Might as well call the show "Girl"

Also I think not physically defeating the worldkillers works into the season’s theme of recovering humanity.

The show generalises a bit here which feels a bit racist towards aliens, but they’ve got it set out that the human side of Kara is represented by her emotions and compassion, her civilian aspects, and the alien side is her powers and strength, solving problems through force.

Early in the season we see Kara being quite aggressive. She quickly arrives at a scene, punches everything, leaves. But as the trap inside her own mind scene foreshadows and shows, solving problems through alien powers and force won’t always be a solution.

Kara and viewers are accustomed to Kryptonian powers being undefeatable and able to overcome anything. This seasons serves to show that there are issues Kara cannot overcome through physical strength and force, yet those are not the only things that make her Super, nor are they the only abilities in her arsenal. One of her greatest powers is humanity.

It's funny you should mention Kara's journey, Fedguy, from the beginning of this season. I was just NOW hopping on the site to discuss this very topic. I just finished rewatching the first episode of this season, and literally had forgotten how DARK Kara was back in October. lol In fact, it was hard to believe it was even THIS season. Seems like a whole season ago that Kara was at odds with every one in her life. And it got me thinking, in my opinion... Kara battling to be Kara again has been the biggest battle she's had to overcome since Season 1. So, actually... even if we DID just call the show "Girl," I'd be alright with it. In a very real sense, THAT'S been the greatest win... Kara becoming "girl," again rather than a super girl.

Oh yeah... I just got SUPER deep there! boom

Kara-too-powerful-nothing-can-stop-her will get very old too fast.

She apparently has PTSD after the Reign fight. Didn't anyone notice the look of fear on her face when Reign caught up with her at Fort Rozz? Also as for the second Word Killer, she seemed to have hesitated a lot right there. She might have lost her confidence to fight effectively against a World Killer that she doesn't even realize it.

Also another hint: the nightmares she's having about the World Killers. There's a third coming which will make it more worse for her.

I like it this way - makes her eventual victory near the end of the season feel much more sweeter.

You know, I just don't think that "Girl" emits the same vibe as "Supergirl" does. I mean, if we called it "Girl" then how would we distinguish between Kara, who can: fly, lift items like Ft. Rozz into space , stop bullets, put out fires with her breath, and shoot lasers out of her eyes - and other girls who can't do any of those things? Plus, what do we do about that "S" emblem on her chest? We surely would have to remove it and then, what? Do we put a "G" on there instead? And what would that represent? The "S" represented "Stronger Together", would the "G" represent "Going at it Alone"? And can you imagine the havoc that would be wreaked upon the DC and CW marketing department from such an action, not to mention the backlash that would be incurred from those who have bought Supergirl memorabilia?

Nope, I think that it would be best for everyone if we stick with Supergirl. Yes, she may be inconsistent with her powers at times but, she's still pretty super .

Btw, welcome to the site, Brainguynyc and hopefully you will be able to find something positive about the show to add to our forums, too!

It's funny you should mention Kara's journey, Fedguy, from the beginning of this season. I was just NOW hopping on the site to discuss this very topic. I just finished rewatching the first episode of this season, and literally had forgotten how DARK Kara was back in October. lol In fact, it was hard to believe it was even THIS season. Seems like a whole season ago that Kara was at odds with every one in her life. And it got me thinking, in my opinion... Kara battling to be Kara again has been the biggest battle she's had to overcome since Season 1. So, actually... even if we DID just call the show "Girl," I'd be alright with it. In a very real sense, THAT'S been the greatest win... Kara becoming "girl," again rather than a super girl.

Oh yeah... I just got SUPER deep there! boom

Kara was very detached from everyone in the beginning of the season and I’m liking how she’s truly figured out that she shouldn’t be that person. I think around E3 she was trying but sometimes knowing what’s best for yourself and doing it are two different things. It took several things, Alex needing her emotional support, facing Overgirl (who was Kara without a heart), losing a brawl to Reign, then being in a coma where the way out of her own head was to be Kara Danvers. She’s still figuring out her balance but the \S/ kept getting brighter every episode.

