SPOILER WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for “Battles Won and Lost,” the Season 3 finale of Supergirl.


The Department of Extra-Normal Operations has a new director. In "Battles Won and Lost," the Season 3 finale of Supergirl, J'onn J'onzz stepped down and named Alex Danvers as his replacement.

Towards the end of the episode, Alex approached J'onn as he mediated. She sat down across from him and announced she was giving him her notice; she wanted to discover what life was like outside the DEO and start a family, but felt she couldn't do those things as a field agent.

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However, J'onn soon interrupted her with a counteroffer and asked her to be the DEO. He explained that living with his father M'yrrn had opened his eyes. He wanted to live among the people, spreading peace like other Martians before him. He made it abundantly clear he wasn't leaving for good, saying he would always be around for his family, but he had decided the DEO was no longer a place for him.

As he explained to Alex, being director also meant she wouldn't have to be in the field as much anymore. As such, she could start a family without risking her life on a daily basis. This argument seemed to convince Alex, who stepped up as director at the end of the episode. It's yet to be seen how this will impact the relationship between Alex and Kara and what J'onn will do next.

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"We thought it was important for [J'onn's] character to take in the teachings his father was trying to impart on him," executive producer Robert Rovner explained to TVLine. "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."

Of Alex, executive producer Jessica Queller added, "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."

Returning to The CW this fall, Supergirl stars Melissa Benoist as the Girl of Steel, David Harewood as Martian Manhunter, Mehcad Brooks as Jimmy Olsen, Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers and Jeremy Jordan as Winn Schott, with appearances by Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant and Tyler Hoechlin as Superman.