Supergirl: Did Everyone Forget This Is Kara's Story?

In an attempt to create a larger, ensemble cast of supporting characters in Kara's life, Kara has effectively been shoved into the background of her own story.

Supergirl Season 3, while an improvement from Supergirl Season 2 in some ways, is continuing the trend of Kara being pushed aside to further the stories of characters like Mon-El and Lena, and their subsequent relationships have much less to do about Kara in every way.

Lost in the Noise

Kara Danvers has been lost in the attempt to push the supporting character's stories further, which is shown by how her relationships have advanced, especially during the current season.

While sometimes the best part of the show, there's no denying that Kara's friendship with Lena and Sam is more about the other two characters' development than her own. Sam and Lena are growing closer than Lena and Kara were, though it seems we're still supposed to believe Kara is Lena's best friend.

Kara can't fully participate in the relationship if its focus will continue to be on Lena and how it is helping her advance because of Kara's secret.

That is just one mistake that's preventing Kara from being the character in control in many situations, which is causing her to be more of a supporting character to Lena's arc and development.

Related: The CW Renewals: Riverdale, Dynasty, The Flash & 7 More!

However, it's not the only mistake. Kara is being lost to the development of her friends; we no longer see her pursuing her career in journalism; her Supergirl scenes have been taken over by the Legion of Superheroes, and her romantic prospects are all about Mon-El.

Most of Kara's fights since the return of Mon-El have involved at least one member of the Legion at her side. Brainiac helped Kara escape her mental prison after her fight with Reign, Imra accompanied Kara to Fort Rozz, and the Legion tried to assist Kara with Reign after that.

Supergirl's crime fighting isn't even solely about her anymore; during Supergirl Season 1, Kara fought for the city alongside Winn and James when she wasn't working with the DEO, but now the DEO has become her life, too, and we don't see her do anything to protect the city unless it's with the DEO.

Part of the appeal, in the beginning, was Kara's struggle to balance her career with her heroism and to see how those were interconnected, but her time spent at CatCo has all but disappeared. If we didn't watch Kara become a reporter, we might not know she had a job outside of the DEO.

I've never been a fan of Kara and Mon-El's relationship, and it has somehow gotten even worse than it was originally. Now, Mon-El is married to Imra. (Regardless of the reasons for the coupling, he is still married to her.)

But now Kara is the third point of a love triangle she doesn't need to be in, and if things advance like they're sure to do, what does it mean for Kara? If she pursues Mon-El despite his relationship, what does that say about her?

It is the second love triangle Kara has been in (the first with Lucy and James), but the difference was Kara never actively pursued James while he was with Lucy. She stood up for herself and demanded better than to be the "other woman." Kara would never intentionally hurt another person, especially like that.

Pushing Kara and Mon-El together romantically, amid everything else, is slowing breaking down Kara's soul because the Kara we grew to love would never have allowed her feelings to get in the way of someone else's marriage. She would have cut ties with Mon-El.

Kara Doesn't Need Help

As someone who loves the character of Kara Danvers/Zor-El, I'm very disappointed with where the writers have taken her since arrival at The CW. Instead of being someone with her own skills and agency, she's often knocked down to be saved by the men of the show.

It occurs far too often with Mon-El, who is usually there to push Kara's self-esteem below the ground, so he can show up and save her from impending doom because, seemingly from the writers' point of view, even Supergirl needs a man to save her.

Related: Supergirl Season 3: Why Mon-El Is No Longer Welcome

Where are the writers from Supergirl Season 1? For instance, on Supergirl Season 1 Episode 3, Kara almost died at the hands of Reactron, only for her cousin to come save her after being called by James. 

After that, Kara exploded at James for not trusting her to save herself and be the hero she wants to be. How is that any different from Kara being knocked unconscious in a fight and Mon-El coming to save her?

It was established early on that Kara shouldn't be fighting to be a hero if she can't save herself from trouble. She managed to stop the only villain Superman never could, and she even took down Superman, before she stopped Non and Rhea from destroying Earth.

Supergirl is her own hero, and it's time the writers stop making her abilities lackluster and ineffective in order for Mon-El, or anyone else, to go in and save her from the very task she's wanted to accomplish for years. Supergirl is there to protect; she doesn't need protection.

Fan Influence

It's no secret that fans have influence over the writing of certain shows, especially on The CW. Why else was Lena made into a lead character this season, if not for the reaction to her (and Katie McGrath) on Twitter and Tumblr?

Why are fans not demanding more from the show, particularly when it comes to Kara? This is her show; it's supposed to be about Supergirl, and as much as fans may love Lena or Mon-El, their stories should be about supporting Kara's overarching journey.

