The Overarching Problem with Supergirl and its Actors
Okay, I feel that for full disclosure I should just say that I don’t ship supercorp. I do understand the anger as a member of the LGBTQ community. Though, I’m not surprised something like this happened and it has everything to do with how the show has changed and what the writers have chosen to do. See, I started watching Supergirl with the pilot episode. I didn’t watch it for queer characters. I watched it because it was feminist and the most significant relationship was a familial one between two sisters. That struck a chord with me because of my own relationships. I also once had a boss much like Cat Grant and enjoyed the quips and pure scene chewing by Calista Flockhart. I loved first season. It was developed, the characters were pretty consistent and characters like Hank and James were not relegated to five minutes of screen time (there are elements of racism that are going on as well). Season two was a let down after season one.
I was surprised when there was going the be a LGBTQ character added. It made the show more like my own life. I had hoped that this would somehow expand depth to the show in a new area, but it never did. The first few episodes were okay. They weren’t great. Then the characters and relationships I had loved disappeared without notice. They completely threw away James’ character and the budding relationship with Kara, the Danvers sisters disappeared, and Mon-El got more stories and screen time than previous fan favorites combined. Then the worst thing happened.
The two female leads became defined by their relationships. Don’t get me wrong, I really liked the Sanvers ship and Maggie the first four episodes. The problem is the development after getting together never really happened. Since Alex became defined by her relationship, she didn’t get the same role as she had earlier. Alex faded away. This fade out shows how the show thought of how to deal with LGBTQ characters and why something like what happened at San Diego Comic Con came to be. A gay character either fades to the background or rethinks their sexuality (ugh!).
Another reason is Kara was swept away into being defined by an inherently sexist and very flawed character. They made her change to fit being with Mon-El. The very nature of their relationship reinforces stereotypes that woman have been fighting for years. Mon-El controlled Kara, nothing he did was ever bad enough for her not to forgive him and his development showed a guy who never earned the redemption he received. Kara stuck with him over family, through lies, and really controlling behavior. This writing shows a bias that is not even from this decade in terms heteronormativity and a woman’s role.
See, stuff like that made them feel like it was okay to be rather immature and hurtful towards our community. Of course Kara wouldn’t ever be in a relationship with a woman! They don’t know how to present healthy straight couples (though, the writers and actors don’t know that) let alone LGBTQ characters that aren’t swept under a rug until they need them. I can tell you for sure that the actors are not unaware of who gets the most screen time. Winn and his girlfriend who framed him (another unhealthy relationship) got more time for a while than Sanvers. They probably will continue to since Maggie is becoming a reoccurring character. Look how well that worked for Cat Grant! Three episodes of great snark and just a pit of nothingness the rest of the season. It would actually be better for them to break up for actual gay couple representation on screen. The nonexistent wife/girlfriend trope will continue for gay characters. The actors know this, which is why the lead being LGBTQ would be ridiculous because they would suffer the same fate because of the laziness of the writers. Had they been actually progressive and showed a developing relationship on screen, maybe the idea that Lena and Kara could be more wouldn’t have been so crazy.
Before you tell me how much you hate me for defending homophobes, I am not defending the actors. I am just saying that they have been defended in their own actions by the industry in which they work. In their industry LGBTQ couples are not serious. They will give them their arch so they can appear “hip and liberal” to viewers.. The characters never develop past that stage for them and placing the lead in that category would kill a show. That is why they did what they did. It was wrong and callous. The later statements they made after the mocking I can find no reason for, other than they were trying to get support for the backlash they must of realized was coming. It really disappoints me and there is no good explanation as to why they would continue or call it “brave”. That part is entirely on them.
Now the response to backlash from those involved has been... well, bad. I can’t say anything else there. I do not know if the email circulating is real or not. I would need metadata and skills more akin to a journalist to figure out. But alas, I have neither since I am a biologist. If what being said is true, then there is a major problem with the cast’s understanding of both how to get rid of a PR nightmare and that actions do have consequences. They were awful to a part of the fandom they particularly don’t understand and they don’t think they need to try. I get the anger. I am angry and I don’t even ship it.(I do love Katie McGrath, so I totally understand why you would ship it). I am mad at Chris Wood for his completely ignorant and terrible statement. I grew up in a homophobic town and I know how stuff like this compounds until you just want to scream. I do think we all need to take a deep breath though, because there is some stuff going down that needs to be rectified on our side as well.
First, let’s not call people people names. It demeans us, the LGBTQ community, as much as our detractors.When they go low, we go high. Second, the best place to show anger is ratings. I decided after hearing what was going on with Mon-El returning and Maggie leaving there was no hope. I’m not watching a show that is unhealthy. Do the same if you are upset. Finally, we need to realize that we must be articulate with are argument in order to get the point across. Just saying that their actions are homophobic will not win over any people. People who are not members of our community do not often know that there are many shades to homophobia. They only see it when it is blatant and, in the context in which this was done, they see us only as whining about not being canon. Yeah, there are going to be a shit ton of people who won’t get it. It will be frustrating as hell, but if you defend your argument well you can get people who want to understand. One word answers, being disrespectful and fighting will only lose them
Just be polite and respectful. A lack of understanding and respect caused this in the first place. If you need to vent to someone over this so you don’t go insane, I am an insomniac researcher. I just wrote a long reason about why the show had problems and am posting it at almost four in the morning my time. I am willing to let you stream of consciousness anger at me.
I also apologize for any errors in the above text and its length (the academic in me made me get this to 1300 words, shit. I could probably make this a full length paper with time). As I stated before, it is almost morning where I’m at and I’ve yet to go to sleep.
vaporwave
2087
theartofmadeline
