Now that the secret’s out — Hank Henshaw on Supergirl is in fact J’Onn J’Onzz, the Martian Manhunter — what does that mean for the relationship between Hank and Kara Zor-El, who is also one of the last survivors of a doomed world?
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Well, it means she can help him acclimate to the reality he’s facing, for starters.
During a talk with reporters at the Television Critics Association, showrunners explained that the revelation that Henshaw is a Martian will fundamentally change some aspects of his relationship with Kara — and might actually bring them closer in a surprising way.
“As much experience as Hank brings to Kara in terms of the DEO and all, Kara brings this new coming out, in terms of, self,” said executive producer Ali Adler. “And, I think, for J’Onn J’Onzz, who doesn’t know his familiar form anymore — he’s been around a long, long time and never been able to walk amongst humans in the way that Kara has — I think, she does a lot of teaching in ways that is really sweet.”
It’s a fair point; as Maxwell Lord said in a recent episode, it’s easier to sell an alien who’s as handsome as Superman or “a pretty blonde,” as he called Kara. During a previous set visit, EP Andrew Kreisberg had said that J’Onn looks “like a monster” when in his true form, which makes it harder for him to embrace it.
Supergirl returns on Monday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
