Finally, we may have a comic-inspired TV show and hero for the all too often overlooked audience… women. While DC Comics has secured its place on The CW with such hits as Arrow and The Flash and on FOX with a gritty pre-Batman, Gotham, CBS looks to have their own player now and she can hang (or in her case, fly) with the best of them. Warning spoilers ahead…
The premise behind the pilot episode of Supergirl is fairly straightforward. Kara Zor-El (played wonderfully by Melissa Benoist), was sent to Earth to look after her baby cousin Kal-El, the boy who would become Superman. Upon her arrival she is raised by the Danvers (played by Helen Slater, the big screen version of Supergirl of the 1980’s and Dean Cain, TV’s Superman from Lois and Clark), and much like her famous cousin, Kara possesses the same ‘leap tall buildings in a single bound’ type of power.
After a plane carrying her stepsister Alex (played by Chyler Leigh), nearly crashes, Kara saves the day and reveals her power for the first time to the world. Her appearance sparks media interests from media mogul and Kara’s boss, Cat Grant (played by Calista Flockhart). I particularly enjoy the banter between these two women.
With the world curious about, who is Supergirl? Kara dons her cape and costume to fight crime. This would include a one-on-one battle with an alien baddie from her world of Krypton. The special effects that accompany this fight scene as well as those Kara flying are quite good. Truth is, we have come quite accustomed to quality special effects after watching what they’ve done with their other TV projects and The Flash series in particular.
Rounding out this stellar cast is Mehcad Brooks as James “Jimmy” Olsen who was sent by the Man of Steel himself to watch over his cousin. The key to Supergirl’s hopeful success rests however on the shoulders of its lead Benoist. There is a quirky and charming style to her innocent presence. If given the right material, she’ll prove to be the perfect choice and role model for young women everywhere.
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
