Leave the politics out of it!!!

I'd have to say the producers don't read this, Hollywood seems to exist in some sort of echo chamber with these stupid and divisive comments. Not only do these political jabs ruin the fun of the show, they're just crammed in, not though out, and often just don't make sense. Like the original post, the whole “make America great again” jab was the first time I really noticed, combined with the “girl power” aspect during the election cycle. I could be wrong, but I don't even remember Teri Hatcher even claiming their goal was to make America great again, it just sort of showed up. The girl power thing was fun when the Spice Girls did it in the 90's, but I hope we're a little further past identity politics than the show seems to give people credit for.

Many people have pointed out that it breaks the escapism you want in a fictional show, but it's so true. I used to watch the show waiting to see what would happen, now I honestly watch the show waiting for the experience to be ruined by an unnecessary jab at the office of the president. The election was a year ago, it's time to get over it. Superman (as a trademark, which includes Supergirl) existed through democrat and republican governments, and will continue to exist long after these non-original jabs. The things that make a show enjoyable and timeless is that it exists in a fantasy world. That being said, this world has an alien lady for a president, fine. The show wants to further support for groups and has main characters that are gay, great. But none of this will make sense to people that might want to watch the show on Netflix 10 years from now. Can you imagine how confusing it would be to try watch the original Superman movies or Star Trek (in it's various forms) if it was full of the political views of a small group of people from the time. Even Battlestar, which was very political, was political in a FANTASY WORLD.

On a side note, Superman is Canadian anyway, the logo is recognized by more people than the American flag, and stands for a set of ideals, not a political ideology. Those ideals are founded more in the Judaeo-Catholic dogma of protecting the weak, and doing what is right regardless of the circumstances, furthered by the knights code in western Europe which predates America entirely.

Finally, even if you could look past how trite and experience destroying these attacks have become, they don't even make sense in the story anymore. I just finished watching the most recent episode (10/29/17 right now) and it's become so poorly written, just the lack of effort being put in by the staff has become a distraction. In season two, during the election cycle, you have Cat quoting the aliens using quotes that were never said. The evolution of “girl power” was pretty much absent in the show prior to this period. Why would Supergirl promote the unity of “girls” when she was raised by a renowned female scientist, has a strong relationship with her older sister, works for one of the most successful people in America (again, a girl), lives in a world with a woman as the President, and herself, a girl, is the strongest being in at least two earths? Not to mention the relationship she has with her mother and her aunt. It just doesn't make sense.

As with a lot of propaganda through the ages, much of the politics interjected into the show are just false and meant to manipulate the minds of people watching them. And because the show is trying to fuse real world politics into a fantasy world it's even further convoluted. Moving on to the start of season three you have the Cat Grant cameo, talking about global warming (also seemingly non-existent in this world with the exception of this political jab) saying the president has identified it as the largest threat facing the world because she's smarter than a middle-school child. I won't even justify the fact that a complex issue like global warming (in which Nobel laureates disagree) is beyond most 8th grade science projects, but it's the first time it's mentioned in this fantasy world clearly referring to the Paris climate accord which was in the news about six months prior. How in that period of time (half a year) this was the best effort the writing staff could come up with is perplexing. But the actual facts of the real world made fantasy world issue aren't even accurate. The government removed restrictions on businesses in America, but only until they were placed on larger polluting countries.

