How will Lena Luthor react if she discovers Kara is Supergirl?

With this show, it's not really a question of "if" but "when" she discovers Kara's alter ego.

I guess it could go either way, she could embrace the fact or go all-out Luthor on Supergirl. It depends entirely what the story calls for and if it serves a larger purpose to have her know.

Since Lena will be a regular in S3, it's possible there may be a mixture of both.

Good thread, Argo.

Before her chess scene, I would have leaned more to Lena going dark, and eventually upset at learning Kara's identity. After said chess scene, I'm actually now leaning toward her believing IN kara and her "mission" even more.

Still believe the writers were trying to lead us to a false narrative...that the chess scene wasn't showing us an underlying evil, but rather more determined resolve, and that she's not easily manipulated or outplayed.

Rom it will NO DOUBT be a matter of IF not when. But unlike in Manhunter from season 1 where Kara showed Lucy the S in front of Jimmy, which led to a strong trust issue with Kara and Lucy (too bad Jenna Dewan Tatum is focusing on other projects), who knows what this could lead to.

Argo, let me take your 2 points and break em down

The friendship remains and the bonds of trust are strengthened. In this case, Lena may choose to acknowledge or not Kara’s identity. In either event, Lena will continue to be “bestie mates” with her.

In fact I think they would become very strong. Now if Lena keeps Kara's secret, all the more better I think. She could say "I always knew Kara you were my hero, but now, this REALLY shows it! You aren't just my hero, you're this city, this country, this PLANET'S hero!"

A feeling of manipulation and betrayal overcomes Lena as she feels Kara did not trust her enough to reveal her true self. Lena may not let on that she knows, but will plan for the future.

And that could lead to another Super/Luthor war. That would be the predictable cop out and make it seem like watching old Road Runner/Coyote or Sylvester/Tweety cartoons like I did back in the day and still do today if the moment calls for it...if you have seen one, you've seen em all!

But as we all know, things in the Berlanti Universe do not always work out as they should.

It's what I call the Berlanti curveball. And as it is baseball season (LET'S GO YANKEES!), that curveball has whizzed by me or I swung and missed for strike three.

Lena is probably already suspicious.
I would prefer that she stay on the good side, but I don't think that will actually happen (at least not long-term). Of course, this being a Berlanti show, there's really no telling.

After tonight's episode... Sadly, I think I'd really be disappointed if Rhea is the one to tell Lena. I would rather like to see Kara and crew working hard to keep Lena from knowing, much the same way they did with Cat. But when Lena does find out, I'd want it to be way better than Rhea just telling her.

But question, DOES Rhea know Kara Danvers or has she only seen her as Kara Zor-El?? One of the commercials DID show Kara asking some off camera person, "How did you find out?" or something along those lines. Perhaps Rhea doesn't know or perhaps she's the one that finds out but keeps her secret for later "blackmail"?

Either way, I think Lena has proven her deep connection with Supergirl... choosing her over her ex... even with knowing he would die. But, again, here's where Katie McGrath and the writers are absolutely getting it RIGHT...JUST as we THINK we know Lena's character development direction... with that last couch scene, Lena is back to being portrayed in the "gray."

I mean if I was Lena's I'd be fine, but characters on CW shows generally seem allergic to any and all secrets

I have an additional comment or so from last night's episode. In the closing scenes Kara, lovingly tells Lena she will always be there to protect her. I take it as a tacit admission that she is Supergirl.

Also, I always go back to Lena being a Corporate Executive and that you don't get there playing nice. She made that clear last night saying she doesn't stand behind a man. I think Lena is still grappling with who she is and I think, if there is any anger, it will be directed against those who harmed her. Nonetheless,my question still stands, regardless of what I wrote earlier.

Argo

• The friendship remains and the bonds of trust are strengthened. In this case, Lena may choose to acknowledge or not Kara’s identity. In either event, Lena will continue to be “bestie mates” with her.
  

This is what I hope happens. I believe Lena truly doesn't want to be like everyone else in her family. A desire to do good is what separates Lena from her mother. The fact that she acknowledges feeling numb and cold and fears what comes next means she wants to handle those feelings in non evil way. Knowing her friend Kara is Supergirl and also knowing Lex's history with Superman could strengthen Lena's conviction to not be like her brother.

A feeling of manipulation and betrayal overcomes Lena as she feels Kara did not trust her enough to reveal her true self. Lena may not let on that she knows, but will plan for the future.

This could happen if someone like Rhea tells her. Rhea could try to manipulate the situation to make Lena think Kara is just pretending to be her friend. The problem with that is Rhea thinks of humans as lower life forms and would underestimate Lena's intelligence. Rhea also probably doesn't understand friendship and sure doesn't understand loyalty. I'd love to see Lena pull a double cross on Rhea.

• The fact that she acknowledges feeling numb and cold and fears what come next means she wants to handle those feelings in non evil way. Knowing her friend Kara is Supergirl and also knowing Lex's history with Superman could strengthen Lena's conviction to not be like her brother.
  

This could happen if someone like Reah tells her. Reah could try to manipulate the situation to make Lena think Kara is just pretending to be her friend. The problem with that is Reah thinks of humans as lower life forms and would underestimate Lena's intelligence. Reah also probably doesn't understand friendship and sure doesn't understand loyalty. I'd love to see Lena pull a double cross on Reah.

