Steve Younis discusses the complaints that the “Supergirl” TV series is too political or too preachy.
Is the “Supergirl” TV Series Too Political? (The S Files)
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33 Comments
February 7, 2019 6:57 am
Without a doubt too political- with its feminist messages. With all these women somehow kicking men’s butt and putting them down any way imaginable. Way too patronizing towards women at the expense of men. Also, disrespecting Superman to uselessy elevate Supergirl. Enough is enough. Sickening. Just because it’s “nothing new” doesn’t mean we should accept it. Weak excuse to just be silent and accept it. It would only embolden the others to keep cramming that junk down our throats. Enough with drinking the kool aid, seriously!
February 7, 2019 1:32 pm
Agree! It’s been ongoing,… either in our faces or in a slightly underneath agenda in every episode. They’ve turned her into a candy bottom scold-er of, “you can’t do this and you can’t do that and you over there, stop that!” And in between all that we get close ups of distracting relationships. All centering around liberal Hollywood mess and their definitions. Somehow the entertainment industry as a whole feels it must make “statements.” And if you voice a different opinion, you’re out!!
February 11, 2019 3:50 pm
Phresh and redcape I can’t say I blame the two of you. Look, season 1 had dribs and drabs here and there given it was on CBS. One Cat Grant line mentioned the SJW trope of “white privilege” which is code for racism. In the episode with parasite, there is mention of a global warming skeptic named Rand O’Reilly. The O’Reilly part I accepted because I think Bill O’Reilly is a neoconservative and irrelevant as a journalist. But the Rand part…COME ON WRITERS, DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHO RAND PAUL IS? He happens to be one of my favorite Senators… Read more »
February 7, 2019 8:06 am
Is the question rhetorical? I think that at the point you title an entire episode after a topical political hashtag with a specific angle and partisan viewpoint, “too political” isn’t so much a criticism as it is mere observation.
February 7, 2019 9:32 am
It is quite political, but in the US, we’re living in a modern day civil war in terms of extremes. You’ve got people pushing hate and racism and sexism, and on the other side people fighting against all of that. I think the Supergirl show is a good representation of our political climate, in an easier to digest superhero type of way. Also, the comment about it being silly that a woman could beat up a man… come on bro. First of all, I know lots of women who are stronger than a man, and anyways it’s Supergirl, duh. And… Read more »
February 7, 2019 1:49 pm
“You’ve got people pushing hate and racism and sexism?” I think that’s being more so, propped up than it is meaningful in a real sense. What you call a “good representation”, I don’t find “good” at all unless the series is stated as being a political show. As for woman that beat up man. Are you blind? This has been going on throughout the industry for quite some time. In order for the industry to keep propping up female roles they’ve decided that whipping men’s butts is their ticket to some miss-guided miss-representation of female liberation. It’s not just on… Read more »
February 7, 2019 10:01 am
It isn’t just politics. While it is true that Superman has a history of social justice, beginning with Action Comics #1, it doesn’t excuse Supergirl (the series) of being blatantly political in a damaging way. Supergirl (the series) doesn’t promote social justice. It promotes a decidedly left-wing stance on each and every current hot-button issue. Not only that, it takes a “my-way-or-the-highway” approach. If you disagree with the agenda, you’re the literal villain of the series, as conservative characters are transformed into intolerant two-dimensional bigots. That’s wrong, because the show is entertainment, not a left-wing editorial. Not only that, the… Read more »
February 10, 2019 9:22 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more. Classical liberalism was open to the idea of differing views that could be discussed in a reasonable fashion. The modern liberal party in America is only interested in labeling anyone with a differing opinion as a racist, sexist, xenophobic, homophobe, ext. Just because someone doesn’t agree with your stance on something, it doesn’t make them a bad person. That’s what causes societies to move forward. When you shout down and demonize the ideas of those who may have an opposing view on any issue, it makes you become the bigot that you claim to… Read more »
February 7, 2019 11:06 am
I do think that they can be bit political from time to time. As a Superman comic book reader, I never think of what Superman’s politics are since he stands for Truth, Justice, and the American way, and not just one specific political way. I feel that readers are the ones who should decide for themselves on what Superman’s politics are. To say that he stands for only one political side and not the other, excludes other fans in my opinion. When Superman says “I stand for Truth, Justice, and the American way”, he’s not being specific on anything that… Read more »
February 8, 2019 12:58 am
It definitely wears it’s politics on it’s sleeve. I just wish it did a better job of it. Their habit is to invent 2-dimensional Straw-men arguments, knock ’em down with ease and then pat themselves on the back for being brave enough to “go there.” It’s just hack-writing. Plus, it’s generally too on-the-nose to be as effective as it could be. When you look at someone like Magneto from the X-MEN, where the metaphor is nested really deeply, you can’t help but know he’s wrong, but you can sympathize with his reasoning. Almost to the point that you may not… Read more »
February 8, 2019 11:29 pm
It hasn’t really, the politics are still sledge hammers to the face and Superman has basically become Kara’s pet puppy at this point. I’m 2 episodes away from dropping it all together.
February 8, 2019 2:04 am
The show jams politics down a viewer’s throat. I am baffled why the writers and producers choose to alienate half their audience by pounding them over the head with a sledgehammer of left leaning propaganda. Melissa is actually a terrific Supergirl who rises over a weak supporting cast and awful side stories that take away from Supergirl’s exploits. If they just made it an action show mixed in with rom-com elements, the show would be a lot more fun for all. The way they present the politics makes it a polarizing show. Just look at comments from other viewers. Some… Read more »
February 8, 2019 4:14 pm
Yep….100% correct!
