Supergirl

I've been enjoying 'Supergirl' (Mondays CBS 8pm). I followed the character from her beginning in Action Comics. Then in an 80's feature film in my opinion that was much better than it was regarded at the time. And so now it is a weekly show on a major network. It is produced by the same people that do 'The Flash"
(Tuesdays CW 8pm). Both shows are on my watch list.

So what makes 'Supergirl' an important show? It deals with power from another angle, that of a woman. Comics do overtime evolve and story lines change. Originally in Action Comics she came from Argo City, which flew off when Krypton exploded, and overtime the land under the city was being changed to deadly Kryptonite, so Kara Zor-el was sent to Earth to be with her famous cousin. She was a young teenager, hence the title 'Supergirl'. The plot lines have changed and the character is in her mid-twenties and reacted in episode one to being branded Supergirl by media mogul Cat Grant(Calista Flockhart).

One basic tenet of the show is that while her cousin Kal-el(Superman) came to Earth as an infant and always felt like an outsider, Kara was in her mid-teens and much more fully formed psychologically being raised on her home planet of Krypton.Hence her wanting to bring those around her into her life as Kara/Supergirl. James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) , her adoptive sister Alex(Chyler Leigh), and Winn Schott(Jeremy Jordan) are all part of her 'team' aiding her as much as she saves them. It is a nice touch. The sense that her friends and sister are family, replacing those she lost on her home world. The Jimmy/James Olsen character is much different and stronger than the Jimmy in Superman lore. So the feeling on inclusion, bringing others on board for support is a major part of the show. Women tend to be more team oriented while men are more competitive and 'fight alone'.

Along the lines of power from the female angle, Calista Flockhart's Cat Grant is a fascinating character. Initially she is portrayed very much as over assertive and ends justify the means. But as the show progresses this gradually changes. She  softens. We see the undevelopped vulnerable parts of her come to the surface.
And she becomes a support and an ally to Kart/Supergirl..

Melissa Benoist is absolutely fantastic as both Supergirl and Kara. The scenes with her and Calista Flockhart are very well done, usually extremely funny."Here's your latte , Ms Grant!". But she portrays Kara with such a vulnerability, which is what makes the show go. 'Supergirl' is a show about becoming. She is finding herself both as Kara and the Super hero as they intertwine and unfold. Superman is an established, finished product. Supergirl is evolving, changing, growing.........And Kara is as Melissa Benoist portrays her, a Funny Valentine...

"Is your figure less than Greek...
Your mouth a little weak
When you open it to speak
Are you smart

But don't change your hair for me
Not if you care for me
Stay little Valentine stay

Each Day is Valentine's Day...."

Watch the show and see if you don't agree....

Here is a video I did for Valentine's Day: