Supergirl Finale: EPs Break Down Winn’s ‘Fitting’ Exit, Reign’s Fate, Kara’s Season 4 Twist and More
Supergirl wrapped its third season on Monday with an explosive final showdown between Reign and the Girl of Steel, setting the stage for an exciting — and very different — fourth outing this fall.
Before we go inside the episode (via executive producers Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller), here’s a quick recap: Supergirl defeated Reign (and saved Sam!) with help from the Legion Ring; Brainy revealed that one of his “distant relatives” survived the Blight and made the future uninhabitable for all other A.I.s, explaining why he’s sticking around; Winn agreed to take Brainy’s place in the Legion and travel to the future; Mon-El decided to return to the future with him; Alex was promoted to Director of the DEO by J’onn, who’s going to live among the people moving forward; James formally outed himself as Guardian to the world; and Lena proceeded to “phase two” of her mysterious tests on the powerful Kryptonian rock.
Then came the episode’s final scene, which introduced a second Kara — one born from the aura that left Supergirl’s body during the battle with Reign — in Siberia.
“For fans of the comics, I think they might recognize that the story we want to tell is inspired by the iconic DC Comics’ Red Son, which told an alternate origin story for Superman,” Rovner tells TVLine, to which Queller adds, “What happened if — as a baby — Superman landed in Russia and became a hero there instead of in America. It’s an homage to that.”
Read on for more insight from the show’s EPs, including details about Sam and Ruby’s future on the show (or lack thereof):
TVLINE | Let’s start by talking about Winn, who will return next season in a recurring capacity. In your eyes, what made joining the Legion the right next step for him?
QUELLER | We were so excited when that idea came up in the writers’ room, because it seemed so in-character with Winn. We asked what Winn’s dream would be, and that just met it perfectly.
ROVNER | We’ve been talking about this ever since the episode where Winn’s mom came back, when he was contemplating his destiny and what his impact would be on the world. We wanted to give him a fitting way to dramatize what we saw for Winn’s future.
QUELLER | He’s really fulfilling his full potential. Just imagine all that he could do in the future with his mind.
TVLINE | We may be losing Winn as a full-time member of the team, but on the plus side, we’re getting more Brainy. What excites you about bringing him into the fold and telling his stories?
QUELLER | Everything excites us. We love Brainy, and we love Jesse Rath. He’s just a magical actor. The character is delightful and brings fresh new eyes to Earth. Everything is brand new to him, which is just great to be around.
TVLINE | With Mon-El gone, is there any chance you’ll be exploring the romantic link between Brainiac-5 and Supergirl from the comics?
ROVNER | We did that a little bit when he first arrived. I think he’ll always have affection for Supergirl, but you’ll have to stay tuned.
TVLINE | Odette Annable isn’t going to be a regular next season, and the Reign storyline seems pretty wrapped up. Is this the last we’ve seen of Sam and Ruby?
ROVNER | We hope not. We love Odette. She was amazing in this dual role, playing different characters. We fell in love with her as Sam and we were terrified of her as Reign. If it works out, we’d love to have her back for a few episodes next season.
TVLINE | A lot of the fans speculated that Sam wouldn’t survive, leaving Alex to adopt Ruby. Did you ever consider going in that direction?
QUELLER | We discussed all options, but we really felt like we wanted a heartwarming ending after all the trauma we put everyone through. We didn’t want to separate Ruby from her mother. The world is experiencing enough trauma, we wanted to have a happy ending for the little girl.
ROVNER | This episode was about our heroes saving Sam, so we thought it was important that we accomplish what we set out to do. We’re really excited that Sam was empowered and able to play a part in all of it.
TVLINE | Still, motherhood remains an important goal of Alex’s, even as she’s heading up the DEO. Can she have it all?
ROVNER | We hope so. We’re excited about Alex’s journey, going back in the dating world and exploring options for motherhood and the challenges of taking on this big job at the DEO.
QUELLER | It’s a very universal story. What’s exciting is the process of watching a human being strive to have it all. We all strive to in our different ways, and Alex is a wonderful prototype of that. She’s a powerful career woman, but she wants balance. The process of how she achieves — or doesn’t achieve — that is what we’re excited to tell.
TVLINE | And J’onn? I’m excited to see where this new journey takes him.
ROVNER | We thought it was important for his character to take in the teachings his father was trying to impart on him. Our Worldkiller story took us off-world a lot, but what’s great about this show is that we get to tell stories about what’s happening in the world and use National City to reflect that. We want to explore J’onn being on the streets among the people so we can continue to tell those stories.
QUELLER | We’re looking to tell much more grounded stories, like we have in seasons past, that reflect the climate we’re all living in in 2018.
TVLINE | I imagine that James outing himself as Guardian will also affect his future at CatCo…?
QUELLER | You’ll have to wait and see, but it’s very cool and it takes twists and turns. James has great stuff coming up.
TVLINE | And what about Lena? All that talk of testing concerned me. She may be good now, but she’s still a Luthor.
ROVNER | Well, what’s exciting about the character is exactly what you mentioned. She has two sides to her, and it’ll be interesting to see exactly where she’ll end up on the good-to-bad spectrum. That’s a story we want to continue to explore next season.
Your thoughts on Supergirl‘s third season finale? Hopes for Season 4? Grade the episode below, then drop a comment with your full review.
I never know what to think of these producers because everything is so great and exciting to them. its so much hyperbole. I can’t even gauge their answers
Their job is to make you want to watch the show, not make it so you don’t have to. Of course they will speak in vague terms.
“We’re excited about Alex’s journey.” Said no one ever.
Alex is a badass who knows what she wants but is still trying to find herself and doesn’t get hung up on her first real girlfriend after coming out like most of this fandom. I’m not always enthusiastic about this show, but I do care about Alex and her journey.
Wrong. Alex doesn’t know what she wants. And wrong. Alex still seems to be hung up on her ex fiancee since she mentioned her more this season than we’ve actually seen Maggie. We all care about Alex and her journey, but both have died before this season even began. What they did to her this season was appalling and no Alex fan should sugar coat the writers for this. Chyler Leigh herself isn’t happy. That speaks volume about Alex’s character assassination and the execs tone deafness.
Honestly, what the writers are doing with Alex arc now in the show is a disaster. Of course all fans of the show love Alex and want more of her journey, but not this: “I just want to be a mom” obsession journey. It’s so cringe and they made Alex stuck in this thing.. so weird and dramatic.. No surprise Chyler herself isn’t happy with this arc..
THIS! Please, drop this horrible mother storyline!!!
I love Alex, but I don’t want to watch her being a mother… it was so annoying the alex/ruby interactions…
I agree. No baby until the final ep of the series.
It was said by them.
I’d be ecxited but not THAT journey. Mommy!Alex isn’t something I’m interested in seeing especially when they sideline her from the action so they can tell her ludicrous baby crazed story. By all means have her be a mom but at least wait til the very end of the show? This storyline barely started and its already unbearable.
What’s wrong with you Alex is a badass. She is a great woman and a fantastic role model. Just because you don’t want to learn abouther character develoleny doesny mean others don’t.
rated F for Fail because maggie sawyer isn’t back yet!
Agree, Alex dating for her baby is ridiculous and so would her finding two or three “soul mates”. Just do the right thing and bring Maggie back in Season 5 rather than waste time with others. Or, just let her be single like everyone else.
With this show it’s all in the execution. They had good ideas this season and dropped the ball on most of them – like finding Argo City was so anticlimactic it was a joke. I rag on this show a lot, and gave up on it a few times, but it’s potential keeps me coming back – against my better judgment. Crossing fingers and hoping for the best next season.
100% the same. I think there are always good ideas, Reign, Argo, etc. but they seem to be…easily distracted and I feel like most storylines end up being hastily executed (except for the romance which there is too much of). I hope get a season now without such a heavy romance focus.
What exactly was the point of Morgan Edge? He was never a threat to Supergirl. All he was was a villain to a supporting character, Lena.
damn I forgot about Morgan Edge … what happened to him ? He was a good actor in Heroes in my opinion … I wanted to see more of him here
The show forgot about him, just like it forgot about Lucy, Max, Jeremiah, etc…
LOL, me too. I also figured Chad Lowe was going to do something more relevant than hide behind a rock. It seemed like they introduced those two and had no idea what to do with them.
Yeah, he seemed completely superfluous in this episode. Why was he even there?
He set off the beacon in the ship, which is how they found the cauldron in time.
