Supergirl Review: Fear Knot (Season 6 Episode 7)

Supergirl Season 6 Episode 7, “Fear Knot,” reunites Kara with her family, but not before the Phantoms force the Super Friends to take on their worst fears. This episode is one of the show’s best so far this season because it lets us see our favorite characters at their most vulnerable. 

It’s been two weeks since we’ve genuinely caught up with anyone other than Brainy and Nia in the present. To catch up with them here, in the middle of an epic hero mission, stunned by their nightmares, is jarring, but it works. 

It’s almost a perfect reintroduction to these characters because we can see them as less than almighty, untouchable heroes, and more as people. This is why it’s so stunning to watch the Phantoms steal Kara’s hope from her. 

She’s a beacon wherever she goes, and that does not exclude the Phantom Zone. We saw this on Supergirl Season 6 Episode 3, “Phantom Menaces,” when Kara meets Nyxly for the first time. Now the tables turn, and Zor-El is the one to remind Kara that not all hope is lost. 

It can’t be because he’s with Kara again after all this time. It can’t be because Kara is the one who reminded that him that hope isn’t arrogant or naive. Kara Danvers changes people no matter where she is and what year it is. 

Kara impacted every single member of the Super Friends on the Tower, a spaceship now (!!!), who are fighting their worst fears to save her. 

Brainy’s fear of balloons is silly, though rooted in something real that he’s been battling since he removed his inhibitors. The show is wise not to waste time on Brainy’s fear since it’s already spent so much time on it. 

Nevertheless, the balloons manifest his anxiety, and it provides some levity that Supergirl needs after some heavy-hitters. 

For starters, Alex’s greatest fear of being the reason that everything falls apart and everyone she loves is something that ripples through everyone’s fears. For that, it’s an excellent place for “Fear Knot” to throw us into the Super Friends’ nightmares. 

It is unfortunate and quite dark that Alex’s only way out of that nightmare is by sacrificing herself for the greater good. No one is better without her. Their team — their family — is not better without her. The same can be said about Lena, Kelly, and Nia.

Nia’s is especially intriguing as Supergirl continues to set her up to be Kara’s equal. Her journey with her powers could come across as repetitive to some viewers because it has been such a significant focus of the season. But, it’s clear Supergirl has big plans for Dreamer.

It would be more frustrating if she figured everything out about her powers in half of an episode and never faced any problems again. This long-term journey with Nia and her finding her footing will hopefully pay off before the series ends. 

Ideally, it will lead Nia Nal to another show because it would be such a missed opportunity for Dreamer to be confident in herself and her abilities, only for the show to end. 

Similarly, “Fear Knot,” delivers some crucial Kelly Olsen scenes that have been missing this season. There is an unforgettable beat when you can see the exact moment Kelly decides to believe in herself. Azie Tesfai is absolutely brilliant in this role, and she shines on this episode. 

Nevertheless, it’s easy to believe the Super Friends are fearless because they risk their lives every day for people they don’t even know. It’s that thinking that makes these characters feel unreachable, but “Fear Knot” makes them like the exact opposite. 

It seems silly to say that “Fear Knot” makes the Super Friends feel like real people, considering every circumstance of this episode is anything but mundane. The grounding performances by this stellar cast pull us in and let us connect with these characters — no matter the powers, super suits, and capes.

Those performances that have resonated with us are the reasons why we keep watching every week and have been for six years. These characters have become a part of our family, just as their own fictional family grows. 

“Fear Knot” is a harsh reminder that these characters face the same fears that we do despite their day jobs of, you know, saving the world. Unfortunately, it’s that relatability that will only make it hurt worse when this final season comes to an end. 

This episode is Supergirl‘s mid-season finale, and its major cliffhanger leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not at all shocking that Nxly is alive and plotting something. 

However, it is shocking that she’s hanging on the Tower ship without them ever getting notified. How is a ship supposedly made of super-advanced Martian technology not going to have an alarm for something like that? Then again, that would quickly fix the problem that’s supposed to carry them into the final episodes. 

The cliffhanger that lies under the surface is much eerier than the one involving Nyxly because it affects the general wellbeing of the Super Friends. 

Will they all be able to recover from the mind tricks the Phantoms played on them? Will Kara have permanent effects from being in the Phantom Zone?

That matters much more to me than whatever Nyxly will do to Earth-Prime. The heroes are back together, and they’re always stronger together. There’s no doubt in my mind that they won’t work together to stop her. Surely waiting a few months for any reassurance will be easy and not stressful at all. 

Stray Thoughts

• Kara flew onto the Tower ship and right into Alex’s arms. I’m fine!
• Are the Super Friends going to be okay with Zor-El?
• That Guardian tease with Kelly took my breath away. She’s coming! 
• Kelly begging Alex to come back to her broke me, and it wasn’t even real. 
• David Harewood did an excellent job directing this episode! 

 

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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