Supergirl S3 E18 ‘Shelter From the Storm’ Episode Discussion and Review

Just rewatched. On my first run-through, Lena's look on her face in the elevator when Kara mentioned Alex... I thought it was a look that clearly alluded to the lightbulb going off in Lena's head who Kara was. HOWEVER, upon rewatching--taking into account her whole body language and following facials--I no longer feel she finally clued into the secret. Her reaction now appeared to me as Lena getting ready to rebut Kara's comments about Supergirl.

Kara was hurt and angry at Lena's behavior but tried to explain her side to Lena, seemed genuine in trying to get Lena to understand her position and apologized afterward. Lena, on the other hand, was hurt and angry but, then lied about where the kryptonite came from and seemed very vindictive when she sneered with satisfaction as she relayed to Kara about James betrayal of Supergirl. Plus, unless I missed it, I don't recall her ever apologizing for keeping the kryptonite or Sam/Reign a secret from Supergirl.

I agree. SG apologized twice, they shook hands on it once, and SG thanked Lena for the kryptonite after subduing Reign, saying they couldn't have captured Reign without it. There have been no similar gestures from Lena. Lena is disappointed and distrustful, but that does not have equivalency with one's survival. There is blame on both sides, but I have to side with Kara.

They also said in that episode that they needed to get it into her blood stream for it to work...so the syringe and it hurt her, and then the machine gun pretty much got into her blood stream...lol

When Lena walked into the DEO with the lead lined briefcase full of kryptonite she said she "...super-charged it just for Reign". This is where Kara loses it, insists that Lena give Alex the formula ect. and Lena talks about all the things that can kill humans. This is IMO where the Kara/Lena relationship takes a steep downhill.

This super-charged kryptonite must be what's containing Reign in next weeks episode.

Yes, but how was Lena able to subdue and contain Reign/Sam in the episodes the weeks before with only regular kryptonite?

Both Lena and Kara came into their friendship with long held predisposed beliefs about the other and I think that it's hard for each to not revert back to that belief whenever the other does something that questions their commitment to the friendship. But, the difference in character between Kara and Lena to me, and this is based on the way that they have chosen to write and show it, is in how both react to those mistakes.

Kara was hurt and angry at Lena's behavior but tried to explain her side to Lena, seemed genuine in trying to get Lena to understand her position and apologized afterward. Lena, on the other hand, was hurt and angry but, then lied about where the kryptonite came from and seemed very vindictive when she sneered with satisfaction as she relayed to Kara about James betrayal of Supergirl. Plus, unless I missed it, I don't recall her ever apologizing for keeping the kryptonite or Sam/Reign a secret from Supergirl.

Those types of behaviors are similar to the kids that I remember in high school that you always kept at arms length and never turned your back on. That would be my suggestion to Kara in her future interactions with Lena.

Shelter from the Storm---REVIEW

ACTING…4.0
ADVENTURE…4.0
WRITING…3.0
EFFECTS…4.0

POLITICAL PENALTY:

BONUS: Back to the Future Reference (0.5); The invisible Luthor mansion (0.5); Superman: The Movie shoutout (1.0)

SCORE: 17/20

This past Sunday was Mother’s Day. And in something that will not make her Mother of the Year, Sam Arias, AKA Reign, is doing what her Kryptonian overlords are asking her to do…KILL RUBY!

While Purity and Pestilence destroyed, Reign was able to inherit both of their powers making her a triple threat in one package.

As James and Lena seemed to consummate their relationship, the two shared each other’s thoughts, and a lack of trust with Supergirl, it seems James and Lena will be together, thus making James a Brutus to Kara’s Caesar. But then, Reign comes in demanding Ruby. Only to have Lena spray her with her synthetic Kryptonite.

At the Space guys apartment, Jonn and M’yrnn continue their struggles. Dad asks son to put on records…some jazz plays.