Actually, Chad Lowe is now doing Hallmark Mystery movies with his old Life Goes On co-star Kellie Martin. I imagine that they had to go ahead and write his character out for that reason.
A Marvel plant.. he returned to AoS as their world killer… we, destroyer.
I just want Maggie back. I wanna see more about her on her job. I wanna see how Alex and Maggie find their way back to each other. That’s all I’m asking. Oh and that wedding you promised and never delivered.
Never was a Maggie fan so I am glad she is gone. Alex can find someone better.
Agreed Maggie’s relationship with Alex was borderline toxic. Maggie never really looked for what Alex wanted. It was always about Maggie and what she wanted.
lol I’d love to see the alternate reality of the show you watched.
I actually agree. And she did not like Supergirl at all
Obviously not. Alex gave the all or nothing demand on baby and reconnecting with her family. I don’t remember a time that Maggie demanded anything but “listening” from Alex. I enjoyed Alex in Seasons 1 and 2, but not in 3. I like a little romance over constant alien fights – there are alot of shows that do that.
If you want romance, watch a rom-com or something. Superhero shows/movies should have VERY little to do with teenage romance drama. Just my opinion, of course. But I’m right…
Never care to much about her tbh because they didn’t developed her aside from her storyline with Alex. So, when she was gone, I didn’t even notice the difference to when she was on the show.
Said no one ever. This show is “Supergirl” not the “Alex loves Maggie forever” show.
Isn’t Maggie’s actress on something else? I was under the impression that she wanted out which means we’ll probably never see her again. Besides, I never cared for Maggie. I hope she stays gone.
She’s on the punisher which finishes filming just in time for supergirl season 4.And you’re wrong, she has been in talks to come back since last year and has been in meetings with the CW on and off. She has expressed her wish to return in season 4 just a month ago. It’s bound to happen eventually. They just need to go to the predictable Alex needs to grow storyline and the writers are incapable of writing for another character unless they’re a love interest.
Really? Too bad. Nothing against the actress; I don’t like Maggie. Of course I didn’t like Mon-El either at first and he grew on me so maybe Maggie will come back changed.
They need to drop the kid storyline and bring maggie sawyer back. While they’re at it, bring Alex Danvers back too. I haven’t seen her all season.
+100
Ditto to the kid thing and Alex coming back. Maggie is gone, she is not coming back, people can be with other people in their lifetime, this is Alex’s chance to try and swim the sea.
I’d rather Alex has a relationship with someone who cares about what Alex wants too instead of someone so self centered.
So, Maggie.
So…. Maggie?
You mean like Maggie. Who was all about Maggie and only Maggie?
What version of the show did you watch? Cause that’s not the version that aired on The CW. I’d love to watch this version where Maggie wasn’t a doormat and was a little more selfish. If only.
Probably the version where Kara wasn’t a supporting character in her own show, Mon-El was an honest, caring boyfriend, worthy of her love (that wasn’t forced down our throats), minorities weren’t downright manipulated and disrespected – kind of like the show the showrunners are trying to sell. Or maybe and my fave of all, the version where Lena is gay and her and Kara belong together. There’s lots to choose from when you live in lala land.
It’s unfathomable how badly they’ve ruined Alex this season, and now seem committed to doubling down on that awful storyline next year too. She’s utterly unrecognisable from the character I loved. I hope they’ll listen to the fans (and Chyler herself) and abandon this absurd story as soon as possible.
I happen to love Alex just as she is
Agree. Worst storyline the writers stuck Alex in.
When I see Alex from season 1 and this now I can’t even recognize.. It seems another person. The writers are killing Alex character with this absurd and dramatic arc of her obsession to be a mom. Enough.
I really want Maggie to come back to the Supergirl show cause her and Alex were awesome together I really don’t like what the Supergirl writers are planning to do with Alex’s character next season 🤦🏻♀️
Maggie treated Alex terribly. Alex needs someone better.
Maggie was awful for Alex, I frankly never saw any chemistry between the characters. Their relationship began and ended in a few weeks, thankfully, and Alex needs to move on to someone who actually cares for her. She’s been absolutely badass since she had her powers amped up, so let her find someone who’s capable of dealing with that fact. And definitely drop the wanting a baby stuff, that always ruins a show.
lol what. they were together for nearly two years within the shows timeline. you don’t have to create your own deluded canon because you failed to see chemistry between them. good luck with finding someone Iike MAGGIE who you know could actually deal with that, knew about kara being supergirl, knew about the DEO and alex never had to hide anything from her or lie about her job. watch season 4 showing that women like maggie are not going to fall out of the sky especially when they are not dropping the baby crazed storyline. She’s going to try to date other people and fail miserably.