The fan focus on either "Karamel" or "SuperCorp" has distracted everyone from what truly matters: Kara Danvers. The interest in Mon-El and Lena behind the scenes has been twisted to turn them into starring characters and they've lost focus on the greatest star of all in Kara and Supergirl.

Related: Enjoy UNLIMITED access to thousands of Movies and TV shows with Amazon Prime Video. WATCH ANYWHERE. CANCEL ANYTIME!

Most of the time, Kara's is only featured as the titular character of Supergirl without a plot of her own, but as a representative to prop up others on their journeys and while their progress. She has ceased to develop.

If someone started watching the show at the start of Supergirl Season 3, they'd be convinced Lena and Mon-El were the main characters, and Kara was a touchstone to support Lena as her best friend and Mon-El's first love.

Kara deserves to be the center of her own series.

View Slideshow: 18 Catchy Tunes that Dominated TV in 2017!!

If the writing continues to focus on everyone else instead of Kara, maybe Supergirl isn't the right title for the show.

What do you think? Has Kara been forgotten on her own show? Are the relationships more about her friends than her? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

Supergirl airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW! You can watch Supergirl online right here at TV Fanatic!

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15 Characters Who are Born Fixers

Have you ever wondered how people like Olivia Pope or Ray Donovan might have gotten into their respective positions? We think we've figured it out.

Some people are always cleaning up someone else's mess, whether it's a dirty kitchen or a dead body. It's just who they are.

Monica Geller, for instance, is always cleaning up after her friends. Does she complain? Well, only when it's Rachel because that's her roommate and she expects more from her.

Characters like Winn Schott from Supergirl are tasked with saving the day to help friends' escape certain death.

But not all of these characters are cleaning up other people's messes. There are also those who create their own messes because their lives are so bizarre and, frankly, awful at times, it is the only way to regain any control.

So, go ahead and take a look at the 15 characters we've chosen that are just always cleaning or, ahem, fixing things.

1. Ann Perkins from Parks and Recreation

Remember when Ann helped Leslie clean out her house after discovering she was a hoarder? Well, as good of a friend we know she is, there were definitely some ulterior motives there... After all, Ann, a nurse, is one of the cleanest people ever, her best friend's house can't be a disaster zone.

2. Monica Geller from Friends

Well, we all knew Monica just had to be on this list. Ever part of her goes overboard, but when it comes to cleaning, no one can compete. There's no cleaner, safer, germ-free place than wherever Monica Geller is living.

3. Barry Allen from The Flash

Luckily for him, Barry Allen is the fastest man alive, which means deep cleaning takes him about one second. Meanwhile, the rest of us are spending six hours just trying to clean our bedrooms. With great speed comes higher expectations for your cleaning abilities, so Barry and Iris' apartment better be sparkling with cleanliness.

4. Lynn Pierce from Black Lightning

Lynn likes to keep her life neat and tidy, but her ex-husband being Black Lightning has always thrown her plans for a nice, normal life. So, in order to get control, you know Lynn keeps everything clean and placed exactly where she wants. If she can't control Jefferson, she has to at least be able to control what the rest of her life looks like.

5. Trish Walker from Marvel's Jessica Jones

With Jessica Jones as a best friend breaking windows every other day by throwing some dirtbag out of her apartment, you know Trish has to be the one cleaning to try to maintain an inkling of her best friend's wellbeing. Pair that with her need to control everything in her life, and now you can see why her apartment is so guarded and put together, right?

6. Sam Winchester from Supernatural

Dean and Sam pretty much always clean up each other's messes, but Dean usually only sticks to the supernatural messes. Anything else, Sam is usually the one cleaning their motel rooms, helping his brother with anything, and trying to keep a little bit of his life as normal as he can since that's all he's ever wanted.

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21 Shows to Watch Before Catching Some Zzz's

Many of us are always ending our days with a television show, and while there are some you definitely know you should watch before sleeping, sometimes there are some you wouldn't think to watch.

Below, we've compiled a list of our favorite shows to watch before falling asleep (comedies, dramedies, dramas, procedurals, AND documentaries) that you should be watching.

Whether for the first time or to take a stroll down memory lane without eating up time from your regularly scheduled binge-watching sessions of that awesome new show you're going to talk with us about, these shows will end your day the right way.

Without further adieu, check out these 21 shows you should be watching before you catch some zzz's.

1. Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie is (in my opinion) one of Netflix's strongest series due to the collective talents of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The story of two wives being left by their gay husbands in the 70's may not seem like a relaxing subject, but it's the lighthearted stories and deep moments between Grace and Frankie that makes this show perfect for relaxing and getting ready to sleep.

