Supergirl Review: Lost Souls (Season 6 Episode 4)
The bumpier and more predictable moments on Supergirl Season 6 Episode 4, “Lost Souls,” can be overlooked thanks to the compelling character development this episode offers.
For an episode that wraps up the threat of the Phantoms on Earth-Prime, “Lost Souls” spends too much time providing information that isn’t all that useful.
It’s helpful at the moment for the Super Friends, but there’s no way that all of Brainy’s info dumps about Prime Phantom and its Progineys will shake up to mean anything in time for the series finale.
Those info dumps lead to some frustrating moments that Supergirl could have used to spend more time with these characters. There’s also a lot of discussion regarding where the Super Friends can get more of Kara’s DNA as if she doesn’t have an apartment full of it.
It appears Supergirl needs a purer form of her DNA that Brainy and Nia can only find by going back in time. This leads me to believe all of the much too complicated DNA talk is a means to an end, which is a trip to Midvale.
This trip is clunky in its setup because there’s no clear definition of the DNA needed, but it’s convenient to advance the story.
Also, it’s the final season. Supergirl can have some fun with time travel, because when else is it going to happen? All will be forgiven when the show takes us back to Midvale.
Izabela Vidovic and Olivia Nikkanen, who play Young Kara and Young Alex, respectively, do such a great job that the setup won’t even matter because the payoff will be that great.
The one-on-one scenes are the brightest spots of this episode. More specifically, the scenes between Alex and Lena and those with Brainy and Nia. This sentiment even extends to the Phantom Zone, where some somewhat predictable moments occur, but they still allow the characters’ true colors to shine.
It’s not shocking that Nyxly hurt Zor-El because there is no way Scar could have done all of that as fast as Nyxly claims he does. He’s not nearly as resourceful as her, which doesn’t pan out for her as best as it could have.
Supergirl is surely faking both Kara and us out with Nyxly’s apparent death because there’s no way she’ll go out like that. There is rage deep in her soul that needs to be exercised. Ideally, this would happen safely and not to the detriment of Earth-Prime.
Then again, there’s the joy of Nyxly becoming a female villain for Supergirl‘s final season. We all remember how amazing the Reign arc was with Sam. It would be much more refreshing than using Lex again.
Regardless, we get to see Kara make the sacrifice that Alex echoes back in National City. Kara sacrifices her way home to her loved ones to protect the planet from Nyxly’s wrath. Through it all, she never loses her hope that there’s another way out of the Phantom Zone.
Kara’s fortitude and optimism never wavered. It’s difficult not to wonder how much longer Kara can uphold that perspective as she remains in the Phantom Zone. Supergirl does a great job of showing how it’s jaded Zor-El.
Though there’s nothing realistic about the Phantom Zone, it would be practical for Kara to come out of it changed in some way rather than entirely unphased. Experiences change people, and Supergirl‘s final season could benefit from exploring how this one changes Kara.
“Lost Souls” shines when it explores how the Super Friends are grappling with potential world-ending problems and the loss of Kara. Alex and Lena’s honest chat about Alex’s difficult decision is excellent. Chyler Leigh and Katie McGrath bring such care and warmth to that scene, proving how much Alex and Lena have grown.
Alex and Lena haven’t always seen eye to eye, let alone been close friends, but this scene teases the start of that. Alex intrusts Lena with Kara’s digital life force, and that’s all the proof I need to know that Alex is willing to help Lena lean into her heroism.
Lena isn’t the villain of this story. She never was. Alex has always been more skeptical than Kara when it comes to Lena, but that’s only because Alex tries to be one step ahead to protect her sister. That’s why it’s so impactful for Alex to be the one to not only welcome Lena into the Super Friends but assure her she’s in the right place.
Hopefully, this means Supergirl will let Alex and Lena team up more this season because they are quite the dynamic pair.
Speaking of, Brainy and Nia are utterly fantastic together. Nicole Maines and Jesse Rath’s chemistry is so great that you can feel everything between Brainy and Nia — all the tension, all the respect, all the love.
They’re both so attentive to the other’s needs that you have to root for them. Brainy notices every single time Nia dreams, and Nia knows right when Brainy is going through something more than just comfort eating donuts.
There’s a more profound understanding shared between the two that can’t be matched by anyone else. Brainy and Nia are soulmates. Full stop.
Both of them (Brainy more than Nia) have work to do before they can be in a successful relationship together. Supergirl never steers away from the strength of their bond, and that’s why their small moments throughout this episode stand out.
It’s so exciting to think that we’ll get so many more of these moments now that Brainy and Nia are traveling back in time to visit Kara and Alex in high school in Midvale. That’s sure to be fun, nostalgic, and full of a whole lot of heart and hope, just like Supergirl does best.
Stray Thoughts
- Alex saved the day without any superpowers because she’s amazing like that.
- Nia joking about the Prime Phantom’s lair being in the sewers is hilarious.
- Are Nia’s nails always painted blue, or does that magically happen when she’s Dreamer?
- Lena making a whole device because she’s excited for her first day at the Tower is very adorable and very in character.
- Where are Kelly and Andrea?
- I loved it when Nia called Alex ‘Sentinel!’
What did you think of this episode of Supergirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Supergirl airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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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.
One thought on “Supergirl Review: Lost Souls (Season 6 Episode 4)”
“Alex has always been more skeptical than Kara when it comes to Lena, but that’s only because Alex tries to be one step ahead to protect her sister.”
…OR because, for Kara, Love is blind. It all depends on how you look at them. ;-/
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