Naomi is The CW’s latest DCTV sequence, and it adjustments up the acquainted format fairly a bit. These of us who tune in to the remainder of DC’s community TV slate (The Flash, Superman & Lois, Batwoman and the remaining) are comfy with the concept in sure universes, superheroes are actual, a few of them are aliens from one other planet, and in case you go to a significant metropolis within the U.S., you are more likely to see them rushing, flying or driving various fairly badass autos by way of the streets.
Naomi, nevertheless, is about in a special a part of the multiverse, one through which superheroes are celebrated in popular culture, comics and fansites. It’s far much less fantastical and really acquainted to these of us who stay exterior of the TV—till, that’s, “common teen” Naomi McDuffie has an surprising episode whereas racing to get to the middle of her “very regular” city to view what she thinks is a Superman stunt carried out by actors in fancy harnesses. All of the sudden, every little thing she thought she knew seems to be mistaken and she or he learns that alien superheroes are, in actual fact, very actual. (Sadly, this made me understand that the present is not set in our universe both, until there’s one thing the nice people at DC aren’t telling us in regards to the reality of our actuality…)
Discovering what’s actual shortly turns into an obsession for Naomi, who has numerous difficulties believing that she is something however what she’s at all times recognized herself to be: somebody particular, certain, however extra for her extremely ranked Superman fansite and killer vogue sense and fewer for the reality in regards to the circumstances of her delivery and the extraordinary skills she might need.
It is a wrestle I am all too aware of. Not, sadly, as a result of I as soon as discovered that I used to be from one other planet or have superheroic powers, however as a result of I learn numerous center grade (MG) and younger grownup (YA) fiction. The “chosen one” trope is one which pops up time and time once more (suppose a uniquely scarred boy wizard for a particular instance) partly as a result of it is one which’s surprisingly straightforward to narrate to, even for these of us who’re fairly regular examples of our universe’s humanity.
Characters who’re chosen ones are those that discover out that they are one thing greater than they realized, and on high of that, they typically have some nice future to satisfy. Most of the time, they wrestle with the concept and the burden placed on their shoulders, they usually often fail many instances earlier than succeeding.
However that is not the half that is best to narrate to. Fairly, it is that they do not consider this revelation about themselves till they’re both pressured to or they do sufficient analysis and investigation to appreciate that what they as soon as thought unimaginable was only a undeniable fact that they hadn’t but totally examined and outlined. This sort of introspection is so very human, even when it finally ends up serving to these chosen ones turn out to be extra than human. It is significantly prevalent in MG and YA tales as a result of childhood, even probably the most common sort, is stuffed with moments of development and alter and feeling such as you’re not fairly what you are purported to be…but. It is a trope that is additionally doubtless acquainted to comedian followers. Any superhero origin story additionally options comparable identity-determining/soul-searching themes.
Naomi is a first-rate instance of a selected one, and an ideal mixture of points from each YA popular culture and comics. I am certain we’ll see her go down a well-recognized (if distinctive to her) path because the present continues. Her obsession will ultimately result in reality, and though she’ll wrestle and fall down alongside the best way, I am sure she’ll ultimately determine precisely who she is. Even when that adjustments many instances over the course of her life.
In spite of everything, development and alter are what being an individual—and also you’ll discover I did not say “human” (*wink wink*)—is all about.
Naomi returns tonight with an all-new episode at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CST) on The CW. To unlock the reality about Naomi McDuffie, go to our official sequence web page.
Mandy Curtis writes about comics, particularly DC’s Younger Grownup line, and TV for DCComics.com. Yow will discover her on Twitter at @mandyannecurtis.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Mandy Curtis and don’t essentially replicate these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
