Supergirl is considered one of The CW’s greatest superhero exhibits, however the 2015 drama wasn’t with out its flaws. Alongside titles like The Flash and Batwoman, Supergirl joined DC’s Arrowverse halfway by its run and have become a staple of the shared universe. Melissa Benoist’s run as Kara Zor-El aka Kara Danvers was unforgettable, however it was additionally sadly restricted by extenuating circumstances.
In 2021, Supergirl grew to become yet one more canceled superhero show after airing six seasons, first on CBS however on The CW from season 2 onwards. The collection was removed from probably the most devoted adaptation of the comedian guide character, however some adjustments strengthened the sci-fi drama. Sadly, revisiting the present after Supergirl’s bittersweet ending makes its shortcomings all of the extra clear.
10
Kara Was Usually A Genderbent Clark Kent
Her Distinctive Character Traits Obtained Misplaced In Translation
Kara Zor-El has gone by many iterations all through comedian guide historical past, however Kara Danvers’ secret identity in Supergirl typically felt like a carbon copy of Clark Kent. Within the 2015 drama, she dons a pair of glasses as her principal disguise and bumbles by work— however, as an alternative of Perry White, Kara is assistant to media maven Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart).
Admittedly, there are variations between Clark Kent’s work at The Each day Planet and Kara’s job at CatCo Worldwide Media, however there isn’t sufficient significant distance to take care of Kara’s— and, ergo, Supergirl’s— individuality. From her affable public persona to her steely superhero gaze, Supergirl feels much less like a completely realized individual and extra like a feminine model of Superman.
9
The DEO De-Centered Kara Too A lot
Making It A Group Effort Detracted From Her Powers
When Supergirl’s powers are revealed within the collection premiere, a part of the preliminary battle is that Kara’s adoptive sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), labored for the Division of Extranormal Operations (DEO), a authorities company devoted to monitoring alien lifeforms like Kara and her cousin, Kal-El (Tyler Hoechlin). Nonetheless, Kara turns into an ally to the DEO, defending Earth from invading extraterrestrial threats.
But, having Supergirl report back to a authorities group relatively than appearing of her personal volition appeared to weaken her character. Slightly than be a real vigilante, Supergirl was restrained by paperwork and office hierarchies throughout intense, life-or-death battles. After all, there’s energy in numbers, however Kara nearly instantly turning into a weapon for the federal government was a significant misstep.
8
Alex Did Not Deal with Kara Like A Sister
She Even Used Kryptonite As a substitute Of Phrases
There are iconic sister duos on TV with iron-clad bonds which are fortified all through the collection, however Alex and Kara are decidedly not on the record. There was a basic disconnect between Alex and Kara when it got here to Supergirl’s very existence. Be it taking pictures her with kryptonite or gatekeeping info relating to her mom, Alex persistently let Kara down.
That’s to not say Alex needed to be good. Sibling relationships are inherently rocky, however even season 6 illuminated her worst traits, like when Alex picked an pointless combat with Kara for making an attempt to assist her adoptive daughter cope together with her unhoned powers. Naturally, Alex had heroic moments, however when push got here to shove, her love for Kara was conditional.
7
The Superfriends Heroes Had been Pointless
If Something, They Might Have Had Their Personal Spinoff
Past the DEO, Supergirl created its personal ragtag league of heroes often called the Superfriends. Virtually all of Supergirl’s biggest characters progressively grew to become superheroes, together with Alex (Sentinel), Mehcad Brooks’ James “Jimmy” OIsen (Guardian), and Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath). Whereas among the character designs and powers had been fascinating, the Superfriends felt like an unneeded addition to Supergirl.
In some methods, the Superfriends allowed facet characters to shine as vigilante heroes, however it additionally distracted from the purpose of the present and displaced Supergirl as the principle focus. Kara didn’t have to be absolutely solitary, however forcing Supergirl to be a member of a workforce relatively than Nationwide Metropolis’s one true hero was a nerf to her character.
6
The Potential Of Lena And Kara’s Relationship Was Ignored
Supercorp Was A Ship That Sadly By no means Sailed
Kara and Lena’s friendship in Supergirl was one of the crucial necessary relationships in the complete collection, however there all the time appeared to be potential for one thing deeper. Their chemistry was apparent from their first scene collectively, and lots of followers rejoiced any time the pairing often called “Supercorp” interacted. Sadly, the 2 had been saved strictly platonic in Supergirl’s canon.
