Supergirl (TV Series) Pilot (2015) User Reviews

Better than what the haters really say

[ellibs07 · 7/10 · 27 October 2015]

Unlike @Laura Hall-Schordje most other reviewers here are children who cries and whines whenever a TV series doesn't go as they expected. People need to loosen up and learn to enjoy a TV series. It's not supposed to be a 2hr blockbuster where you directly go into the juicy parts... TV series take time to introduce and build up the characters and along with that the storyline. At first, I actually thought that this was for girls only too but after watching it and seeing it's potential, I got into it...and as a pilot episode there's no lack of action in this one either. True it may be a bit corny at times but I think it's just part of supergirl's naive persona at this point in her life. All-in-all I think this is another great piece of the DC universe being crafted in TV series form as the others.

Up, Up, and Away

[ThomasDrufke · 6/10 · 27 October 2015]

With all these superhero shows now patrolling modern day television, there seemed to be no need or fit for Supergirl. But Supergirl isn't meant to be for the same audience as all the other shows. I would argue that this show is specifically for girls ages 11-15, and to me, that's perfectly fine. The pilot is nothing that will get you jumping out of your seats, in fact, it's pretty much all in the trailers. But Glen Winter, director of Legends of Tomorrow upcoming pilot and numerous episodes of Smallville, Arrow, and The Flash, did a great job at setting the tone of this serious. The show actually looked just as good (CGI wise) if not better than the aforementioned shows, so it has potential. I think as long as the show doesn't veer off and try to be something it's not, it will be just fine.

I like that this show directly addresses the Superman link up front. It was a nice twist to have her be technically older than Kal, until her course to earth set off a chain of events and delayed her arrival 24 years. This also confirms to skeptics that this can in no way be related to the movies. It can however, crossover with the CW universe if they so desire. The tone is very similar to The Flash so I think that's the only show I can see her appearing in. I liked that the show also took some of Superman's lore and tweaked it a bit. Her parents are scientists and Superman's old guides in learning how to deal with her powers and this time this Kryptonian has a sibling. Perhaps I missed it but I don't think they mentioned what happened to Kara's earth parents, so I hope that's addressed in the coming episodes.

The show also took a spin on the Superman colleague Jimmy Olsen. May I be the first to say, this was a welcomed change. Mehcad Brooks was the biggest bright spot of the episode. Much more so than the other love interest, Winn Schott. I smell a Foggy from Daredevil situation here. The tone of his character and demeanor seems to be from an entirely different show. So as for now, Jeremy Jordan will have to win me over with his performance. I'd be remiss not to mention Melissa Benoist's performance as Supergirl. If you follow her on Instagram or any social media you know she's one of the most charming stars of Hollywood, and she showed flashes of that in the episode. At times the writing seemed to be a little bit too 'derpy' but I know that her Kara Danvers side is the secret identity so it needed to be a little off.

I'm not sure how much mythology there is for a full series of Supergirl or that they can even use so I'm a little worried about that. Plus, Kryptonite has already been introduced and so has her aunt as the lead villain? It's an interesting take and again, I'm not sure if that's in the lore, I just want good storytelling. Speaking of which, I don't think all of the human drama worked in this episode. I had flashes of the family issues that Full House used to have every episode and I don't want this show to rely on problems like that. But nonetheless, I do have hope for this show. Don't be Gotham bad, that's all I ask.

+Benoist' charm

+Mechad Brooks

+Special effects

-Some drama fell flat

-Find your tone

-Ending twist

6.8/10

Supergirl!

[nettie-alford · 8/10 · 15 July 2017]

Pleasantly surprised by this episode and I am so here for Cat Grant's snark. I wasn't a fan of Glee, so I had no idea what to expect from Melissa Benoist, but her take on the Girl of Steel is perfect and I am interested to see where this goes. Jeremy Jordan is a good fit as Kara's BFF and I'm loving the chemistry between Jimmy and Kara.

Loved this Beginning!

[laura-hall-schordje · 10/10 · 26 October 2015]

I loved this show! I heard it was good and decided to see what it was like while I was waiting for Scorpion to come on. It was terrific television--I literally put a notice on Facebook to my friends to watch it. I started watching it alone, and ended up with my husband and adult son both engrossed. There goes the idea it is just for girls. It was terrific TV--enough action to keep things hopping and enough about the characters to make you care.

