Supergirl: Why the Sanvers Love Story was Beautiful Right to the Brutal End
Jay Ruymann
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Sanvers no more.
Supergirl Season 3 Episode 5 marked the end of Alex's first relationship with a woman, and hell, it was a good one, wasn't it?
The End
Maybe the two ending things wasn't what fans wanted for this fan-favorite couple, but it happened, and it was a very realistic, mutual end.
Maggie didn't want kids, and Alex did; the two discussed it, neither was willing to budge, and they moved on so both could find their true happiness in life while letting go of each other to allow that to happen.
Relationships like that aren't seen very often anymore. Rather than being willing to give up someone for future happiness, we find relationships where one or both will remain unhappy because they didn't let go and their future didn't go as planned.
Even so, many fans are still making an issue of this breakup. Why? Because they can't believe Alex wanted children in the first place. What's so unbelievable about that?
Yes, Alex may be a "badass," but that doesn't disqualify her from wanting children or being a mother. So many people consider their mother is a badass, because they are.
Having kids doesn't entail being a stay-at-home mom, nor does it mean Alex would have to begin running around in pastel pink tones or forget how to fight aliens.
There shouldn't be a problem with Alex being a "badass" and being a mother because there isn't a problem being both at the same time. If you believe there is a problem with that then you're the problem.
A strong, emotional, and honest woman is a badass.
How amazing and heartbreaking was it that Alex wasn't going to push Maggie nor was she going to compromise on her own dreams of motherhood? There are some compromises too big to bear.
It's a bittersweet ending for a couple full of happiness, but it's realistic. Isn't realistic representation what everyone has been fighting to see?
Representation
As a gay man, I, too, am always looking for realistic representation and far too often I'm unable to find it.
While there are first loves (and I'd constitute Maggie as Alex's first love since she was never able to fully open up and come out before her) whose relationships last, that's very uncommon.
I applaud Supergirl for introducing such a unique couple and moving on without everything being perfect.
I want to see more LGBT+ characters swimming in the dating pool and hoping to find love in a world not fully accepting of it.
I want to see couples, like this, end things when they're otherwise happy together because their future goals don't quite align and the issues are too big for compromise.
I want to see realistic representation for people of all sexualities and the struggles, heartbreak, and happiness that goes with the relationships for those people.
Though all of that may hurt the character, I want to see Alex grieving over her lost love with Maggie because of their irreconcilable differences. Then, she will move on and find the woman who will make her happy in every way and wants the same future she does.
For the Best
Fans may not be happy with the way Sanvers broke up, or any part of the break up, but it was for the best.
First, Floriana Lima decided to exit the series, so even if Maggie and Alex had stayed together, appearances between the couple would have been few and far between. Is that really what anyone wants for Alex Danvers?
Second, the writers had to scramble to come up with a big enough reason for Alex and Maggie not to reach their wedding. Does everyone agree? Not necessarily. But whether it's agreeable or not, it is a real issue causing the happiest of couples to part ways.
And third, this allows Alex the chance to move on and find someone who will make her happy in every way imaginable.
Not every relationship ends badly or ends with someone cheating or lying. Sometimes breakups are mutual because both parties know they aren't getting exactly what they want for their future.
This doesn't mean the relationship means any less or holds any less value. It just means there was enough respect between these people to acknowledge what the other wants in life and make it clear they can't offer that. That's growth, maturity, and true love.
There couldn't have been a better way for Alex and Maggie to break up. As a fan, I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Alex, her love life, and her hope for children one day.
And I know Alex will always hold Maggie in a special place in her heart. Maggie is always going to be her first love and the person who helped her realize what she wants.
Love happens in many forms, and letting go is one form, too.
Supergirl airs Mondays on The CW! If you'd like to relive the Sanvers love story, watch Supergirl online.
Jay Ruymann was a staff writer for TV Fanatic. He retired in January 2018.