February 9, 2019 12:38 pm
One the one hand I think the show can overdo it at times and even be a little clumsy about it. Also as I’ve often said the CW series need better dialog.
On the other I’m glad that it holds a mirror to those who would support bigotry and xenophobia while hugging the flag.
February 9, 2019 1:13 pm
Support or just disagree with?? I think you’ve consistently turned the two into being the same.
February 10, 2019 9:46 am
One thing is for sure, the numbers for the yes option for this month’s voting topic “is the “Supergirl “ tv series to political?” keeps getting higher.
February 11, 2019 3:52 pm
Upon which I voted “yes.”
February 11, 2019 4:36 pm
And the numbers keep climbing
February 11, 2019 4:40 pm
If I had to guess, the numbers will probably break 100 this week.
February 12, 2019 1:21 am
My family is from Nogales, Sonora in Mexico and came here legally and worked hard to become U.S. citizens. They are proud and love this flag and are not fans of those who break the law and sneak in. We are not bigots. The Supergirl show portrays those who support the law as racist, insensitive, mean-spirited, villains, and those who break it as good guys and heroes. If they made the show more fun, then everyone on this site would enjoy it. Politics belong on news shows, not on Superhero programs.
February 12, 2019 1:47 am
Because of the politics, few would love this show the way we loved Smallville, Lois and Clark, The Adventures of Superman, the cartoon series, and even now Krypton. You just cannot split ideas into good and bad. People have different opinions, which I respect, but you should not be considered the evil ones if you do not agree with the people who produce Supergirl. Why is this the CW show that has to throw in every left leaning and controversial topic out there? When they do a show that avoids those subjects, which are few, the show is enjoyable. I… Read more »
February 12, 2019 11:15 am
I absolutely agree with you that politics shouldn’t be involved in superhero shows. That’s why there are channels like CNN, MSNBC, or FOX NEWS to cover politics. They should keep politics away from superhero shows. Politics can be divisive, which superheroes shouldn’t be. I don’t watch Supergirl to see what her politics are. I watch her to see her stop crime and supervillians. I like to see her save people from danger. I don’t like it when it gets political with her show. I would like to see a Superman show since Tyler has done well in the role. If… Read more »
February 12, 2019 4:08 pm
Well the voting is still going up on the yes option. It’s on 101 now. Probably will keep going up until this voting ballot closes.
February 12, 2019 5:08 pm
Sadly, I do not think they will tone down any politics because they have an agenda that they are sticking to. They don’t care if they upset or polarize fans, because they are laughing all the way to the bank by repeatedly getting renewed for an additional season. I also believe that the actors are in on boosting the political rhetoric for the show. Tyler is an okay Superman, but if they ever did a series with him, it would be done by the same people who produce Supergirl, so I think it would be the same type of tone… Read more »
February 12, 2019 7:31 pm
Maybe a Superman series on the syfy channel? I don’t think that the CW will be starting a Superman series anytime soon, but I’m open to a Superman series starring Tyler Hoechlin on the syfy network. They’ve done alright with Krypton so far. As for politics on CW…. it is disappointing. I’m not advocating for any political views. I’m just saying that for politics not to be used for any superhero shows.
February 12, 2019 7:51 pm
I meant to say that I don’t want politics to be used in any superhero related shows. I wanted to clarify what I meant.
February 12, 2019 8:09 pm
At least Superman has been very successful in the recent animated film Reign of the Supermen. I just recently saw that film. I was cheering for Superman in this film.
February 13, 2019 2:47 pm
I don’t blame Tyler for the script though. He most likely has no say in what Superman says or does. And the role of Superman is a role that I believe most actors would want. So most likely, in order to keep the part, he would have to go along with whatever is in the script.
February 14, 2019 1:14 pm
Absolutely. He’s getting paid to do what they direct him to do. I’ve got no doubt that a series with him in it would be directed right down the toilet bowl with all this laughable “correctness” we’re all forced to endure. Yes, it would be novel at first but how many episodes before it settles into the same degree of forced fake invented environments?
February 14, 2019 1:37 pm
As I said before, he’s an actor not a writer. To place blame on him makes as much sense as blaming a waiter for a mistake that a cook has made. He’s getting paid to do and say what is in the script. Unless he had a part in writing it, then he is not responsible for what he has to say and do. For all we know he might have a problem with what was in the episodes that he was in. That’s why I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt.
February 25, 2019 7:54 pm
Shows can be political, even superhero shows, BUT they should be nuanced which this show clearly is not. Even on Berlanti’s other shows, their social awareness or whatever you want to call it comes off as awkward. That says more about the writing than anything else though in my opinion. When done correctly, political slants can work well in superhero films. Magneto and Killmonger being two good examples, but this show is just waaaaay too prechy, self congratulatory and awkward about it. And I agree with everyone who has said that Superman is grossly misused here. Another example of a… Read more »
February 25, 2019 11:11 pm
True that political slants can sometimes work in certain superhero shows or movies like X-men. What I don’t think is right is when they have Superman or Supergirl take a political side. It alienates and excludes a portion of the fan base. Superman’s and Supergirl’s politics I feel should be kept in the unknown so that the fans can decide for themselves on what those politics are. Fans should look up to these heroes because of the good that they do for everyone. Not because of the politics or political views that they have. And I do agree that they… Read more »
No I don’t think Supergirl is too political or too preachy. Those complaints have been in the series since the beginning and don’t have a problem with it and as Steve said it’s nothing new. I love The CW Supergirl TV Series and will continue to watch it for many years to come !!!