Supergirl Review: Welcome Back, Kara! (Season 6 Episode 8)
Supergirl finds its footing again before its final stride with Season 6 Episode 8, “Welcome Back, Kara!” Now that the Girl of Steel is back in National City, the show can deal with the fallout of the Phantom Zone.
But first and foremost, it gives us what we’ve all been waiting for: those heartfelt reunions.
Each hug that Kara shares with her friends turned family is meaningful and special in its own right. Each moment feels like the necessary beat for Kara and the other person to connect after so much time apart.
Kara telling Lena, “It’s only because you’re on the team that I’m here,” is one of the most understated moments of the episode.
Not only does this further acknowledge Lena as a valid member of the Super Friends (which she still struggles to accept as the truth), it solidifies her and Kara’s friendship as a life-saving one. It’s that vital to Kara and the fabric of Supergirl.
Equally vital is the quiet scene that Supergirl allows Kara and Alex to have before the two of them join Kara’s “Welcome Home” party. It’s beyond necessary, and its brevity doesn’t undercut that.
We are so lucky to experience the chemistry that Melissa Benoist and Chyler Leigh have as Kara and Alex Danvers. It’s truly unmatched on television.
This scene could just be one that establishes Kara’s nightmares and visions of her time in the Phantom Zone, but it’s so much more than that because of the actresses’ chemistry. It takes it to another level like only they can.
It’s a small gesture but Leigh’s choice for Alex to put her hand over her heart when Alex tells her sister, “I’ve got you,” is excellent. It pulls everything together and reminds you how fiercely protective the Danvers sisters are of each other.
The episode takes a peculiar turn when it tries to pull Supergirl back on track by introducing environmental issues to its final season. Leave it to Lex Luthor to be the one to add more trash to the ocean.
It’s exciting to see the Super Friends suit up together again, but the pollution storyline serves Zor-El more than it does anyone else. Kara drops the idea for her article without a fight, which is all well and good considering what it leads her to in the end.
So while Kal-X/Oscar the Trash Monster mission doesn’t pull the show back on track, its emotional resolution does. It gives Zor-El a worthy sendoff, and it sets Kara up for her next arc.
This immediately grants the show permission to get back at what made its greatest season so great: watching the characters fight on behalf of issues they care about.
The interpersonal connections between these characters and their respective mental healths are key themes of the season. It all comes back to family and remembering that even heroes need help sometimes.
One of the greatest joys of this final season is watching Nia and Lena grow closer by discussing the effects of losing their mothers. The women of Supergirl are its strong suit, and it’s so wonderful to see them be so influential in each other’s lives.
Of course, they have each other’s backs during a mission, but it’s even more important to see how their relationships exist beyond work.
It’s those connections that make the stakes so much higher when they are on a mission. It’s what makes it all matter.
It’s monumental that Nia influenced Lena’s decision to know more about her mother. For so long, Lena’s only connection to this group of people was Kara.
Over the years and in her absence, the Super Friends have accepted Lena with open arms. Now it’s basically a given that the Super Friends would fall apart without her.
Similarly, it’s astonishing to think of how far Nia has come since the beginning of this season alone. Her leadership role continues to grow alongside her belief in herself, which is fueled by Lena and the rest of the Super Friends’ support.
Supergirl‘s mission statement has always been “Stronger together.” Zor-El is right that Kara spends so much time ensuring others know that, that she doesn’t give herself permission to know it herself.
She doesn’t allow herself to be human, but she can’t shoulder the trauma she experienced in the Phantom Zone alone. It’s painful to watch the Phantoms haunt Kara when he closes her eyes and while she’s at work.
There’s no way for Andrea to know what happened at Kara, but it’s impossible not to wince when Andrea assigns Kara a detailed report of the attack that requires her to relive her trauma.
It’s just as jarring to watch all of Kara’s near-death experiences flash before Alex’s eyes. That grass scene is especially painful. You know the one.
That’s why it’s moving to watch Alex and Kara turn that mantra into “Healing together” in the episode’s final minutes. It’s all the more meaningful that it comes after Kara reads Iris West-Allen’s article about Central City coming together after the Mirrorverse attack.
This acknowledges their shared Earth in an organic way, but it also draws a deeper connection between Kara and Iris that I’ve longed to see represented on screen. They both experienced unfathomable terrible things, and they’re both journalists.
They strive for the truth and justice, but that doesn’t mean that their own hearts and minds deserve to get lost in the noise. They can value the former without abandoning the latter.
Iris’ words made Kara feel less alone and inspired her to write something that brings people together. Honestly, if this is as close as we get to a crossover in Supergirl‘s final season, then so be it. It’s perfect.
Stray Thoughts
- I’m so glad they resolve the nonexistent romantic future between Kara and William as quickly as possible.
- When did any of them find the time to make Zor-El a super-suit?
- Zor-El realizing he isn’t as smart as Lena Luthor is such a great moment. He doesn’t make a scene but recognizes her skills and admires them. So good!
- The hilarious sequence of Brainy bringing the donut cake to the Tower as covertly as possible is perfection.
- Can this show figure out what it wants to do with Andrea? Please? Before it’s too late?
- Did anyone actually believe that Nyxly was dead at any point this season?
- The disguises Supergirl gives to Kryptonians never fail to make me smile. Uncle Archie from Midvale? Sure! Why not?
- Lena’s home has to be Ireland, right? If not, then what was it all for?
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.