More 'Legends of Tomorrow' episodes: Did superheroes save the CW?

The CW has ordered more episodes of 'Legends of Tomorrow.' The network has arguably become recognized most as the home of superhero shows, with programs such as the 'The Flash' and 'Supergirl.' 

The CW show “Legends of Tomorrow” will air extra episodes, as the network continues to sport a new identity as the home of hit DC superhero shows with the addition this fall of the program “Supergirl.” 

There will be four extra installments of “Legends of Tomorrow,” which centers on a group of superheroes, many of whom were previously seen on the CW shows “Arrow” and “The Flash.” There were originally 13 ordered.

“Legends” debuted earlier this year and is one of four superhero shows now airing on the CW. First was “Arrow,” which is the story of the superhero Green Arrow, in 2012. It was followed by “The Flash” in 2014. 

“Supergirl,” based on the character of the same name, debuted on CBS last fall, but moved to the CW for this fall TV season.  (All the characters on these shows are based on characters that appear in publications from DC Comics.) 

These superhero programs are now arguably the defining feature of the CW network, with “The Flash” and “Supergirl” currently ranking as the highest- and second-highest-rated shows on the network, according to the website TVLine. “Arrow” ties for third place with the program “Supernatural.” 

And critics seem to mostly be happy with “Supergirl” this season.

Joshua Rivera of Vulture wrote of the most recent episode, “It's a terrific hour of ‘Supergirl’ … It's pretty remarkable how the episode introduces compelling yet succinct story arcs for ‘Supergirl’'s main cast members – even a few neglected ones – while making them all feel tonally appropriate and complementary … It's all so well done that I don't really mind that this week's villains … are pretty lame.”

And Entertainment Weekly writer Chancellor Agard compared “Supergirl” favorably to the other superhero CW shows on the air right now, writing, “So far, ‘Supergirl’ may be the strongest Arrowverse show on the air right now: It’s hitting new beats, it’s extremely confident, and most importantly, it’s trying to be about something.” However, Mr. Agard noted, “However, if there’s one problem so far this season, it’s that there’s too much going on in every week.”