The dialogue was atrocious at times. From what I can tell, it's mainly being written by Ali Adler, and I typically like her writing, so I don't know what went wrong here.

Plus there's so much in that teaser that just flat didn't make sense. It looks like a show that's going to run on weekly doses of deus ex machina at worst, and seismic shifts in tone or theme at best.

"James" Olsen seemed to have potential until the helipad scene which ruined it for me by being overplayed, totally cheesed out silliness.

Calista Flockhart's lips. Oh honey, no. You poor thing, why do that to yourself?

Dumbest part:
"I'm just gonna sit here and let that plane full of people plummet to the ground, killing everyone on board. Too bad I can't help.

Oh, wait, my friend is on that plane, I guess I'll learn to fly for the first time right now in the next 30 seconds so I can save her." Total complete utter bulltrout writing.

Negatives aside, there were positive things, too. Some of the acting was solid.

Takeaway: (Smallville * Updated Visuals + The Devil Wears Prada) ÷ Bad Writing = Supergirl