Supergirl Review: Dream Weaver (Season 6 Episode 9)
Supergirl Season 6 Episode 9, “Dream Weaver,” is the superhero origin story that Kelly Olsen deserves before taking up the mantle of Guardian.
Azie Tesfai stuns as Kelly steps into her power as the hero Alex and the rest of the Super Friends have always known her to be.
Kelly’s arc on “Dream Weaver” is so intricately personal and grounded. Those aspects of this episode highlight Supergirl‘s blatant missteps in not centering a story of this magnitude around Kelly sooner.
Everything else revolving around Kelly’s arc is pitch-perfect, due to Tesfai’s ability to harness Kelly’s empathy as her greatest power.
It’s one thing to see Kelly interact with the Super Friends. It’s another to see her very human ability connect with those outside of the Tower, just like she did with the clients at Obsidian Tech living with PTSD.
Her interactions with Joey are as heartbreaking as they are healing. Kelly’s presence shifts the energy in the room, and the children react to that.
It’s brutal to watch how the foster care system fails the displaced and orphaned alien children, but it’s inspiring to see Kelly offer hope where it previously didn’t exist. That’s what heroes do.
It’s far better for Supergirl to acknowledge the reality that even in a world where superheroes exist, marginalized groups still face systematic oppression rather than ignore it entirely.
That’s why heroes like Guardian are so important. Kelly is right that there needs to be someone who protects people even when the systems that are meant to protect them fail.
Heroes like Supergirl, Superman, and the Legends are absolutely necessary for saving the world. But where would the world be without heroes like Guardian ensuring it’s a safe place to live when all is said and done?
It’s such a well-done, character-driven moment for “Dream Weaver” to end with Alex giving Kelly the Guardian helmet from Jimmy’s suit.
Jimmy became a vigilante for the same reasons that Kelly voices on “Dream Weaver.”
That’s why it’s impossible not to get chills when Kelly flips up her helmet when she’s illegally getting the footage off the security camera.
Jimmy would be so proud!
The systems in place that Jimmy fought to correct are still inadequate. The people in trouble need someone in their corner. As Alex says, they are lucky to have Kelly Olsen in their corner.
It’s moving to learn Alex is ten steps ahead of Kelly with the Guardian helmet. This gesture shows how connected they are despite their minimal screentime.
Hopefully, since Kelly will start training soon, Dansen will have even more of a focus in this final season.
“Dream Weaver” gives us the opportunity to see Kara as a journalist again. It’s been a while, so it’s a real treat to see her back at CatCo, searching for the truth.
The most intriguing element of Kara’s arc in this episode is her realizing when Supergirl talks, people listen. Though it is odd for the titular character to learn (or relearn) this during Supergirl‘s final season, it’s still a relevant arc to explore.
It centers CatCo as a staple for the show’s finale episodes, and it will make Kara reexamine how her roles as a hero and a journalist coexist in ways that create change and conflict.
By evaluating her privileged position as both a superhero and a journalist, Kara and Supergirl will have more opportunities to elevate other voices and stories that matter.
The two together are an immense force for hope, health, and compassion for all.
Stray Thoughts
- Esme steals every scene she’s in. Where can we start a petition for Alex and Kelly to adopt her?
- Did anyone else burst into tears when Orlando looked up at Kelly and mouthed “Thank you?”
- I hope that Jimmy comes back before the series ends so we can see him and Kelly protect the citizens of National City side by side.
- Nia’s gonna learn that magic has consequences, and it’s not going to go well.
- Didn’t Nia say Nyxly’s name at the end of the last episode? How did she only learn it in this one?
- “This house needed a guardian angel and now we have you.” CUE THE TEARS.
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.