Supergirl Review: Girl of Steel (Season 3 Episode 1)

Supergirl Season 3 Episode 1 “Girl of Steel” strikes an interesting tone for the new season, as we find Kara and her Super Friends 6 months after the events of Season 2. With Kara struggling with the loss of Mon-El and National City recovering from the Daxamite attack, Supergirl could be heading in a really compelling direction if the show plays it’s cards right.

“Girl of Steel” brings on new characters, biting political commentary, and the “re-starting” of the heart of our favorite Kryptonian.

In the time since she sent Mon-El away Kara has been isolating herself to an increasingly worrying degree. Her self-flagellation reaches a fever pitch when she gives up on her job as a reporter, and pushes Alex, James and the rest of her relationships even  further away than the arm’s length she’s been keeping them at.

Kara: Kara Danvers sucks right now! Supergirl is great! Supergirl saved the world! So if I could choose to be her, why would I ever choose to be the sad girl whose boyfriend is gone? I don’t like that girl, Alex.

This is a darker, uglier Kara than we’ve ever seen. She’s completely given up on herself, deciding that she doesn’t want to be Kara Danvers any more. Thankfully, after wake-up calls from James, Alex, and J’onn, Kara manages to see the value in both her personas.

It’s natural for Kara to struggle with the challenges that she faces, and the burden of the sacrifices that she has to make, but a hopeless Kara Danvers isn’t one we recognize. And she’s hardly someone we can root for.

J’onn: But you have a human heart now, it aches, it scars, but it keeps on beating. If you try and cut it out you will lose something essential.

Part of what makes us love Supergirl so much is that she is that human heart of hers. Kara is capable of so much love and hope, to see her nearly give those things up is absolutely heartbreaking. It’s going to be an interesting journey for her going forward, but seeing her come out of the fog and try again brings back the inspiring tone that both Kara and the audience need so much.

Alex: Kara Danvers is my favorite person. She’s saved me more times than Supergirl ever could, so just think about that while you’re trying to get rid of her.

Meanwhile, we learn that Maggie accepted Alex’s proposal and they’re busy with wedding plans. This storyline continues to be one of the most well done on Supergirl, with Alex running into very relatable hang-ups revolving around their wedding.

All too often, LGBTQ+ people are often separated from their blood families for a variety of reasons, mainly lack of acceptance as in Maggie’s case.  Alex’s melancholy over her father not being able to come to her wedding and walk her down the aisle is completely real.

However, as Maggie points out and speaks from her own experience, we get to choose our families. Just because Jeremiah won’t be able to come to her wedding, doesn’t mean Alex doesn’t have anyone to walk her down the aisle.

Maggie: You have so many people who love you, just think about how they can make our day good. And tell me how I can help.  

Alex chooses her Space Dad, J’onn to walk her down the aisle on the sweetest scene from “Girl of Steel.” Alex and Maggie do not lack for love and commitment, and this storyline looks to be one of the most hopeful of Season 3. I can’t wait to see the whole team coming together to help them plan and celebrate.

OTHER THOUGHTS:

• Cat Grant is back! Well, sort of. She’s the new Press Secretary so this week we catch her delivering some thinly veiled Trump criticism through the televisions of CatCo. Even in this limited capacity it’s great to see the Queen of All Media again. Hopefully, she’ll still have time to keep up with Kara and impart her infinite wisdom.
• Lena buys CatCo to keep it out of the hands of Season 3’s newest villain. It’s wonderful to see Lena being folded into the story more, and her interactions with James and Kara in “Girl of Steel” are fantastic.
• Can we just appreciate this sick burn that actually had me cackling in my living room:

Lena: Morgan, you have all the charisma of a Michael Douglas movie from the 90’s.

• We also meet a new character played by Odette Annable. Even though her casting announcement indicates that she’ll be playing a villain named Reign, I already love her. So far she is a loving mother with the super strength to save her child and surprise herself, what’s not to adore? But why is she having the nightmare version of Kara’s dream?

 

What did you think of the Season 3 premiere of Supergirl? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/9c on The CW.

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