Supergirl: 3 reasons why M’gann/Miss Martian is the best

This Monday, J’onn J’onzz and Supergirl will travel to Mars and reunite with M’gann M’orzz a.k.a Miss Martian. So let’s talk about 3 reasons why we’re excited to see her again.

In last week’s episode of Supergirl, the last like 30 seconds of the show went to J’onn J’onzz as we learned that M’gann was calling him to Mars and she needed his help. Apparently, whatever’s happening will see J’onn reunite with his long-lost father, Carl Lumbly, a.k.a M’yrnn J’onzz. While I could definitely pass on this “daddy issues” episode, it will also see the return of Sharon Leal as M’gann M’orzz. First introduced in season 2 as a White Martian masquerading around National City as another survived Green Martian, M’gann added another layer to Supergirl that the show desperately needed. Though she didn’t have a ton of screentime, her character’s arc was well-done (thanks to Leal and David Harewood, mostly).

So here are three reasons why we’re excited to see Miss Martian again.

Three cheers for diversity

Diversity is always a good thing. Both in terms of the actors and the characters they play. For Sharon Leal, we have a diverse actress who plays a bartender by day and a Green Martian by night. Her civilian side as M’gann remains equally as important as her super-powered side, because not showcasing Leal herself would give us a Lupita N’yongo as Maz Kanata situation where you have an actress of color in a prominent role but nobody even realizes it because they’re covered up.

It’s not like The CW could afford to keep them as Martians all the time anyway. But I’m glad there’s a diverse character in the role, just like I like to see aliens featured in legit roles instead of just superpowered metahumans. The alien plotline from last season was pretty poignant sometimes, too. Plus, it started a bigger conversation for folks. By doing something more than putting a telekinetic in leather and calling her a villain (looking at you, Psi), M’gann’s role as a White Martian/Green Martian really elevated the conversation regarding National City and the whole alien amnesty thing.

Overcoming her past

Moreover, season 2 introduced a ton of new characters, several of which appeared to have tragic and troubled pasts. From Mon-El, slave owner and prince of Daxam, to Lena Luthor, beacon of goodness and philanthropist, each character had a different way of demonstrating their true colors. The entire idea centered around overcoming your family’s past or the path that your people set you on. And for Miss Martian, this meant reconciling the fact that she was a White Martian and part of the same race that eradicated J’onn’s people and his family. In addition to forgiving herself, Miss Martian even chooses to return home to help others through their own trauma and save more lives.

An ally for J’onn J’onnz

Of course, Miss Martian didn’t get over everything all at once. In fact, she had to face her past many times as J’onn at one point turned her away, and her old mate traveled to Earth to find her. Still, M’gann relentlessly chose to embark down the right path and rise above the mistakes of her people. Before she returned to Mars, she and J’onn rekindled their relationship. Finally, J’onn had a relationship that went beyond work, and with someone who really understood his past no less.

Unfortunately, her presence won’t be as “big” in season 3, but wouldn’t it be cool if Supergirl had another superpowered (and nice) friend and J’onn had a love interest who empowered and supported him? Like, imagine a show where Supergirl portrays healthy relationships full of honesty and love. Wouldn’t that be weird?

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Though the typical Miss Martian portrayed in the comics had a totally different history and she’s often portrayed as a teenage redhead, this version of M’gann added so much more to the show than Supergirl realized.

Still, we’re excited to see her again this Monday at 8 p.m. ET in “Far From the Tree.”