With what has clearly been the craziest election of all time, we have witnessed not only the crumbling of both political parties but the final stake in the heart of media trust. Recent Wikileaks confirm self-declared political hacks in the media spinning things in favor of Hillary Clinton. In these darkest times, Supergirl shines a small light on journalistic integrity.
In the episode “The Last Children of Krypton,” Kara Danvers/Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) discovers her new calling as a journalist and, with the help of her former boss Cat Grant (Calista Flockhart), gains a position under Snapper Carr (Ian Gomez). However, after attempting to start her new job, she’s immediately dismissed by the editor.
In a surprisingly refreshing scene, Carr explains to Kara the background needed for journalism beyond simply “choosing it.” Besides a society lacking in the values of hard work and dignity, his remarks on his craft also describe what has been sorely missing in today's media election coverage.
Snapper Carr: I asked for copy five minutes ago.
Kara Danvers: Am I late to the editorial meeting? I'm sorry.
Snapper: You missed the editorial meeting. If I don't get copy on Cadmus in five seconds, you... You live another day. No one else is safe.
Kara: Mr. Carr, I'm sorry. Just tell me what I need to do and I will get it done. Where's my chair?
Snapper: You don't get a chair, ponytail.
Kara: That's fine. I... I like action better anyway. I can pound the pavements.
Snapper: You don't get a chair because you don't work here.
Kara: But that's not your call. Ms. Grant hired me.
Snapper: I don't care what Cat says. My office, my hires.
Kara: But this is the job I chose.
Snapper: Oh, you chose it? But you didn't earn it. You don't just become a reporter. This isn't a Facebook status update. You're a reporter because you went to journalism school or because you walked the beat. Either way, journos live to tell stories, to get to the truth, to get their hands dirty.
Kara: I'll admit I have a lot to learn. But if... If you just gave me an assignment...
Snapper: No assignment, no job. Now get your entitled ass out of my office before I channel my last divorce and break you emotionally.
Kara: Well, if... (Exhales sharply) You... (Exhales)
Snapper: Thanks for killing the lingering notion that you might speak or write well.
The idea of journalists “telling the truth” and “getting their hands dirty” may be an obvious description of the occupation, but the media’s blatant liberal bias has turned the career purely into a Democrat Party mouthpiece. However, Kara’s later report on a city attack that has been carefully vetted with police and witness accounts (and no adjectives!), gives hope that the high standards of the job can remain thoroughly intact for a new generation.
Once again, Supergirl returns to provide an optimistic view of society, this time extending to the only group with a favorability rating lower than Congress.
