Alex Danvers

Alex Danvers
Arrowverse character
Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers in a promotional image for season one.
First appearance Supergirl:
"Pilot" (1.01)
October 26, 2015
Created by
Portrayed by
  • Chyler Leigh
  • Jordan Mazarati (young; 2003)
  • Olivia Nikkanen (young; 2007)
Years
  • 2015–present
Information
Full name Alexandra Danvers
Occupation Bio-engineer, field agent, director
Affiliation DEO
Title MD
Family
  • Eliza Danvers (mother)
  • Jeremiah Danvers (father)
  • Kara Danvers (adoptive sister)
Significant other(s) Maggie Sawyer (ex-fiancée)
Abilities

Alexandra Danvers is a fictional character from the DC Comics television series Supergirl, portrayed by actress Chyler Leigh. Created by executive producers Greg Berlanti, Ali Adler, and Andrew Kreisberg, the character was introduced in the pilot episode as the elder adoptive sister of protagonist Kara Danvers / Supergirl. Alex is a physician, scientist, and field agent of the DEO, a secret government agency that works to protect the Earth from extraterrestrial threats. She later becomes the director of the organization at the end of season three. Alex is also featured in the show's digital tie-in comic book series, Adventures of Supergirl, as well as the 2017 four-part Arrowverse crossover event "Crisis on Earth-X", with Leigh reprising her role across Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.

Both the character and Leigh's performance have been well received by critics and fans alike. The relationship between the Danvers sisters and Alex's coming out storyline have garnered particular praise.

Background

Alex Danvers is the only biological child of scientists Eliza (Helen Slater) and Jeremiah Danvers (Dean Cain). When Alex was a teenager, her parents adopted an orphaned Kara Zor-El and they grew up together in the town of Midvale. Although Alex was an exceptional student, particularly in science, she couldn't help but envy her Kryptonian sister's alien abilities. Alex was relieved when Kara decided not to use her powers, but still felt embarrassed by her alien behavior. Nonetheless, as the older sister figure, Alex felt protective of Kara and sympathy for her losses and displacement.[1][2][3][4]

At some point, Kara took a reluctant Alex flying through the night and they were spotted by the Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO), a secret government agency tasked with monitoring alien presence on Earth. Unbeknownst to the young girls, Jeremiah agreed to work for the organization under Hank Henshaw instead of letting them take Kara away. Suffering the loss of her father, among other factors, caused Alex to excessively drink and party as a young adult. Nonetheless, she managed to earn her dual doctoral degree before being recruited by the DEO herself by Henshaw (later revealed to be J'onn J'onzz, who promised Jeremiah that he'd look after his daughters).[5][6][7][8]

Storylines

Season 1

At the start of the series, Kara is initially unaware of her sister's true occupation. Alex reveals herself to Kara as well as the existence of the DEO after Kara saves Alex from a near plane crash and decides to become a superhero like her cousin. She is also Hank Henshaw's trusted right-hand operative. Alex is tasked with training Kara in combat and provides her with a Fortress of Solitude-esque room with a projection of Kara's mother, Alura. Alex, J'onn, and the rest of the DEO work alongside Kara, dubbed "Supergirl" by the press, to put away dangerous alien criminals who have escaped from the Fort Rozz prison spaceship, including Alura's identical twin and Kara's aunt, Astra.[1][3] Donning a Kryptonite-laced suit, Alex fatally stabs Astra with a Kryptonite sword.[9][10]

Season 2

While continuing her work at the DEO, Alex crosses paths with National City Science Police officer, Detective Maggie Sawyer. The two initially come into conflict over work, but quickly form a flirtatious friendship, leading Alex to question her sexuality. Alex comes out as gay and enters into a relationship with Maggie. They become engaged in the season finale.[11] Alex also learns of her father Jeremiah's mysterious survival and ambiguous partnership with the anti-alien organization Project Cadmus.[12]

Season 3

As Alex and Maggie prepare to get married, Alex discovers that Maggie does not ever want kids. Alex, realizing that she does want kids someday, breaks up with Maggie and they reluctantly go their separate ways. In the aftermath of the breakup, Kara invites Alex to her friend Barry Allen's wedding on Earth-1, where Alex has a drunken one-night stand with Sara Lance before fighting off an invasion of Nazis from a parallel Earth together.[13] After the defeat of Reign, J'onn steps down and promotes Alex to Director of the DEO.[14]

Concept and creation

In February 2015, actress Chyler Leigh was cast as Alexandra "Alex" Danvers, initially described as Kara's "confident foster sister whose fascination with her sibling's powers inspired her to become a doctor."[15] The character is an original creation for Supergirl, not based on any existing character appearing in DC Comics.[16] Jordan Mazarati portrayed the 2003 version of the character,[17] and Olivia Nikkanen portrayed the 2007 version.[18]

Skills and abilities

Alex Danvers has no inherent superhuman powers;[19] rather, she is trained in various forms of martial arts, and has been shown to capably wield any weapon.[20] She is also a bio-engineer, and has expertise in marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat,[21] and extraterrestrial physiology,[1] besides being a skilled scientist and military tactician.[22] During season 3, Alex is given a bodysuit by Winn Schott which is more armor-like than her usual DEO suit, magnetic gloves which allow her to retrieve any dropped wean, and a gun that can combat Kryptonians.[23]

