Before I get into the piece, let me first share the synopsis in case there are people who read this that don't watch the show. Supergirl is an American television series that began airing on October 26, 2015 on the CBS network and moved to The CW network after its first season. It focuses on Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist), an alien refugee whose planet Krypton was facing destruction. She, along with her cousin Kal-El, would be placed in pods and sent on a direct course to Earth until Kara's pod was knocked off that course and into the phantom zone, where time stood still. Eventually coming out of the phantom zone, she finally arrived on Earth to discover that her little cousin had already grown up and become the famous Kryptonian hero of his city Metropolis. With her aim of protecting Kal-El being no more, she instead was given a home to a trusted family; the Danvers family. Kara would grow up finding herself with a job in at CatCo Worldwide Media and a desire for Journalism, only to not long later rediscover her powers and build on a new identity. One that sees her with another job at the DEO (Department of Extranormal Operations) working alongside her adoptive sister Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) to monitor aliens and protect the public from harm. One that also expresses her passion of fighting for justice like her cousin. She becomes Supergirl, hero of National City.
After reading that, it doesn't seem like a bad show. However, it has ended up receiving endless criticism and complaints from everyday viewers. 'I hate Supergirl!' is an open thought not at all hard to find on the internet. This is a show with just as many problems as others currently on the air, but for some reason it gets lambasted the most. Why is that? There is so many shows similar to this one, but this one cops the whack. The fact that so many want for the axe to swing and for the cast and crew to lose their job, all because they personally don't like it. Could people be anymore selfish? Luckily these people aren't in the position of power. But I'd like to dig a bit deeper. I'd like to look at some of the most common reasons why they detest this series so much. Consensus tells me Supergirl isn't anywhere near flat out terrible, and the ratings aren't so different from other shows on the same network. So why does there appear to be so much hate coming out and why are these critics trying so hard to make it seem that it deserves this?
I myself, see the main reason for the unfair hatred as her simply being a female superhero. Her being a girl. I see it as her not being the ever so popular Superman, who by the way has had enough films and television shows already focused on him. I see it as people not appreciating something different. Something that has rarely been touched on in the DC Universe. These shouldn't be spat on but rather celebrated. Credit where it's due to Greg Berlanti for helping shine a light on the lesser-known material. Sure, Clark's older (now younger) cousin isn't ever going to take the spotlight off him in general, but I see it as both great and necessary to open newer generations to something they won't be as familiar with. Time to expand the DC Universe and look beyond both the 'Dark Knight' and the 'Man of Steel'. And what a better way to do that than with Supergirl. A character once old, dusty and from the shelf is now going through the process of revitalisation. Benoist is mostly to thank for that. Supergirl is in my opinion, a decent show. So I thought about looking at some of the other common reasons suggesting otherwise and seeing if any make sense. Here are nine I've come across so far:
After reading that, it doesn't seem like a bad show. However, it has ended up receiving endless criticism and complaints from everyday viewers. 'I hate Supergirl!' is an open thought not at all hard to find on the internet. This is a show with just as many problems as others currently on the air, but for some reason it gets lambasted the most. Why is that? There is so many shows similar to this one, but this one cops the whack. The fact that so many want for the axe to swing and for the cast and crew to lose their job, all because they personally don't like it. Could people be anymore selfish? Luckily these people aren't in the position of power. But I'd like to dig a bit deeper. I'd like to look at some of the most common reasons why they detest this series so much. Consensus tells me Supergirl isn't anywhere near flat out terrible, and the ratings aren't so different from other shows on the same network. So why does there appear to be so much hate coming out and why are these critics trying so hard to make it seem that it deserves this?
I myself, see the main reason for the unfair hatred as her simply being a female superhero. Her being a girl. I see it as her not being the ever so popular Superman, who by the way has had enough films and television shows already focused on him. I see it as people not appreciating something different. Something that has rarely been touched on in the DC Universe. These shouldn't be spat on but rather celebrated. Credit where it's due to Greg Berlanti for helping shine a light on the lesser-known material. Sure, Clark's older (now younger) cousin isn't ever going to take the spotlight off him in general, but I see it as both great and necessary to open newer generations to something they won't be as familiar with. Time to expand the DC Universe and look beyond both the 'Dark Knight' and the 'Man of Steel'. And what a better way to do that than with Supergirl. A character once old, dusty and from the shelf is now going through the process of revitalisation. Benoist is mostly to thank for that. Supergirl is in my opinion, a decent show. So I thought about looking at some of the other common reasons suggesting otherwise and seeing if any make sense. Here are nine I've come across so far:
1. It's Too Political
I'm not going to lie. I have been one of so many people to express my disinterest in politics. I have been one of so many people that has searched for a getaway and called for most of scripted television to embrace imagination more than reach out to the real world. But there are just some things I have to accept. DC Comics have a long history of interpreting political matters in their own way, especially when they involve such characters as a couple of our highly-adored Kryptonians. To expect anything less is simply impossible. When taking away the issues of our society from the DC world, we are also taking away the purpose from our favourite crime-fighting superheroes. Supergirl as confirmed many times by the show-runners, is and has always been a political show. Supergirl herself, as well as her more famous cousin have always been symbols of certain political topics. Whining about this does us no favours. If we don't like it for this, then we don't watch it. To ask for no politics will just come across as an implication. One that says we don't like these characters.
