SuperGirl Season 1 Overview: Girl Power In National City

Since I'm currently watching "SuperGirl" on CW I thought it might be good to do a quick overview of season 1. The show originally aired on CBS. The 20 episodes of season 1 are currently on NetFlix. See my review of the premiere here: SuperGirl Episode 1 Review

Kara Danvers (real name Kara Zor-El) tries to keep a low profile in National City. She works as an assistant to demanding boss Cat Grant (played by Calista Flockhart). Cat is the founder and CEO of CatCo World Media.

All that goes out the window when Kara saves her adopted sis Alex's plane from crashing. What should the world call this new superhero? Cat comes up with "SuperGirl". Kara isnt too jazzed about the name initially. Meanwhile work pal Winn helps Kara come up with a fitting superhero costume. It takes a few tries but they eventually find a winner.

James Olson (dont call him Jimmy) arrives in town. Superman asks him to keep an eye on his cuz. A love triangle/quadrangle forms. Winn and James are both interested in Kara. Kara seems to be interested in James. Then James' ex finance Lana Lane (Lois Lane's sister) shows up. Cat's estranged son Adam also asks Kara out on a date.

Interestingly, unlike Superman, Kara doesnt seem to mind who knows about her secret identity. Alex of course knows as well as Jimmy and Winn. Cat guesses but is then thrown off track when when both Kara and Supergirl show up in the same room (hint: it's a shape shifting trick).

There are a number of "villains of the week". They include: Jemm (he has psychic powers), Reactron, LiveWire, Bizarro (SuperGirl #2), Astra (SuperGirl's aunt), Black Mercy, Indigo, Silver Banshee, a White Martin, etc. Kara works with the DEO to stop alien threats. Her sister Alex also works there. Hank Henshaw is the director.

The sisters become increasingly suspicious of Hank but it takes a while to get the real scoop. In episode seven, Hank reveals himself. He is J'Onn J'onzz (Martian Manhunter). He says Alex's father Jeremiah (who also worked for the DEO) died a hero trying to protect J'Onn from humans who wanted to kill him. J'Onn then took the form of Hank to blend in. We later laern Jeremiah is not dead. He is being held captive by Project Cadmus.

Kara's Aunt Astra is in town. She plans to lead the other prisoners from Fort Rozz that Alura (Kara's mom) imprisoned in taking over Earth. Astra's husband is Non. Their army of flying Kryptonions is pretty entertaining. They just hover about at times.

SuperGirl and Astra fight in the skies of National City. That was a fun scene. After destroying a few buildings SuperGirl defeats Astra and locks her up in the DEO. Astra tries to get cozy with Kara but it's all a ruse. She's just a distraction while Non and the soldiers attack Lord Technologies. Non escapes with Hank. They launch "Myriad" (a device they intend to use to wipe out mankind). Astra, Hank and Alex later fight. Astra is killed with a Kryptonian sword. Non is none too happy...see what I did there?

Maxwell Lord (CEO of Lord Technologies) is a wild card through much of the season. We're never sure what he's up to. He eventually learns SuperGirl's true identity. And he creates a new SuperGirl (known as Bizarro). I dont like the guy... and I dont like him with Alex.

Episode 18 features a crossover with Barry Allen (ie the Flash). There will be many more crossovers in season 2.

At the end of season 1 the team bas together. Non is defeated, Myriad/Fort Rozz is sent into outer space. Alex is a badass in her Kryptonian suit.

A mysterious pod arrives on Earth. Who could be in there? Are they friend or foe?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). I'm usually not up for a full season of network television due to the excessive number of episodes. Typically are too many fillers and the story lines are stretched WAY out. This is true of "SuperGirl" with some great episodes and some ho hum ones. "SuperGirl" still has enough going for it though to keep coming back.

While this is a show about superheroes I enjoyed the relationships the most. The push/pull of siblings Alex and Kara was interesting. They obviously love each other but arent necessarily great at expressing it. I also enjoyed Kara and Ms Grant's relationship. Cat was originally extremely prickly to Kara but her sunny disposition eventually wore her boss down.

I had my doubts about "SuperGirl" in the beginning but now I'm all in. Somehow Melissa Benoist manages to be quirky and cute and strong all at the same time. I also really enjoyed Alex (Chyler Leigh)l. Those two combined with David Harewood as Martian Manhunter are a winning team. I would watch a whole series with just the three of them.