So Supergirl

[Canadamus Prime]

So I've been watching Supergirl on Netflix and while I'm enjoying it there is one underlying problem I see with this series. I'm still only on season 1, but even though the focus is on Supergirl, they've established that Superman exists in this world and they are constantly mentioning him, so when it comes to big villains like Astra and her cronies I keep thinking that these villains focusing on Supergirl when they will still have Superman to deal with seems kind of... off. I would think we'd see her making preparations to deal with both Superman and Supergirl at the same time. Of coarse Astra is always talking about recruiting Supergirl to her cause so maybe that's how she plans to overcome Superman. As I said, I'm still only on season 1 so maybe all this makes sense later on.

 

[Saelune]

Isnt this just a general problem of super hero stuff? Why doesnt every villain above standard mugger not have like, atleast 10 heroes popping up?

Marvel, DC, comics, movies, TV shows, etc all really have this problem.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Isnt this just a general problem of super hero stuff? Why doesnt every villain above standard mugger not have like, atleast 10 heroes popping up?

Marvel, DC, comics, movies, TV shows, etc all really have this problem.

I suppose that's true, but my real issue is that the big villain, Astra, is acting like Supergirl is the only obstacle to her plan to "save" the Earth.

 

[Comic Sans]

I haven't watched Supergirl in a while, but if I recall correctly the big plan that the villains have actually neutralizes Superman. That's why he doesn't come up in discussion. Kind of a hand wave that doesn't come up until after the fact but it does get acknowledged.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

I haven't watched Supergirl in a while, but if I recall correctly the big plan that the villains have actually neutralizes Superman. That's why he doesn't come up in discussion. Kind of a hand wave that doesn't come up until after the fact but it does get acknowledged.

Sounds like the writers didn't feel they needed to explain it until other fans started to ask the same questions I am.

 

[maninahat]

Isnt this just a general problem of super hero stuff? Why doesnt every villain above standard mugger not have like, atleast 10 heroes popping up?

Marvel, DC, comics, movies, TV shows, etc all really have this problem.

They try to get around it by assigning a superhero to a specific city. Batman has his Gotham, Superman has is metropolis etc. I don't think it works for the really big heroes, because someone like Superman/Supergirl could go anywhere really fast and work for the whole world. It works better for smaller scale, less mobile heroes like Ms Marvel, who is stuck with New Jersey, and Dare Devil, who sticks to one neighbourhood.

In regards to Supergirl, I think it sucks. I really want to like it because DC really needs a) more female led superhero shows and b) less grim entertainment. But its just so clumsily written, saccharine in its story telling, and completely unambitious with its plots. Its also a really grating set up, with her being bullied by both her bosses; the Devil Wears Prada knock off and the Grumpy Agency guy. You's think the latter person would at least have a modicum more caution and respect when dealing with someone who can elbow a truck in two, instead of constantly antagonising them.

 

[Comic Sans]

Isnt this just a general problem of super hero stuff? Why doesnt every villain above standard mugger not have like, atleast 10 heroes popping up?

Marvel, DC, comics, movies, TV shows, etc all really have this problem.

They try to get around it by assigning a superhero to a specific city. Batman has his Gotham, Superman has is metropolis etc. I don't think it works for the really big heroes, because someone like Superman/Supergirl could go anywhere really fast and work for the whole world. It works better for smaller scale, less mobile heroes like Ms Marvel, who is stuck with New Jersey, and Dare Devil, who sticks to one neighbourhood.

In regards to Supergirl, I think it sucks. I really want to like it because DC really needs a) more female led superhero shows and b) less grim entertainment. But its just so clumsily written, saccharine in its story telling, and completely unambitious with its plots. Its also a really grating set up, with her being bullied by both her bosses; the Devil Wears Prada knock off and the Grumpy Agency guy. You's think the latter person would at least have a modicum more caution and respect when dealing with someone who can elbow a truck in two, instead of constantly antagonising them.

To be fair to Grumpy Agency Guy, there's a bit more going on with him, and he starts softening up quite a bit.

Spoiler

Hes Martian Manhunter in disguise and that's pretty cool.

 

[madwarper]

My biggest gripe with the Arrow-verse is that they're using Golden Age Hawkgirl, instead of Silver Age Hawkwoman.

Which is even more confounding when in Season 2 of Supergirl...

Spoiler

In one episode, Mon-El explains why he and Kara can't simply punch their way out of the cages that they're in and casually name drops Nth Metal and Thanagar.

Then, in the VERY NEXT EPISODE, which lead into the "Invasion" cross-over event, Kara travel's to Earth-1 and meets the cast Flash/Arrow/the other show, the one I don't watch. She meets Hawkgirl and immediately accepts the reincarnated Egyptian bullshit, instead of calling her out as Thanagarian.

 

[KingsGambit_v1legacy]

it's not a good show. The main character is an emotionally crippled girl-child, who somehow holds down a job she's never at and useless at when she is. She is utterly selfish and they use the "coming out" metaphor so heavy handidly when it's completely inappropriate. Having a dual identity when the real one is kept secret is not coming out. They have Superman appear for two episodes, but otherwise he's just mentioned. In one storyline, it's literally a case of "That villain was too much for even Superman!". Supergirl beats villain and her cousin whatsapps her to say "Well done for doing what I couldn't!". That is literally the level of storytelling. She's awesome for doing something her cousin, whom she name drops continuously, couldn't, tho we only know this from everyone's astonished exclamations. These writers never heard of show don't tell.