2. It's Too Girly
I will agree this was the case during the first half of season one, but that's about it. Back then, I did feel as if I wasn't welcome to view the series. Kara was mainly about finding her feet as a Superhero and inspiring young girls to find their inner strength. It's not a bad thing, but we'd prefer if the show didn't so much do it in a way that made both male characters and male audiences seem inferior. Supergirl at the beginning was kind of cheesy and a little unnerving. It placed a lot of its attention around the drama of Kara's transition to heroism as well as her love life. The action scenes weren't memorable enough. And it was a time when the series was putting all of its focus on women looking both formidable and independent. Thankfully, that has changed. Supergirl now is more or less like the other shows. It's well-balanced, takes itself seriously, and the flaws and inconsistencies it currently holds are not so much those that were shared to us three years ago. If it hadn't have changed, I'm not sure I'd be watching it now. The fact is it the show's not 'girly' anymore. So if anyone were to see it as that at the moment, I'd be left thinking they haven't bothered tuning in after the first season.
Do you want to know something funny that I once read? And by funny, I mean just bizarre. Something that had me questioning how this particular person thought. Scrolling down the comments section of a YouTube video discussing the show, I managed to find something that I just couldn't seem to understand when I concentrated more on it. A viewer went on to complain about how nearly every single major villain for Supergirl prior to season four was a female. A show that was edging close to the end of its third season and somebody so happened to think this way. I mean really? You have a show like Arrow that ran for twice as long with all seven major antagonists being male (e.g. Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman), Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Manu Bennett), Ra's Al Ghul (Matt Nable), Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough), Prometheus (Josh Segarra), Caiden James (Michael Emerson) and Ricardo Diaz (Kirk Acevedo)) and people don't bat an eye. But it's important we point out female villains as an issue with Supergirl? It's baffling. Besides, that guy can't so much pick that out anymore now that a couple of Kara's foes in season four happen to be males.
3. It takes too much Superman material.
Once again. How is this different from Arrow, which takes a lot of material from both Batman and Teen Titans? As a matter of fact it's worse when it comes to Arrow, because Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) has little to no relation with Bruce Wayne other than a shared universe and a few small character links. Oliver in this show was made to be a discount Batman. A brooding, rich man with no super powers in a dark and fairly violent city. He has faced against the likes of Deathstroke and Ra's al Ghul, two antagonists that were never mainly the Green Arrow's to begin with. At least with Supergirl, Kara is related to Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin). They share abilities, work as journalists, fight fear and represent justice. Despite having their own stories and the character of Supergirl being shelved for a while, their material has often crossed paths. It logically makes more sense given the stronger connection. Besides, Supergirl has so far done both. It has embraced the titular character's history as well as delivered interesting interpretations of DC's most iconic storylines involving the son of Krypton.
Do you want to know something funny that I once read? And by funny, I mean just bizarre. Something that had me questioning how this particular person thought. Scrolling down the comments section of a YouTube video discussing the show, I managed to find something that I just couldn't seem to understand when I concentrated more on it. A viewer went on to complain about how nearly every single major villain for Supergirl prior to season four was a female. A show that was edging close to the end of its third season and somebody so happened to think this way. I mean really? You have a show like Arrow that ran for twice as long with all seven major antagonists being male (e.g. Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman), Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Manu Bennett), Ra's Al Ghul (Matt Nable), Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough), Prometheus (Josh Segarra), Caiden James (Michael Emerson) and Ricardo Diaz (Kirk Acevedo)) and people don't bat an eye. But it's important we point out female villains as an issue with Supergirl? It's baffling. Besides, that guy can't so much pick that out anymore now that a couple of Kara's foes in season four happen to be males.
