# Supergirl question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [November 17, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812 "2015-11-17T18:38:57Z")
**Posts on this page:** 19
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/21 "2015-11-18T07:40:35Z")
> [@BigT](#):
>
> For some reason, clicking that link crashes Firefox on my computer.
It’s a Hello Magazine link, maybe it’s the ads (I run adblock)
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### Author:  [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/22 "2015-11-18T07:50:08Z")
> [@AK84](#):
>
> Clark Kent is believable since Superman does not generally (in most media anyway) interact with those who Clark does with.
:dubious:
Half of all stories involving Superman, in any medium, consist of him rescuing or being interviewed by Lois, Jimmy, Perry, Bibbo etc. Aside from the Justice League the \*only \*people you normally see Superman interacting with are the people Clark works with.
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### Author:  [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/23 "2015-11-18T08:11:40Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> 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.
Christopher Reeve was the master at this transformation, as this scene from _Superman_ attests:
[ ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIaF0QKtY0c)
_Supergirl_ acknowledged this performance, by talking in-show about whether “glasses and a slouch” could be an effective disguise.
I do like the “Cat knows” theory.
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### Author:  [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/24 "2015-11-18T14:12:13Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> 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.
You know what Jennifer Lawrence looks like, so of course you’d recognize her in glasses.
Kara is Cat’s peon; her worthless underling. [If Kara were in Cat’s toilet bowl she wouldn’t bother to flush it.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuTt8VljniU&t=1m18s)
Would you recognize every irrelevant nobody in your life if you saw them in a different setting?
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### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/25 "2015-11-18T15:54:04Z")
Yeah, it’s not the glasses that are the disguise. The glasses are just a helpful little prop. The real disguise is in the posture and mannerisms.
The disguise doesn’t need to be complete, either. As Perry White once noted on _Lois and Clark_: “Yeah, Clark does look a little like Superman. And I look a little like Nixon, too. Doesn’t mean I’m him.”.
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### Author:  [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/26 "2015-11-18T17:36:07Z")
> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Yeah, it’s not the glasses that are the disguise. The glasses are just a helpful little prop. The real disguise is in the posture and mannerisms.
>
> The disguise doesn’t need to be complete, either. As Perry White once noted on _Lois and Clark_: “Yeah, Clark does look a little like Superman. And I look a little like Nixon, too. Doesn’t mean I’m him.”.
For those of you who didn’t get this:
Lane Smith, who played Perry White on L&C, also played Nixon in the TV movie “The Final Days.”
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/27 "2015-11-18T18:54:49Z")
> [@Terminus\_Est](#):
>
> Christopher Reeve was the master at this transformation, as this scene from _Superman_ attests:
>
> [https://youtu.be/BIaF0QKtY0c](https://youtu.be/BIaF0QKtY0c)
>
> _Supergirl_ acknowledged this performance, by talking in-show about whether “glasses and a slouch” could be an effective disguise.
>
> .
Yes, a great film, and a nice scene, thanks.
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### Author:  [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/28 "2015-11-18T20:35:38Z")
> [@Frazzled](#):
>
> 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.
Well, she certainly is smart enough to make such a decision… and enough with the thinking-on-your-feet deal to keep her cool and not let on.
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### Author:  [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)
#### Post date: [November 18, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/29 "2015-11-18T20:37:01Z")
> [@Chronos](#):
>
> Yeah, it’s not the glasses that are the disguise. The glasses are just a helpful little prop. The real disguise is in the posture and mannerisms.
>
> The disguise doesn’t need to be complete, either. As Perry White once noted on _Lois and Clark_: “Yeah, Clark does look a little like Superman. And I look a little like Nixon, too. Doesn’t mean I’m him.”.
I am not a **chief!**
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### Author:  [@Find\_Friends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Find_Friends)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2015, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/30 "2015-11-19T16:01:50Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> … 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? …
Around 1980, the idea developed that Clark, without even realizing it, hypnotized everyone into seeing him as slight of built, and with a face halfway between his own and a that of a stereotypical 97 pound weakling. This _ **super** _-super-hypnosis, which Clark did not discover until the end of the story, was foisted on people through his Kryptonian lens eyeglasses.
[LINKY](http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/File:Superman_v.1_330.jpg) here.
At one point Lana popped in unexpectedly with Supie changing to Clark, but without his glasses on yet. Naturally, Supie opted for the excuse that he needed to impersonate Clark for some reason. “_ **That’s** _ supposed to be Clark?” Lana asked in disbelief. She said that Kal-El was far too handsome, and too heavily built, to pass for Clark.
Fan reaction varied. Fred Hembeck drew his interpretation of the two faces, and said that the issue offered some “pretty solid reasoning” for why the big guy could get away with it. One prominent apazine big-name fan complained that it was unnecessary, and the explanation was for the benefit of those who would ask why Charlie Brown is not yet middle-aged.
> [@BobLibDem](#):
>
> 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.
There was one story in the '50’s with Clark posing in front of a flat Superman figure for Lois, at a sort of Superman amusement park. Lois pressured him to take off his glasses, for obvious reasons. it was a real cliffhanger.
