulder the burdens of someone else’s bad choices, even if that someone is her best friend.
This why Kara and Lena’s confrontation is equally empowering and touching.
Kara finally gives Lena an ultimatum the latter should’ve received before the multiverse collapsed into Earth-Prime. It is empowering to see Kara stand in front of Lena, take responsibility for her mistakes, and demand that Lena do the same. It’s a real act of love for herself and her friend.
This confrontation also sets the tone for the season moving forward. Kara’s declaration is specifically worded to avoid calling Lena a villain yet, but it also proves that Kara isn’t willing to sacrifice any more to justify Lena’s harmful actions.
Kara is at a breaking point, and, unfortunately, until Lena reaches one of her own, there is nothing Kara can do to help her friend. This ultimatum may be the push Lena needs, since she’ll no longer have Kara in her corner.
This push could be down a darker path, aligning her with the villains of Supergirl’s past, or it could be the wake-up call Lena so desperately needs. People need people, and Lena is not excluded from that.
The sooner Lena realizes this, the better. The longer it takes could result in Supergirl reverting back to an endless loop of trusting and distrusting Lena. This can’t go on for much longer without the series risking a repetitive storyline with few engaging twists.
This ultimatum is the twist Season 5 has been leading to, so Supergirl should only take steps forward from here.
One of the episode’s most touching moments comes at its end. Kara and Supergirl fans alike take a moment to appreciate the two characters that have been there from the beginning. J’onn J’onzz and Alex Danvers are just as much the heart of Supergirl as the hero herself.
It’s comforting to know that as things change with Lena, Kara will always have Alex and J’onn by her side — hopefully for 100 more episodes.
Stray Observations
- Kelly should wear Guardian amour more often on Earth-Prime. She deserves to be up in the Tower with the rest of the Super Friends.
- Ben Lockwood’s return is a perfect reminder of how great Supergirl Season 4 was.
- Why couldn’t we have seen just a little bit more of J’onn and Alex playing paintball? Superheroes have fun too!
What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Supergirl airs Sundays at 9/8c on The CW.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.