Love both of these observations/predictions, Brierrose! I especially love the idea of Rhea underestimating Lena, being she's human. And, I thought the same thing...with Lena voicing her concern for her lack of emotion over her ex's death, I took that as a good sign that she will choose differently than her bro and mom.

Katie has also given an interview where she said that as far as she's concerned Lena doesn't know and she actually likes it that way.

I think they'll just continue being friends. Which all in all is pretty boring from a story point of view, but it makes the most sense for the characters. Lena has shown herself on the side of the good people so far, even when people were involved who have lied to her like Lillian, so I don't think that would change if she found out Kara has kept the secret from her.

I think it depends on 1) how Lena finds out and 2) How Kara reacts to Lena finding out

At this point Rea is dead, and dead women tell no tales, so shes out. Lillian is unlikely to tell Lena for reasons of her own (She likes having something to hold over Kara, and at this point she would have to admit to keeping the secret from Lena herself)

Maybe the season 3 big bad will tell her? It seems unlikely and I can't think of any other character that would tell Lena (with the possible exception of Kara herself)

So if she finds out it will be either due to her collecting clues and figuring it out herself or Kara just tells her.

I think either way she would be fine with it as long as Kara doesn't try to convince her otherwise. Lena is the CEO of a tech corporation. She must understand concepts like propriety and "need to know". So I don't think she'll be all "it's because I'm a Luther isn't it". I think she would understand that Kara doesn't tell most people. (and most of those in the know either work/ed for the DOE or figured it out on their own, the only exception is James, and it was Clark, not Kara who told him) so I doubt this will cause her to become a villain. At most it might cause her to act a bit more reserved or standoffish for a bit as she tries to reconcile Kara's two identities.

If Kara tells her. Lena' s first question will probably be "why'd you pick now to tell me this"

If she figures it out on her own she will either not mention it save, little jokes like "what's your kryptonite". ; Not mention it but give Kara opportunities to come clean ie inviting both Supergirl and Kara to the same event. ; or just confront Kara about it.

If confronted Kara will respond in one of three ways.
1) just admit it: yeah, you got me, I hope you understand it's not personal
2) find some way of neither confirming nor denying it: well, hypothetically if I were Supergirl, I would have to keep my identity a secret from nearly everyone I come in contact with, and would only tell people on a need to know basis. Besides even if she wants to tell her friends at what point in the friendship do you bring up that kind of thing?
Or
If I were Supergirl I would probably have to try to convince you otherwise because the DOE probably doesn't think you have the clearance to know that sort of thing and could either lock you up or erase all memories of my alter ego. I certainly couldn't let that happen.
3) Kara tries to trick Lena : what? me, Supergirl? that's ridiculous. I have to go. J'onn meet me at L-corp Lena figured it out

Lena will be satisfied if Kara simply admits it, and she would probably be willing to play along if Kara goes the hypothetical situation route but I doubt Kara trying to trick Lena will go over well. Lena is likely to find that insulting and manipulative. Still not enough to go villain but she might take away Kara's open invitation to her office.

"So if she finds out it will be either due to her collecting clues and figuring it out herself or Kara just tells her."

Actually, there is another possibility - Kara and Lena are together somewhere, and Lena is suddenly endangered (either by a "bad guy" or a natural hazard). Kara then has to change to Supergirl (in front of Lena) in order to save her. Or alternatively, Kara shields Lena from a fire or explosion which burns off her regular clothes, exposing her Supergirl uniform.

So what I want to happen this next year is for her and Kara to become close, close friends, and her relationship with Supergirl to be strained in some ways. i think that brings in some great opportunities for the characters and writers.

I've thought same thing, Kelly. Much more interesting dynamic could arise from this senerio than her simply just finding out. But, when she does... I LOVE Stewart Tick's idea of it coming by way of Kara HAVING to save Lena as Kara.

Her secret getting out is getting more and more anticlimactic. The only one that was super thrilling was Winn... Or when Cat figured it on the balcony. Maggie was a totally anticlimactic, missed opportunity for great writing situation. How is it FEW know of Clark, yet the writers for Supergirl don't care to play more around with the cool scenarios/storytelling for Kara?

So what I want to happen this next year is for her and Kara to become close, close friends, and her relationship with Supergirl to be strained in some ways. i think that brings in some great opportunities for the characters and writers.

I've thought same thing, Kelly. Much more interesting dynamic could arise from this senerio than her simply just finding out. But, when she does... I LOVE Stewart Tick's idea of it coming by way of Kara HAVING to save Lena as Kara.

Her secret getting out is getting more and more anticlimactic. The only one that was super thrilling was Winn... Or when Cat figured it on the balcony. Maggie was a totally anticlimactic, missed opportunity for great writing situation. How is it FEW know of Clark, yet the writers for Supergirl don't care to play more around with the cool scenarios/storytelling for Kara?

Definitely.....this must happen, someone call the writers.
I'm not sure that Cat doesn't know Clark's identity as well.....unless she is far too busy looking at his booty....haha Lillian may know as well by this point.

I think Cat knows about Clark. She said that she bets "when he takes off those glasses, he's a tigar in the sack" which means she spent time picturing him with out glasses. (Of course Kara was too squicked out to pick up on this clue). She probably also noticed that Clark doesn't appear to age as fast as most humans do.
Though I still think it would have been funny if she figured it out because of her fondness for Clark's callipygiousness. Maybe she is standing directly behind Superman when an updraft blows his cape into the air she gets a good look at the Kryptonian's buns of steel for the first time and is like: *gasp* Clark?