Exploring Time Travel in Supergirl: A Deep Dive into Morality and Consequences

Time travel, a staple of the superhero genre, often serves to explore themes of consequence, morality, and the complexities of heroism. In theSupergirl TV series, particularly in Season 3, Supergirl Kara Zor-El engages in time travel as a plot device to save her friends and prevent catastrophic events. This move is reminiscent of similar actions taken by the The Flash in his own series, where he often uses the Speed Force to alter timelines and correct mistakes.

Supergirl's Time Travel Dilemma

The specific instance in Supergirl occurs during The Secret of the Speed Force where Kara finds herself in a time anomaly. This anomaly presents a scenario where she must make a critical decision to save her friends and prevent a catastrophic event. Her actions are driven by a need to find a solution where no one else dies, including Reign.

A Tough Call for Kara

Kara's character arc revolves around rediscovering her essential purpose - that of winning without killing. This theme begins with her arguments with Imra and culminates with her willingness to kill Reign to save Sam. It stands in stark contrast to Reign, who shares Supergirl's goals but differs in her methods.

From Supergirl's in-universe motivations, the solution to prevent the catastrophic event is clear: she must time travel. The risks involved in this decision, however, are significant. If she reverses an outcome that leads to her mother's death, the ex, and Reign being killed, she runs the risk of Reign escaping and potentially killing others. This risk is a moral dilemma that Kara must navigate.

Why the Plot Point Matters

My concern with this plot point lies in the ease with which Kara can travel through time. Easy time travel devalues the significance of events. If anything can be undone, why does anything matter? This concern arises from the introduction of the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose presence in the series initially made me question the narrative's depth.

The question of why Kara only tried to save Reign and her friends, and not others, also remains unanswered. The disruptions might only go back to the recent past, but the lack of clarity around this point leaves the arc feeling unsatisfying. In the end, Kara's "redemption" arc falls flat because her actions barely deviate from her moral code.

From a personal moral standpoint, not Supergirl's, the risk of reversing an outcome with a dead mother, ex, and Reign is significant. If Kara had accidentally killed an innocent person or intentionally killed a villain because she thought they deserved it, the arc would have felt more impactful. However, because she was only trying to save Sam and potentially other lives, the risk she took seems insufficient to warrant the dramatic weight of the arc.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of time travel in Supergirl serves to explore complex themes of morality and consequence. While the plot point raises interesting questions, it also highlights the challenges of crafting a compelling narrative around easy time travel. For Supergirl, the decision to time travel is driven by a desire to save lives, but the ease with which she can do so weakens the narrative's impact.

For fans of Supergirl, the discussion around this plot point is a reminder of the tension between the plot's needs and the character's morality. Understanding these nuances can help appreciate the series on a deeper level.