This episode starts with meeting Kara Danvers. I found the introduction of the Kara/Supergirl character quite true to life--a young woman with the vague idea she wants to help people and make the world a better place, but working at a job that will not really achieve her goal and not taken too seriously. Most women I know have been there. The story is built on her beginning to accept and live into her true identity, which ends up being Supergirl the hero. After the first 15 minutes, when she does her first super act, I cheered.

There are a a lot of introductions in this episode, so the characters are not yet fully developed. I did like the short intros I saw--her strong, responsible sister with a hint of the same insecurities Kara has, the head of the government alien project who alludes to hating "immigrants" from space, the introduction to some villains who will surely be in future episodes, and her obnoxious boss.

Good start to a show I am looking forward to watching again!

Calista Flockhart Steals The Show

[slightlymad22 · 7/10 · 11 January 2017]

Melissa Benoist is Supergirl, but the Star of the new show is Calista Flockhart as Cat Grant. The former Ally McBeal star steals every scene she is.

Plot In A Paragraph: Twenty-four-year-old Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist) cousin of Superman, who was taken in by the Danvers family when she was 12 after being sent away from Krypton, must learn to embrace her powers after previously hiding them.

I'm to sure about the super cool, buff (and not to mention black) Jimmy (or James as he likes to be called in this) Olsen. Instead the James Olsen character is morphed in to Kara's best friend Winn Schott. We get nice little cameos from former Superman (Dean Cain) and Supergirl (Helen Slater) as Kara's earth parents Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers.

It had its moments, a few decent jokes here and there, the special effects were all well done and the score was enjoyable if not spectacular.

All in all, it was an OK pilot, it didn't blow me away, but it was more than watchable and I look forward to seeing more. Especially if Calista Flockhart who has been missing from our screens for too long.

SuperPilot!

[captngravity-475-719121 · 8/10 · 29 October 2015]

**This review contains spoilers - you have been warned** I watched the pilot the night it aired. After the first watch I thought, that was cool, but there were some things I didn't like either.

The positives outweigh the negatives, for sure, as the negatives were small things that can be tweaked and fixed.

I really love how cheerful Kara is! They wrote that personality into her...it's not part of her "disguise". She really is that cheerful. It reminded me of the Michael Turner Supergirl graphic novel. She is excited about life and love and her powers! I loved seeing her eat pizza and get excited after saving the plane! I'm hoping for more of her quirky/happy personality! I loved seeing Dean Cain and Helen Slater!! I only wish they would include them into the show...it doesn't look like they're going to...I think that would make for a more dramatic story. They could always write them into the show somehow.

They had Kara's story get set up as well as her flying around IN THE SUIT!!! and fighting bad guys all in the first episode. It is a pretty jammed episode with a lot going on. This could be a good thing or a bad thing. On one hand they did almost too much in the episode....on the other hand...it didn't...really feel like a pilot? It felt like an episode of a show that has been on the air for a while. Also remember, this is not Oliver Queen....this is not Barry Allen...this is not Bruce Wayne. It's different than what we've been used to with superhero Television.

I had to wait 10 years for Clark Kent to suit up and fly, and it was kind of a let down...I'm so glad they cut out all that origin story with Kara!! After watching it a second time I liked it more than I did the first time, the only thing I still don't understand is the blue heat vision...? Anyway I am so on board with this new show, For a FIRST EPISODE they did a pretty darn good job!!!! Flying is still the safest way to travel. Go Kara!!

Not Laura Vandervoort, but it is decent

[DCSassyQueen · 7/10 · 30 September 2016]

1x01 - Pilot

When Supergirl first came out, I had no intention of watching it & I did not. I was not a fan of Melissa Benoist as Supergirl because (1) she was no Laura Vandervoort who looked like a Supergirl (2) I did not like her character on Glee so I did not think that she had the acting chops for Supergirl.

About a year later (today - 09-29-2016), I decided to watch it because (1) Superman is my husband & since Tyler Hoechlin was cast I knew I was going to watch the episodes he appeared in, but I was not sure if I was going to watch the show. Also, I am fresh off of re-watching my favorite series Smallville & I needed another super something in my life.

The pilot episode is filled with so much cheese & clichés that at one point I thought that I was watching a comedy, but I think I liked it.

Kara was supposed to be older than Clark until her pod went to the Phantom Zone. I was about to nut up if Clark was younger than her.

Superman led her to her foster parents The Danvers because he wanted her to be raised by decent human beings like he was. Guess who was her dad? Dean Cain... that man just wants to pop up in as many Kryptonian TV shows as he can.

