Lynda Carter is the President with a plan. Photo/TVLine
On the heels of Cody Rhodes’ appearance on Arrow, Lynda Carter (Wonder Woman herself) showed up in Supergirl for a guest spot this week. That and more went down in a very energetic episode.
Carter plays the president of the United States who visits National City to sign a bill granting amnesty to Earth’s growing population of aliens. Not everyone is happy about it, though, and one such extraterrestrial with a fiery temper goes after her.
Kara suspects the latest visitor, the refugee from the crashed Kryptonian pod who just woke up. Named Mon-El, he turns out to be from a planet called Daxam, a once hostile rival of Krypton. It goes without saying he and Kara don’t like each other.
Amidst the chaos, Jimmy — or rather James — Olson takes over head duties at Catco, naturally clashing with Snapper Carr; and Martian Manhunter tracks down one of his own kind in the alien underground.
Communities and diasporas of super-powered beings have been a staple of comics for many years so it is only natural for extensions of their canon to follow suit. Aliens are to Supergirl and its pocket universe among the DC-CW tribe what Metahumans are to other DC shows and Inhumans to Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD.
And there is always some sociopolitical commentary to be had about tolerance and acceptance of those who are different, a trend set by X-Men. Marvel did it first, has done it best, and is often imitated like in this case.
Supergirl’s creative minds have the formula but the message feels cliche and should hold more weight given current events. Likely they have bigger plans and this is just a temporary growing pain while laying the foundation.
Madame President will certainly be a recurring character — and she is hiding something of consequence to her big law and its repercussions.
Plus with Hoechlin written off, it looks as if Carter is the new rabbit out of the hat to keep interest high. First Superman, now Wonder Woman: no surprise there.
