It’s hard to believe that 13 episodes of Supergirl have already come and gone. What makes this milestone all the more noteworthy is the fact that, had CBS not given the series its 7-episode extension, For the Girl Who Has Everything would have been the finale for Supergirl’s freshman season. As such, it is interesting to look at the episode with that thought in mind. In doing so, I began to notice some interesting, and seemingly intentional, connections between this episode and the pilot. Here’s what I found:
Mention/Appearance of Kal-El
Mention/Appearance of Kal-El
- Kal-El inevitably has a link to his Kryptonian cousin, and his role in her story is hard to ignore. This show has done well in acknowledging the connection between them, giving us moments of Instant Message bonding, and addressing the fact that Kara’s original mission on Earth was to protect her little cousin. Thanks to being trapped in the Phantom Zone, Kara never got the chance to fulfill her mission. Kal appears in the pilot as an adult delivering a young Kara to the Danvers family, and making sure that his cousin is safe in her new life on Earth. In episode 13, Kal becomes an important part of Kara’s fantasy world when she’s trapped by the Black Mercy. His presence subconsciously allows her the chance to become the protector of her younger cousin that she was always supposed to be. It seems poignant that they included mention of the relationship between the cousins in both the pilot and the would-have-been finale, and to address Kara’s desire to have been able to raise and protect Kal-El.
- We have seen flashbacks throughout the season of Kara’s childhood on Krypton, usually exploring the relationship she shared with her mother and her aunt. What makes the connection more special in this particular case is that these two episodes are the only ones so far to feature moments of Kara with both of her parents, together as a family. In a heartbreaking turn of events, she also finds herself having to tell them goodbye in both instances.
- In the pilot, Kara saves Alex from the crashing plane. It is through this act that Kara ultimately embraces her powers and becomes a superhero. In a reciprocating event, Alex spends most of episode 13 fighting to save Kara from the Black Mercy. In doing so, she also ensures that Kara is able to continue being the hero she was meant to be.