Well, to answer folks question about what people are missing; speaking for myself... I don't know if any of you have seen the show "Charmed"?
I don't want a three-character focus of course as in Charmed. I'd rather Kara remains the centre of her story. It's wonderful to see her grow.
But, in that show, that relationship was centre stage. I meant that.
I know that she has been acting as a mentor to Monel; but a lot of it has been about Monel himself finding his way as a hero owing to his feelings for Kara. It's about the growth of Monel. How does that add to the journey of Supergirl except to tell her that she misread his mind and actions? I know mentor storylines have that--the person being mentored growing; but, when you add the romance, it doesn't seem that way. It seems to be yet another story of a guy finding their way to herodom because he met a girl. Kara does struggle initially about mentoring a fully grown human with different values, but we had less time on that and more on how Monel is crushing on Kara.
Where is the Supergirl story in that?
The moments I loved best this season, other than Alex-Kara talks, and Alex-J'onn or J'onn-Kara talks have been the moments when Kara uses her idealism to change something (rather than her powers); and those have been few and far between. (Also, there was that one growth moment when she realises her parents were not paragons of virtue).
And then there is the Kara side. Her being a reporter is used whenever they need something to add to the plot; not as an opportunity for character development. Being a reporter is not easy. Especially for a rookie like Kara. And, yet we get so little of her struggles there.
I don't mean sweet sisterly moments RsChick. Neither do I mean a co-dependent relationship where Alex has no life outside Kara. I meant a consistency that showed you that it is still there.
Consistency in storylines.. consistency in relationships; and coherency in terms of character and story development; for example, while it was nice to see Kara talk to Aurora that one time about her struggles with being a reporter (which they later shelved), it would have been nice to see Alex and Kara have a talk about that too; instead of just about their romantic interests of the time. They could have fun in the bar like that one time when camera movement or shots made us all feel like we are in a "what is that ride thing in English that twists and turns and goes up and down and makes our heads spin?".
And... James-Winn; again, I know most people didn't like this storyline. So, I don't want to harp on it. But, it is yet another storyline of a guy struggling to be a hero. And lots of screen space have been devoted to it.
As folks have said before: Kara has become reactive in her own show. Things are happening to everyone else; and at some moment or other, their stories cross her path and she reacts. Is that how it happens for a title character?
I am not saying those stories shouldn't happen. I am not saying Monel couldn't have a crush on Kara (and viceversa) that Alex cannot have her coming out storyline (it was so very well-acted and well-written if a bit crunchy in terms of timeline) or that J'onn shouldn't be struggling with M'gann. But, shouldn't there be some merger as well between the storylines and characters? Not an occasional crossing but some reason why these additional characters--M'gann and Maggie exist in this world in addition to being romantic interests/same-species companions. Some connection to Supergirl. With Maggie especially, we are not seeing this. She seems brought in just to be Alex's love interest rather than as a person who needs to be there in the show for some in story reason.
Of course, I am going by my experience with reading speculative fiction (fantasy) where a core set of characters set out and develop storylines through the course of several books. Their developing romance or having side-adventures typically doesn't affect the dynamic between them; something like Harry Potter (although, that is for kids

).
And in any case, just as us folks who think something from season 1 is missing, there are others who love this season. And, that is great! I am glad you guys enjoy it.
And, I don't want to keep on saying this since it is possibly upsetting some of you. So, I will stop.
I didn't mean to say I will stop watching the show or that I don't enjoy moments of it. I do. I love Melissa Benoist. And, I am pretty sure I'd keep watching the show for her. I also love Chyler Leigh (as I did in Grey's). And I like Jeremy and David a lot.
And of course, over and above all that, I love all of their characters.