It's been almost a year since Supergirl ended, but given that the Arrowverse is going downhill, fans can't forget where this show went wrong. Although it gave the fandom many beloved characters, it also disappointed them plenty by wasting its potential, especially when it comes to Supergirl herself.
Kara Danvers/Zor-El, aka Supergirl, became a fan favorite almost immediately. Portrayed by Melissa Benoist, she earned the fans' hearts from the very pilot. Unfortunately, as the show moved forward, Kara wasn't developed as fans would have liked it. Both in her private and public life, Supergirl didn't always live up to expectations.
8 Her Dabble In Politics Was Inspirational, But Short-Lived
In addition to being looked up to as superheroes, Superman and Supergirl are role models. Throughout their time in comics, they have always searched for what's best for Earth, whether going against the government or standing on its side. For example, in the fourth season of Supergirl, Kara abandons the cape for a day and joins a pro-alien protest.
Although this greatly impacts many people's opinions, one protest isn't enough in the grand scheme of things. Although she has good intentions, Kara Zor-El barely puts attention to the world's politics, wasting any influence she may have on the world's most powerful leaders.
7 She Didn't Help Anyone Until She Became An Adult
In the pilot of Supergirl, Kara Zor-El puts her Kryptonian abilities to use and saves her sister's plane from crashing. After revealing herself as a powered being, the media dubs her Supergirl, turning her into National City's heroine. By this moment, Kara is 24 years old. According to the show's chronology, she has been on Earth for 12 years.
While Kal-El started his superhero career as a teenager, Kara waited until her mid-twenties to start helping people. Granted, it isn't her responsibility, but it makes no sense that she waited so long if she planned to do it anyway. Especially considering she had Superman to help her learn the ropes faster.
6 In The Comics, She Can Create Force Fields
Supergirl #12, by Michael Green and Mike Johnson, revealed one of Supergirl's less known abilities. In this comic, Kara uses the solar energy stored in her body to create a force field that keeps her dry in the ocean. Under this logic, it's safe to assume this skill would protect her from many other forces of nature.
Kara could've used this ability in many battles throughout the show. For instance, it would've helped her against Red Tornado's air beams or Bizarro's fire breath — this would've been a welcome change from the ice vs. fire trope comics always depict during a Super vs. Bizarro fight.
5 She's Basically A Lie Detector, But Couldn't Notice Lena Was Lying
The fifth season of Supergirl focused extensively on Kara Danvers and Lena Luthor's relationship. Unfortunately, what was originally a wholesome friendship turned bitter after Lena discovered Kara's true identity. Humiliated, she plotted against the Super, faking her friendship for months and manipulating the Girl of Steel to get Lex's journals from Fort Summit.
Given that she possesses superhearing, Supergirl can hear anyone's heartbeat at all times. Like Daredevil or Superman himself, she should be able to notice when someone is lying based on their heart rate. If she had paid attention to Lena's heart, she would've noticed Lena's true intentions.
4 Her Journalist Skills Were Beyond CatCo
At the beginning of the series, Kara works as the assistant of Cat Grant, the CEO of CatCo Worldwide Media, but as the series moves forward, she finds her true calling in journalism. Her career takes off almost immediately. In fact, by the fifth season, she earns a Pulitzer.
Although Kara has a successful career at CatCo, this company gives her few opportunities to work on topics that matter. Often, her bosses task her with puff pieces. A journalist with her curriculum would've gotten a position in any serious magazine. Instead, by staying in CatCo, she was loyal to her friends but wasted her talent.
3 She Could Have Led The Arrowverse Justice League When Green Arrow Died
Like in the comics, all Arrowverse heroes joined forces during Crisis on Infinite Earths. After this, they created an official superteam to ensure no threat would mess with Earth again. Given the Arrowverse's fall, this Justice League-like group was short-lived, but even before, Supergirl's role in it didn't live up to the expectation.
Granted, in the comics, Supergirl isn't a Justice League leader, but she belongs to the Arrowverse trinity alongside the Flash and Green Arrow. Since she's the most powerful member of these three characters, it would've made sense for her to be the team leader.
2 Her Scientific Knowledge Could Have Helped Earth
Like Kal-El, Kara comes from Krypton, a planet full of technological wonders. However, she didn't leave when she was a baby, like him. Instead, Kara lived 12 full years there. Given this, she likely knows more about the universe than humans. After all, Kryptonians were more scientifically advanced than Earth.
Thanks to Krypton's advanced education system, Kara Zor-El knew more about science than pretty much any human, even a well-prepared scientist. Regardless, she doesn't share it with anyone. Instead, the show practically ignores Kara's intellect unless it's relevant to the plot.
1 She Rarely Took Advantage Of Her Super Speed
With her heat vision, super senses, and breath, super speed is one of the core abilities of any Super. However, while Supergirl uses all these super skills, there are times when she seems to forget some of them. Especially super speed. For instance, in the last episode, she could have used it to take the AllStone from Lex.
This would have avoided much of the final battle drama. Like these, there are many other moments where Kara would have saved the world faster than she did throughout the whole six seasons of the show.