At some point, we’re going to hit a saturation point of super-hero adaptations, but we don’t seem to be there yet. I also don’t think Supergirl is going to bring about the beginning of the end, because this is a pretty good show! It has a flaw or two, but I found the pilot to be an entertaining addition to the roster of TV costume-wearers.
The show wisely tells Kara Zor-El’s original story in under five minutes and gets right to setting up the cast of characters and the premise for the show, such as why she doesn’t become Supergirl and then why she does! It deals with why Kara—who was born before her world-famous cousin—is actually younger than he is. Fans of the DC universe will enjoy those little plot points, but they aren’t too convoluted to alienate those who don’t know the comics (I have a slight knowledge of DC, but I’m more of a Marvel guy).
There are also some fun nods to TV shows of the past. Her adoptive parents on earth are played by Dean Cain, who was the Man of Steel on The New Adventures of Superman (the one with Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane), and Helen Shaver, who was Supergirl in the 1984 movie. Jimmy, oops, sorry, James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) is a character brought over from the Superman story (although he’s now black). He’s not the goofy comic relief that he often was in the past. He’s older and more self-assured on this show, and it doesn’t seem as though they’re planning to make him a love interest for her, which is probably a good idea. He’s more of a mentor to her at the media conglomerate where she works.
Kara also has an adoptive sister, Alex Danvers, who is a doctor who becomes more involved in Supergirl’s life than Kara would like. She has immediately become my favourite character on the show. I like the dynamic between the sisters.
My least favourite part of the show is Kara’s one-dimensional unsympathetic boss, Cat Grant (owner of CatCo). She is so soulless that she’s a cliché. The one possible saving grace is that she is played by Calista Flockhart, who will hopefully be able to add some nuance to the role over time.
As for Melissa Benoist, who plays Kara/Supergirl, she embraces the role and plays it well. She has a nice combination of earnestness and playfulness to lead the cast and lead the show.
I am a fan of The Flash TV series and not really a fan of Arrow. Supergirl leans closer to The Flash in tone and style, and avoids the darker elements of Arrow (which I realize that show’s fans enjoy; it’s just not for me). All that is to say that if you like Arrow, you’ll probably like Supergirl. I think I will.
TV Gord’s verdict: There’s a promising future for this show.