Kara was living life as a regular human until one day her sister plane goes down & she saves it. Kara experiences a rush & his excited that she did it, but her sister not so much. I thought her sister was jealous of her, which she was, but she also wanted to protect her from all the aliens Kara's pod brought to earth when she was in the Phantom Zone.

It is revealed that Kara's sister, Alex works with an organization that works against aliens. Kara's real aunt wants her death.

Kara Danvers is no Kara Kent & I will always wish that Laura was cast, but Melissa did a good enough job so far.

My favorite character so far is James "Jimmy" Olsen. I love that he knows Superman. He is another reason I am about to trek through this series. I love Mechad Brooks & I was waiting for him to appear on my TV screen since True Blood & Necessary Roughness ended.

I do not feel invested in the rest of the character. Once there is a story to tell I think I will be alright. As of right now, it seems as though Supergirl is going to be about Kara taking down the prisoners that escaped the Phantom Zone.

6.5/10

Empowerment

[saraeberman · 8/10 · 27 May 2020]

This show may not be as strong as many people wanted it to be, but the effect is still there. The empowerment I feel watching Melissa Benoist portray this beautiful symbol of hope and strength on my screen going on 6 six years now is one of the many reasons I continue to watch this show. I find the messages within the show, combined with the humor, action, and drama all intertwined together make for a solid hour every week. This show has brought me so much joy over the past years, and I encourage anyone and everyone to watch it.

Non-Canon

[yastepanov · 6/10 · 25 November 2016]

While the show has promise, it breaks with canon in so many ways, it hurts.

The original Supergirl and her more recent incarnations are present here somewhat, but for some reason the creators decided not to hide Kara Zor-L as Linda Lee of Linda Lee Danvers, but allow Kara Zor-El to be Kara Danvers.

Between that and no wig to hide her Blonde hair under a dark wig or Haida her dark hair under a blonde wig, the Bsupergirl persona looks too much like the Danvers one. Too obviously like the same character.

Maybe this was done so as not to confuse the pre-10 year old watchers.

While Superman.s strength was really super, Supergirl tires far too often. That, and the neo-Zod character of her Aunt, gives too many repeats to recent.Superpolts.

It is unclear as to if this is set in the Superman (1978) universe, or some entirely different one.

Weak beginning

[facorread · 5/10 · 27 October 2015]

You can tell that these guys really worked hard in engineering this episode and the series' story. Kara is a well done character: the most powerful woman in the world has insecurities, everyday problems, aspirations, motivation, and conflict. I bet there's women everywhere that can relate to this character. A reasonable dose of visual effects, given the constrained TV budget. A reasonable villain setup and a promising cast.

The feminist agenda and the woman empowerment agenda are intertwined and spread all around, fact that may disgust you or entice you depending on what your stance towards feminism is.

But one thing I believe everybody can agree on is that these explicit agendas failed to address a very important character: Cal Grant, played by Calista Flockhart, as the founder of media conglomerate CatCo, the most powerful woman in National City, and the heroine's boss. If this series really wanted to empower women, then this would have been the ideal character to do so. She would have shown leadership, maturity, natural authority, teamwork, advocacy, even activism, and so on. Instead you get a brat that whines that her private elevator doesn't work and she had to use the general elevator and so she had to endure the torturing smell of cheap cologne that her subordinates have to use because they can't afford to live as chic as her. Seriously, WTF. Her treatment of Kara would not necessarily qualify as anti-feminist, but I put it here because it's plain-old corporate slavery that takes away Kara's dignity as a woman and as a human being. Where is your feminism now? I know writers need a conflictive character every now and then, but there are way many more feminist ways to achieve that. How would this kind of woman earn this position in a feminist universe?

The other stupid thing to see in a feminist episode is a bunch of characters struggling to find yet another way to talk about girl power. I think this is a disservice to feminists. Feminism is not about making quips that equality is a good thing; it's an effort to build a world with equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women; a feminist episode would show how cool that world would be instead of having characters say it out of nowhere.

Case in point 1: Nobody aboard the airplane mentioned the fact that this was a woman instead of Superman. It was a perfect scene in every way. Until the moment it was completely ruined by a woman proclaiming "Can you believe it? A female hero! ...It's nice for my daughter to have someone like that to look up to!" What? So this is a feminist universe that somehow has absolutely no female heroes and no female role models, and then has just gotten the first female hero and role model ever in the form of an alien woman because it's absolutely impossible to find female heroes or female role models in the entire human species? Where is your feminism now?