All episodes of Supergirl are streaming on Netflix.
Regardless, Lena and Kara’s love story would have been the proper enemies-to-lovers plot— and paid dividends for The CW’s viewership. Moreover, Alex being a confirmed queer character made Lena and Kara’s romance doable, however Supergirl ended with each members of the favored ship single. Nonetheless, help for Supercorp rages on years later, which is a testomony to the ship’s attraction.
5
Some Of The Supergirl Motion Sequences Had been Laborious To Defend
The CW Had Sensible Limitations In 2015
As is the case with any superhero or sci-fi collection, the technical particulars age quickly. Whether or not it’s CGI, sensible results, or modifying selections, what as soon as could have been a powerful show of talent is now rudimentary when in comparison with trendy requirements. Even blockbuster movies from 2020 are outdated when considered by a contemporary 2025 lens.
Consequently, it’s not shocking that Supergirl’s motion sequences don’t maintain up completely after a decade. From clearly faux hearth to static combat choreography to the post-production SFX, it’s clear Supergirl was made in 2015— however, admittedly, outdated expertise is an inescapable destiny that each superhero present finally falls sufferer to.
4
The Present Couldn’t Have a good time Supergirl With out Disparaging Superman
Each Cousins Ought to Have Been Allowed To Thrive
The distinctive relationship between Superman and Supergirl is likely one of the most fascinating dynamics in comedian guide historical past. Disappointingly, Supergirl didn’t capitalize on their lore and made Superman nothing greater than a stepping stone to make Kara look higher. At any time when doable, the present would use Kal-El to prop up Supergirl, even on the expense of their familial bond.
The talk round whether or not Supergirl is stronger than Superman is as previous as Kara’s character, however the present didn’t must put down Clark Kent to make Kara Danvers a hero. Plus, the characterization was questionable at finest— particularly when existential threats arrived in Nationwide Metropolis, just for Superman to by no means assist.
3
Kara & Mon-El’s Relationship Made No Sense
In Retrospect, It Was A Poisonous Pairing
When Mon-El (Chris Wooden) is introduced into the fold in Supergirl season 2, he begins off with many antagonistic qualities. His frat boy persona and clear misogynistic streak made it exhausting to root for him and Kara’s sudden romance, particularly when he clearly had no respect for her or Supergirl as a public determine.
It’s clear Mon-El was meant to be a nasty boy archetype for Kara to reform, however they had been merely a needless romantic TV subplot that took away from the present. When Kara confronts him for his conduct in season 3, it’s solely the tip of the poisonous iceberg— however it makes her determination to pursue him much more baffling.
2
Supergirl’s Feminism Was Typically Floor-Stage
The Present Had Extra Nuanced Potential
The CW’s iteration of Supergirl leaned into the character’s political undertones typically, however the present’s feminism feels missing on reflection. At a baseline, a feminine superhero is empowering by itself, however Supergirl repeatedly ignored the cardinal rule of storytelling: present, don’t inform. At any time when Kara or Cat broke into a lady energy monologue, all nuance seemingly disappeared.
There’s one thing to be mentioned about any progress being good progress. Actually, Supergirl made valiant makes an attempt to deal with real-world points, however such on-the-nose discussions are the naked minimal by 2025 norms. Supergirl would have benefited significantly from implementing extra delicate, ideologically advanced storylines, however even so-called “feminism 101” scenes are worthwhile to an extent.
1
Kara Didn’t Get A Completely satisfied Ending
The Hero Ends Up Alone
All through Supergirl, Kara has two principal targets: to be snug in her pores and skin and to not find yourself alone. The collection finale allowed her to disclose her secret id, however Kara is the one character (bar Lena) to finish up uncoupled. Romance isn’t usually obligatory for a cheerful ending, however Kara herself expressed her need for companionship.
What’s worse, Kara didn’t really feel like the principle character for a lot of the collection, together with the ultimate episode. Whereas there are many TV characters who don’t get happy endings, few are the collection namesake. Furthermore, all of the potential risks that prevented Kara from popping out as Supergirl had been conveniently forgotten, making her ending each unfulfilling and unrealistic.
- Launch Date
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2015 – 2021-00-00
- Showrunner
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Ali Adler, Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kreisberg
- Writers
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Ali Adler, Greg Berlanti
