Fans of the Man of Steel’s spirited Kryptonian cousin have
had to wait thirty-one years to see Supergirl flying back into action. After five
new impressive episodes, it is time to issue an updated report on the series. And
that report is filled with nothing but rave reviews from this long-time Kara
Zor-El fan.
Executive Producer Greg Berlanti, (currently, the superhero TV king mogul, if such a
thing exists), and his talented team, have managed to strike the perfect sweet
spot between humor, action, science fiction, and millennial soap opera angst
with a light touch. If you are going to have a show with a love triangle, (“Supergirl”
actually has two overlapping ones), this is how you handle it.
Every episode had been pitch perfect in tone, nicely paced,
and impeccably acted by the talented cast. Never was this more on display than
in the best episode so far, “Livewire”, a Thanksgiving show that aired on
November 16th with a major storyline featuring Kara’s human
stepmother Eliza Danvers, played by the 1984 “Supergirl” Helen Slater. The
scenes featuring the two Supergirls is the legendary stuff of fevered fan
imaginations. It was absolutely priceless and proof once again that Greg Berlanti
gets it. This guy knows what the fuck he is doing.
Not enough Helen Slater was one of my minor beefs with the
pilot. That has obviously been corrected, and hopefully there will more Eliza Danvers to
come.
My other fear about the pilot was the Otis/Jar Jar binks potential of the
over-the-top Cat Grant. Well, I was wrong on that one too. Thank God! It turns
out that Cat Grant is actually an interesting character and being played quite
skillfully by Calista Flockhart.
On top of all this we have a formidable, emerging new super
villain with a modern twist, (Maxwell Lord), and an intriguing conspiracy arc.
What is Henshaw up too? And what did happen to Kara and Alex’s father?
This is stating the obvious, but is worth repeating again...
Of course, the greatest strength of the show, and what makes it all work, is
Supergirl herself, Melissa Benoist. She is utterly charming, projecting an
effortless earnestness—funny and touching as Kara Danvers—charismatic, strong,
and fierce as Supergirl. Her approach reminds me so much of the Christopher
Reeve “Superman” films. And I love it!
Bottom line: **** (out of four)
This show is absolutely irresistible. I have a crush on “Supergirl”.
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