“Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two” had the heroes fighting to save the multi-verse by discovering who the seven Paragons were. One of those, which didn’t need discovering, was Kara Danvers: the Paragon of Hope.

Love it or hate it, “Crisis on Infinite Earths” is using the seven Paragons to highlight important qualities in the heroes we love (and a couple of new ones). They’re showcasing what makes these people heroes, which is something that may not always be so clear this far into their journey (because they’re heroes in so many ways) or at the beginning of their stories, like Kate Kane, who haven’t had a chance to define themselves yet.

For Kara Danvers, she could easily be defined by her loss. She’s lost more in her lifetime than most people do. Krypton, her mother (twice now), Kal’s childhood, all of this could have broken Kara. But despite her loss, she’s one of the most optimistic heroes in the multi-verse. While some might argue someone else in the Arrow-verse might be better suited to be the Paragon of Hope, Kara is actually perfect for this role.

Kara’s history of inspiring hope

Since Supergirl first began, the writers have always relied on Kara to be a light in the darkness, to help guide people back when they’re lost. Much of her heroism has been about just that. For instance, on season 1, episode 7, Kara (powerless and down an arm, by the way) talked down a man with a gun who was trying to rob a convenience store. This is just one of the earliest instances of finding the good in people to get them to come back from across the line.

Much of Supergirl season 4 also depended on using Supergirl as a vehicle for optimism and acceptance. As the anti-alien sentiment grew stronger, Kara used her status as a hero to combat that. And when that didn’t work any more, after Lex sabotaged her role as Earth’s protector with Red Daughter, Kara Danvers stepped up to give people hope as a reporter, writing a Pulitzer winning article exposing Lex Luthor and his recent treachery.

Many of Kara’s most important and most heroic moments are built on the foundation of hope. For example, let’s take a look back at, in my opinion, Kara’s most iconic speech on Supergirl, from season 1, episode 20:

People of National City, this is Supergirl and… I hope you can hear me. We have been attacked. Mothers and Fathers, Friends and Neighbors, Children … everyone, suddenly stopped by a force of evil, as great as this world has ever known. Your attacker has sought to take your free will, your individuality, your spirit, everything that makes you who you are. When facing an attack like this it’s easy to feel hopeless, we retreat, we lose our strength, lose ourselves. I know. I lost everything when I was young. When I first landed on this planet I was sad and alone. But I found out, that there is so much love in this world, out there for the taking. And you, the people of National City, you helped me, you lead me be who I’m meant to be. You gave me back to myself, you made me stronger than I ever thought possible, and I love you for that. Now, in each and everyone of you there is a light, a spirit that can not be snuffed out, that won’t give up. I need your help again. I need you to hope. Hope, that you will remember that you can all be heroes. Hope, that when faced with an enemy determined to destroy your spirit, you will fight back and thrive. Hope, that those who once may have shunned you, will in a moment of crisis come to your aid. Hope, and you will see again the faces of those you’ve love, and perhaps even those you’ve lost.

The perfect Paragon of Hope

For Kara Danvers AKA Supergirl, her strength has always been her hope. Finding the good in people, which we’re seeing on Supergirl season 5 as Lena Luthor walks down a darker path and Kara fights to get her back, and saving the world after everything she’s lost during her life, it’s what Supergirl does. It’s what Kara Danvers does. It’s been the central point of so many of her stories, from trying to redeem Astra to finding the humanity in the Worldkillers.

Kara’s optimism is one of the things I’ve always loved most about her, and what drove me to watch Supergirl in the first place. It’s so easy for superheroes to go dark after their life experiences, and Kara has had her moments too, but it’s rare to see someone experience that and still be a bright light on the world. Despite the negative, Kara is an anchor of positivity and hope for the other characters, the citizens of National City, and most importantly, the fans.

Kara became Supergirl to help people with her powers, like she had wanted to do since arriving on Earth. Even her day job, working as a reporter, allows her to give the citizens strength and hope with the facts of what happens. Kara’s still using her writing to protect the world, even if in a different way than punching the bad guy out on the streets in her superhero suit. (Those are my favorite superheroes, like the original Laurel Lance on Arrow who was an attorney as well as the Black Canary.)

Amid all of the other heroes in the universe, though, Kara stands out, and it has nothing to do with her powers because even without her powers, Kara would be a hero. She inspires unlike any other hero. She always tries to find a different way to stop the villain, using her ability to see the good inside of everyone to her advantage. This is what makes Kara the perfect Paragon of Hope.

The “Crisis on Infinite Earths” finale airs January 14, 2020, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on The CW! Supergirl season 5 returns on Sunday, January 19 at 9 p.m. ET!