CW
Season Air Date:
- Season 1: October 26th 2015 – April 18th 2016
- Season 2: October 10th 2016 – May 22nd 2017
- Season 3: October 9th 2017 – June 18th 2018
Reviewed by: Joshua Andre
Supergirl (Season 1-3)
Starring: Melissa Benoist, Chyler Leigh, Mehcad Brooks, Jeremy Jordan, Katie McGrath, Chris Wood, Floriana Lima, Odette Annable, David Harewood, Calista Flockhart
When you were younger, what was your preferred occupation? Was it a farmer, an actor, a musician, a fireman, a policeman, an astronaut, a writer, a chef, a biophysicist? Or was it something more outlandish, like being King or the President? What if you found yourself as a superhero, fighting alien life form and protecting the city, the country and the world from anything that could cause it harm? Well if you want to see how that look like, look no further than Supergirl– just started its fourth season, and one of the many superhero TV shows in the DC Arrowverse on the CW. While I plan to later review the 4th season premiere episode (before episode 2 airs tomorrow!), let me first quickly recap seasons 1-3, so that those of you who aren’t caught up with the series, and those of you who would like to, know what’s going on (and I’ll try not to post many spoilers, but it has been a few years since the show started, so I’m sure most of you already know the things I’m talking about!)
Starring Melissa Benoist as the titular character, Supergirl debuted on CBS in October 2015, and delved into the origin story of Kara Zor-El, who was sent to Earth following the destruction of Kryton, in order to protect her younger brother Kal-El. Yet, for those who are not familiar with the comics, we learn early on in the pilot that her pod was knocked off course, and Kara has to spent 24 years alone in the the Phantom Zone. It’s a place where time doesn’t really pass, so by the time she did reach Earth, Kal-El had already grown up, and become Superman. Consequently, Kara didn’t need to look after him, and instead was sent to live with the Danvers’. So Kara grew up along with her adoptive parents Eliza and Jeremiah, and her sister Alex (Chyler Leigh); eventually becoming a reporter at CatCo Worldwide Media and working under Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart). While the pilot shows her interactions with work colleagues Winn (Jeremy Jordan) and James (Mehcad Brooks), the pivotal event of the show- the crux of how the show actually comes into being, is when Kara reveals to the world her alien powers while saving a plane from crashing mid flight into the ocean- although she only did save the plane because of her sister being on the flight.
From then on until the rest of the season, and also into the next two seasons; the mantle of being Supergirl is imprinted onto Kara, as she tries to live dual lives- one as Kara Danvers the bright, bubbly, cheerful, sunny and optimistic reporter, and the other as Supergirl, a symbol and a beacon of hope for the whole city. The tension of how to live with a correct balance between hero and normal person, is the tension that is evident in Kara throughout the whole series. And also over the course of the series, plenty of people discover the alien heritage and Kara being a superhero that is Kara’s secret to tell (including James and Winn); while Kara also works with her sister at the DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations) under the supervision and tutelage of Director J’onn J’onzz (David Harewood), a Martian saved by Jeremiah before he died, whom he gave final instructions to J’onn to take care of Kara and Alex. Kara also navigates her love life with James, as well as with Mon-el the Prince Of Daxam (Chris Wood), while in the series Alex comes out to her friends and begins to date Maggie Sawyer (Floriana Lima). James also decides to become a superhero as well- a vigilante named Guardian, while later on in the show, time travel is introduced in the form of the Legion, who travel back from the 31st century to help Kara with a delicate situation.
As far as villains go, there have been plenty, ranging from the downright cruel and sadistic [Astra and Non (Kara’s aunt and uncle, played by Laura Benanti and Chris Vance), Mon-el’s mother Rhea (Teri Hatcher)] to the sympathetic semi-villain and friend [Samantha Arias/Reign (Odette Annable)] and the frenemy [Lena Luthor’s mother Lillian and head of anti-alien hate group CADMUS (Brenda Strong)]. With all of these characters and plot-lines in these seasons strengthening and helping to grow Supergirl as a person, as well as deepen the relationships between all of the main characters (especially the relationship between Kara and Lena Luthor [Katie McGrath]); we are met with a very complex show that dives deep into the concepts of female empowerment, identity as a person, reconciling your blood family with the family you form through friendship bonds…and many, many more. I won’t go into super detail about everything that was imparted to us all over all of the seasons (I will leave that to you guys as you read all the synopses of the three seasons here, here and here!)- as this recap is quite long enough; but as you binge watch these 65 episodes (as I recommend you do as quickly as possible!), let us remember that this show can and does teach us at least one thing. That even though we’re not super in our strength or in our human abilities, our big hearts for people can ensure that we can rise above any adversity just like Kara does, or at least tries to do.
Supergirl was cancelled in 2016 after 1 season by CBS, however was one of the few shows from that season to be uncancelled- Supergirl moved to CW and from then on Kara and her friends joined the main characters on Arrow, The Flash and Legends Of Tomorrow on yearly crossovers (despite Kara being on a different Earth to the other heroes!). Personally I reckon the show never really fit on CBS, and it was great that CW, now famous for their superhero shows, picked it up again. Because if it didn’t we’d be left with just one season of 20 episodes. As it stands now, Supergirl is one of my favourite current superhero shows (with some stellar acting from Melissa and Chyler especially!)- and with a big twist at the end of season 3 (which has to do with a literal second Kara newly created and wandering around in Russia!), Season 4 promises to deliver big and give us plenty of drama and juicy storylines. With the season already airing its first episode, now’s the time to watch Supergirl if you haven’t already!
Did all 65 episodes of Supergirl leave a lasting impression on you? Did any themes in the episodes speak to you, and which was it? What elements of the show are you enjoying- Kara and Lena’s friendship, the similarities between Malcolm Merlyn and Lillian Luthor, the bittersweet ending for Winn as he explores his new home of the future, or Alex’s insistence to have a child at all costs? Will you be tuning in for Season 4? Let us know in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qUja7CHTKg
RIYL: Smallville, Agents Of Shield, Arrow, Daredevil, Marvels The Runaways, Believe, Heroes, The Gifted, Alphas, The Cape
Rating: 4.5/5 (based on 3 seasons aka 65 episodes)
Supergirl aired every Monday at 8/7c on CBS for Season 1, and on CW at the same time for Seasons 2 and 3. You can now buy the DVD/Blu Ray of the whole 3 seasons at digital and physical retailers everywhere! Season 4 aired just under a week ago, and the second episode airs tomorrow, and every Sunday thereafter at 8/7c.