Definition
Supergirl season 5 is the fifth installment of the American superhero television series Supergirl, which is based on the DC Comics character Kara Zor-El (Supergirl). The season consists of 22 episodes and originally aired on The CW network in the United States.
Overview
The fifth season premiered on October 6 2019 and concluded on July 22 2020. It continues the narrative of National City’s protector, Kara Danvers (Melissa Benoist), as she balances her dual identity as a journalist and a Kryptonian heroine. The season is situated within the broader Arrowverse continuity and follows the events of season 4, leading into season 6. Production was overseen by Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment, with executive producers Robert Rovner and Jessica Queller serving as showrunners.
Etymology/Origin
The title combines the name of the titular character, “Supergirl,” which originates from DC Comics’ 1970s introduction of Kara Zor-El as Superman’s cousin, and the ordinal “season 5” to denote its place in the series’ sequential release schedule.
Characteristics
- Episode Count & Format: 22 episodes; each episode runs approximately 42 minutes, adhering to the standard hour-long network television format with commercial breaks.
- Primary Plot Arcs:
- The emergence of Lex Luthor (played by Jon Cryer) as a central antagonist, orchestrating a covert campaign against Supergirl and the Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO).
- The DEO’s internal power struggles, including the promotion of Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh) to director and the introduction of new operative agents.
- The development of Kara’s relationship with her sister Alex and the impact of personal losses on both characters.
- Exploration of themes such as identity, political corruption, and the moral complexities of power.
- Main Cast:
- Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers / Supergirl
- Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers / Sentinel
- Mehcad Brookshire as James “Jimmy” Olsen
- David Corenswet as Mon-El
- Jeremy Jordan as Winn Schott
- Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor
- Additional recurring roles include Jon Cryer (Lex Luthor), Michael Eugene Winter (Mister M) and others.
- Production Details: Filmed primarily at The Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. The season’s visual effects were provided by several VFX houses, maintaining the series’ established aesthetic for Kryptonian abilities and aerial sequences.
- Reception: Critical response was mixed to positive, with reviewers noting the season’s ambitious storyline involving Lex Luthor and the increased focus on political intrigue, while some criticism centered on pacing in later episodes. Viewership averaged approximately 0.9 million live viewers per episode in the United States.
Related Topics
- Supergirl (TV series) – overall series overview and development.
- Arrowverse – shared universe of DC television properties on The CW.
- DC Comics – publishing imprint that created the Supergirl character.
- Season 4 and Season 6 of Supergirl – preceding and succeeding seasons.
- Lex Luthor – iconic DC supervillain featured prominently in this season.
- The CW network – American broadcast television network that aired the series.