Naomi was a show that followed a young teenage girl as she discovered the many secrets that had been kept from her all her life. Growing up a Superman fan, Naomi always wanted to be a hero, just like the heroic figure featured in the comics. That’s right, in Naomi, the superheroes of the Arrowverse are merely fictional comic-book characters. But, as Naomi will find out, her world is filled with people that come from the planets she once read about in those very same comics.
While the show was depicted as being separate from the Arrowverse, save for the cameo of Superman (though it’s not likely that this was Tyler Hoechlin from Superman & Lois), there are still characters with alien powers and even a winged warrior from Thanagar, the same planet that Hawkman & Hawkwoman came from. We’re going to take time to examine why Naomi could have been a compelling addition to the Arrowverse library, similar to how Black Lightning eventually joined the shared television universe.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Standalone Content
Warner Bros. Television Distribution
After an entire thirteen-episode season, we’ve seen that Naomi can deliver on engaging audiences without the crutch of tying into grander plot lines or borrowing characters from other shows. Naomi is a strong character, going on a journey of self-discovery. As she grows and learns to let people into her life and help her take her challenges head-on, the show’s pacing picks up. Featuring a great supporting cast, the different relationships the show explores makes for an intriguing watch.
While the villains could have used some more excitement, the show proved capable of carrying a mystery effectively across the course of its season, which was something that other Arrowverse shows had struggled to do. And while a good source of tension comes from the military’s reaction to the sudden spark of super-powered individuals, inserting Naomi into the Arrowverse’s Earth wouldn’t necessarily take away from that drama. One only has to look to shows like Arrow, Supergirl, & The Flash, for different ways writers can use the military and police as a storytelling mechanic.
Crossover Appeal
Just because Naomi is capable of standing on its own doesn’t mean the show wouldn’t be a terrific accent to the rest of the Arrowverse crossovers. Assuming The CW’s new owners don’t pick Batwoman back up, it would be interesting to see the dynamic between Naomi and her teenage friends were they to meet the crew of Gotham Knights. Or to even see the kids go on a field trip to STAR Labs and meet the team from The Flash.
It would be amazing to see Dee make an appearance on Legends of Tomorrow, in a storyline that could see the returns of Hawkman & Hawkwoman, as Dee continues searching for Qyeala. The philosophical questions that Naomi’s parents could face, were they to meet the family of Black Lightning or Superman & Lois. And to see Naomi rise to the challenge, teaming up with the other heroes against whatever crisis may come their way. Perhaps with John Diggle recruiting her for whatever project he’s been cooking up the past year or so.
Representation
An integral aspect of every Arrowverse show is representation. Arrow would slowly integrate same-sex relationships and increase the visible roles of their actors of color over time. Batwoman would begin to put a black woman in the forefront after Ruby Rose’s exit from the program. And throughout the show’s run, same-sex couples were featured in multiple storylines across the series. The same can be said for Legends of Tomorrow, with Sara Lance & Ava featured prominently.
What Naomi brought to the table was that it seemed to focus on Naomi potentially being polyamorous. Practicing a casual dating lifestyle, Naomi tends not to want to choose between her three romantic interests. All three of her interests prove to be diverse and fulfill multiple needs, and as the series goes on, they form a friendship. Initially bonded by their mutual interest and compassion for Naomi, the trio of Nathan, Jacob, & Lourdes began to find companionship in each other. The show displays the positives of multiple relationships, friendships, and the overcoming of differences by working to overcome plots that would pit the group against one another and coming together to help keep Lourde’s comic book shop in business.
Strong Cast
The Arrowverse was built on the talent of significant actors like Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, & Melissa Benoist. While the cast of Naomi wasn’t as well known as the names above, they all proved more than capable of carrying the show and maintaining interest across its run. Kaci Walfall proves to be a strong lead as the young heroine discovers her new powers. Alexander Wraith captures the viewer’s attention every time he is on screen, proving to be an effective mentor for Naomi. He always provides a sense of calm, but a serious undertone is carried with his words.
Continuing the strong cast, Mary Charles-Jones plays Annabelle, Naomi’s best friend. While Naomi tries to charge alone in a headstrong pursuit of answers, Annabelle is a great supporting character, always challenging Naomi and reminding her that she has many people who want to help and are willing to be there for her. These are just the highlights of a compelling cast that helped drive the show’s story forward. Were the show to be picked back up post-cancellation, the cast and crew would make great additions to the Arrowverse line-up next fall.
