Supergirl Review: Prom Again! (Season 6 Episode 6)

Supergirl Season 6 Episode 6, “Prom Again!” uses its remaining hour in Midvale to tell a hopeful story about autonomy — specifically through the eyes of Kara, Alex, Nia, and Cat. 

Supergirl doesn’t stop there! The show gives Brainy and Kenny the power to look within and take responsibility for their own emotions and lives in a way that directly shuns toxic masculinity.

This show is lucky to have such an excellent young cast to bring these characters to life in 2009. They’re so brilliant that it’s easy to suspend belief and see these iterations as younger versions of the characters we’ve known and loved for years. 

This sentiment lends itself to the scene when Alex drops Kara off at the prom. This conversation isn’t a new one for the sisters. We’ve seen them have similar ones over the years, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not new to them then and there. 

In 2009, this was the first time they’ve had this conversation — about Alex being more than her sister’s keeper and Kara being more than a superhero. 

It’s revelatory for them at that moment because they both realize that there’s something more for them in the world, and it’s up to them to choose the route they want to go down.

By Alex apologizing to Kara and relaying that she knows Kara can make decisions for herself, Alex is (at least temporarily) giving Kara the space she needs to grow and learn. 

More importantly for Alex, she’s giving herself the space she needs to become herself — free of being only Kara’s sister. She’s breaking out of the cage that her father continues to put her in to monitor Kara’s every move and feel guilty when things don’t go to plan. 

That should have never been solely Alex’s responsibility, especially at such a young age. This private moment between two sisters before a pivotal event like prom is a moving one because it’s bursting with hope for a better future for both Alex and Kara. 

That optimism weaves its way through the remaining minutes of the episode like Supergirl is oh so good at doing. For example, the scene when Kara is honest with Kenny could have gone an entirely different way, but it doesn’t because Kara changes every person she meets. 

Her hope extends from her heart and touches the hearts of others. It did precisely that and then some for the ever-precious Kenny Li. 

Kara’s decision to continue on her path to National City University is so much better than the alternative that’s teased earlier in the episode. It appears that Kara may give up on that dream to stay in Midvale with Kenny, but she sticks to her intuition and makes the braver choice. 

In doing so, Kara makes one of the first choices that is entirely her own. She makes moves to secure her future the way she sees fit. Kenny could have been outraged, blindsided, or disappointed. 

Instead, Supergirl allows Kenny to be vulnerable in return and decides to dedicate time to find ways to save himself. I suppose that nearly being wiped out of existence by two meteor shards will do that to a person.

Regardless, Kara Zor-El changed Kenny during their time together. He says as much when he tells her that she helped him believe in something better, something more, during one of the most challenging times in his life. 

This moment could come across as cheesy for some, but it’s so refreshing to see the tables turn on a scene like this. More often than not, the female character is in a “damsel in distress” role, while the male character gets to live his life freely.

Supergirl turns that on its head in a respectful way relaying that neither is weak. Kara and Kenny are equally strong in their ability to make a difficult decision to give themselves a chance at a better future. That’s not easy, especially for two seventeen-year-olds, but they do it. 

Have I mentioned how much I really love Kara and Kenny together? The mere fact that he calls her Kara Zor-El instead of Kara Danvers makes my heart flutter. She never has to be anyone other than himself around her. 

Meanwhile, Brainy and Nia do everything they can to ensure that there’s a future for Alex, Kara, and Kenny even to enjoy. This mission comes with some crucial revelations like Nia can bring dreams to life. Dreamer is already one of the coolest superheroes ever, and she keeps getting better. 

Nia’s journey to this point has been arduous but necessary. Nia’s relationship with her powers has been anything but easy. It’s heartbreaking that she can’t turn to her mother for help when she needs it most, but that’s why it’s so incredible to watch Brainy swoop in to lift Nia up. 

Brainy doesn’t take any of the glory for himself because he knows it’s not his to claim. Instead, Brainy congratulates Nia for saving not only the timeline but also Kara from the Phantom Zone. Nia’s abilities are the ones that save the past, present, and future, not his. 

That revelation could have left Brainy with a hurt ego, but it leaves him with a full and hopeful heart. It appears that Nia is beginning to feel the same. Nia is starting to realize that she is more than capable of figuring out her powers independently, though it may take time and patience. 

Nia has the tools to bust open all the cages in her dreams and reality. I’m excited to see what Nia can do now that she’s starting to believe in herself even more. 

Thankfully, Supergirl shows its hand by revealing that the Naxims aren’t all that important because Cat Grant is the key to everything. No one should ever tell Cat this because she would only say something like, “Tell me something I don’t know.”

Of course, Cat’s fierce determination to prove herself to be an iconic journalist to Perry White is what lands her on a spaceship. More importantly, Cat’s belief in herself allows her to break out of the cage he made for her. 

Cat Grant doesn’t make CatCo because of Perry White; she makes it despite him. All Cat needs is a friendly reminder from a stranger (Nia) in a prom dress that she’s a powerful woman and a fantastic journalist who does not require Perry White’s approval to succeed. 

Cat Grant is the pink cougar, after all. 

Though, this episode of Supergirl suggests that any of us could be the pink cougar in our lives. We all have the power to make decisions that can change everything for the better. When we don’t have hope that everything will work out, well, that’s when we can turn to the Paragon of Hope. 

Stray Thoughts

• This episode does pick up right where the last one left off. 
• Kara and Kenny have code words when they’re in the field! 
• Young Kara ripping her glasses off to help Brandon and Brenda made me so happy.
• Having La Roux’s “Bulletproof” playing in the background of a scene Supergirl is in is hilarious. 
• When he sees Nia in her prom dress, Brainy’s face made my heart grow three sizes.
• Brainy trying to sing “9 to 5” but failing to get the lyrics right is lovely. 
• There are at least two Lady Gaga references on this episode.
• Chyler Leigh nailed her directorial debut!

 

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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