TMC
10-13-2016, 03:59 PM
http://variety.com/2016/voices/columns/cw-gilmore-girls-crazy-ex-girlfriend-1201885544/
Some characters on the network are actual superheroes: This season, “Supergirl” migrated to the CW, which is where it probably should have been all along. It’s too soon to tell whether it will stay aloft in its new home — I lean toward the idea that the ensemble around star Melissa Benoist could use further fine-tuning, and the show needs more compelling villains. But there was a sprightly, energized air to the Oct. 10 premiere; the show felt more sure of itself.
It emanated the kind of sturdy reliability the network’s shows are often known for. Part of the charm of the Season Two premiere emanated from Supergirl’s interactions with her more famous cousin, Superman (Tyler Hoechlin). The duo might hail from Krypton, but they did something that’s very common on CW shows, which remain relatable no matter how heightened their premises. Superman and Supergirl worked diligently to solve a problem, and it’s this blend of earnestness, genre competence and humor that often makes the network’s fare addictive.
Kara lives a squeaky-clean life, but none of the women in the CW-verse are perfect. You might say that Liv Moore of “iZombie” has a superpower of a sort: She can’t die, given that she’s already dead. But much of that rewarding show — which is a drama, but a very funny one — functions as a metaphor for depression. Something awful (a zombie infection) happened to Liv, her life fell apart, and it’s been a difficult slog to rebuild a new life, and her struggle that involves many secrets, mistakes and disappointments. But like “Jane the Virgin” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “iZombie” wraps its difficult core truths in the kinds of distracting and amusing metaphors that make the characters’ pain bearable — but no less affecting.
Some characters on the network are actual superheroes: This season, “Supergirl” migrated to the CW, which is where it probably should have been all along. It’s too soon to tell whether it will stay aloft in its new home — I lean toward the idea that the ensemble around star Melissa Benoist could use further fine-tuning, and the show needs more compelling villains. But there was a sprightly, energized air to the Oct. 10 premiere; the show felt more sure of itself.
It emanated the kind of sturdy reliability the network’s shows are often known for. Part of the charm of the Season Two premiere emanated from Supergirl’s interactions with her more famous cousin, Superman (Tyler Hoechlin). The duo might hail from Krypton, but they did something that’s very common on CW shows, which remain relatable no matter how heightened their premises. Superman and Supergirl worked diligently to solve a problem, and it’s this blend of earnestness, genre competence and humor that often makes the network’s fare addictive.
Kara lives a squeaky-clean life, but none of the women in the CW-verse are perfect. You might say that Liv Moore of “iZombie” has a superpower of a sort: She can’t die, given that she’s already dead. But much of that rewarding show — which is a drama, but a very funny one — functions as a metaphor for depression. Something awful (a zombie infection) happened to Liv, her life fell apart, and it’s been a difficult slog to rebuild a new life, and her struggle that involves many secrets, mistakes and disappointments. But like “Jane the Virgin” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “iZombie” wraps its difficult core truths in the kinds of distracting and amusing metaphors that make the characters’ pain bearable — but no less affecting.