Speaking of Overgirl I’ll point out that Kara did beat her during the one on one fight in the church. No help or special devices just a brawl. It was close but that’s to be expected when your fighting yourself. That sonic-clap is a cool power I hope we see it again I think it could come in handy (pun intended) against the Worldkillers.

I picked up on that fear in Melissa's eyes too Kelly, especially in Fort Rozz. She's doing a fantastic job of showing flickers of fear before Kara's innate drive to help people overcomes that fear. In Fort Rozz Kara was scared to be in a place with criminals her mother put away where didn't have her powers and that's totally understandable. I would love it if we get a sister talk about how both of them are scared after being seriously injured by the Worldkillers, it would be a nice follow-up to the talks in "Triggers". As B5 said fear is a natural response to the beating Kara took but as Alex said our fears don't define us.

I really wish that Alex's hostility, in "Both Sides Now", was driven by that fear, instead of pawning it off on her breakup with Maggie. In my opinion, it would have made more sense for Alex's hostility to come from a place of fear, driven by the fact that she saw what just one Worldkiller did to Kara, on Christmas Eve. The thought of there being more would be maddening.

I agree that there should be a conversation where Kara and Alex must acknowledge the lasting impact of what Reign did to Kara. It's the most comprehensive and complete defeat she's ever faced, and to not have it leave some scars would seem unrealistic, even for the Girl of Steel. Heck, ESPECIALLY for the Girl of Steel, who's used to being invulnerable.

A have to agree with those commenting. It's a treat to see Supergirl face villains she can't easily overpower. It provides some much needed tension. It infuriated me to no end, how many times Supergirl easily overpowered her enemies. Or even worse, how often an enemy would initially overpower Supergirl, but would then be chased off by the DEO, who were equipped with normal firearms. Made no sense, as if they could overpower Supergirl, then firearms should be useless.

This season, Kara hasn't been saved by the DEO and their normal guns, even once. And Supergirl is finally facing enemies that can overpower her without any tricks, like using red sunlight or kryptonite.

I personally feel like the stakes have never been higher, and I really dig it.

In the recent movie Justice League, as soon as Superman returned it was game over for the villain, rest of team can’t even begin to compare to him. I get that that might be the kind of Kryptonians people are used to and expect, but honestly if that’s the way then it makes Kryptonians bad entertainment for long running shows with a good narrative arc.

Admittedly the wins this season are fewer. I think it shows the stakes are high. Normally we get more moments of Kara easily taking out minor villains as a reminder of her abilities, but I think after two seasons we don’t need to be reminded. We know how powerful she is.

Plus it’s not like she hasn’t won. She won like every fight except against worldkillers.

I'm no troll. Just got annoyed enough to be motivated to post. Gee, a critical comment about "Girl" oh, I mean "'Super'girl" and suddenly people shout "TROLL!". I think the writers get lazy with Supergirl's shifting level of strength. The one comment of her being beaten by a baddie then DEO shoots them away is astute. Sorry, but that last scene of her being held around the neck and doing some fruitless struggling is embarrassing.

It wasn't my comment but, I don't think that you were labeled a troll because you made a critical comment. If you spend some time looking through the posts in this thread and others, you will find quite a few who have been critical of the writing for the show and they weren't labeled a troll. And the inconsistency of Supergirl's strength has been a topic that we have discussed before, too. Most people on this forum don't believe that the show is perfect and would like to see the writing improved to make it a more solid show.

Regarding that fight scene, I wasn't fond of it either. I thought that the entire fight scene was weak and could have been done much better.

My guess is that the troll comment is based on the fact that this is the only post that you have written, it's negative and it was written without much tact.

Powering Kara up by illuminating her with concentrated sunlight might let her overcome the World Killers. Putting Worldkiller 1 in the position where to get at Kara she must kill Ruby might also work, even if "Ruby" was an illusion. And for the bonus question, since no one claimed the two points: The "Solarmight" bomb was invented by the USA. Atom bombs destroy cities. Hydrogen bombs destroy countries. The Solarmight bomb destroys the universe. Source: Plan Nine from Outer Space. However, some scheme for powering Kara up might solve the problem.

