While something of an integral
part of DC Comics’ “Superman” mythos, the character of Supergirl, Kryptonian
cousin to the Man of Steel (in most versions) has never quite been a presence
outside of print, except maybe for the DC animated universe by Warner Bros.
That changed when Berlanti Productions and DC TV developed the live-action
series starring Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El, which aired first on CBS and
then on The CW. It has enjoyed four successful seasons of Supergirl fighting
for Truth, Justice and extraterrestrial rights on Earth. But now that her show
mythos has been established, it is time to make some changes.
One particular thematic change as
IGN puts it is in Supergirl’s
costume. While the Girl of Steel is famous for her skirted variation of her
cousin’s costume, on her show on The CW Melissa Benoist is having that swapped
out for form-fitting pants, similar to what is worn by Superman (played in the
series by Tyler Hoechlin). Benoist shared a photo on Instagram of her shooting
for Season 5 of “Supergirl,” giving a good full-body view of her new costume.
It could be interpreted as the character gearing up for tougher challenges
after the events of Season 4, and the minds behind the show agree.
“Supergirl” show-runner Jessica
Queller speaks for the production team when she remarked that they see the
character change her costume skirt into pants as a powerful and symbolic move,
a notion that Benoist was fully supportive of. “We just had to find the right
moment to design the suit and in between seasons gave us a chance,” says
Queller. “But this is something we’ve been thinking about for a while.”
For her part Melissa Benoist sees
the costume pants transition as an indicator that her character of Supergirl
has grown up. “Part of my goal in this whole series for whenever the show ends,
I just want there to be a very clear arc for this character that she evolved as
a woman and found her femininity and her adulthood, just a self-discovery,” she
says.
Benoist does admit to some
practicality in having form-fitting pants rather than a skirt, saying it gives
her more freedom of motion for action sequences. A more pragmatic reading would
also have it that, since “Supergirl” is shot at Vancouver, British Columbia
like all other DC series in The CW, pants give more insulation and protection
from the cold weather than a flowing miniskirt would.
The fifth season of “Supergirl”
is expected to premiere on October 6 at The CW.
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