While I feel like there’s a good chance he is actually dead, I also think there are also good odds that it won’t be permanent. For starters, we never did figure out why Jennie’s ring was showing 2 different spots for Shade in Blue Valley. Perhaps that other spot could hold a key to his resurrection? Or maybe the ring was just tracking it because that’s where Shade had been held up, so in a sense his presence was still there. Hopefully we find out soon. Also, him disappearing into a wisp of smoke at the end like that seemed to be similar to how he perished in the fight against Eclipso earlier, and we know that didn’t actually kill him. Maybe there’ll still be just enough of his spirit or something that’ll be lingering around to the point where he could be revived
But as to whether he’s actually dead as of now, I’m sticking to believing what we saw. Though Shade was stronger than he was in the previous episode, it was clear right away that he still wasn’t doing so good. And even if it weren’t for the very visible strain he was showing, I would’ve assumed that opening a portal to the Shadowlands would’ve taken a great amount of power. I guess he only had just barely enough strength left to do so, as I doubt he would’ve had enough the previous week, but it makes sense that the exertion of keeping the portal open for that long would’ve been enough to do him in in that state. I figure he would’ve gotten seriously knocked out even if he had been at full strength, so this much weaker state just wouldn’t have been enough to keep him alive. And now it looks like they’re down a big gun in the final fight against Eclipso, even if he does end up getting resurrected
As w/ many points of discussion, I’m conflicted on this one. In terms of the current circumstances and everything that’s happened this season, I think it does make sense for her to cut ties w/ the company that’s just changed so much for the worse since she arrived, especially since she started being a reporter. It’s admittedly a good point about how we shouldn’t spread ourselves too thin and how life’s changing circumstances can lead to a change in our priorities
But on the other hand, I also feel like this set of circumstances really shouldn’t have even been set up in the 1st place. The fact is that Kara’s a great journalist who, let’s not forget, won a Pulitzer right before Andrea took over, and we’ve gotten to see her really enjoy being a reporter for a few years before Lena sold CatCo. It just really sucks to know that Kara’s arc since last season has all been leading to this move when we could’ve gotten to see her continue thriving in journalism or at least push past Andrea’s methods to continue being great at a job she enjoys. This whole arc feels like a total betrayal of the whole “Supergirl is what I can do, but Kara Danvers is who I am” portrayal that was so effectively emphasized in earlier seasons. She’s ultimately having to sacrifice a huge part of what makes her Kara Danvers in order to better be Supergirl, and it’s a walkback that I really feel weakens her overall character
And what’s more, while I’m still not convinced it’ll actually happen, this move does make me more concerned that she’s cutting ties w/ her present so as to better set up a possible move to the future at the end of the finale, like in the comics. But that would be a complete betrayal of the woman who’s made it clear that this is where she belongs and that she wants to be w/ her friends and family – the people who make her life worth living. I just can’t possibly see her walking out on her sister, as well as Lena, Nia, Kelly, J’onn and now Esme. (I’m assuming Brainy would also return to the future, though him leaving Nia would make such a move feel even more awful.) Plus it would mean the possibility of Kara resuming a romantic relationship w/ Mon-El, which is just about the most abhorrent thing I can think of, so yeah, I’m really not a fan of anything that puts us closer to that possible ending
I do hope that Maeve is able to truly make things right between them, but I totally understand why Nia didn’t forgive her. While I do believe that Maeve’s apology was sincere, that alone isn’t enough to make up for the horrible things she said to her sister back in season 4. It’s a good message to send that 1 apology, no matter how well-said, shouldn’t immediately guarantee forgiveness for said person. I’m glad that Nia was able to strike an effective balance between staying firm against her sister’s transphobic insults, but also still having enough love left to recognize that there’s a chance they could truly mend things between them in time. Again, another disadvantage to the show ending is that we almost certainly won’t get to see that happen, but I guess it’s still nice to at least know the show won’t end w/ them still not talking
I doubt he’s gonna end up becoming more lax about killing and be willing to do so under the “right” circumstances, but perhaps this whole ordeal will allow him to take a bit more risk during the team’s missions. Given that he’s never taken a life before along w/ his passion for protecting and preserving history, it makes sense why being responsible for Hoover’s death hit him harder than it might’ve for someone else. But eventually he’s gonna have to truly accept that it wasn’t his fault, and that acceptance could come w/ a realization that he doesn’t always have to tiptoe around everything when it comes to preserving history. Of course he’s seen for years now how the team almost always screws something up but still manages to make things right in the end, and now that whole approach is affecting him on a much more personal level. But we know the Legends will make things right in the end, even if it’s gonna take a while longer this time around, and when that happens, I think it’ll allow Nate to set aside some of his reservations about being ultra careful w/ the timeline. It obviously still needs to be protected, but perhaps this turn of events can better show him that it’s OK to be a little more reckless like his teammates every once in a while
I’m 100% open to a romance between Ryan and Sophie, but I’m just left wondering where the hell these romantic feelings are coming from between Luke and Mary. I can’t say the same for the former, since I’ve definitely been getting hints at something deeper between them since last season, though it definitely feels like it’s being ramped up now. Actions like holding hands, long gazes at each other, spending time on a feelings balcony alone and more have definitely contributed to the feeling that there’s a mutual attraction here. It certainly would’ve been unthinkable earlier last season, but these 2 have made quite a bit of progress from the “Crowphie” days. I love how they’ve been able to overcome their differences and really come to rely on each other when they really need it. Even if I’m ultimately reading too much into this, it’s just great to see them as friends supporting each other considering how much they were at odds not all that long ago. And for Ryan specifically, I’m just excited at the prospect of giving her a proper romance. She still hasn’t shared a kiss w/ another woman yet despite briefly dating Angelique again last season, so I’m hoping that changes soon since her queerness is definitely an important part of her character that I really don’t want to be ignored
As for the other 2…I say again – what?? It’s baffling to me that after 2 years of Luke and Mary being completely platonic w/ no real hints of romantic feelings between them, they just suddenly start having the hots for each other? That whole scene where she was doing medical tests on him just felt so forced and out of nowhere. And I get it, Luke is obviously attractive and pretty ripped, but there’s a lot of room between generally appreciating those things and feeling like you wanna jump his bones right then and there. It also didn’t help the case for them as a potential couple that Luke immediately followed this encounter by being bitchy for the rest of the episode. That’s something you only associate w/ a little boy being mean to a girl he actually likes, and it’s bad enough when they do it, let alone when a grown-ass adult does it. If this continues into an actual romance, I’ll still be feeling like it’s not a good fit for them and borne out of the writers not knowing what else to do w/ them instead of capitalizing on natural buildup/chemistry. But if it’s just dropped and never spoken of again, then I’ll simply be wondering why the hell it was there in the 1st place