Meanwhile, Supergirl and J’onn look to Sam’s mother (another appearance by Betty Buckley) for advice on how to stop Reign and come away with some shocking news. Namely,

Meanwhile, Team Super Legion discuss about how the Blight will not exist in the 31st Century…or will it given Reign is triple strength? Imra talks about someone in the Legion who fell to Blight. But six more followed. However, Brainy froze their bodies (cryogenics…neat) until a cure can be found. With Pestilence defeated in this time, the future looks bright and no need for a cure. And that in turn leads to the end of the Legion’s time on Earth-38…or does it?

But, Brainy warns about how changing the events on Titan in 2018 could lead to war (hmm…Barry Allen anyone?) Kara says her team can deal with Reign, especially with her new “cape tricks” from Mon-El. And that in turn leads to the Legion leaving 2018 for the 31st Century…and with it, Imra and Mon-El stay together…OR DO THEY?

And then, in its own way, the writers drop in another pop culture reference…namely Back to The Future. As Doc Brown, and Superman or maybe even Supergirl were noted for saying…GREAT SCOTT!

And in one of the silliest scenes in the show’s history, Winn and Brainy have a meeting of the minds. Brainy has a gift for Winn and a new designation! Brainy is a twelfth level intellect, Winn gets dressed down, metaphorically speaking, to a 1.42 intellect (oooh!). But Winn has helped out Brainy and the gift he gives Winn for his help…30TH CENTURY DIRT!

And in the giving, Brainy makes mention about Winn either collecting dirt…or New York Mets baseball cards (HA!). Evrafter, one of the posters here at SG.TV explained the reason why the mention of that OTHER New York baseball team came up. Remember, the writer of this review is a YANKEES fan. So don’t hold it against me.

“Derek Simon, one of the writers, is a DIE HARD Mets fan. Thus, I suspect it’s an inside joke/jab.”

One perhaps that WPIX Channel 11 would sort of like. Since 1999, channel 11 (back to its WB network days) has carried Mets baseball games after 37 seasons of the team being on WOR-TV/WWOR channel 9. PIX11 also carries New York Yankees baseball and did so from 1951-1998, and since 2015.

By the way, PIX 11 uses the broadcast teams from each franchise’s cable network, the Yankees’ YES Network and the Mets’ Sports Net New York (SNY).

Kara and Imra discuss Imra’s sister and Mon-El readying to head back home, but somehow, Imra is feeling the pangs of guilt. Kara and Mon-El have one more conversation, but then, an attack at Lena’s penthouse by Reign.

We find out that Ruby is someplace safe. Lena tries to convince the gang of that. Alex is hellbent on seeing Ruby safe so she heads out to a so-called secluded spot no one can find on a map. It turns out the place is invisible…and that place is…THE LUTHOR MANSION. Alex punched in a secret code to turn off the invisibility.

Kara and Jonn head to Patricia’s home. Jonn, claiming to be from the FBI, and Kara want Patricia to come with them. Pat knows Sam is Reign, not saying where she was from and wanting her to be normal. At 10, Sam drew the Worldkiller logo on paper and was punished for it. In Sam’s room, mom uncovers behind wallpaper the Reign logo. Sam at 10 knew she was Reign all along.

“When we bury things, they come at you even harder.”

Pat says she was a bad mother, not even meeting her granddaughter. And she says she is not scared of facing Reign.

Back at the Luthor mansion, Alex meets Ruby’s babysitter where they see a picture of Lillian Luthor. And Ruby meets up with Aunt Alex. Ruby asked about her mom, not even knowing what was wrong.

At the Arias house, Pat entered a safe room. Jonn and Kara have a talk about past events involving My’rnn. But then, plants start to die…REIGN IS COMING NEAR THE HOUSE

But, as Reign looks to kill Ruby or even Patricia, Reign thinks Ruby’s hiding in the closet. But, two things take place…

1—Ruby is at the Luthor mansion
2—SURPRISE…it’s Supergirl with a badass weapon that captures Reign. And therein lies the lines of the night…

“Reign: Ruby, sweetheart it’s mommy…did you miss me (spoken as a sadistic Sam)

Kara: (springs open the door) SO MUCH! (Fires weapon).”

