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Since the announcement last year that Super Girl will add Dreamer, the first trans superhero on TV, to his list, all eyes on the series to see how they managed the character. The cast of actress and activist Nicole Maines showed Super Girl was serious about doing things well.
Throughout this season, we have come to know and love Nia Nal, the somewhat narcoleptic journalist that Kara Danvers mentors, who happens to be trans.
We are at a crossroads of trans representation in the media right now. There is growing reluctance to designate cis actors in trans roles, most recently with Diego Luna in Berlin, I love youbut the political storm around transgender issues shows no sign of stopping, the Supreme Court having recently authorized the ban on trans-military.
In this climate, it's such a refreshing and affirmative thing to see how Super Girl uses and explores the character of Nia and they worked with Maines to create a trans accurate and inspiring portrait. We were on set in November when filming the crucial episode last Sunday for Nia and talked to Maines and her team about her role and many other things.
After appearing as trans in James in a first episode of the season, to share his point of view on why CatCo should oppose the anti-extraterrestrial sentiment that has been acquired, the trans identity of Nia has not been taken into account. It's really nice to see, because Nia is not defined only by being trans, not by her youth, or by being a half-alien.
"The transbadual character of Nia is an important part of her identity," said Maines, noting that it was something she had deeply identified as a trans woman. "It's not our only feature, but it's is a defining characteristic … Not all of Nia's episodes or stories focus on her transbadual side that I like. "
But in last Sunday's episode, "Blood Memory", Nia and her identity were in the foreground. Kara has always regretted having removed her identity from Supergirl, and joined Nia for a weekend in Nia's hometown. Nia was born in a paradise for extra-human coexistence called Parthas, where her mother met her human father after a dream had led her to that point.
Nia explained to Kara that she did not expect to receive the dream powers, even if they belonged to her family, as they were pbaded from mother to daughter and pbaded on to Kara.
In Parthas, Nia had to face the fact that her sister cis, Maeve, was expecting to receive the dreamer's powers, then she did not interpret her dream in such a way that she was sufficiently warned of the death of his mother. Thus, as Maines said, "the transbadual character of Nia plays a very important role in her powers … Now, her superheroism is directly linked to her transbadual character." Nia is not just a trans hero; she is a hero because she is trans.
The choice to transfer Nia's powers from mother to daughter was a wonderful storyline and allowed difficult and difficult scenes with Nia's family. Nia was destined to be a girl and a hero. That's what she is and even if her sister is upset by the result, Nia's parents bring her support and love. Like Kara, who chose to release this episode herself, revealing that she is supergirl to show Nia that she can truly understand that she is a sister with powers and that she She is convinced that brotherly love will overcome obstacles between Nia and her sister, as well as Kara and Alex.
Maines, who is a much longer activist than an actress, brings a lot to Nia, and it is clear that the writers and herself have consulted on the best way to tell this story. "My acting and my activism go hand in hand and they really support each other," said Maines, "in order to draw attention to the current political climate and current issues … I am I feel very lucky to be able to support you. experience of activism in my acting game. "
The talent and calm of Maines impressed me. I was not alone. Melissa Benoist, the supergirl herself, shares this opinion: "I must say that I am so impressed by Nicole Maines. His cool. She is so wise beyond her years. She is just an incredible human. I feel like me, Melissa, I'm learning from Nicole. "
The introduction of Nia is one of the many elements of Super Girl this season was a direct comment and an answer to what is happening in our real world. Kara and co. face their most insidious enemies, because the enemy can not be defeated with a fist.
"She embodies what many Americans currently feel, this helplessness and a truly optimistic and optimistic soul, that her feelings of hope and positivity are weakening and that she must understand exactly what she believes in overcoming her. , Shared Benoist. "I think the fear, more than anything else, is that Agent Liberty is our big villain of the season, but fear as an entity is no longer our villain this season." Bringing a transbadual hero to the fore, overcoming his own fears and doubts, is a great way to fight this enemy.
Nor should we forget that Nia has a romantic side plot, as she continues to flirt with Brainy (Jesse Rath), with often hilarious results. "I have the impression that it's easier to talk to a wall than to flirt with a clever brain!" Maines burst out laughing, but the very fact that Brainaic 5, who was a love for Supergirl in comics, focuses all her attention on Nia is quite revolutionary.
For viewers, it is important not only to see Nia as a heroic woman, but also a woman worthy of romantic and loving attention, even if it comes from the most awkward mind of the 12th level on this side of the galaxy. As strangers, Nia and Brainy connect, which also helps Nia to be a hero for persecuted aliens, as a half-alien and trans woman. "I think it's really very useful to use his experience as a member of another marginalized community to help raise and support another marginalized community."
Maines herself is one of the most affected people: "The reaction of young people and especially transgender youth who consider themselves superheroes for the first time … has been so comforting. It's really good. It makes me really happy. I can not find the words because it's just well. "
And the story of Nia is just beginning. Next week, we'll finally see her dressed and fought alongside Kara, and it's more than fans could ever dream of.
Super Girl broadcast on Sunday at 8pm on The CW.
(picture: Diyah Pera / The CW)
Jessica Mason is a writer and lawyer living in Portland, Oregon, pbadionate about corgis, fandom and awesome girls. Follow her on Twitter at @FangirlingJess.
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