Reception

Both the character and Leigh's performance have been well received by critics and fans alike.[24][25] The relationship between the Danvers sisters and Alex's coming out storyline in the second season have garnered particular praise.[26][27][28][29]

Kara and Alex were named as one of "The 10 Greatest Ride or Die TV Siblings" by TV Guide's Keisha Hatchett, who stated: "These two might not come from the same species, but their unconditional love for each other proves that you don't need to share the same blood in order to be sisters. Both have helped each other through a difficult journey to self-acceptance [...] in a fierce display of sisterhood that keeps us coming back each week."[30]

Estelle Tang of Elle described Alex's coming-out journey as "nuanced, remarkably moving, and believable reckoning of an adult woman coming to terms with something she had never consciously known about herself."[31] Supergirl received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2017 GLAAD Awards, which recognizes LGBT representation in the media.[32]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Pilot". Supergirl. Season 1. Episode 1. October 26, 2015. CBS.
  2. ↑ "Midvale". Supergirl. Season 3. Episode 6. November 13, 2017. The CW.
  3. 1 2 Agard, Chancellor (October 27, 2015). "Supergirl series premiere recap: Pilot". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
  4. ↑ Siede, Caroline (November 13, 2017). "A flashback-heavy Supergirl heads back to Riverdale... er, Midvale". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on April 28, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Livewire". Supergirl. Season 1. Episode 4. November 16, 2015. CBS.
  6. ↑ Kelley, Seth (November 16, 2015). "'Supergirl' Deals with Mama Drama in 'Livewire'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 23, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Manhunter". Supergirl. Season 1. Episode 17. March 21, 2016. CBS.
  8. ↑ Agard, Chancellor (March 22, 2016). "Supergirl recap: Manhunter". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
  9. ↑ ""For the Girl Who Has Everything". Supergirl. Season 1. Episode 13. February 8, 2016. CBS.
  10. ↑ Venable, Nick (February 8, 2016). "Supergirl's Shocking Moment Could Cause Big Problems Between Kara And Alex". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018.
  11. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (September 7, 2017). "Supergirl: 12 Episodes Every Sanvers Fan Should Watch". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018.
  12. ↑ Grebey, James (February 27, 2017). "Is Jeremiah Danvers Really Working for Cadmus on 'Supergirl' or What?". Inverse. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018.
  13. ↑ Swift, Andy (November 27, 2017). "Arrowverse Crossover Launches New 'Ship: Do You Have 'Dance' Fever?". TVLine. Archived from the original on April 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ Swift, Andy (June 18, 2018). "Supergirl Finale: EPs Break Down Winn's 'Fitting' Exit, Reign's Fate, Kara's Season 4 Twist and More". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018.
  15. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (February 26, 2015). "Supergirl Scoop: Grey's Anatomy Vet Chyler Leigh Cast as Kara's Sis". TVLine. Archived from the original on February 28, 2015.
  16. ↑ Burlingame, Russ (May 1, 2017). "Supergirl's Alex Danvers is the Original Character Andrew Kreisberg is Most Proud Of". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
  17. ↑ Swift, Andy (September 5, 2017). "Supergirl Recasts Two Key Roles". TVLine. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Supergirl Recap: The Danvers Sisters Go Back to "Midvale"". The Mary Sue. November 14, 2017. Archived from the original on May 28, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  19. ↑ Logan, Megan (November 22, 2016). "'Supergirl' Adding Batwoman Could Revolutionize DC TV". Inverse. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Alex Danvers is the Real Supergirl on DCTV". Mandatory.com. February 28, 2017. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  21. ↑ Bailey, Christina (December 22, 2015). "Top 15 Strong Female Characters of 2015". Nerd Much?. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  22. ↑ "Why The New Supergirl Series Should Be Renewed". Medium. April 21, 2016. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  23. ↑ Damore, Megan (May 7, 2018). "Supergirl: [SPOILER] Gets a New Costume With Some Serious Upgrades". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  24. ↑ Team TVLine (February 13, 2016). "Performer of the Week: Ellen Pompeo". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 12, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  25. ↑ Team TVLine (November 19, 2016). "Performer of the Week: Thandie Newton". TVLine. Archived from the original on January 29, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  26. ↑ Agard, Chancellor (May 1, 2017). "Supergirl recap: 'Alex'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017.
  27. ↑ Drum, Nicole (September 7, 2017). "The Danvers Sisters Will Be the Focus of Arrowverse's Next Crossover". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018.
  28. ↑ Holbrook, Damian (January 29, 2017). "Chyler Leigh on How Alex's Coming Out on 'Supergirl' Has Inspired Thousands". TV Insider. Archived from the original on May 23, 2018.
  29. ↑ Erik, Amaya (April 16, 2018). "5 Reasons to Give Supergirl Another Chance". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on June 2, 2018.
  30. ↑ Hatchett, Keisha (August 16, 2018). "The 10 Greatest Ride or Die TV Siblings". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
  31. ↑ Tang, Estelle (February 20, 2017). "How Supergirl Became One of the Most LGBTQ-Friendly Shows on TV". Elle. Archived from the original on May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  32. ↑ Schwindt, Oriana (January 31, 2017). "'Moonlight,' Netflix's 'The OA,' 'Supergirl' Snag GLAAD Media Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on February 3, 2017. Retrieved March 3, 2017.
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