Kara and Jonn meet Reign who break the bonds of the weapon and fires off a sonic scream and sets a tree on fire. Then Patricia comes out to confront Reign…she obviously as Reign rejects all this…AND STABS PATRICIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But Supergirl fires back and the two brawl…The Arias house is on fire.

Meanwhile, back on the Legion Cruiser, Mon-El and Brainy talk about how Reign has become more powerful…and Brainy admits BUGGING THE DEO WITH THE DIRT. No Blight says Brainy, who takes a liking to Kara. But Imra is still showing guilt.

Back at the DEO, Patricia confesses that she should have done more for Sam. Supergirl promises to do all she can. Then Pat flatlines…REIGN HAS KILLED HER MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But back at the Luthor Mansion, Alex and Ruby are looking to make it a movie night, namely Willy Wonka with Gene Wilder, but before that, Alex’s phone rings

At the DEO, Jonn and Kara meet when Jonn is supposed to be resting. But now she must confide in her heart. The two have a heart to heart about reasoning and go back to Space Granddad, who continues rejecting his son despite Jonn asking for help. Kara then talks to My’rnn about how he used reason to help the greens on Mars. But then, Jonn becomes a White Martian to shock Myrnn. It then turns ugly between the two. The scrolls are brought back up as Jonn returns to human. And that idea of Jonn’s might be a turning point.

Back with the Legion, Imra says to Mon-El he must go back, Mon-El tries to back out, but Imra says follow your heart. The two then go heart to heart about each other. Imra says to Mon-El go back to Kara.

At the DEO, Lena arrives with Kryptonite (in lead of course) to fight Reign…and the friendship is still in tatters as Supergirl tells Lena off as Lena admits through James making the one thing that can kill Supergirl. But Lena tells Kara off saying she has a god complex. These two have major trust issues, but, really it’s all James’ fault for lying.

Ruby tries calling her mom…but no one answers…REIGN HOWEVER HEARS RUBY THROUGH HER SUPER HEARING! RUBY…LOOK OUT!

Then, as Alex enters the room and are about to watch a movie, Reign finds the Luthor mansion and dismantles the invisible protection. An alarm goes off and the DEO is alerted. Mon-El decides he’s ready to join the fight to replace a still weak Jonn.

At the mansion Reign is on the attack…she passes through the same things Superman did in the movie like bullets, fire and cold. Alex is ready as Reign breaks through a thick lead door. Reign eliminates all distractions. But then Supergirl and Mon-El come in. And the three on one is on. A good cape trick allows Alex to fire a bullet which does not work. Then as Reign unmasked looks to attack Ruby, Mon-El crushes a kryptonite rock enough to fire off a machine gun, which weakens Reign. Alex then used a lesson from M'yrnn, appealing to Reign's code of honor and makes her stop because Ruby hasn't “sinned.”

Then the Space dads discover…Mocha or Choco-coffee! That’s my space grandfather, though he repeats himself.

Then Ruby and Alex have a talk about Sam and Reign and she learns the sad truth about things. Alex promises to keep Ruby safe, promising honesty.

Then Lena and Kara Danvers meet on an elevator, and Lena has got…ICE CREAM for Ruby. Lena is more than excited to tell her BFF about what has been going on and ends up spilling the beans about James' choice as well as Lena's distaste for Supergirl, which can only make one think of Smallville and how things went with Clark and Lex. I do not want that to happen at all.

Kara ends up having to taking one to the gut, hearing it told from Lena's perspective hits particularly hard! And yet Lena STILL DOES NOT KNOW Kara and Supergirl are one and the same. Now if Kara is forced to reveal she is Supergirl, it may REALLY BE OVER.

But then, we meet the cult leader Covill as a girl named Tanya escapes his clutches carrying a book. What is in it? And what happens when she meet Guardian, alias James Olsen? And will Kara and Lena still trust each other now knowing Lena can no longer trust Supergirl?

At least here in the NYC Tri-State area we might not know till Tuesday at the earliest. Earlier in the review I mentioned baseball. Here in New York City at least, next week's episode, The Fanatical, will be pre-empted for the Yankees/Texas Rangers game from Arlington, TX, on WPIX.