But Clark’s wits were too much for Lois. He grabbed his hat and placed it quickly on his head. His excuse was that he felt a sudden draft, and was worried about catching a cold. Of course, the hat did the trick.
> [@Quimby](#):
>
> 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.
>
> Also it’s Comic Book Rules 🙂
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> 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.
When Mon-El first came to earth, he wore no glasses, only a hat, as a travelling salesman.
You would think that they could have come up with colored contact lenses, at the very least.
(Mon-El was certainly not the only one to wear nothing on his face in either identity)
So what was the letter column explanation? Something to the effect that once “Bob Cobb” starts his brush-selling spiel, his entire face becomes a blur.
Also this:
> **[Superman Homepage](https://www.supermanhomepage.com/comics/pre-crisis-reviews/pre-crisis-mmrs-intro.php?topic=c-review-pc-sup330)**
>
> Welcome to the Superman Homepage - Everything you ever wanted to know about the Man of Steel... and more!
And check google images for Superman # 330, too.
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### Author:  [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2015, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/31 "2015-11-19T18:34:14Z")
Again, like I said- you are all assuming that people know Supergirl has a Secret mundane identity. Why should she? Why would anyone assume that?
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### Author:  [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/32 "2015-11-19T18:57:27Z")
> [@DrDeth](#):
>
> Again, like I said- you are all assuming that people know Supergirl has a Secret mundane identity. Why should she? Why would anyone assume that?
Apparently, at some point in his career Superman was dumb enough to let slip that he had a secret identity. After that, every other story involved him trying to keep it secret.
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### Author:  [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)
#### Post date: [November 19, 2015, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/33 "2015-11-19T19:30:10Z")
I just had a perfect example of how context works. I had someone come into my office with a computer problem. We were speaking for several minutes and then she mentioned she had been in the play on campus this weekend. When I asked her which role, I immediately realized it was the same person.
But I didn’t recognize her at all until I had that context.
It’s the same thing with Supergirl/Kara. Unless you see them in the right context, you just don’t make the connection.
In addition, they’ve done a nice job of make Kara look far different from Supergirl. It’s not just the glasses, but it’s her hair and makeup.
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### Author:  [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/34 "2015-11-20T00:00:29Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#):
>
> It’s context, like seeing your teacher grocery shopping.
Years ago, I used to see a woman and her children on an almost daily basis, always in the same location (she brought her kids to the local homeless shelter for meals - she wasn’t homeless, just low-income). One evening, I bumped into them in a different place, and was really confused when her youngest child didn’t seem to have any idea who I was. I figured it out later: I was “out of context”.
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/35 "2015-11-20T18:29:42Z")
Look. Kara wears glasses. Supergirl doesn’t wear glasses. They can’t be the same person. How would Supergirl be able to _see_?
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### Author:  [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2015, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/36 "2015-11-20T18:40:09Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> 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.”
In the 80’s, in the comic book Daredevil/Spiderman crossover with Sin Eater, Daredevil had known Spiderman for a long time. Then one day, as Matt Murdoch, he happened to be in the same room as Peter Parker and knew immediately that he was Spiderman. They had the same heartbeat.
Which came in handy at the climax when Daredevil was being beaten up and Spiderman was walking away (long story) and Daredevil shouted, “Peter!”
Spiderman rescued him then, of course. Daredevil revealed his own identity.
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### Author:  [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/37 "2015-11-21T02:58:06Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> To be fair, Melissa Benoist does a good job of acting adorkable or assertive in her different guises; it’s more than just glasses on, glasses off.
She’s great at that! I am honestly watching mostly for the sheer delight of seeing her play awkward so well. It’s like Christopher Reeve as überdork Clark (and Brandon Routh did a good job in Superman Returns).
The “Does Cat Grant know?” reminds me of the comic book where Lex Luthor learns that Superman is really Clark Kent (from an underling? I seem to remember him firing whoever gave him the news) and he goes off on a tirade that Superman is the most powerful being on Earth! Why would he purposely want to act weak?
We as viewers expect heroes to have Secret Identities because of the comic book mythos. Those ‘in continuity’ have no reason to expect their heroes to be two people at once. You never have people wondering who Bernie Sanders changes into, or looking for Jimmy Fallon’s Secret Identity.
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### Author:  [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/38 "2015-11-21T03:53:46Z")
> [@Blake](#):
>
> :dubious:
>
> Half of all stories involving Superman, in any medium, consist of him rescuing or being interviewed by Lois, Jimmy, Perry, Bibbo etc. Aside from the Justice League the \*only \*people you normally see Superman interacting with are the people Clark works with.
Lois? The women who is married to him in most of the continuities? And is suspicious in the rest?
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### Author:  [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2015, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/supergirl-question/737812/39 "2015-11-21T21:08:26Z")
> [@RickJay](#):
>
> But… okay, so I don’t know what Khloe Kardashian looks like. But let’s use someone else, say Jennifer Lawrence.
Let’s say Natalie Portman. No, wait; Keira Knightley.
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