But moving on to the next episode, Mexicans are suddenly being beaten in streets 20 years ago and the government is building a wall to keep them out because they're all “murderers and rapists”. So many things about this don't make sense. First the time frame. The girls father endured it for his family. She's a millennial, which would put these beatings in the 70-90s, during the Clinton administration. So in this “fantasy” world, things are better because the wife of the President who presided during the mass beatings of Mexicans is in office? Then it dawns on you, the government thinks Mexicans are murderers and rapists and they're building a wall to keep them out. In this world, just last week the president was a lady (lets be honest, even if it's a female alien it's meant to be Former Secretary Clinton) that was smarter than a grade school kid, but now hates Mexicans and is building a wall to keep them out. Added to the fact her father doesn't want his daughter to be married worried that she will undergo the same persecution he endured (being called names and beaten until his ribs were broken, back in the 70-90s) today. Since the show is breaking the fourth wall bringing real world politics into our fantasy world, the only governments today that actually allow that behavior are the same countries the real world government attempted to, and failed, to deny entry to America. But even that point is contradicted by the changes to the opening monologue in which Supergirl is now a refugee to America. But then you're again confused when the father was the only Mexican working along side an all white staff, likely negating the chances he would be an illegal alien, since the majority of work for “undocumented” individuals is working with other “undocumented” individuals in substandard environments. With an all white minus one work force, he would have immigrated to the country legally to begin with and, two things, wouldn't fall under the “murderer and rapist” category for illegal immigration, and even if this fictional democratic government was building a wall, it wouldn't have kept him out to begin with. But then it goes on to say he became the sheriff of this same community. This would definitely say his citizenship papers were in order, but also that he was now the authority on protecting people that were beaten today, just like back in the 90s. I think this was meant to be a success story to lead into the DACA issues for dreamers, but that issue wouldn't apply to his family since he clearly went through the legal immigration status. You'll know nobody reads these when the deportation issue comes up inevitably in later episodes. And when it does come up, it will just further the confusion around the fantasy government Cat currently is part of. I'll note in re-watching the episode, the beating were framed around the time the father would be 11, and didn't specify the duration, but the timeline still doesn't make sense, even if you push it back to the late 70s to early 80s, which would put his character around the age of 60 it still seems odd, to be working in a factory full of white 11 year old kids, so I'm not going to edit that part, just add this extension.

I have no problem with the show including these kind of references. That is not to say I agree with all of them, but if the ptb want to use their pulpit to make a statement I have no problem with it. There is nothing more American than that! Political references appear now and then at appropriate times during the show and then the story moves on. If you don't like it, shrug it off as an opinion that you disagree with, but do respect that there are other people who agree with the message and are happy to see its inclusion.

I thought long and hard about responding to this thread but after reading this article decided to put in my two cents. I like my entertainment with with added relevant social commentary. It's one of the reasons I get more from this show than others I watch. I agree with article it's just as integral to the show as Kara flying.

The Supergirl writers shuve in their politics much to the detriment of the dialogue. Example: Cat's "rousing" speech, much of didn't even fit the situation.

"They come with empty promises and closed fists..." ummm they came down with lasers destroying cars and buildings and soldiers shooting people.

"They promise to make our world great again......" ummm...they just arrived, how would they know how the world once was?

"They think they can con us..." ummmm what? How have they "conned" anyone? Refer back to quote one. Pretty sure Earthlings picked up on the Daximite agenda loud and clear.

Bbbuuttt... It was Cat Grant who said it. So, I'm willing to overlook it

Exactly. It did nothing to drive the story. Totally a means of soapboxing the show writers agenda.

Thank you so much for this post, I 100% agree with you! WE GET IT people where upset with the outcome with the election! If I wanted to listen to people badmouth OUR president, I would listen/ watch any of the many news outlets that do just that. I am also Sick and tired of all the shows AND TV NEXTWORKS (am looking at you ABC) >:O that think it's OK or COOL to just badmouth our president, just because they don't like his politics. If this was 8 years ago, no one would be able to get away with that. But just because a few people where upset that Trump won they think that everyone in the world hate him, or those that DID vote for him are dumb.

you would be called and label as a racist 8 years ago if you dare say something bad about the "oh grate one". PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP AND LEAVE POLITICS OUT! It serves NO point in a DC comic book tv show other then of the creators to push there politics on the viewers. You don't see LOT, Arrow, The Flash siting around talking about politics, Supergirl should be no different!

I agree with your comment. I groaned during some of the scenes tonight. I got a feeling this was filmed right after the election. Look, I love this show but the blatant jabs ruin it for me. Cat Grant has been missed this season, and finally when she comes back she has a speech that was just so ham-handed about "Girl Power" that I nearly stopped watching the episode. Enough already! My message to the producers of the show is to leave the politics out of it. There are great characters on this show. Concentrate on developing stories with these great characters.

I got a feeling this was filmed right after the election.

Not true, the show wrapped three weeks ago, the last two episodes were filmed late March/early April. The writers weren't even finished with the season until early February.

