Supergirl Review: Blind Spots (Season 6 Episode 12)

Supergirl Season 6 Episode 12, “Blind Spots,” is by far the season’s best and stands out on a shortlist of the series’ best.

This truly tremendous episode is all due to the incredible work of Azie Tesfai who starred in and co-wrote an episode that elevates Kelly Olsen’s voice as she steps into her power and becomes Guardian.

It’s an hour that stands as an ever significant reminder that we should listen to Black women, Black lives matter, and representation matters.

Arrowverse shows, Supergirl included, haven’t always been the greatest at directly discussing social justice issues. Something usually gets lost in translation in the metaphor of representing the real world through the lens of a superhero property. 

It’s actually quite ironic that Kara brings up one of the show’s strongest narratives of when Kara marched in the March for Aliens on Supergirl Season 4 Episode 14, “Stand and Deliver.” That episode is a prime example of the impactful stories this show can tell when it focuses on its characters.

“Blind Spots” never once stumbles through its messaging. The episode is excellently paced. The exposition isn’t heavy-handed like Supergirl Season 6 Episode 11, “Mxy in the Middle.” 

All of this works because this episode turns back time to center everything on Kelly Olsen. She’s the eyes, ears, and heart of this episode.

There’s even a point when we literally see things through her perspective when the direction points out the visual issues with James’s helmet on Kelly.

Furthermore, Kelly’s existing connection to Orlando and, more specifically, Joey is a fantastic way to pull the thread through this episode. The metaphor that every time Councilwoman Rankin uses her powers she hurts the Black and Brown people the Ormfell collapsed on is so well done.

It speaks directly to the intrinsic connection between leaders and their constituents. Every action has a reaction, and people like Rankin exist in our world and have no qualms about batting away the lives of people of color.

“Blind Spots” never shows Kelly stepping into the role of Guardian in retaliation to Rankin. It does quite the opposite by showing her suiting up for Orlando. She does it to protect him and the rest of the people harmed in the Ormfell’s collapse. 

It’s also important to see why Kelly becomes Guardian for herself, and it’s such a powerful revelation to come on the heels of a moving phone call to James. Mehcad Brooks doesn’t appear in this episode, and he doesn’t have to do so for his presence to be felt. 

His return could have unintentionally pulled the focus away from Kelly, so it’s probably for the best that he doesn’t make a cameo. Not yet, at least. 

James Olsen never got enough during his time on Supergirl, so it cannot be overstated how monumental it is to see Azie Tesfai ensure that Kelly Olsen gets hers.

It is a little weird at first for her guidance and support to come from John Diggle, instead of her brother, but that is easily shaken off by the way David Ramsey shows up in his scenes.

Diggle is no stranger to a cameo, especially on the Arrowverse shows this season, but there is more to his appearance than dropping of some tech on “Blind Spots.”

Dig hears and sees Kelly when no one else will. That comes from their shared experience of being Black heroes but from existing in a world where they have to fight to prove their fight is worthy of someone like the Green Arrow and Supergirl.

Any mention of Oliver Queen is enough to grab some people’s attention, and if that makes them sit up and listen to what Kelly Olsen is saying, then more power to them. But maybe listen to what she’s saying regardless if someone from Star City shows up to remind you that her voice matters. 

Not to mention, Diggle brings points of Kelly’s history back into focus that Supergirl tends to forget, like her time serving in the military.

Ramsey’s role behind the camera during “Blind Spots” is equally commendable because he never loses sight of Kelly, even in those big ensemble scenes.

Plus, Ramsey is no stranger to a hand-to-hand combat scene and the ones in this episode feel like they carry as much weight as the ones on Arrow.

It’s a testament to Ramsey’s direction but more importantly to Azie Tesfai as a writer and a performer that it’s virtually impossible to pick one scene as this episode’s strongest. Each scene is so well done from beat to beat, from start to finish. 

