Supergirl’s Top 15 Episodes: A Definitive Ranking

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Originally airing over ten years ago, Supergirl remains a standout superhero show. Starring Melissa Benoist as Supergirl, the CW series quickly became a fan favorite within the larger Arrowverse. The show also benefited from a strong supporting cast, including Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers and Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor.

Despite lasting six seasons, Supergirl ended in 2021. While the show wasn’t flawless, many episodes remain memorable even after its controversial finale. These standout episodes are beloved for their imaginative stories, realistic characters, exciting guest appearances, or impressive action scenes, making them truly unforgettable.

15. Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1

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The first episode of Supergirl is widely considered one of its strongest. It introduced Kara Danvers, who was struggling with feelings of jealousy towards her cousin, Clark Kent (Superman), and his success. When her sister, Alex, is put in danger during a plane accident, Kara chooses to reveal her powers to the world and becomes a hero.

As a big fan of superhero shows, I thought the first episode of Supergirl really nailed it. It did a great job setting everything up for the series to come. What I especially loved was how it blended humor and genuine emotion while still giving us all the backstory we needed to understand Kara’s journey and root for her. While the secret identity trope isn’t new, the dynamic between Kara and Cat Grant was instantly captivating – Calista Flockhart was fantastic!

14. Worlds Finest

Season 1, Episode 18

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Grant Gustin’s first appearance as The Flash on Supergirl (season 1, episode 18) introduced many viewers to the CW’s version of the famous comic book hero. In the episode, Barry Allen accidentally travels to National City from another universe and joins forces with Supergirl to defeat some of the show’s early villains.

“Worlds Finest” marked Supergirl’s first time crossing over with the Arrowverse, and it remains a fan favorite. The episode features iconic scenes, such as Supergirl racing The Flash, and some playful interactions between Kara and Barry, which left many viewers wishing they could have shared a universe. Fortunately, season 1 wasn’t the last time Barry Allen appeared in Supergirl.

13. Man of Steel

Season 4, Episode 3

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Sam Witmer’s portrayal of Agent Liberty is considered one of his strongest performances, and the show Supergirl dedicated a whole episode to exploring the character’s origins. Ben Lockwood started as a typical resident of National City, working as a college professor and even challenging his father’s prejudiced views about aliens. However, after his father passed away, Ben gradually developed a fear and distrust of outsiders.

I have to say, Agent Liberty is such a complex character on Supergirl. That episode, season 4, episode 3, really got me thinking – it didn’t just show us Ben’s history, it made me actually feel for him. Even though he became a full-on villain who hated aliens, seeing how he got there was genuinely heartbreaking. It wasn’t just about him being bad; it was a real tragedy how things unfolded for him.

12. Dark Side of the Moon

Season 3, Episode 20

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Supergirl’s story, both in the comics and the TV show, starts with her escaping Krypton just before it exploded. While Superman was sent to Earth as a baby, Kara was older and remembered her home planet. That’s why discovering a surviving piece of Krypton had a huge impact on her life.

What truly made Supergirl strong was her life on Earth, which helped her connect with people in a way her fellow Kryptonians couldn’t. This episode perfectly shows Kara’s struggle – feeling like an outsider on Earth, yet too connected to humanity to fully belong on Krypton. Her reunion with her mother, who everyone thought was gone, was a moving, though sad, moment.

11. The Quest for Peace

Season 4, Episode 22

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As a huge Arrowverse fan, I always thought Lex Luthor, played by Jon Cryer, was one of the best villains they had. Seeing him sneak into the White House at the end of Supergirl season 4 was a real shocker, and it totally changed things for the show. Even though Lena was a hero and even shot Lex, the biggest twist was when he revealed to the world that Kara was Supergirl – that moment just flipped everything on its head!

The friendship between Lena and Kara was always heading towards drama once a secret was revealed, but it especially hurt that Lex was the one to tell Lena the truth. Combined with a heartbreaking death and the start of a major romance for Alex, the final episode of Supergirl‘s fourth season featured some of Lena’s most powerfully emotional moments.

10. The Adventures of Supergirl

Season 2, Episode 1

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Tyler Hoechlin made his debut as Superman in the second season premiere of Supergirl, and his arrival as Clark Kent lived up to all the excitement. Watching him and Supergirl team up to fight was incredibly engaging, and the episode featured some of the most thrilling action scenes in the show’s history.

Supergirl and Superman had great chemistry as a team, and season 2 showed just how promising their connection could have been with more development. Sadly, Superman wasn’t used to his full potential for much of the series, but the season 2 premiere remains a really thrilling episode, even when you watch it again.

9. Human for a Day

Season 1, Episode 7

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Supergirl’s abilities are central to the show, but the episode “Human for a Day” imagines what Kara Danvers’ life would be like without them. After a difficult mission leaves her completely drained, Kara loses her powers and becomes as vulnerable as everyone else in National City.

Although it was compelling to see Supergirl struggle with her powers and handle difficult situations, this episode is most famous for its big surprise: the revelation that Hank Henshaw (played by David Harewood) was actually J’onn J’onzz, who later becomes Martian Manhunter. Discovering another alien secretly working at the DEO was a brilliant plot twist, and J’onn quickly became a fan favorite on the show.

8. Alex

Season 2, Episode 19

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Before becoming Supergirl’s replacement as Sentinel, Alex Danvers was known as Kara’s sister and a top agent for the DEO. In season 2, episode 19 of Supergirl, Alex is kidnapped by someone from her past, putting her strength and skills to the test. The situation forces Kara and Maggie (Floriana Lima) to put aside their disagreements and work together to save her.

This episode features several key moments, notably a recurring discussion about how superheroes fit into a world that already has police. The tension between Supergirl and the police department has been present throughout the series, but this time, Alex truly stood out as she cleverly found new ways to protect herself.

7. Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One

Season 5, Episode 9

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The Arrowverse on The CW was a major force in superhero television, whether you enjoyed it or not. A particularly memorable moment was a huge crossover event in Supergirl‘s fifth season, which brought together heroes like Superman, The Flash, Batwoman (played by Ruby Rose), White Canary (Caity Lotz), The Atom (Brandon Routh), and Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) for a massive, universe-spanning battle.

The “Crisis on Infinite Earths” was likely the most elaborate team-up event ever created for the Arrowverse. Though it concluded with the divisive decision to kill off Green Arrow, the first part of the story is still considered a highlight of the Supergirl series.

6. For the Girl Who Has Everything

Season 1, Episode 13

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After the first season of Supergirl established Kara’s life on Earth, the thirteenth episode put her in a dangerous situation with a very emotional dream sequence. While some changes to Kara’s past weren’t ideal – a difficult thing to notice when rewatching the show – “For the Girl Who Has Everything” expertly weaves in the trauma she experienced on Krypton.

Kara’s vivid dream of life on Krypton felt strangely familiar, subtly hinting at the disturbing reality: she was actually in a coma. Ultimately, she needed to choose Earth over Krypton to wake up, which provided a powerfully emotional moment, even though it happened relatively early in the first season of Supergirl.

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2025-11-02 23:51