Supergirl season 6, episode 9 review: A great beginning for Guardian

Supergirl season 6 shone the spotlight on Kelly Olsen in this week’s episode. Did “Dream Weaver” continue the show’s forward momentum?

Supergirl season 6 returned from a lengthy hiatus last week with a midseason premiere that reinvigorated a season that had spent a long time stuck in the same place. Not only did it bring the Girl of Steel back to the forefront, it felt like an episode that belonged to the show’s much more enjoyable early seasons, setting a high standard for the back half of the season.

This week’s installment, “Dream Weaver”, had the tall task of following up on that strong opener (or, well, re-opener). Thankfully, it pulled it off, taking a more grounded approach than its predecessor but an equally compelling one.

Here’s everything that went down in the season’s ninth episode.

Supergirl season 6, episode 9: Dream Weaver

Continuing the previous episode’s decision to stick to more grounded stories, albeit taking it that much further, “Dream Weaver” begins with multiple plot threads, but it ultimately ties three of them together and the fourth to what it shaping up to be the season’s overarching narrative.

Focusing primarily on Kelly Olsen, it sees the future Guardian’s new job lead her directly into the middle of an injustice – one that she sets out to prevent. Upon realizing that the brother of one of the kids she is helping is being forced to use his powers by those in charge of his work reform program in prison, she naturally reaches out to Kara for help and the two team up to rescue the abused prisoners and, in doing so, shine a spotlight on both racism and injustice in the prison and foster systems.

It’s an incredible story that highlights all that Kelly is capable of as a character (something we should have seen more of in season 5), setting the stage beautifully for her evolution into National City’s next Guardian.

Meanwhile, Nia and Nyxly team up in the former’s dream because the Phantom Zone escapee needs help to find her family and promises Dreamer that she will help her spend a day with her mother in return.

Guardian is coming

There was a lot to love about “Dream Weaver” but its main narrative shines that much brighter than the rest. It’s great the writers managed to find ways to get both CatCo and the Super Friends involved in the storyline, particularly its conclusion, but what was really great to see was how well it survived without any of that.

There is a warmth in Azie Tesfai’s performance that isn’t easy to come by in actors and it’s remarkable how she has made Kelly Olsen such a beloved character in such a short space of time. On paper, it still feels like Kelly is a new character (which may not be the case had we seen more of her in season 5) and yet Tesfai carried this episode like a veteran that had been in National City since the very first season. She shone on screen, thriving with the expanded screen-time as the writers tackled poignant and relevant subject matter in a way that was very, very thought-provoking.

It’s all building towards Kelly following in the footsteps of her brother James and taking up the mantle of Guardian (wheels which have been set in motion since Crisis On Infinite Earths) but if “Dream Weaver” proved anything, it’s that she is already a hero in many ways.

Super sentiments

• I didn’t love the Nia and Nyxly stuff in this episode, mainly because it feels like we’ve been here before with Nxyly in the Phantom Zone.
• There are few things Supergirl does quite like shining the spotlight on important issues. This one has definitely earned itself a place among the show’s very best examples of that.
• Kara and Kelly are such a powerful duo. I hope we see more of them working together for important causes.
• I do love how prevalent CatCo once again is in the show and hope that continues throughout the final season.
• Kara and William make a great reporting duo. If only we had seen this in season 5 instead of the conflicted dynamics that recurred between the two.
• It was also really nice to see Kelly and Alex share some long overdue intimate moments together. “Dansen” is one of the show’s best pairings and it would be great if they get the focus they deserve before it concludes.

Supergirl season 6 returns to The CW next Tuesday, September 7, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

What did you think of Supergirl season 6, episode 9? Let us know in the comments below!