3. It takes too much Superman material.
Once again. How is this different from Arrow, which takes a lot of material from both Batman and Teen Titans? As a matter of fact it's worse when it comes to Arrow, because Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) has little to no relation with Bruce Wayne other than a shared universe and a few small character links. Oliver in this show was made to be a discount Batman. A brooding, rich man with no super powers in a dark and fairly violent city. He has faced against the likes of Deathstroke and Ra's al Ghul, two antagonists that were never mainly the Green Arrow's to begin with. At least with Supergirl, Kara is related to Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin). They share abilities, work as journalists, fight fear and represent justice. Despite having their own stories and the character of Supergirl being shelved for a while, their material has often crossed paths. It logically makes more sense given the stronger connection. Besides, Supergirl has so far done both. It has embraced the titular character's history as well as delivered interesting interpretations of DC's most iconic storylines involving the son of Krypton.
4. The Acting Is Terrible
I honestly cannot figure out how one determines bad acting in a show like this. Especially since it is a group of highly-experienced actors guided by professional crew members. I mean sure it's not the standard that will see Oscars. And sure I've spotted a couple of very minute mistakes from a few in the cast. But that doesn't necessarily make them bad actors. I've seen some great performances occasionally. Benoist just seems so comfortable in her role and can separate the two identities brilliantly. The emotion that Chyler Leigh manages to put in when things don't go smoothly for Alex is infectious. And David Harewood with almost 30 years under his belt, sinks into character so well. Associating this group of people with bad acting is absurd. The acting in Supergirl is no different from that of any other show in the Arrowverse. Want bad or questionable acting? Watch The Room, Trolls 2 or any American daytime soap opera where it seems not much effort is required. This show would run laps around them. If ever I saw someone call out Supergirl for bad acting, I should probably ask for some information on how the actors can do it right as it seems the critic has more experience in the field.
5. It's Boring.
Well that's just the critic's problem isn't it? I don't see why one would go out of their way just to put this forward to anybody. It's not going to change people's minds. They're not going to suddenly find it 'boring' because one person does. If somebody can't get into Supergirl, then they should just find something else to enjoy. There's no point wasting breath or time with an opinion that will absolutely not persuade anybody to reconsider theirs. Boredom is never a problem for anybody else other than the person that experiences it. Different people like different things. Anyway, I for one don't find this series 'boring'. But I'm not going to throw it out everywhere because it's not important. Interestingly, I find this show currently more entertaining than The Flash and ironically I think it holds more energy. Supergirl doesn't play it safe and keep in its box. It speaks louder and the atmosphere seems more unpredictable and less cliche. Not to mention that I really enjoy Kara and the rest of the characters. I love the fact that I have no clue how each episode will pan out before I get into them. And the show is somewhat about aliens. Who would not like that?
5. It's Boring.
Well that's just the critic's problem isn't it? I don't see why one would go out of their way just to put this forward to anybody. It's not going to change people's minds. They're not going to suddenly find it 'boring' because one person does. If somebody can't get into Supergirl, then they should just find something else to enjoy. There's no point wasting breath or time with an opinion that will absolutely not persuade anybody to reconsider theirs. Boredom is never a problem for anybody else other than the person that experiences it. Different people like different things. Anyway, I for one don't find this series 'boring'. But I'm not going to throw it out everywhere because it's not important. Interestingly, I find this show currently more entertaining than The Flash and ironically I think it holds more energy. Supergirl doesn't play it safe and keep in its box. It speaks louder and the atmosphere seems more unpredictable and less cliche. Not to mention that I really enjoy Kara and the rest of the characters. I love the fact that I have no clue how each episode will pan out before I get into them. And the show is somewhat about aliens. Who would not like that?
6. It Encourages Feminism
This reason would just about have to be the most inaccurate of all that are listed here. I suppose it's mostly just general viewers playing the numbers game, weighing up how many men and women are involved with putting this show together and comparing the results. From the outside, I can tell that Supergirl is one of the more inclusive and respectful shows going around (even though it was produced and to some extent brought to life for a certain period of time by Andrew Kreisberg). It has welcomed people of different ages, genders, colours, ethnicities and sexualities, all while embracing the 'Girl of Steel' along with both her and DC's history throughout comic books and other forms of media. It most certainly does not advocate gender imbalance. Sure it uses the 'F' word (Feminism), but we all tend to point out many errors in the show's storytelling. This just happens to be one of them and I'll explain why that is.