Case in point 2: Kara argues with their boss about the use of the name "Supergirl" instead of "Superwoman," with the subtext that "girl" in our sexist, collective conscience is a derogatory word towards women. If this episode was consistent with its feminism, nobody would care; that conversation wouldn't even exist. But then again, you have a brat and a slave.

Case in point 3: There were no sexist, derogatory, or otherwise anti-feminist remarks by men in this episode. So why are women making quips about girl power? Do these writers think that real-world feminists' hard work is aimed to find validation of their opinions?

Case in point 4: Somehow the writers concluded that Kal giving Kara the reasonable piece of advice of becoming a hero would be tantamount to curtailing her freedom of choice. Because of that they decided that Kal "wisely" asked James Olsen (of all people) to move to National City to covertly influence over Kara's thinking in order to have her freely choose to become a hero. Is this how feminism works in this series? by puppetry? This explicitly stated motivation to bring James Olsen to this series is unnecessary. Both the actor and the character are great, but the latter should have a different name and he doesn't even need to have a motivation: he just works at CatCo, period. If the writers need occasional doses of wisdom and experience for Kara as a hero, then have her visit Kal. How difficult is that?

A corny, oddly-paced, and disconnected pilot end up ruining your day. I use the benefit of the doubt and hope the cast will do their best to polish their performances, their chemistry, and the overall relationships among the characters during the next couple episodes. And for God's sake, change Cat's character traits!

For now, I'd say they took their shot at a great first impression and they missed.

Super

[Jackbv123 · 10/10 · 17 May 2023]

The intro into the opening credits is for me one of the top superhero intros ever, right up there with Christopher Reeves saving the helicopter with Lois. As THE BEST, although Wonder Woman's first battlefield scene is close behind. Having it lead into the opening credits is brilliant. The reveal scene with Winn on the roof is also good, though there are far too many such scenes to try to rank this one among the best.

It looks like this episode is going to be gratuitous and derivative but then we get the DEO. I didn't like this plot thread of opposition to true superheroes in the more recent DC movies (or what Marvel did either). Even with that twist, which is the theme of the entire season, the story is a little simple.

I don't know if Melissa Benoist was well cast or if she rose to the role. It was probably both. This is a talented woman, but what makes her and this series special is the personality she delivers as Kara. Such a mixture of insecurity and valor. But most of all it is her cheerful demeanor and optimism, most of the time.

I love that MB enjoys being a role model for girls. This episode plays into the mild feminism which says that a woman can be a hero too. This was my favorite of the CW run of the DC universe, but I had to give up on it in later seasons. I can stand TV that has some woke in it. Some ideas that are parallel with that political philosophy have merit, but this series and MB quickly started shoving woke relentlessly at the audience. It hasn't started in this episode, fortunately.

What a shame!

[swchamberlain · 1/10 · 26 October 2015]

I was looking forward to this show, but OMG what a disappointment. Where do I begin, Jimmy Olsen is a big, ripped, jock which doesn't fit. Every line has some sort of blatant feminist agenda attached to it. The acting would be poor for a 1970's sitcom, totally unbelievable, corny, and just simply annoying. The writers did straiten out a few story issues that everyone seemed to have but at the same time punched a lot more holes in it. I realistically couldn't watch half way through it without throwing up in my mouth. Even if I had no prior knowledge of this story it was so bad that I do not even have words to express it. Awful....

Super

[angelxadrian-carayrivera · 8/10 · 17 November 2021]

Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su relación.

Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su relación.

Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su relación.

Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su relación.

Christian y Marina, un par de medios hermanos, lidian con la muerte de sus padres y los secretos de su relación.

One Problem

[stepmark · 8/10 · 14 October 2018]

I like this show I just have 1 question by the time Kara gets to earth Kal had already revealed himself as superman an alien yet Kara tells Winn there's no such things as aliens so can someone explain this to me?

So Awful, I can't believe I watched the entire hour

[TheBigDog225 · 1/10 · 27 October 2015]

***Spoiler** on Character description First off, Jimmy Olsen the geeky awkward kid is now James the hip, cool, self assured, tall, good looking,athletic African American! Really!

The lead character is just so goofy, no other way to explain it. A lead should be able to carry a whole episode, she can't even carry a descent scene, let alone an hour long episode.

Outside of James "Jimmy Olsen" all of the characters are fairly weak.

This was badly acted and had weak undeveloped plot. It was so bad there is no reason to believe they could make it even remotely watchable for Episode 2.