2. Friends

Everyone loves Friends, right? It has to be something you've fallen asleep to or woken up to at least five times in your life. The adventures of Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Chandler, Joey, and Ross never quite get old, and you've likely already watched the series through, so how much attention do you really need to pay to the show? It's the perfect bedtime series.

3. The Bold Type

The Bold Type follows Jane, Kat, and Sutton as they naivgate being professional, dedicated young women in New York City and chase their respective careers and love lives, and it's the friendship between these girls and every day pace of their lives making the show worth watching to wind down, and maybe it'll even give you hope for coming days with the state the world is in.

4. The Good Place

Who needs clean, family comedy when you can enjoy the antics of Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place on NBC? If you haven't watched, it's the perfect show (and only 22 minutes per episode) to treat yourself to, and if you have then you can listen to Eleanor's crazy comments and Tahani's snobby remarks without worrying about anything other than those zzz's you're about to be catching.

5. Criminal Minds

I don't quite understand it myself, but many have said they enjoy watching Criminal Minds before bed to relax. I guess if you aren't prone to night terrors or weird dreams, maybe it's the perfect fit. Almost always they catch the bad guy, so at least it leaves off on a hopeful message.

6. Forensic Files

Who knew watching true crime television shows could be so relaxing? Forensic Files is a documentary-styled series using forensic information and evidence to solve violent crimes, and they also investigate mysterious accidents and illness outbreaks. If you're prone to night terrors, maybe this one isn't for you, the network saw the passion in viewers and now only plays the program at night. Talk about intensive scheduling!

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19 Inspiring TV Characters We Admire

We all want to see our favorite characters succeed, grow, and use their determination to get everything they want. And we root for them to do so, but what about ourselves?

We watch TV to lose ourselves in the characters, the stories, or the setting, yet we often don't pull from our favorite characters to make us better people, or at the very least, better friends/loved onces.

The characters listed below are inspiring and we admire them quite so, but they should also be looked at for their flaws, their development, and how they are with their friends and families.

We can learn a lot from TV, so why not use this chance to learn a little about these characters?

1. Jack Pearson - This Is Us

Jack’s battle with alcoholism on This Is Us Season 2 has been heartbreaking to watch, but it’s refreshing to see he’s as committed as ever to making his relationship with Rebecca work and being the best father he can be. He shows that—no matter what you’re dealing with—you can get through it and be the best person you can be.

2. Jacqueline Carlyle - The Bold Type

After we found out on The Bold Type Season 1 Episode 10, Jacqueline Carlyle is a survivor of sexual assault and she’s the perfect example to those dealing with something similar to look up to. Even after what she went through, Jacqueline became the Editor-in-Chief of Scarlet Magazine and is the baddest bitch in the business.

3. Annalise Keating - How to Get Away with Murder

Don’t admire her ability to get involved with murders, but Annalise hitting rock bottom with her alcoholism in the last season has become Annalise taking control of her life, even with all of the messes she’s involved in, and ending her terrible habit of using alcohol as a coping mechanism. She’s taking the high road and trying to get her life back together.

4. Leslie Knope - Parks and Recreation

Parks and Rec may have ended years ago, but Leslie Know is someone we can always aspire to be. Her optimism, all-around conquering attitude toward the harder things in life, and her relationship with her friends are all aspects of her life we can admire and aspire to achieve. As she would say, “We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, and work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third.”

5. Barry Allen - The Flash

Barry may be a hero with superpowers now, but he was someone every should aspire to be long before. He lost his mother and father so young, yet he stayed kind, respectful, and treated others the best way he knew how. Was he perfect? No. (Is he now, though? Nope.) But Barry tries his best to always be there for everyone, even now when he’s being accused of a murder he didn’t commit.

6. Elizabeth McCord - Madam Secretary

Elizabeth is a hero. She’s always fighting for the good of all people. Using her diplomatic position, she searches for every position option to handle a situation and goes for the one she believes is best for the people. What is Dalton’s presidency without Elizabeth McCord? Worthless.

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15 Characters Far Too Interesting for Their TV Shows

We all have our favorite character(s) on any show we watch, and yes, those characters don't always get the time we believe they deserve.

But, then there are the characters that are portrayed by talented actors and their stories suffer because the characters eventually don't fit into the mold of the show anymore, and we watch them continuously torn down to fit the character they're "supposed to be."

The actors are wasted due to stories that aren't worth their time, and the characters are thrown to the background because their path doesn't make sense just for the sake of keeping them on the show.

Here are 15 characters that are too interesting, too talented, and taken for granted on their respective shows.

