Stargirl review: “Summer School: Chapter Ten”

Stargirl was on a mission this week to finally put an end to Eclipso (Nick E. Tarabay), but that’s easier said than done. At the end of last week’s episode, the Dugan/Whitmore household was at each other’s throats, fighting and arguing while young Bruce Gordon (Milo Stein) — Eclipso’s new host — watched smiling from a distance.

I’m not sure if Stein has acted in anything else before Stargirl, but he plays the creepy, possessed child way too well. He’s got the laugh, the stare, and the ominous presence down. Not sure who this kid is, but he’s doing a wonderful job of creeping us all out.

The bulk of this week’s episode is focused on Courtney (Brec Bassinger) coming to terms with Pat’s (Luke Wilson) revelation that the JSA killed adult Bruce Gordon (Jason Davis) in an attempt to take down Eclipso. This is the secret Pat has been harboring for the last few episodes, and after seeing Courtney’s reaction, we can understand why he kept it from her.

This week picks up with a flashback to Starman (Joel McHale) and Pat having a heart-to-heart discussion after Bruce Gordon was murdered. I have to admit, I don’t always think McHale has a lot of acting range, but this week he proved me wrong with his Starman monologue. He gave me all the feels and reminded me that perhaps Starman isn’t as horrible as we have come to believe.

More on that in the review below — SPOILERS ahead!

Starman and Pat

I didn’t anticipate a dark, gloomy, murderous storyline from Stargirl, but the second season has made it happen. After learning that the JSA, or rather Starman, killed adult Bruce Gordon, things felt a bit heavy and awkward going into this week’s episode.

However, the flashback that kicked off the episode curbed the anxiety with a phenomenal monologue from Starman. He was honest, vulnerable, and exemplified who Starman truly is. Seeing him finally connecting with Pat was amazing.

Plus, it reminded me of why Pat always sticks up for the guy. In all the flashbacks so far, Starman didn’t really show Pat much respect. While I’m still not convinced he’s a wonderful person, I do see why Pat might admire Starman.

Stargirl learns the truth

After learning about Pat’s big secret, Courtney is in shambles. She can’t believe the very same group she has revived once was responsible for killing an innocent human being. It doesn’t gel with their code in any way, and the fact that Pat and her mother (Amy Smart) hid it from her really rattles her.

I’m really happy, however, that we finally got to see a classic Courtney and Pat scene. These two share a special relationship as stepfather and stepdaughter, and they really began to bond over the whole JSA thing last season. Seeing their trust shaken is difficult to watch, but that’s what makes Stargirl such a great series; there are so many layers of emotions to sort through, and this is perhaps the most convoluted journey these two characters have been on yet.

Looking for and finding Jenny (Ysa Penarejo) really bring the family dynamic back into focus. Despite their anger, finding and comforting Jenny changes things. Pat and Courtney have this beautiful ability to exude empathy and kindness when it is most needed. That is what I love about these Stargirl characters, and I love that despite their problems they can still be their best selves when they need to be. They truly define what it means to be a hero!

The Shade

I’m not sure if anyone else thinks about this, but superheroes always cause a lot of structural damage to the world around them. We see it all the time, but I guess we just assume that everything will get put back together somehow. Does anyone else wonder how annoying it must be to constantly pick up after superheroes and supervillains?

I had this thought this week because the Dugan/Whitmore household just finished fixing some of the damage from Jenny and Courtney’s fight. And on cue, the Shade (Jonathan Cake) comes crashing through the rooftop. Something has got to give — how do these folks afford all these renovations?!

But I digress. The Shade’s appearance is crucial because he is there to help the JSA stop Eclipso. From the moment this character was introduced, he had a villainous aura about him, but over the last couple of weeks it appears as though he is really trying to help these guys out, even if Pat doesn’t trust him.

But perhaps I speak too soon, because once a villain, always a villain, and there is something shady (ha, get it) about this guy. He is definitely there for his own reasons, but if he can help stop Eclipso, does that matter?

We get some interesting revelations about Shade’s character, including that his powers are linked to Eclipso and the Black Diamond. So when he got Jenny to fix the Black Diamond, it simultaneously healed the Shade and summoned Eclipso.

And Eclipso’s return resulted in Courtney being sucked into the shadows. I know she’s going to be okay, but did they really have to traumatize us like that?!

Stargirl is darker and gloomier than any other Arrowverse show I’ve seen in a while. Arrow used to get like this, but then again, it wasn’t about a team of teenage superheroes trying to take down bad guys. Stargirl has really matured over the last season and a half. The storylines are intriguing, the plot development is top-notch, and the way they incorporated the DC Comics canon is subtly genius. I’m really enjoying the series. I know that we only have a few more episodes left, and I’m going to relish every single moment.

Until next week, everyone!

Grade: A-

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