For people in Connecticut, there is a second CW choice, WCCT, channel 20 in Waterbury (the former independent, UPN and WB station WTXX). If you have a cable system other than Altice in SW CT, which is my outlet in my part of the state, or you get WCCT on antenna (20.1), you are set. But, as I have an on demand feature with my cable, I will be able to see the episode perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday. Perhaps a late review may come in.

In closing, as Supergirl always loves to reference the Richard Donner films as you saw in the scene with Reign going through the traps, this episode was aired the day in which it was announced Margot Kidder, who played Lois Lane in the first four Superman films with Christopher Reeve, died in Montana at age 69.

I wish she had a chance to be on Supergirl in some capacity the way Sarah Douglas was. I associate her with the movie Lois Lane as I do Noel Neill or Teri Hatcher on the TV side, though the former was the screen’s first Lois in the two Columbia movie serials in 1948 and 1950 with Kirk Alyn as Superman.

Rest in Peace, Margot. You and Christopher Reeve are now together in eternity

So Patricia Arias died in the episode but Betty Buckley still has another episode she'll be in (probably E22 Make It Reign). Flashbacks I assume or is there some time travel involved?.

Nice catch, Kiwi. Let the theories begin.

I didn't agree with Superman when he said that there shouldn't be any kryptonite and I can vaguely remember there being some discussion about it at the time but, couldn't recite the details of the conversation. I think it's very naive and selfish on Clark and Kara's part to believe that there shouldn't be any around, especially when they have had experiences when it has been shown to be needed ie., Red K Kara. But, I do think that it should be a federal enforcement agency, such as the DEO who has been entrusted with the task of handling rogue aliens, to be the only ones to have it. I also think that Kara should be aware that they possess it. I completely disagree that private citizens should be allowed to make it or have access to it.

One thing that I am not understanding regarding kryptonite and Reign is why kryptonite would have any affect on Reign. We saw in the first half of the season when they tried to capture her with kryptonite, she pretty much shrugged it off. The only time it phased her was when they inserted pure krptonite straight into her veins. So, why do Kara and company keep believing manufactured kryptonite would work and furthermore, why is it now effective?

I think the main issue with Kryptonite isn't that it's the only thing that kills Kryptonians, it's that it only harmful to Kryptonians, it is a species specific killer. (I guess you can argue that the same can be said about lead and the Daxamites, but lead is harmful to humans too, just not as much)

The only other example of a species/race specific killer, I can think of, would be 'the Dip' from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"


There is just something sinester about a race/species specific weapon.

Think about it this way, if all but one race were immune to bullets, would you still feel comfortable with police officers carrying guns?

That being said I think Clark and Kara overreacted, but I understand why.

Lena is a Luthor, I don't care how many people say that she is different (she may very well be, and I don't mind her staying "semi-good" as long as they go the checkmate route)....BUT, she is a Luthor plain and simple, and a Super is not going to totally trust a Luthor or vice versa, hence the alien thingamagig that Lena had to tell humans from aliens. But, in the end Kara apologized and when Lena wasn't around still chilled meaning what she said to Lena's face is how she felt, but Lena of course with Kara in the elevator let Supergirl have it, behind her back when smiling to her face....so both have a problem with each other for sure.....but I think one of them has a right to be upset about Kryptonite.

HOWEVER, no one seems to remember Mr. Clark Kent and his reaction when he found out that Jonn had Kryptonite at the DEO. Almost a fist fight between the 2.....and no one said a word about his attitude....so I'm trying to figure out why Kara is held to a different standard.

This. Nobody was mad at Superman, when he was upset about Kryptonite being in the hands of a government agency. Yet Supergirl gets mad that it's in the hands of a private citizen, let alone a Luthor, and people get upset with Supergirl?

And I can't blame Kara. Not only is Green K poisonous to Kryptonians, but we've seen Red K (which was a failed attempt to replicate Green K) give Kara one of the worst days of her life, when she nearly killed Cat and attacked the city.