Has to be the worst new show of 2015 fall line up.

if your a 13 year old girl.. you might like this

[jonsbeneteau · 1/10 · 25 July 2015]

this show has very bad acting, bad story line, and from the pilot.. looks like its going to be another 8 year waiting period for something to happen like in smallville. i thoroughly enjoyed the first few seasons of smallville but found that it went into a direction i didn't enjoy. Supergirl seems to be extremely cliché and i doubt i will get much farther than the first 3 episodes of this new show (i cant completely judge a book by its cover.. so i will give it til episode 3 to come up with my final 2 cents towards it). It seems that this show is directed towards 13 year old girls that have never watched a TV series in their life.

Four Ayes To An All Wet Pilot For A Supergirl Series That Could Go Either Way

[alan_paul · 4/10 · 27 October 2015]

Old school network CBS ordered an old school Supergirl pilot episode and that is precisely what producers Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg of the CW Network's Arrow and The Flash, plus "new girl" Ali Adler (Glee, Chuck) delivered to them. Clearly some sort of checklist was involved.

Unfortunately all of the DNA fragments used to create this version of DC Comics' Supergirl don't quite fit together. The origin story is not belabored, but is hindered by obvious contractually-mandated limitations on the use of the necessary but unavailable Superman. Too much show "mythology" is shoehorned into this 45-minute pilot episode to allow viewers time to warm up to any of the characters that have been introduced.

After four seasons, Arrow still includes its weakest element (flashbacks to an Oliver that we know will survive every season-long threat he faces.) Those flashbacks kill the momentum of the current timeline stories. Every. Single. Episode.

The Flash began with guest appearances on the established Arrow series. Early episodes of The Flash had many awkward moments, but the show came together and eventually began to tell some extremely entertaining stories.

Bad indicators for Supergirl include unflattering mom glasses, non-ginger non-freckled Jimmy Olsen, Kara & Cat scenes that drag on way too long, dull action and effects that fizzle.

The pilot is a yawn, but the producers involved know how to make this sort of show work. So keep watching for a few more episodes. It could go either way.

A weak beginning for a strong heroine TV show

[elartu-95 · 5/10 · 24 July 2015]

Supergirl's pilot is a bad start. After what happened with "Smallville" people lose some hope for another Superman's TV show. Now, instead of Superman it was her cousin who took the show. The problem is that the acting and script is annoying as hell, very cliché. Also, most of the special effects are so bad, the trailer looked better. So, if there aren't good special effects (which is completely wrong due that it is a character that has lot of powers) it is expected then to have a good script or acting but there is none of that.

Making a superhero TV show is very hard, but talking about Supergirl which is the same as talking about Superman it turns to be almost impossible to make a good series because it will be very expensive and i doubt they have a high budget to do it. So, then again all will go down again as Smallville.

Politically correct infiltrating even here?

[Australian1 · 5/10 · 28 December 2018]

Jimmy Olsen was NOT black in all the previous Superman comics or movies as far as I know!! Why bother to even bring him into this series about a cousin of Superman? Kara, allegedly doesn't even get pimples, but the actress has a scar above nose near eyebrows, is not really suited to the role. Too many "Aliens with their own superpowers" in first 2 episodes! Haven't even introduced the character and she is in the thick of it! Black DEO chief? Half the chiefs or leaders in ALL DC shows are black, we have lesbians and homosexual men! I'm sure we are going to have a transgender as well ...Spare me!

Bad just bad

[malfoyraptor · 5/10 · 14 October 2021]

CW why? This is a bad acting, fake feminism and drinking wine in an apartment with a piano pop balled with a voice over show.

But for why.

Who past this shikk.

There's still hope.

[sandgrainday · 12 May 2017]

I shamelessly admit I think DC comics (including Vertigo) movies and TV shows are actually great. So, when there's a new show about the cousin of my favorite superhero, I check it out.

After watching the pilot, I've decided I want to see some more episodes. I don't mean the pilot is great; it's not. But this show may have great potential, and there are some aspects of the show that I like.

I'm glad that Kara Danvers is not a teenager but an adult who works in an office. I couldn't care less about high school drama. She's positive, cheerful and nerdy; it's refreshing to see a hero who's not tormented, who's full of hope for the future.

Supergirl's costume design sends off the message that a girl can be attractive without showing off her boobs. It's a good message, but there's something else I don't quite understand. Supergirl tries on a long sleeve crop top and a pair of boyshorts (which cover her whole entire area from waist to thighs), then she appears to be embarrassed and says "I wouldn't even wear it to the beach". Now, choosing a modest costume is one thing, Supergirl declaring she's against baring the midriff and legs even at the beach is quite another.

And I miss the real Jimmy Olsen.