I think it's a good plot device to have opponents that can overpower Supergirl physically without using kryptonite, red sunlight, or "magic". This way the show are avoiding the overuse of kryptonite, which really got kind of ridiculous in "Smallville".

Lena needs to invent a Solarmight*...errh, Ultrasolar ray..laser, and zap Kara with it to power her up, a lot. Kara could also use sparring against another Kryptonian, to emphasize things like superspeed to get many more punches in, heat vision while swinging, etc.

*2 points for identifying who invented the solarmight bomb.

Kara-too-powerful-nothing-can-stop-her will get very old too fast.

She apparently has PTSD after the Reign fight. Didn't anyone notice the look of fear on her face when Reign caught up with her at Fort Rozz? Also as for the second Word Killer, she seemed to have hesitated a lot right there. She might have lost her confidence to fight effectively against a World Killer that she doesn't even realize it.

Also another hint: the nightmares she's having about the World Killers. There's a third coming which will make it more worse for her.

I like it this way - makes her eventual victory near the end of the season feel much more sweeter.

True. But last year's victory came at a cost. I'm really curious what that cost will be, this year. Sam? Ruby? Her friendship with Lena? Her life?

It's a LONG shot, but I could see Kara making the self sacrifice to somehow save Sam (self sacrifice is kinda Kara's go-to move). It'd be interesting to end the season thinking Supergirl died. Maybe Sam is rid of the Reign personality, but keeps her powers...creates a new "Superwoman" alias until Kara's "startling" return, in the Fall. That's all an INSANELY long shot. It's just a thought I've been throwing around.

I'm still placing bets on Sam sacrificing herself to stop Reign and the other Worldkillers, Ruby stays with Alex. They set up Lena to learn Kara's secret, next year. And the small possibility of Supergirl getting whatever affliction that caused Overgirl's explosion, and that being a season long issue, next year.

I do agree that having Kara win less consistently, this year, and have her battles be tougher, has been a welcome change.

IMO, Kara's interaction with Reign has a "fear component" to it, Melissa has done an outstanding job of allowing us to see that in her eyes. BUT........Kara also has an internal desire to save people, and that overcomes that fear. So, I don't necessarily think that Kara "saying she isn't afraid" is her saying that for "us" and then proving it.....it is her saying it "to herself" and then proving it. There is also a big difference between "inaction because of fear" and "actions in spite of fear".

I picked up on that fear in Melissa's eyes too Kelly, especially in Fort Rozz. She's doing a fantastic job of showing flickers of fear before Kara's innate drive to help people overcomes that fear. In Fort Rozz Kara was scared to be in a place with criminals her mother put away where didn't have her powers and that's totally understandable. I would love it if we get a sister talk about how both of them are scared after being seriously injured by the Worldkillers, it would be a nice follow-up to the talks in "Triggers". As B5 said fear is a natural response to the beating Kara took but as Alex said our fears don't define us.

I really wish that Alex's hostility, in "Both Sides Now", was driven by that fear, instead of pawning it off on her breakup with Maggie. In my opinion, it would have made more sense for Alex's hostility to come from a place of fear, driven by the fact that she saw what just one Worldkiller did to Kara, on Christmas Eve. The thought of there being more would be maddening.

I agree that there should be a conversation where Kara and Alex must acknowledge the lasting impact of what Reign did to Kara. It's the most comprehensive and complete defeat she's ever faced, and to not have it leave some scars would seem unrealistic, even for the Girl of Steel. Heck, ESPECIALLY for the Girl of Steel, who's used to being invulnerable.

Me too and I really thought they were going for that but no we got more emo relationship angst, that ticked me off.....and really screwed that eoisode up for me.

Kdogg and Kelly, spot on conversation for me. I've had the same thoughts concerning Kara's defeat and lack of deep conversation about it. Pretty sure I gave my tv the stink eye when what I thought was Alex having an outward reaction to that defeat turned out to be a "Maggie." Good grief, show runners.

Pretty sure it would take more than a glass of wine to deal with the first REAL beat down of Kara.