Right. Because Maggie is one of a kind and the only woman in the entire world. Oh please. Alex has plenty of time to meet someone else that she can trust with her secrets and her life. Maggie was her first girlfriend; that doesn’t make her Alex’s only and last option. Stop sounding 16.
This is a fictional show, kid. If you don’t think this arc will show Alex struggling because her dates (notice no love interest has been cast) will be incompatible with her life style then you need to educate yourself on how storytelling works.
I want to watch this show about the future Legion now that Winn and Mon-El are there….. love Supergirl but I watched for Chris Wood and Jeremy Jordan
100% this. If Jeremy weren’t “recurring” I don’t think I’d be tempted to watch next season at all.
Well, that was … weird
I love the Arrowverse, but I didn’t really enjoy Supergirl this season, except for the episode with Laurie Metcalf. (Winn might be my fave, so I’m really sad to see him leave.) I don’t even understand that plot device at the end and I’m hardly excited about it. Kara needs to find herself as a person of Earth again. Maybe brighten the title card back up.
I was not a fan of this season either. And is it just me or has Supergirl become a bit player and not the one who saves the day.
Will tune in next year to see if it improves. If not….
Btw – does anyone in the Legion or the DEO care that poor Brainy has been kicked out of his time / home?
It’s definitely starting to evolve into the ensemble team of heroes like a the other shows! Which is fine, but I miss Kara and Supergirl.
There’s gotta be some kind of Butterfly Effect for Brainy staying behind. Wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.
I would like to see Brainy go up against one of the Brianiacs of our time.
I would like to see Brainy take a side trip to Hawaii to solve a problem and be detained there by H5O’s Tani…anyone guess why?
and the Midvale episode! That one was excellent and had brilliant casting.
Does anyone want to hear what these two have to say? They’re killing the show and if they’re not doing it on purpose it’s the most effective accidental sabotage I’ve ever seen. Begone with this garbage about Alex and kids already! It’s a superhero show! She’s an agent! Yes, women can have careers and be mothers but I repeat – THIS IS A SUPERHERO SHOW! There is no place for that kind of story line. It’s a character killer for Alex. It’s a killer for the show. Unless that’s what they’re trying to do? I just can’t tell anymore. If you can’t tell if the people running the show actually give a damn about the show you’ve got a HUGE problem. Supergirl has a HUGE problem.
Terrible season with terrible storylines. They are killing Alex character with this obsession to be a mom. This arc has nothing to do in a superhero show, just feels weird and too dramatic. Alex was such a amazing character in season 1, the writers are destroying her with this mess..
I feel like the core characters are gone.It started with Cat,now Win and J’onn the great supporting cast is gone.Now the wheel must be reinvented.Andbthese writers are not very good with executing ideas.How can Win appear from the future? Who will be the fixer at the DEO ? Brainy seems to be too far in the future to be of help.Who will repair Jimmy’s suit?I have really lost my hope for the show.
All I need is Supergirl. As long as Supergirl is there, so am I. Only if we lose Supergirl will I stop watching,
We lost Supergirl long ago, buddy.
I agree. And they’ve sent 3 male characters off the canvas. No doubt they’ll replace them with new female characters since man has become a dirty word lately.
Jon is not leaving Supergirl
Oh …… NOW I get it ! The show makes no sense to me because I’m not a lesbian 🤔😂😂😂
I have to admit, if I were in Winn’s situation I would probably jump at the chance to see the future and make a difference there, so if (as speculated) Jeremy Jordan requested time off for Broadway or something this is a pretty decent partial write out for that particular character.
Agreed. Jeremy Jordan is too talented to be wasted in a role like Winn. Also, he’s probably tired of living apart from his wife.
Rated F because whomever thought switching Winn for Braniac was a “win” has lost their marbles. And I agree with those who want to see the real Alex Danvers stand up because this version is weird and unlikeable a lot of the time.
I’m not impressed with everything either! Plus I’m so upset that Supergirl & Mon-El aren’t back together!
