Stargirl review: Episode 13, “Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E Part Two”

Stargirl ends its freshmen season on a powerful note, emerging as one of the strongest DCTV shows to date. And that cliffhanger…

Stargirl debuted as the new show in already crowded world of DC superhero shows, which by now if pretty well-developed. As I’ve said before, I was skeptical of the series at first. Having not read the comics and doubting whether the world had room for yet another DCTV show, I just didn’t know if Stargirl had the stuff to stand on its own.

All those doubts and concerns have been completely wiped away after watching season 1. Despite some bumps in a road, which are bound to happen for any show, the series has done a tremendous job telling its own story and standing out.

Every episode built on the one before it, all the way through to the season 1 finale. Over the course of the season, it’s been satisfying to watch the new Justice Society of America slowly form and get to a place where it can stand up against the Injustice Society of America and their plan for a New America.

We finally learned the details of the ISA’s plan for New America in the penultimate episode. The ISA’s plan to eradicate racism, fix the climate, and give everyone healthcare sounds noble, but it also requires the elimination of anyone who resists, as in letting their brains fry out of their skulls.

Mind control plan…initiate! 

The Stargirl season 1 finale picks up right where the last episode left off, with all the adults of Blue Valley under the thrall of Brainwave’s giant brainwashing contraption. The struggle to get everyone free of the mind control isn’t easy, but thanks to Beth’s quick thinking and Dr. Mid-Nite’s goggles, she at least figures out a way to free Pat and Justin.

We get one of the show’s most heartwarming moments yet when a frightened Courtney pleads with a brainwashed Pat to snap out of the mind control. It’s a testament to the progress they’ve made as stepfather and stepdaughter. You could see Courtney truly thought of Pat as her father in this moment, and it was beautiful.

And the best part? Despite being mind controlled, Pat heard every single word. I know, all the feels.

Hourman’s quest for revenge  

With Pat and Justin free, the JSA takes the fight to the ISA. What follows is an epic battle between good and evil, the confrontation we waited all season for. Stargirl shines, of course, but characters like Hourman and Wildcat get to kick some major ass, as well.

The show has always done a great job of spreading the wealth around and making sure all the characters, both primary and secondary, get their moments. Hourman, for instance, gets his one-on-one confrontation with Solomon Grundy, who is responsible for his parents’ death. In the end, he decides to spare Grundy, because he’s grown beyond sating his lust for revenge.

One of the few qualms I have with the finale concerns Wildcat’s storyline. I don’t think it had the impact it deserved. I sort of felt like the episode glazed over her arc entirely, and we didn’t quite get closure on what was going with her. Perhaps season 2 will revisit Wildcat’s story.

What a cliffhanger! 

As the season 1 finale came to a close and the ISA was defeated (or so the JSA thought), an aura of calm and happiness descended on the Dugan-Whitmore household. It seemed like they could finally move forward. But any comics fan knows that happy endings almost never last.

And so, the Stargirl season 1 finale ends on a cliffhanger that will haunt us for the months to come: the return of Joel McHale’s Sylvester Pemberton. Is it actually him, and is he still Starman? Or is this some ruse or clone? I have so many questions and I can’t believe we have to wait a long time before finding out.

But when Stargirl does return, we can be sure it’s going to be off to one heck of a start!

Until next season, folks!

Grade: B+

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