Agreed I thought Alex saying her reaction to Purity was because of Maggie was weak and was used because there wasn't enough time left in the episode for a longer conversation. It would defiantly take more than a glass of wine for the sisters to talk about their feelings about the beat down Kara took. Also lets not forget Alex has already had a broken leg and bruised ribs curtesy of Reign and it looks like Pestilence gets to her too. I say straight scotch for Alex and aldebran (the drink that's deadly to humans from the alien bar in Changing) but with a mixer for Kara. I don't know if we'll get that conversation but we can hope, it would be awesome it was the last dialogue of the season like Kara and Cat last season.

It's getting real odd now that for the 90% of the existence of the show Kara is ridiculously overpowered and everything is just a walk in the park, and no one complains.

Now the show is done as it should be when the main villain is actually a challenge, and people complain?

My recollection seems to be quite different from yours. Although I agree Kara was overpowered vs the season 1 and 2 big bads, on an episode by episode basis I remember her generally getting beaten by the villain more often than not mid episode, and then just barely squeezing out a victory at the end, assuming she even saved the day at all.

I think the issue this season is that we haven't really seen her have any solid victory over the big bad(s) yet so far (although she did have a partial victory at the end of Legion of Superheros) which makes it feel like she a bit weak, vs the typical villain of the week where we see her (usually) win in the end.

Personally, I also wish they'd show more of Kara trying to train/improve herself in some way to be able to beat the world killers.

I think it's a good plot device to have opponents that can overpower Supergirl physically without using kryptonite, red sunlight, or "magic". This way the show are avoiding the overuse of kryptonite, which really got kind of ridiculous in "Smallville".

Lena needs to invent a Solarmight*...errh, Ultrasolar ray..laser, and zap Kara with it to power her up, a lot. Kara could also use sparring against another Kryptonian, to emphasize things like superspeed to get many more punches in, heat vision while swinging, etc.

*2 points for identifying who invented the solarmight bomb.

I myself think that strength is only one of the attributes of a superhero. Firstly, it depends how strength is used. There are countless examples of people using their undoubted strength for ill, and Reign is a good example of that.
Of course, physical strength is an important facet of Supergirl. But for me, it is also her unending support for others, her insistence on trying to do the right thing, and her demonstration that hope trumps fear that makes her the real hero for me.
I am, like many people, looking forward to climatic fisticuffs at the end, but let Supergirl's undoubted victory be underpinned by her other heroic qualities too.

Okay so Supergirl can't seem to be of any help lately strength wise. It's really pathetic how her strength can't compare to the current villians' strength. I mean that scene where she is being held around the neck and struggling like a pathetic weakling is shameful. Might as well change the show's name to "GIRL".

It's pretty much standard operating procedure for the hero to get severely beaten down by the villain in some way mid-season. The Flash and Arrow also do this almost every season, to a greater or lesser degree. It makes the story more interesting. gives the character a huge obstacle to overcome, and provides them the opportunity to be a hero in the end.

At least Supergirl put up a good fight and got some good hits in, unlike Barry in The Flash seasons 2 and 3 who just got steam rolled, and Oliver in Arrow season 3 who couldn't even hit Ra's at all before being 'killed'.

Edit: After re-watching the scene, Oliver did get *one* hit in on Ra's at the very end. Not that it mattered much.

In her defence.... they ARE World Killers, and Supergirl can't defeat them in the comic books, either. In fact, only a World Killer can kill a World Killer.

But we HAVE had a few discussions, as of late, that Kara really needs to be training. Still swinging wide. lol

P. S... You just posted for the first time and this is what you choose as a first comment? *sniff sniff* Is that troll I smell?

If not, jjjjuusstt checking. And... Welcome to the crew.

I'm no troll. Just got annoyed enough to be motivated to post. Gee, a critical comment about "Girl" oh, I mean "'Super'girl" and suddenly people shout "TROLL!". I think the writers get lazy with Supergirl's shifting level of strength. The one comment of her being beaten by a baddie then DEO shoots them away is astute. Sorry, but that last scene of her being held around the neck and doing some fruitless struggling is embarrassing.