I’ll admit right at the start that I haven’t watched the show. But I see commercials for it.
We have Melissa Benoist playing Kara Danvers and Supergirl. Danvers apparently works as a personal assistant for Cat Grant. And Grant has also encountered Supergirl and had conversations with her.
Are they still trying to sell the old Clark Kent/Superman idea that somehow nobody recognizes that Kara Danvers and Supergirl are the same person because she takes off her glasses?
Because there’s suspension of belief and there’s “What’s wrong with you people? Daredevil could figure this out and he’s blind and lives in a different TV series.”
I think it’s easy to see why they don’t see Kara=Supergirl. Between the hairstyle, glasses, and meek personality, I probably wouldn’t make the connection. Same with Clark Kent, the hat and the glasses are pretty effective. When you can’t see them together, I don’t think your mind is capable of making that connection.
The first time Cat Grant sees Supergirl she says “Oh, it’s you” then visibly shakes herself back into her boss persona. My opinion - not yet supported by the show - is that Cat knows who Supergirl is, and is smart enough to know that if Supergirl / Kara know that then it will push her away. Cat knows that by pretending ignorance, she keeps them close and that gives her power.
Just want to add:
Most conversations Cat has with Kara seem to be directed to both Kara and Supergirl - her words are very carefully chosen.
The most recent episode had Cat defend Supergirl, along with a very odd comment about adopting her, while in earshot of Kara’s super hearing. Also, she told Kara that she needed to see Supergirl and understood why Kara had to leave.
Cat is very sensitive to smell - in the pilot episode she knew somebody had been in her private elevator based on that. I wouldn’t be surprised if she noticed something as mundane as Kara and Supergirl wearing the same perfume.
It’s context, like seeing your teacher grocery shopping. In the office, and without the Supergirl suit (and with different hair and makeup), Cat sees Kara, because in that context, she expects to see Kara. When she sees Supergirl, she’s wearing the costume and her hair is different. It’s enough.
Hell, I think they look quite different in each identity, and I know it’s the same actress.
I commented on that during last night’s episode- there’s a huge difference even just in mannerisms between Kara and Supergirl. From a distance, it’d be easy to not recognize her. Of course, up close that Kryptonian Pox scar on her left eyebrow would immediately give her away.
I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Kat hadn’t immediately recognized Kara right at the beginning.
Imagine if someone told you Khloé Kardashian was a CIA Operative. There’s no way in the world that could be true. That’s how secret identities work. The Secret Identity is so far removed from the hero even if they looked alike there is no way it could be true.
But… okay, so I don’t know what Khloe Kardashian looks like. But let’s use someone else, say Jennifer Lawrence. If Jennifer Lawrence had a secret identity that amounted to wearing glasses, and I saw her, my reaction would be “I didn’t know Jennifer Lawrence wore glasses.” I mean, she plays different characters in a lot of movies wearing different outfits and you can always tell it’s her.
The secret identity with glasses thing is preposterous. But it’s kinda fun all the same and it’s sort of traditional to keep it up.
But… okay, so I don’t know what Khloe Kardashian looks like. But let’s use someone else, say Jennifer Lawrence. If Jennifer Lawrence had a secret identity that amounted to wearing glasses, and I saw her, my reaction would be “I didn’t know Jennifer Lawrence wore glasses.” I mean, she plays different characters in a lot of movies wearing different outfits and you can always tell it’s her.
The secret identity with glasses thing is preposterous. But it’s kinda fun all the same and it’s sort of traditional to keep it up.
Cat is not Kara’s friend. Jimmy (He’ll always be Jimmy!) got it right in Ep. 2 :
“Because she doesn’t see you now.” - hell, in the pilot, she couldn’t even remember Kara’s name.
Now, I’m cool if that turns out to be just an act. But if it isn’t, it’s silly to say it’s unrealistic.
