Can Supergirl Fly?

I love Supergirl … in theory. Someone with all of Superman’s power, but a different personality, a different perspective. Someone who has to share the limelight, with all the emotional maturity that requires. What a great idea, right?

So when I heard that CBS is starting a Supergirl series, to air in October, I was cautiously hopeful. I watched the extended trailer:

(Direct link.)

So far I’m thinking … eh.

It’s not terrible, but it seems … bland. None of the characters are really interesting besides Calista Flockhart’s. The save-the-falling-plane routine has been done before, and better, and pretty recently. There’s no credible threat to overcome. The “girl”-is-feminist speech is preachy. The secret government agency protecting Earth seems like every other secret government agency protecting Earth in every show or movie, ever. And the whole thing is trying way too hard to be inspirational.

You know how you actually become inspirational? You do something that inspires. Showing off your effortless super powers doesn’t really qualify.

Of course, it’s the beginning, and lots of great shows falter in the beginning. I’ve written before about how Next Generation, Babylon 5, and Buffy all had awful beginnings.

I’m more than willing to give it time. I just hope they can pull it off. Because I would really love for Supergirl to be cool.

And, in fairness, having Dean Cain (Superman from Lois and Clark) and Helen Slater (Supergirl from the 1984 movie) as Supergirl’s foster parents is a great idea.

What do you think?