In one episode, she's described as "The best reporter in National City." despite doing the job for like two episodes and being fired from it. The only reason to watch this show is if you want the girl-power thing, which it has in spades, or are a fan of the character. The stories, characters and writing are bland and boring.

 

[laggyteabag]

Myeah, well that is a problem for pretty much every superhero show or movie. How hard could it have been for Captain American to be like "Hey, Tony, Hydra are a thing again, fancy taking down some massive hellicarrier for me?" in The Winter Soldier?. How hard is it for the Green Arrow to just call over The Flash to beat the living shit out of whoever ails him this time?

Its just a side effect of creating a superhero universe. You just have to suspend your disbelief.

 

[Breakdown]

My biggest gripe with the Arrow-verse is that they're using Golden Age Hawkgirl, instead of Silver Age Hawkwoman.

Which is even more confounding when in Season 2 of Supergirl...

Spoiler

In one episode, Mon-El explains why he and Kara can't simply punch their way out of the cages that they're in and casually name drops Nth Metal and Thanagar.

Then, in the VERY NEXT EPISODE, which lead into the "Invasion" cross-over event, Kara travel's to Earth-1 and meets the cast Flash/Arrow/the other show, the one I don't watch. She meets Hawkgirl and immediately accepts the reincarnated Egyptian bullshit, instead of calling her out as Thanagarian.

I don't think Hawkgirl was in the crossover episodes, since she left the Legends of Tomorrow crew at the end of the first season.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

it's not a good show. The main character is an emotionally crippled girl-child, who somehow holds down a job she's never at and useless at when she is. She is utterly selfish and they use the "coming out" metaphor so heavy handidly when it's completely inappropriate. Having a dual identity when the real one is kept secret is not coming out. They have Superman appear for two episodes, but otherwise he's just mentioned. In one storyline, it's literally a case of "That villain was too much for even Superman!". Supergirl beats villain and her cousin whatsapps her to say "Well done for doing what I couldn't!". That is literally the level of storytelling. She's awesome for doing something her cousin, whom she name drops continuously, couldn't, tho we only know this from everyone's astonished exclamations. These writers never heard of show don't tell.

In one episode, she's described as "The best reporter in National City." despite doing the job for like two episodes and being fired from it. The only reason to watch this show is if you want the girl-power thing, which it has in spades, or are a fan of the character. The stories, characters and writing are bland and boring.

I do think the show has a lot of good character moments, but I won't argue that handles the existence of Superman very very clumsily among other things.

 

[King Billi]

I actually really like it, even with all the predictable plotting, too many episodes and overwraught melodrama. Because everyone involved just seems to be having so much fun and is just really happy to be involved. Their enthusiasm is just so infectious it always brings me back.

The episode when Supergirl meets the Flash just had me smiling the whole damn time.

OT Superman's presence does distract me as well to a degree, since he's so firmly established in this universe I just find myself asking if these are the kinds of issues Supergirl is facing then what's Superman facing? Does Lex Luthor exist in this world? I guess he must, then what's he getting up to?

The most interesting episodes I've seen so far are when Supergirl faces an already established Superman villain (such as Toyman) or one is hinted at, I guess it helps make the world feel larger and more interesting when the stories are so simple.

I've heard Superman actually appears in person sometime later down the line and becomes more involved, we'll see how that turns out I guess.

 

[Souplex]

The trailers made it look like an unironic version of the SNL Black Widow sketch.
How close to that did it end up being?

 

[Canadamus Prime]

How close to that did it end up being?

First season? Spot on.

Since they moved to the CW and joined the Arrowverse though now its less of that and more of the arrowverse tropes shoved in

I'm still only on the first season and I wouldn't say spot on, but pretty damn close.

 

[Veldel]

Isnt this just a general problem of super hero stuff? Why doesnt every villain above standard mugger not have like, atleast 10 heroes popping up?

Marvel, DC, comics, movies, TV shows, etc all really have this problem.

I suppose that's true, but my real issue is that the big villain, Astra, is acting like Supergirl is the only obstacle to her plan to "save" the Earth.

You will find out later why shes the only one as they do address superman.

 

[Veldel]

My biggest gripe with the Arrow-verse is that they're using Golden Age Hawkgirl, instead of Silver Age Hawkwoman.

Which is even more confounding when in Season 2 of Supergirl...

Spoiler

In one episode, Mon-El explains why he and Kara can't simply punch their way out of the cages that they're in and casually name drops Nth Metal and Thanagar.

Then, in the VERY NEXT EPISODE, which lead into the "Invasion" cross-over event, Kara travel's to Earth-1 and meets the cast Flash/Arrow/the other show, the one I don't watch. She meets Hawkgirl and immediately accepts the reincarnated Egyptian bullshit, instead of calling her out as Thanagarian.

Hawkgirl wasn't in the crossover episode

and even then, the 'reincarnated egyptian bullshit' WAS her origin. the thanagarian connection wasn't revealed until the very last minute and amounted to nothing.

Legends Season 2 is pretty much better in every way to. The Legion of Doom is to entertaining.