Lex has stopped the Kaznian invasion. Red Daughter is dead. Ben Lockwood has superpowers. It all comes down to one last battle, for the soul of America.

As season finales go you don’t get much better than this. Every character gets a moment in the sun, Lex gets some truly wondrous supervillainy and the season is wrapped neatly. In a way that of course wraps up nothing at all.

Everything here is fun, whether it’s Red Daughter making her long suspected hero turn or Brainy returning to his old lovable self. Good or bad each character’s actions are a vital part of the plot and while Batwoman is set to take Arrow’s ‘grim vigilante’ spot, it seems likely that Supergirl will take its place as the show with the best found family. J’onn, Dreamer and Brainy are especially good fun, but the whole cast has a spot and fills it admirably. Top marks to Jon Cryer for one of the all-time definitive Lex Luthor portrayals in particular. His exuberant destruction of the Kaznia invasion set to ‘My Way’ is one of the best things the CWVerse has done in years.

It’s not just character either, as countless grace notes from earlier in the season come back. Red Daughter’s Alex, Lex’s plans within plans, Shelley island and the rivalry between James and Lockwood all tie in to create a complicated, nuanced and most of all fun season finale.

Verdict: There’s a real sense of joy returning to the world after a season in Hell. Of course, it won’t last. The Monitor resurrecting Lex speaks to that. But for now the world gets to breathe out a little bit. And this cast in particular have earned it. 10/10

Alasdair Stuart