I hope someone who writes or helps produce the show visits this site, listens to the viewers and will knock some sense into whoever keeps putting politics in the show. Stop it already!!!
An alien who is President still has to be a "democrat"? References to "resist" and "make" things "great again".? and the rest of the not so subtle inserts over the past several episodes. The show would still have told a good story without such lines.
I know they must think it is "trendy" to do, but have you seen what has happened to ESPN? They are hemorrhaging viewers, losing profits and just let go 100 on air talents because people turned off politics and sports. ESPN is sagging. If I wanted politics on Monday night at 8pm there are plenty of other shows I can tune in to watch.
I want this show to succeed but this idea of putting politics in is not the way to go. It takes away from the fun of the escapism and putting aside the problems of the real world - even for just an hour. The shelf life of some of those political references won't last too long, but good writing and Superheroics will last forever.
How about just focusing on good story telling that grows Kara as a person and a hero for everybody, fighting the "bad guys" and moving the show forward.
I am hoping part two elevates beyond tonight's episode.

jdbop, If it were humanly possible to shake your hand one BILLION times, I'd take up the challenge and risk tearing my arm out of the socket! And I like the ESPN reference. And also about ABC, which owns ESPN, they canceled Last Man Standing starring Tim Allen despite pretty good ratings. There's more than meets the eye here!

But to put things in a comic book perspective, the "M" company admits it's losing readers because of politics and even canceled one book about Black Lives Matter; why? NOBODY WANTED TO BUY IT. THE FREE MARKET HAS SPOKEN!

Cat's speech to National City was almost word for word RECENT Democrat talking points And "they want to make this city great again"?..."resist resist resist", etc etc etc. Made me wonder if the writers weren't up there during filming (which they do go up on set during their episodes), and rewriting some of Cat's lines.

But, as I stated in the comments section under the admins recap, I just rolled my eyes and smiled at Cat. Perhaps I got most of my "frustrations" with the show politics out in our recent Political Thread Fedguy started last week that the admins generously allowed us to discuss. Felt most of us were able to shake hands, learn from each other, and move on to focusing on the good in the show.

But REALLY hoping the writers bring it down a notch or two...or three...or four next season

I concur completely. If there were actually clever writing in handling their view via allegory or the like, like how Star Trek in all its incarnations used to do, it would be one thing, but this is just full out and in your face. They spoonfeed the rhetoric and don't leave the viewers any means to come to their own conclusions and think for themselves. They need to understand that this approach potentially may alienate as many potential viewers as they want to attract (or keep).

Cat Grant has as part of her character 'aggressive Democrat', going back to Kara Danvers tagging all the Republican applicants and Cat repeatedly complaining about have to sit near O'Reilly (well, there could have been another reference less well known at the time).

See? Cat grant is so over the top with it, its funny. But, her character is also one of the few that will also poke fun at democrats and everyone else.

I do not mind politics in a show when...its two sided...when its a true mirror of society, not a skewed one sided vision, attacking half their viewership. That's the issue I believe people are having.

Let me turn the mirror for a moment. Suppose the writers and directors were engrossed in the views of the alt right, and wrote the show as such. I think we'd ALL take issue with that, including those who are arguing they are fine with the current messaging.

Cat Grant has as part of her character 'aggressive Democrat', going back to Kara Danvers tagging all the Republican applicants and Cat repeatedly complaining about have to sit near O'Reilly (well, there could have been another reference less well known at the time).

Brierrose: I have absolutely no problem with the female empowerment angle Supergirl should be the focus. Having a female lead is awesome especially when there is Flash and Arrow on the same network. She should be strong, in thought and action. She should be everything that Superman is - except female. She should also be kind and helpful but at the same time able to kick butt - which she is all of that and more. The show is called "Supergirl". It is not called "Political Girl". If they handled the political angles like they did in the original Star Trek - it would be more palatable. I don't care what party the President is in the show and the way it was presented that she still has to be a "democrat" is demeaning to anyone who does not share that political belief. Alienating half of your potential viewers is not a smart way to keep a show on TV. Lines like that, and others, are unnecessary in driving the story or developing Kara, or in that case Kat, as a character. They are cheap shots. If the lines were reversed and liberals were targeted - the furor would be loud and long. Look what happened to "Last Man Standing". It is the third highest rated show on ABC, but leans right and was cancelled.
I just want good stories with the hero being awesome. Leave the politics out.

Although it's true this is America and you can say basically anything you want on TV these days, there is still the fact that there are consequences to saying anything you want whether they be good or bad. I really think by being so left leaning, there is, ultimately, going to be consequences in lower ratings because more and more people may become less forgiving of stilted, one dimensional writing and because people who don't agree with the show's platform will tune out rather than feel preached to or insulted. If this last election proves anything, it is that there are a lot of people who don't see eye to eye with the left. Pretty sure many of these folk like comic books and superheroes too.

