Brief Synopsis
Supergirl is Superman's cousin. Originally sent to Earth to protect him when he was a baby, she gets trapped in time and comes to Earth as a 12-year-old girl once Kal-El is already a grown man, and plenty famous to boot. The TV series sees Supergirl working (under a human alter-ego) at the multimedia news company Catco which is run by Cat Grant, a highly self-confident businesswoman.
Supergirl has to balance the highs and lows of being an extraordinary girl trying to live an ordinary life.
The TV series Supergirl is an interesting one to talk about. With the success of other the DC Comics adaptations (Arrow, The Flash) it was inevitable that their small-screen universe would expand. Now, I've never watched Arrow and I patchily watch The Flash, but I really wanted to get into Supergirl because, well, she's a girl.
And there we come to the major crux of the debate surrounding this new account of the second child of Krypton; its representation of women.
And there we come to the major crux of the debate surrounding this new account of the second child of Krypton; its representation of women.
I tend to refer to the first few episodes of this show, when describing it to friends, as "Feminism 101". I feel like this exchange between Cat and Kara sums it up:
And I personally totally don't mind it! It's refreshing to see women not being portrayed as secondary to men in the action/adventure genre. Yes, I know there are exceptions; no, I'm not trying to start some sort of gender relations debate because there's plenty out there online already if you want to go and get involved; I'm just saying I appreciate it.
I found this photo from the show particularly interestingly framed, in terms of perspective. We see Kara in the centre, in focus but half in shadow; a blurred but lit image of Supergirl on the cover of CATCO magazine in the background; and a waitress in a Supergirl costume unfocused but in the foreground. Which of these is the true "Supergirl"? The action hero, lauded when people need her but who hangs back, wary of fame? Or the shy executive's assistant, scared to reveal her true nature? Or does she feel that she is simply putting on a cheap costume, catering to the whims of those who equally praise and punish her...
Additionally, I'm not watching the show through rose-tinted glasses; I know it has its flaws and plot holes. I guess I just wanted to acknowledge that aspect of the show and its resulting criticism.
(I know it doesn't stick to the comic books either but I've never read any comic book in my life. So. )
I found this review on IMDb quite refreshing and clarifying, amongst the very mixed feelings expressed by many viewers:
I really enjoy watching Supergirl. I normally wind up catching up with it on a Friday or Saturday night, and it's just a good weekend show to chill out in front of, with friends or by yourself with a tub of ice-cream.
In the UK, it's currently airing on Sky1, and on CBS in the US.
What do you think? Do you watch Supergirl? Do you think you would?
RK.
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