The scene in which Kelly confronts the Super Friends is imperative to Kelly’s future and that of the group. Kelly’s scene with Kara just before her debut as Guardian is a critical lesson for the titular character that will hopefully propel her for the rest of the series.

However, Kelly’s scenes with Brainy and then Alex are the two scenes that I can’t stop thinking about nearly a day later. 

It’s bittersweet to hear that racism and social justice issues aren’t entirely healed in the 31st century, but it’s honest. Those generational scars that Brainy speaks of are an honest reflection of the trauma people of color have faced.

It’s refreshing to hear Supergirl speak of the future in such a way when mere episodes prior, the show attempts to wrap up the issue of racism with a bow and a hopeful speech. 

However, there is a hopeful twist to the narrative that Brainy shares — Kelly Olsen as Guardian. The 31st century never had her suited up, protecting the streets, and restoring justice. Things can be different, things can be better because of Kelly.

That ripples throughout the episode (and the series) before she ever suits up. Kelly’s heart is so big and her passion for justice is no different than the rest of the Super Friends. It’s that representation of a Black, female superhero that can change the future. 

It won’t cure it of all its ailments and bruises, but Guardian can make the present safer and the future brighter. That visibility matters, as seen through the upgrade to Kelly’s suit to give her a half helmet. 

That representation matters. It’s evident in Joey’s eyes when he lights up seeing Kelly standing over National City. That admiration is alive in the eyes and hearts of the little Black girls who grab a nearby garbage lid to sport a shield, like their new hero. 

The way in which the final minutes of “Blind Spots” reframes the existing plots so that Kelly is the one who closes the episode out is so meaningful. It wouldn’t be right to end the story with Nyxly for a host of reasons.

It’s important to end this episode with Kelly, to see her create a safe space in which she can relax. This Dansen scene is one of their very best because of the way that Chyler Leigh and Azie Tesfai leave it all out there. 

It’s a beautiful moment for the couple because Kelly trusts Alex enough to be the most vulnerable around her. Plus, this scene stands as an always relevant reminder to hold space for people when they’re hurting instead of taking up their space. 

It takes the Super Friends too long of the episode to hear what Kelly says about the Ormfell building. That is an understandable plot device to further our empathy towards Kelly’s experience, but it also points out an obvious flaw in Supergirl‘s final season. The Nyxly plot doesn’t carry any weight. 

This final season is more than halfway over, and the show has yet to make the Nyxly plot count. It almost did when it teased that it would open the door to explore Kara’s mental health. That door quickly closed before it ever truly opened. 

Supergirl has yet to stick the landing the way in which Guardian does with a single episode. Azie Tesfai, J. Holtham, and David Ramsey tell a character-driven story with meaningful commentary.

It’s nerve-racking to think that Supergirl will bounce back to its old supervillain fights, leaving Kelly’s fight in National City to the B or C plot for the remainder of the season. 

Kara and Kelly come to an understanding that super-villain heroes and street-level heroes are equally important and stronger. They’re right, but Supegirl fails to prove that of the former, still. 

The show shouldn’t take away from the rich stories it could tell now that Kelly is Guardian in order to make the Nyxly plot work. Then, the Super Friends run the risk of separating again to “support” each other through different tiers of fights.

It may naive to believe this is possible, but Supergirl should cut its losses and wrap up that plot as quickly as possible. Let Lena speed-read the grimoire and save everyone from Nyxly.

After that, the show will have so much time to get back to what matters: the Super Friends. There is so much potential to tell meaningful, character-driven stories like “Blind Spots,” but Nyxly will always get in the way.

Stray Thoughts

• Why did Florence use the postal service to send Lena the grimoire when she could’ve just magically sent it? 
• Brainy not letting his veggies advert go is my new favorite thing. 
• What does Dig mean by “Worlds await?” And why does it look like Brainy knows what he’s talking about? Green Lantern tease!
• That Jefferson Pierce quote got to me like his quotes usually do.

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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