I'm curious, the current season of Agents of Shield has woven a lot of 'political' speak into its episodes this season, e.g. "fake news", "nevertheless, she persisted", and a rousing speech against rising up against a fascist government. Has it received the same level of backlash that Supergirl has? Or, does it get a pass because white men are the ones saying it, and/or the stories are good enough that nobody cares?


Side note:

Agents of Shield has been excellent this season, particularly the second half. I highly recommend watching/catching up on it if you haven't. It has tight writing, an interesting story, good acting, and chilling plot twists. It borrows from what feels like nearly every sci-fi trope out there, but somehow it all works. Compared to past seasons that were rather campy and the villains pushovers, I actually found myself worried about the characters on many occasions this season.

To put it another way, every episode this season has rated between 8.3 and 9.6 on IMDB, with the last 8(!) episodes all 9.0 or higher. Simply for comparison (not a dig at Supergirl by any means), Supergirl's highest ever rated episode "Falling" got a 9.0.

Knightsabre7 : I do not watch Agents of Shield so I have no opinion or input towards that show or your comments about the show.
My point is simply to drop the politics from Supergirl. It is unnecessary in advancing the storyline or building Kara as a hero. If I want one sided political rhetoric there are plenty of choices to tune in on a Monday night at 8pm to find it. I would rather have an hour of Super- entertaining escapism than politics at that time. The writers should really learn from the election and what is happening to ESPN. The country is just about evenly divided about political viewpoints. It is not smart to think insulting or alienating(pun intended) half of your perspective audience will help the ratings increase.
Keep in mind I am not advocating for political jabs and insults directed at the left or to promote right side views. I am saying NO POLITICS at all. Just write good stories with kick-ass action that make the viewers want more!

Knightsabre7 : I do not watch Agents of Shield so I have no opinion or input towards that show or your comments about the show.
My point is simply to drop the politics from Supergirl. It is unnecessary in advancing the storyline or building Kara as a hero. If I want one sided political rhetoric there are plenty of choices to tune in on a Monday night at 8pm to find it. I would rather have an hour of Super- entertaining escapism than politics at that time. The writers should really learn from the election and what is happening to ESPN. The country is just about evenly divided about political viewpoints. It is not smart to think insulting or alienating(pun intended) half of your perspective audience will help the ratings increase.
Keep in mind I am not advocating for political jabs and insults directed at the left or to promote right side views. I am saying NO POLITICS at all. Just write good stories with kick-ass action that make the viewers want more!

Exactly so. Well put!

My point is simply to drop the politics from Supergirl. It is unnecessary in advancing the storyline or building Kara as a hero. If I want one sided political rhetoric there are plenty of choices to tune in on a Monday night at 8pm to find it. I would rather have an hour of Super- entertaining escapism than politics at that time. The writers should really learn from the election and what is happening to ESPN. The country is just about evenly divided about political viewpoints. It is not smart to think insulting or alienating(pun intended) half of your perspective audience will help the ratings increase.

While I generally agree with you, I'd like to be sure I understand what specifically you're referring to when we talk about the show being "political". Is it just the occasional jabs/quotes like you mentioned? Or is it other things too that people see as promoting the Democratic Party agenda, like the Alex + Maggie relationship (promoting gay rights), James being black (political correctness), alien refugees (immigration), all the feminist stuff from Cat Grant, etc.?

Knightsabre7: I guess I should go back/re-watch the episodes for more specific comments. But in general they are beating us over the head with some of what you suggest. Jimmy Olsen was definitely cast for PC reasons. Portrayed as a nerdy white kid from every other incarnation transformed into a muscular afr/amer. man who is physically larger than the actor they picked to play Superman. Someone was definitely miscast there. It is fine Alex has a girlfriend but again they focus too much on that. I could be happy with no dating relationships in the show. I don't need to see Winn or Hank or anyone else but maybe Kara have a relationship - but only if it advanced the story or development of her character. The show after all is called Supergirl, not "Romances at CatCo" or "Days of Our Lives at the DEO".
The "alien" stories this season were definitely for political reasons. The Fort Rozz bad guys in season 1 were the only aliens on earth, other than MM and SG, and this tied into the story very well in how she got to earth and what her mission was. And now we have dozens of alien species portrayed as innocent targets pursued by a government hostile towards them. ... and on and on ....
Everyone is entitled to wherever they stand on those political issues. Everyone has a vote. Everyone can have an opinion. Just take the politics out of the show.