Then there is Silver K, which allowed Superman to be mind controlled. And we're not even touching on the various versions from comics that we haven't seen in-show, yet.

Kryptonite, in most variations, gives it's user some degree of control or manipulation over Kryptonians, the most powerful beings on the planet. I can't blame Supergirl or Superman in the least, for not wanting it around.

The other part of the argument comes to what happened after Lena revealed she had Kryptonite, but said she had no more.

I think there are 3 parts to this argument. Kara, Lena, and James. I've already touched on Kara.

Yes, I think Kara was rash in asking James to break into Lena's safe. James could have said no. Instead, he lied to both Kara and Winn, supposedly his best friends, and then outed their actions to Lena.

But then, for James to not even flinch when Lena admits that she can MAKE Kryptonite (and essentially confirming Kara's suspicions)...He doesn't even show a bit of concern.

I understand he's stuck in the middle, but I think this was a big betrayal to Kara, and Winn, supposedly his closest friends.

And then Lena...I got a bad feeling, back when she was containing Sam to investigate Reign. Sam begged her to get help, but Lena insisted she was the only person who could help. And I could hear it in Lena's voice. This was sheer hubris. She may not have known the DEO, properly. But she knew Winn and Alex and that they were connected. If she wanted, she could have found a way to contact them or Supergirl for assistance with Sam.

Then we jump forward to her reveal that she had Kryptonite, and her lie to Supergirl, when she said she didn't have more.

Yes, none of 3 parties involved are completely clean, in this situation. But Lena had Reign in custody for over a month, convinced, out of pride, that she and only she could help Sam. She then lied to Supergirl and the DEO. James lied to Winn, Kara, then ratted them out to Lena. Kara's only mistake, in this situation, was asking James to sneak into Lena's lab. And I have trouble even being upset about that, because her suspicions about Lena were right. She DID have access to more Kryptonite.

One thing that I am not understanding regarding kryptonite and Reign is why kryptonite would have any affect on Reign. We saw in the first half of the season when they tried to capture her with kryptonite, she pretty much shrugged it off. The only time it phased her was when they inserted pure krptonite straight into her veins. So, why do Kara and company keep believing manufactured kryptonite would work and furthermore, why is it now effective?

They also said in that episode that they needed to get it into her blood stream for it to work...so the syringe and it hurt her, and then the machine gun pretty much got into her blood stream...lol

When Lena walked into the DEO with the lead lined briefcase full of kryptonite she said she "...super-charged it just for Reign". This is where Kara loses it, insists that Lena give Alex the formula ect. and Lena talks about all the things that can kill humans. This is IMO where the Kara/Lena relationship takes a steep downhill.

This super-charged kryptonite must be what's containing Reign in next weeks episode.

I didn't agree with Superman when he said that there shouldn't be any kryptonite and I can vaguely remember there being some discussion about it at the time but, couldn't recite the details of the conversation. I think it's very naive and selfish on Clark and Kara's part to believe that there shouldn't be any around, especially when they have had experiences when it has been shown to be needed ie., Red K Kara. But, I do think that it should be a federal enforcement agency, such as the DEO who has been entrusted with the task of handling rogue aliens, to be the only ones to have it. I also think that Kara should be aware that they possess it. I completely disagree that private citizens should be allowed to make it or have access to it.

One thing that I am not understanding regarding kryptonite and Reign is why kryptonite would have any affect on Reign. We saw in the first half of the season when they tried to capture her with kryptonite, she pretty much shrugged it off. The only time it phased her was when they inserted pure krptonite straight into her veins. So, why do Kara and company keep believing manufactured kryptonite would work and furthermore, why is it now effective?

They also said in that episode that they needed to get it into her blood stream for it to work...so the syringe and it hurt her, and then the machine gun pretty much got into her blood stream...lol

I didn't agree with Superman when he said that there shouldn't be any kryptonite and I can vaguely remember there being some discussion about it at the time but, couldn't recite the details of the conversation. I think it's very naive and selfish on Clark and Kara's part to believe that there shouldn't be any around, especially when they have had experiences when it has been shown to be needed ie., Red K Kara. But, I do think that it should be a federal enforcement agency, such as the DEO who has been entrusted with the task of handling rogue aliens, to be the only ones to have it. I also think that Kara should be aware that they possess it. I completely disagree that private citizens should be allowed to make it or have access to it.

