Why "Supergirl" Deserves a Second Season

Written by John Edward Betancourt

It's only been a week since Supergirl put the proverbial exclamation point on a wonderful freshman season with its thoughtful and poignant season finale. Since that episode I've been patiently watching the web for some important news regarding the show from CBS...the announcement that the series is being renewed for a second season.

Sadly that news has yet to arrive, in fact word is that the month of May is when CBS will finally decide the show's future and fate and I'm left wondering one question when I think about this interesting delay from the network to decide Supergirl's fate...what exactly are you waiting for? I understand television is a business, and a big one at that, and that CBS wants the proper return upon its investment, but do they fully realize the magic they have on their hands with this show and how it's already finding a home in the hearts of all of its fans? My hope is that they do know this and are thinking of ways to make the show better for its second season, but if by chance they haven't come to this realization yet...well there's several important reasons why this series deserves to continue its story.

First and foremost, the sheer fact that it is so supremely unique in its storytelling. Every episode of the first season had something important to say about our world and our society...in a positive way. It consistently spread the message that there needs to be unity in our world, and that by coming together we can achieve absolute wonders in the process, and it rarely did it in heavy handed fashion. The show also did a fantastic job of appeasing comic book fans as well by taking classic Superman stories through the years and adapting them to work for Supergirl instead and the end result was simply magnificent. For proof, look no further than the episode "For the Girl Who Has Everything", this repurposed Superman story found Kara trapped in a fantasy reality where she was home on Krypton and it remains one of my favorites from this past season. 

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​That touching episode is a fine reminder that this show is also a positive, uplifting and fun superhero adventure as well. This is the era of the dark superhero; where their souls are tortured, their worlds are dirty and imperfect and everything they have to face is a powerful and ugly challenge. I'm not saying any of that is terrible because Heaven knows I'm always at my local Alamo Drafthouse when a new superhero flick hits the silver screen, but for a superhero series to consciously try and not be dark and brooding is quite the accomplishment and refreshing to say the least. There's always plenty of uplifting or lighthearted moments on this show and truth be told, "Worlds Finest" is an example of how much fun can be had on a series like this because having The Flash pop up in National City made for a wonderful episode that left me grinning with joy every time the two of them shared the screen.

But most importantly, this is a show that is beginning to inspire a young fan base. We all have that first superhero who took our breath away and inspired us to believe in the impossible and that heroes can truly achieve anything, and that's largely in part because a particular actor brought the character to life perfectly and that's happening here. Melissa Benoist plays the character so well that a generation of young girls are taking to Supergirl and what she stands for and that's a huge deal. Supergirl is a strong woman who can truly achieve anything she puts her mind to and that's a message and a persona that needs to be on television. So CBS, I implore you, as a fan of the genre, this show and as someone who sees the impact this character is quickly having on all of us, give Supergirl a full second season order and let this incredible character and her incredible story continue. 

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