We know for a fact that Supergirl has used the word many times throughout its run so far. And we know what the show is trying to achieve though when it comes to women. You can tell they're doing a fantastic job just by following the stories of Kara Zor-El, Alex Danvers and Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath), But I don't believe the crew behind the scenes understand what the word has evolved into. I see there being a difference between 'feminism' and female empowerment. What was once a healthy movement, has taken so much damage from politics to now become somewhat of a 'hate group' against men. It to me looks as another wedge driven into humanity, encouraged by a certain group of extremists. It's a form of segregation, the first step in the wrong direction. Hardcore feminists are not people calling for equal rights, but rather superiority and control over men. I tend to believe that any movement that recognises a category of people can hide a gateway that leads to hatred and unhealthy sanctimoniousness. Sounds like something a show such as Supergirl would completely stand against. In fact, I know it does. It just doesn't seem to do well when it comes to explaining it. 'Feminism' isn't the right term. I'd just stick with 'egalitarianism' or 'female empowerment'.
7. It Preaches Bias
Honestly, which shows don't nowadays? Truth is that Supergirl has to stand for something and it's going to support whatever it sees as being morally correct. If the show-runners ever were to find a real life issue, I guess they have every right to address it so long as it fits in the story nicely. Arrow has done so with gun control. The Flash had its feisty female episode early in season four. Although these episodes were a couple of the least favourable ones from their respective shows, I don't think the messages were entirely the reason why. When it comes to season four, Supergirl rightly chooses a side in its complication. And it's one I certainly happen to agree on, as I have now and then expressed it in different ways on this blog. As a matter of fact, I personally see it as the only option due to its proper ethical approach and I'd question anyone who thinks otherwise. I guess most who have an issue with bias is because they support opposing ideas. I'd understand the frustration, but Supergirl like most other programmes is going to pick a side and it is going to explain why that is as effectively as it can. And you can bet its choice is always going to be one for justice, freedom, safety and security.
8. There's No Logic Or Consistency
Going too far in the logic side of things would be silly, as the show primarily focuses on a human-looking alien with super powers protecting a fictional city from crime and alien attacks. And if it came to logic, I'd have more of an issue with the likes of The Flash and DC's Legends Of Tomorrow for the confusion they put themselves in when it comes to regular time travel and all that. But us as viewers just have to look past what makes sense at times, no matter how much certain things may bug us. All we can do is hope for an explanation if and when the executive producers hear our voices. As for the consistency side of things, I have to give it to the people behind Supergirl for trying. However, I won't lie that one of the show's greatest weaknesses is how it puts message before the story. For instance, are we to assume that somebody as nice as alien ex-president Olivia Marsdin (Lynda Carter) who is encouraging alien integration wants to build a wall on the U.S. border to keep Mexicans from coming in? She isn't the current real-life president, so what problem did she have with Mexicans? I get the series wanting to connect with reality and convey powerful messages. But it shouldn't do these at the expense of the plot and character development.
9. There Hasn't Been One 'Great' Season.
Well this is just a matter of opinion really. Sure large numbers speak loud but the truth is as mentioned in the introduction of this piece, that a lot of the show's critics are those that have discontinued watching some time in the past. I unlike most viewers, walk in with an open mind. I don't judge something until I've seen it all. Sure, I have had preconceived thoughts which have on the odd occasion tainted my viewing experience of certain programmes. But I never turn my back on something good when I see it. That was the case with season six of Teen Wolf. I predicted it to be crap and it ended up mostly being that. However it did own some great and powerful moments that I appreciated. The same case was with Arrow season four. Another thing was that even though I almost gave up on these shows, I didn't in the end. I made it so far with Teen Wolf and it was finishing up, while I held the slightest bit of hope that Arrow could recover from the damage it gave to itself. A rule of mine is to not have an opinion on something unless I see the whole picture and it sort of the right way for people to think. Besides, I don't believe Supergirl has ever reached those depths despite what others tend to say.
There is no pretending this series doesn't have its faults, and there is probably more in this than others. But the thing about Supergirl is that the story and direction has shaped in many different ways to find its best form. You can tell how the producers are trying to deliver something exceptional. Each season of this show so far, has been somewhat different. Whether it be the tone, the character progression, the atmosphere or the messages. It has tried many different things to impress. And at times, it has succeeded. Supergirl has its desirable qualities. It attempts some meaningful stories and much like Arrow and Black Lightning (and maybe DC's Legends Of Tomorrow), it takes risks. It also hasn't succumbed to fan service, nor has it ever swam in its popularity. I agree there is always room for improvement, but maybe that's why I enjoy this series as much as I do right now. I always seem to believe that so much of where this show can go is still yet to be explored. I don't take this 'no great season' stuff seriously because it's all just what we think as individuals. Anyway, I thought season three was mostly strong and deeply emotional despite the wheels coming off a little towards the end.
Travis "TJ" James
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