“Supergirl” Season 2 marked a significant transition for the series as it moved from CBS to The CW, which allowed for greater integration with other shows in the Arrowverse. The season premiered on October 10, 2016, and concluded on May 22, 2017, with a total of 22 episodes.
Key Plot Points and Developments
- New Setting and Characters: Kara Danvers/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) continues her journey of balancing her superhero identity with her personal life. The show introduces new characters, including:
- Mon-El (Chris Wood): A Daxamite who crash-lands on Earth and eventually becomes Kara's love interest.
- Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath): Lex Luthor's sister, who becomes a close ally to Kara.
- Snapper Carr (Ian Gomez): A gruff reporter who becomes Kara's boss at CatCo Worldwide Media.
- Superman Appears: Tyler Hoechlin makes his debut as Superman/Clark Kent, Kara's cousin, appearing in the first two episodes and later in the season.
- Lillian Luthor and Cadmus: Brenda Strong portrays Lillian Luthor, Lena's mother and the leader of the anti-alien organization Cadmus, which becomes a significant antagonist.
- Guardian: James Olsen (Mehcad Brooks) adopts a new superhero persona, Guardian, with the help of Winn Schott (Jeremy Jordan), who designs his suit and equipment.
- Crossovers: Season 2 features crossovers with other Arrowverse shows:
- “Invasion!”: A four-part crossover event involving “Arrow,” “The Flash,” and “Legends of Tomorrow.”
- Musical Crossover: A two-part musical crossover with “The Flash” titled “Duet,” featuring Kara and Barry Allen/The Flash (Grant Gustin).
Themes and Arcs
- Identity and Belonging: Kara struggles with her place in the world, both as a superhero and as a human working at CatCo.
- Alien Rights and Prejudice: The season addresses issues of xenophobia and acceptance, with Cadmus representing anti-alien sentiment.
- Family and Loyalty: The dynamics within the Luthor family and Kara's relationship with her cousin Clark and adoptive sister Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) are central to the narrative.
Reception
Season 2 was well-received by both critics and audiences. The introduction of Superman was particularly praised, as was the show's handling of deeper social themes and character development.
Major Episodes
- “The Adventures of Supergirl” (Episode 1): Kara teams up with Superman to stop a new threat.
- “Medusa” (Episode 8): Part of the “Invasion!” crossover, this episode deals with a deadly virus targeting aliens.
- “Luthors” (Episode 12): Explores Lena's relationship with her mother and her attempts to distance herself from her family's dark legacy.
- “Star-Crossed” (Episode 16) and “Nevertheless, She Persisted” (Episode 22): Key episodes that delve into Kara and Mon-El's relationship and the season's climax.
Season 2 of “Supergirl” expanded the show's universe, deepened its characters, and successfully integrated it into the larger Arrowverse, setting the stage for future crossover events and storylines.
