Supergirl Review: Still I Rise (Season 6 Episode 10)

Supergirl Season 6 Episode 10, “Still I Rise,” sees Nia come into her own as Dreamer.

It also elevates Orlando’s voice while providing the necessary meta-commentary on the way the series handles socio-economic issues. 

This is a welcomed shift after Supergirl Season 6 Episode 9, “Dream Weaver,” which presents a world in which everything can be neatly resolved by the end of the episode.

That sentiment doesn’t fall away entirely with “Still I Rise,” but there is more awareness than before.

It is important for Kara to realize that sometimes her voice isn’t the one that matters. “Still I Rise” delivers that message with pointed phrases like “Maybe I step aside and use my platform to amplify other people’s voices.”

But there are still people who need to hear those exact phrases. It’s important to put Supergirl in a position where she continues to learn what it means to be a good ally. 

Kara should be aware of her blind spots. She should be aware of her biases and mistakes. It’s equally vital for Supergirl to hear Orlando’s story as it is for the City Council.

How can Supergirl bring hope, health, and compassion to all if she’s not truly listening to the voices that matter?

It is entirely unrealistic that one speech, supported by one caped hero, would be enough to sway an entire group of politicians from making a detrimental decision.

That’s something that only happens on TV shows, and sometimes not even then. 

But Supergirl does provide more nuance to its discussion of socio-economic issues in “Still I Rise.” 

The Ormfell building falling by the end of the episode could be seen as a metaphor that these issues can’t be solved overnight, despite what the show previously presented.

One of the most shocking turns in this episode is the way that Supergirl weaves Mitch’s story into the larger narrative. This is character is by no means useful to the plot; he’s a means to an end for Nyxly.

Still, by doing this, the show paves the way for empathy to even a tertiary character. 

Also, Kara shouldn’t recognize Mitch since she’s a Paragon with Earth-38 memories, not a version of herself with Earth-Prime memories.

But what are the rules of Crisis anyway? They’re whatever any given Arrowverse show needs them to be. It’s frustrating but true.

Heroes aren’t perfect, and it’s beneficial for Supergirl to show that, especially with its titular character. 

There is still room for the show to improve with the way that the hero uses her platform, but “Still I Rise” is a step in the right direction. 

Kara’s hope speech falls flat on Supergirl Season 6 Episode 9, “Dream Weaver,” because it’s painfully obvious that her experience is not similar to that of Orlando’s — not really.

Giving Orlando the space to share his story doesn’t correct that misstep, but it is a way to learn from that misstep. It is a way to ensure that the voices who do matter are heard. 

Hopefully, Kara’s platform as a journalist doesn’t get lost in what Supergirl does with hers. 

Kara Danvers is a Pulitzer-winning journalist. She wrote a story about the warden at that prison that was favorable. It took her the majority of the prior episode to even admit that her perceptions of him could be incorrect.

Being a journalist is a major position of power. Kara has the opportunity to present the public with unbiased facts and figures to back up the work Supergirl does. 

There seems to be an inherent skepticism at CatCo that their readers wouldn’t be interested in reading those statistics. That is a blatant misunderstanding of their readership.

They clearly care about the intricacies of the issues or they wouldn’t even show up to a live stream with Supergirl attached. 

There has to be a happy medium where Kara Danvers and Supergirl’s platform can be used for good.

Maybe Kara can start by publishing a story that presents the facts in an accessible way.

“Still I Rise” does do a great job of reckoning with consequences when it comes to Nia Nal. 

After all this time, it’s exhilarating to watch Nia have a breakthrough about what she is capable of doing as Dreamer.

Nicole Maines and Kate Burton’s chemistry is so excellent that it’s difficult not to be moved to tears during their scenes.

Maines knows this character so well that every single beat is charged with the kind of connection and emotion that elevates this story ten-fold.

It’s because of this intrinsic understanding of Nia Nal that it continues to be a stressor to wonder if Supergirl‘s final season will be the last time we see Maines suit up as Dreamer. It can’t be; it simply can’t be. 

Nia’s dream about Maeve is a heartbreaking callback to a character the show hasn’t discussed in quite some time.

That time doesn’t mean those wounds have healed, which is why Supergirl frames this vision as a representation of grief. 

Maeve’s transphobia is abhorrent and unacceptable. Nia needed someone to give her permission to grieve the relationship she had with her sister.

Who better to do that than the mother Nia lost too soon? Who better to remind Nia that her most authentic self is precious?

There is no need for Nia to make herself small to fit in other people’s perceptions of her. Now, Nia is more confident in her powers and herself. 

Nyxly may be preparing for a fight with Mxyzptlk (!!!) because only magic can fight magic, but that means Nyxly is underestimating Dreamer.

The look in Maines’s eyes in that final shot of Nia says it all. No one should ever underestimate Dreamer.

Stray Thoughts

• Kelly and Kara training together gives off a ton of Kara and James vibes from Season 1.
• Should Alex talk to Kelly while she’s in the field as Sentinel?
• The veggies PSA is everything! I’m the person watching it millions of times. It’s me.
• This is the second week in a row that the Super Friends have to deactivate a bomb. Why so many bombs?
• Kelly using whatever she can as a shield sparks so much joy.
• Brainy is the sweetest, promising to be by Kara’s side in whatever comes next.

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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