One thing that I am not understanding regarding kryptonite and Reign is why kryptonite would have any affect on Reign. We saw in the first half of the season when they tried to capture her with kryptonite, she pretty much shrugged it off. The only time it phased her was when they inserted pure krptonite straight into her veins. So, why do Kara and company keep believing manufactured kryptonite would work and furthermore, why is it now effective?

Speaking for myself, I wasn't a total fan of the whole Superman was mad at the DEO. But, there was too many other more juicy subject matters to talk about at the time. Plus, an argument between Clark and J'onn didn't draw my attention as much as conflict between Kara/Supergirl/Lena, because I wasn't "emotionally invested" in a Clark/J'onn divide. I suspect, for most others commenting now, like me, it has zero to do with it being Superman was male and Supergirl is female. But like I said under the recap, the admin's idea that the writers should have approached it from the angle of Kryptonite can weaponize Kara...That settles it for me.

So.. it has become the battle between the rich and the powerful.

I am not sure it is any longer clear who is wrong or right. Except that Kara should have told Lena the truth about her Supergirl identity because without it Lena doesn't have the contextual information or trust required to make any decision.

I keep changing my mind about Kara's attitude. At first, I thought she was entirely wrong; then thought, she may have a point if she means to give it to DEO; and then, now think she may have a point, but it is not her decision (so, again wrong).

At least, it is consistent (now that it is clear she is okay with Alex and DEO having it). And clearly, she doesn't trust Lena fully and that has been probably the intent all along. That there is a distance in their friendship even when it is not clearly mentioned.

Lena is a Luthor, I don't care how many people say that she is different (she may very well be, and I don't mind her staying "semi-good" as long as they go the checkmate route)....BUT, she is a Luthor plain and simple, and a Super is not going to totally trust a Luthor or vice versa, hence the alien thingamagig that Lena had to tell humans from aliens. But, in the end Kara apologized and when Lena wasn't around still chilled meaning what she said to Lena's face is how she felt, but Lena of course with Kara in the elevator let Supergirl have it, behind her back when smiling to her face....so both have a problem with each other for sure.....but I think one of them has a right to be upset about Kryptonite.

HOWEVER, no one seems to remember Mr. Clark Kent and his reaction when he found out that Jonn had Kryptonite at the DEO. Almost a fist fight between the 2.....and no one said a word about his attitude....so I'm trying to figure out why Kara is held to a different standard.

So.. it has become the battle between the rich and the powerful.

I am not sure it is any longer clear who is wrong or right. Except that Kara should have told Lena the truth about her Supergirl identity because without it Lena doesn't have the contextual information or trust required to make any decision.

I keep changing my mind about Kara's attitude. At first, I thought she was entirely wrong; then thought, she may have a point if she means to give it to DEO; and then, now think she may have a point, but it is not her decision (so, again wrong).

At least, it is consistent (now that it is clear she is okay with Alex and DEO having it). And clearly, she doesn't trust Lena fully and that has been probably the intent all along. That there is a distance in their friendship even when it is not clearly mentioned.

It's gonna really suck if Imra's sister survived the Blight only to get hit by Skywalker's land speeder while crossing the street on that one visit to Tattooine.

How many does that make for Betty? Any where near 8...would that be "enough?" I hope you get the little joke there.

I love it when the writers go places we don't always predict. Last week, I think most of us assumed the Blight wasn't actually taken care of--that The Legion coming back in time turned out to be how Blight became so powerful. WRONG! So apparently they DID change the future. Might not have fixed all of it. After all, I'm supposing that's why they come back towards the finale? Perhaps they solved the Blight infections but made something else in the future worse? lol LOVE it.

And yes, Kiwi....ANY 80's pop culture reference makes for a great week, indeed. :

Annnnddd....love Chyler's hair here. Not so much, though, her new dew from this weekend.