*NOTE: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment provided me with a free copy of the Blu-ray I reviewed in this post. The opinions I share are my own.*

Look, up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a heroine who's way overdue for some positive press!

It wasn't so long ago that the idea of Supergirl starring in an acclaimed television series could get you laughed out of the room. The Girl of Tomorrow's 1984 big-screen adventure proved such a prolific dud on its arrival that it cast an unfair pall over the future of other female-led comic book movies, one that the business is just now starting to shake off. But after giving fellow DC heroes Green Arrow and the Flash second lives on hit TV shows, producer Greg Berlanti and his crew have, to the relief of her fans, done the same for Superman's cousin. In opposition to the grittier aesthetics embraced by DC's recent big-budget blockbusters and even their animated features, Supergirl's inaugural season soars due to its positivity, exihibiting a fearless and fun spirit which enables its eponymous butt-kicker to serve as a true inspiration for viewers both young and old.

Everyone knows the story of Superman by heart, but little do you know that he had a protector when he blasted off from Krypton. Little Kal-El's cousin Kara was to watch over him on Earth, but a detour in the Phantom Zone waylaid her for a good decade or two. When she finally made it to our planet, her charge had since become the Man of Steel, allowing her to go out and carve her own path in the world. Now grown, Kara (Melissa Benoist) works as a lowly assistant and keeps her powers hidden, until an accident involving her sister Alex (Chyler Leigh) forces her to reveal her presence to the citizens of National City. After all those years keeping her true self in check, Kara -- under the newly-minted name of Supergirl -- opts to embrace her abilities, using them to do the good she knows she can. But as it turns out, she has her work cut out for her, as a number of menaces (both earthbound and alien) all spring out of the woodwork to take a shot at taking down the new Kryptonian in town. Still, though the forces of evil can make things look bleak, Supergirl remains resolute, determined to save her loved ones and the city itself from any baddies that dare underestimate her.

Paramount to enjoying Supergirl's first season is ignoring the urge to write it off as a "girl" show from the get-go. Tropes like romantic triangles and rivalries do figure into many of the storylines, but there's nothing that its sister superhero series on the CW haven't traded in for a few seasons as is. Some melodrama is to be expected, and events that take place during the "Kara" portions of the plot do conveniently tie into dilemmas that the "Supergirl" side experiences. However, the show displays enough pluck throughout its run to convince you that it truly believes in the power of all its classic cliches, the bulk of which click expressly because of its lack of a jaded attitude. As Kara comes out of her shell and begins exploring her powers, so does Supergirl the series gradually become unafraid to tackle the stranger side of the DC universe, allowing the title titan to fight everything from evil doppelgangers and electric baddies to toy-themed villains and robot assassins. Not only does the show assure viewers that everything is on the table right off the bat, the endearing and entertaining matter in which both it and its characters face each new challenge makes you realize that where this slice of superhero media is concerned, the sky truly is the limit.

Also vital to Supergirl's success is its committed cast, actors with a keen sense of when to wink at the audience and when to take the material seriously enough. Benoist (Whiplash) makes for a terrific lead, perfectly conveying both an awkward meekness as Kara and, as Supergirl, a take-charge persona. The character is strong but flawed, a woman who tends to rush into danger but willing to learn from her mistakes, with Benoist exuding charm and a compelling presence the entire ride. The supporting cast is a solid bunch as well, including Leigh as Kara's no-nonsense sister, David Harewood as a shady government man with some stirring skeletons in the closet, and Calista Flockhart as Kara's boss, whose catty demeanor gives way to show some layers of emotional complexity as the series continues. DC fans will also enjoy a fun crossover apperance or two from other characters in the comics giant's stable of heroes, in addition to guest stars like Brit Morgan and Henry Czerny bringing life to infamous villains such as Livewire and Toyman. If the show falters in one notable respect, it's that the wonky visual effects can leave action scenes without as much luster as they could have possessed, but when all's said and done, they do their job and are easily forgiven in the face of how much you care for the characters in the meantime.

Having since let Arrow and The Flash get their heroic hooks into me, yours truly is pleased to let Supergirl do the same. As one of the skeptics who wasn't so certain that this show would work when it was announced, I'm glad that its blend of humor, action, and lighthearted cheese proved me wrong in a matter of episodes. Supergirl's first season was a real treat that left me enthused for what Round Two has to offer later this year.

BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:

-Behind-the-scenes featurettes

-A panel from 2015's San Diego Comic-Con

-Deleted scenes

-A gag reel

(Released by Warner Home Video; not rated by MPAA.)