Life has not been easy for Supergirl. After the series arrived on CBS last year – amid a veritable cacophony of marketing, fanfare and anticipation – the first season did not run as smoothly as many had hoped. While those that did watch the show seemed happy with it, the viewing figures were not quite as spectacular as some had expected, and the show was struggling by the time it approached its season finale.
The network hesitated to renew the series and it found a new home on The CW for season two. This places Supergirl in what is surely her rightful home – as proper stablemates with fellow Greg Berlanti-Andrew Kreisberg superhero shows Arrow and The Flash. But, that’s not the only change coming to National City.
No sooner than Supergirl had moved networks, then we heard about a development that is sure to be a ratings winner – the arrival of Superman. Supergirl and Superman are cousins from Krypton and, in the comic books, Supergirl is indeed a spinoff character from the Big Blue Boy Scout. In many ways, it seemed inevitable that he would make an appearance, but this did raise a number of questions among fans of the Berlanti-Kreisberg TV shows, and the comic books in general.
Firstly, it highlighted the issue that some fans have with the DC TV universe being kept separate from the DC Extended Universe in film. There was quite some controversy around the casting of Ezra Miller as the cinematic Flash, for example, when Grant Gustin has been doing such a great job with the character on TV for some time. With Superman, we have Henry Cavill giving an ongoing iconic performance on the big screen, but if the small screen Flash is different, then that would dictate that a small screen Superman would need to be cast. Enter, Tyler Hoechlin.
The second issue is that many have been enjoying Supergirl as the only show currently on network TV to be led by a female superhero, and having her mentor-like cousin Superman swoop in and lend a hand feels like a move that might undermine that rarified position a little. But, Supergirl is who she is and, while it may be somewhat jarring at first, a semi-regular appearance from the more well-known character of Superman could well give the show the boost that it needs to cement its future renewals.
So, ahead of the show’s debut on The CW, we now have the official synopsis of the first episode that will feature Superman. His arrival hinges upon the mysterious pod that was seen to crash land during the first season finale, but it seems that the Kryptonian son will also ruffle some feathers while he is in town.
“THE CW HAS A NEW HERO AND SHE’S BRINGING SUPERMAN WITH HER — When a new threat emerges in National City, Kara/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) teams up with her cousin, Clark Kent/Superman (guest star Tyler Hoechlin), to stop it. Kara is thrilled to have family in town but it leaves Alex (Chyler Leigh) feeling a bit left out. Meanwhile, Hank (David Harewood) and Supergirl are stunned by the pod that came crashing to Earth. Glen Winter directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg and Jessica Queller.”
How will this new incarnation of Superman fare on the ever-expanding Berlanti-Kreisberg superhero slate? We’ll have to wait until Supergirl returns, on October 10th, 2016, to find out.