1. Laurel Lance - Arrow

Whether it's as Laurel Lance or Black Siren, Katie Cassidy's talent is unmatched on Arrow, and her talent is wasted due to an overwhelming disinterest in her character in the writer's room. Laurel has never gotten the time her character deserves because so much more could hae been done with her. I'd love a Birds of Prey spin-off on another Earth with Laurel as the Black Canary on that team.

2. Rebekah Mikaelson - The Originals

Since Rebekah's introduction on The Vampire Diaries, she's been a stunning, consistent performer that steals every scene she's in, and we have to wonder why she hasn't had her own show devoted solely to her. Surely, if they can base an entire series around the villainous Klaus Mikaelson, we could see Rebekah take off on her own from the persistent curse that is immortality and her supernatural family members. She's been ignored for far too long.

3. Aaron Shore - Designated Survivor

Ever since Aaron's demotion from White House Chief of Staff to National Security Advisor, he's basically useless, which is a shame considering how wonderful his character could be if a little effort was put in. Aaron would make a great politician of his own, and given his heritage and his ties with his family, it'd be interesting to see that explored, especially if there was context like the current political world we live in overshadowing his character.

4. Jennifer Jareau - Criminal Minds

While this ensemble cast is usually pretty well-balanced, JJ almost always seems to be the one left out, and it's been that way over the series. Her role was minimal before AJ Cook's firing, and after her return she received more screen time, but not what she's needed. JJ should get her own spin-off and lead her own FBI team.

5. Killer Frost/Caitlin Snow - The Flash

Killer Frost is really the character that showcases Danielle Panabaker's talent and her ability to capture the icy attitude of Caitlin's evil alter-ego is wasted on The Flash. Perhaps Killer Frost should go to Legends of Tomorrow to get the focus she needs to take advantage of her talents and interesting, unique story as an anti-hero.

6. J'onn J'onnz - Supergirl

J'onn is capable of so much more than he's given on Supergirl. The occasional episodes focusing on his Martian heritage and background have been great, but given The CW's small budget and the writers being unable to come up with a story for J'onn outside of other surviving green martians, he's always put on the sidelines when he's just as capable as Kara in his true form.

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15 TV Characters Whose Gift-Giving Skills Are Definitely Lacking

There's always that one person at any party who just doesn't know how to give a good gift.

Either it's lacking personality, they've mixed you up with your siblings, or they just really don't care and got you a generalized gift (ahem, Oliver Queen) that you didn't even ask for.

Some just have a really hard time reading people, some just can't seem to get someone something that they themselves would want, and others are just so self-involved that it's a hassle to go gift shopping.

Whether it's for the holidays, birthdays, or graduations (or any other special event), it's not likely they'll ever learn to give a good gift. It's the thought that counts, right? Well, sometimes the thought is missing, too.

Here are 15 TV characters who just cannot get the perfect gift.

1. Oliver Queen - Arrow

We can pretend like billionaire Oliver Queen has ever been good with gifts, but his narcissism before his life on Lian You definitely hindered his ability to give a gift someone would actually enjoy. In the present day, he’ll probably give you an arrow or something as a gift for a special occasion. I mean, he did get Barry and Iris a coffee maker as their wedding gift, and it wasn’t even on the registry.

2. Jason Mendoza - The Good Place

Jason is just, like, really stupid, so his gifts are definitely not going to be someone you really “want,” but rather something that’s going to make him laugh. Or, you know, he’ll forget about it altogether and you’ll get nothing, but that could be for the best.

3. Jughead Jones - Riverdale

Jughead’s going to get you something weird as a gift. That’s who he is… he’s weird. Don’t expect anything nice, or useful, it’s just gonna be weird.

4. Mick Rory - Legends of Tomorrow

Mick might give the ultimate gift when it comes to a college student's graduation party, but does a six pack really constitute a great gift for another special occasion? Mick lacks the personal touch; he's not really a great friend though either, unless your name is Leonard Snart, so could we really expect any other gift from him? Alcohol seems like the only thing he'd be compelled to get someone... and that's not exactly what some would want as a Christmas gift, now is it?

5. Jessica Jones - Marvel's Jessica Jones

Jessica and Mick probably give within the same idea of gifts: alcohol. Unless you’re Trish Walker, you’re getting a bottle of whiskey for whatever occasion it is, because she forgot and that’s the only thing she had lying around.

6. Asher Millstone - How to Get Away with Murder

Asher Millstone / How to Get Away with Murder Asher is like the Weasley twins from Harry Potter. He’s the person you know is going to get you a prank gift, even for a serious event, but it’s going to happen and he’s going to watch you and make you open it in front of him and a large group of people so he gets the full effect.

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