Exactly, Carla. This ending made NO sense. Splitting apart Kara and Mon-El (when they clearly belong together) was a dumb move.
Lol seems like all you too care about is romance. This is a superhero show, not a romantic show, therefore the Kara and Mon-El being together is of no importance. Watch a romance movie if that’s what you want. The fact that romance is all you too care about says a lot about how small-minded the both of you are, romance isn’t everything, you two need to grow up and get a life.
@Sierra Looks like you have no brain altogether :D :D #ROFL
Btw, they have Jonn’s Ship so Lara should still be able to visit her Mom
Let me help you out on spelling a little….its J’onn and Alura….Lara is Superman’s mother.
I think Lara was a typo for Kara. It happens.
I am tired of the same story. Gaining love and losing it! I don’t like that Winn is gone to the future, and am tired of Lena being good then bad then good again! This is my last season! I will not be watching season 4!
Shes a Luthor. Its par for the course. Id acrually be dissapointed if there wasnt a is she evil/is she good thing going on.
What they’ve done to Alex this season was atrocious. And it doesn’t look like it’s getting any better. You know when it’s bad when the actress playing her said she can’t bring herself to watch the show anymore. Worst season of the show, period.
What did the actress say??
Im not surprised Chyler herself is hating this storyline and this arc.. Its just awful!! This season was a mess. They are killing Alex slowly and in a painful way..
Season 1 is still the best! And, S3 is 3rd place overall.
Yeah.. Season 1 is still the best season and season 3 probably the worst.. Season 1 had good and stable writing. Season 2 started good, but then became a mess and now is random storylines coming out of nowhere.. And they are killing Alex with this arc about being a mom.. Look at the amazing Alex from season 1. I can’t believe what they’ve done to her..
Except for the last minute, this would’ve served as a great series finale. I’m so glad that Winn got a hero’s send off, and I absolutely cried at his goodbye scene. I honestly don’t want him to come back now. I want to imagine him inventing amazing things in the future, geeking out with Mon-El, and being his adorkable self. In fact, I’d watch a Winn/Mon-El spin off in a heartbeat.
Gotta agree with you on the spin-off thing. I’d be right next to you on the couch with my popcorn. :-D
THIS!
Give us an Arrowverse show about the Legion! Mon-El and Winn are a great core to build on..
Looking back at S3, I think J’onn and Alex would have been a nice couple. And, unfortunately, Mon’El and Irma have no chemistry. I tried to feel for them, but couldn’t. Looking forward to the Red Son storyline for Kara in S4, as long as she doesn’t end up like Overgirl! I thought that Erica Durance did a great job as Alura and as a superhero too! I want her to come back!
I wouldn’t be surprised if they weren’t going to work their way around to Alex and J’onn. Now that he’s stepped down, it won’t be any awkwardness about him being her boss or being in power over her. Since they’ve established that Mon-El was still in love with Kara and he and Imra’s marriage was more a political move than anything else, the fact that they don’t have a ton of chemistry makes sense. They seemed like what they are – really good friends who enjoyed each other’s company, not passionate lovers.
…Alex is a lesbian.
So maaaaany damnnn changes!! I cried, a lot. I’m going to miss Winn. At least we’ll always have the danvers sisters…. and can someone tell them Alex’s story is a mess, and they screwed a once great character?
I sincerely hope that Supergirl improves in season 4. Unfortunately, it seems to be following its fellow Arrowverse shows and excelling in either the first or second season before embarking on a continuing decline for every subsequent season.
I’m not really interested in another evil Kara. We’ve done that at least … three (?) times now. I would have preferred the DEO to be closed down and for Kara, Alex and Winn (or Brainy if necessary) to still try to help aliens, save the world, etc but with far less resources. Something that would have required Kara to use her supposed journalism skills to track down stories, etc.
Although I’d prefer it if Jimmy moved back to Metropolis to be Superman’s pal, if they’re keeping the character, then I really hope that they have something for him to do outside of very rarely running around as the Guardian. If Jimmy wants to fight bad guys that much, couldn’t he just join the DEO as a junior agent? Presumably Alex won’t be out in the field as much now that she’s the director.
I hope that we get to see Superman in one or two episodes in season four.
the Legends should go to the future and cross the Legion with Winn, Mon El and Irma, just for a 2-3 episodes arc. I know different Earth and everything but I would love to see that.