Elsewhere (not yet published) I have described the Supergirl TV series as Cosmopolitan does superheroes. I still stand by that, because every episode seems to have at least one plot element straight out of a women’s magazine guilt column. I have stuck with the show because it is fun (yeah, OK, and because of the eye candy), but it does have its serious moments and episode 6 was one of them.

To start with, this is the episode in which Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart is amazing in this role) explains to Kara that women aren’t allowed to get angry at work. Perry White can get away with throwing a chair through a window. Heck, he can probably get away with throwing a chair at an employee. Women, on the other hand, aren’t allowed to get angry. If they do, it will count against them. Being angry is a manly thing to do, it is not womanly.

This is also the episode in which we are introduced to General Sam Lane, Lois and Lucy’s father. General Lane hates aliens, especially Kryptonians. He also hates Jimmy Olsen. He doesn’t quite go as far as to say that this is because Jimmy is black (which he is, these days), but you can see it in his eyes. He’s a very clear representation of a particular sort of American, and I’m pleased to see the show taking that on.

Finally, a major plot element of the episode is Kara having anger issues. Cat takes her off to a cocktail bar and explains that if you are angry and stressed at work that probably means you have deeper issues bothering you. Kara has a bit of a workout and realizes that she’s angry because she’s different from everyone else, and will never have a “normal” life. Right on, Kara. There are lots of women who will agree with you on that one. Because like you, we are deemed to be not quite human. And we don’t get super powers in exchange.