Tag: Stargirl

The ISA has put their plan into motion and the JSA has thirty minutes to stop Brainwave from brainwashing millions of Americans and avenge the original members of the JSA. The first season of Stargirl finishes in one incredible and jaw-dropping finale that doesn’t slow down for a moment. From the fight scenes to the teases for what’s to come, this season more than delivered and became the perfect treat for any DC fan. The legacy aspect of the show was probably the most intriguing part. Watching each new JSA member join the ranks and witnessing the passion that came through each performance, each with their very own inspiration and the goal of honoring those that came before them, was a season long thrill. With the show moving on from DC universe and taking a spot on the CW, it’ll be interesting to see how the show is effected especially when this first season was expertly executed by all involved, in front of and behind the camera.

Picking up right where the previous episode ended, we’re brought back beneath Blue Valley in the tunnel system the JSA was traversing to find the ISA’s machine and finish them off once and for all. But when we left the team last episode, the process had already begun, with Pat and Sir Justin being unable to control themselves, turning on Courtney and her friends. Without another option, Courtney must fight back against a fully armored S.T.R.I.P.E., doing whatever she can to get through to him. This is where the building of their relationship came into play when Courtney’s last attempt to stop Pat was to remind him that she was his daughter. It worked quite efficiently, but once he stopped, he began to fight Brainwave’s control; if it went on for too long, Pat’s brain wouldn’t be able to take it and he would be killed. Luckily with the help of Dr. Midnite’s AI, Beth was able to crack into the ISA’s signal blockers within the tunnels and save Pat and Sir Justin.

The real fun begins once the JSA is able to rendez vous in the central chamber where they’re shortly joined by the ISA. It’s here that fans are treated to the show’s biggest and possibly best fight scene: the showdown we’ve been waiting for all season is finally here, and it doesn’t let down as Solomon Grundy is let out to play. This leads to a big and epic brawl between S.T.R.I.P.E. and Grundy that doesn’t exactly thrill Rick, who finally has a shot at avenging the death of his parents but is told to back off by Pat. Unable to best him, Pat is served yet another beatdown and S.T.R.I.P.E. is rendered scrap metal by Grundy as he rips the mech limb by limb and begins to tear open the chest cockpit, but not before Rick knocks him back and lets Pat know ”It’s his turn.” Rick, filled with years of built of rage and a real hankering for vengeance, gives Grundy possibly the biggest beat down he’d seen in years, but towards the end, he witnesses the fear in the beast eyes and is unable to put the monster down. At some point during the showdown, Cindy was set free from her father’s “timeout” and wasted no time stabbing her father in the back while he was distracted while locked in battle with Sir Justin.

With everything seemingly under control and the situation turning in their favor, Yolanda and Courtney make their way toward the satellite. En route,  Courtney encounters Shiv and locks into combat with her, insisting Yolanda goes ahead and displaying more absolutely incredible staff work. But when Yolanda enters the room she’s cornered by a mob of the dragon’s drones, but one is different, and towards the end removes his cowl to reveal himself to be Henry. For a moment, everything seemed to be perfect as Henry so cleverly reminded Yolanda of the kinda things he said to her before he was seemingly crushed to death by his father. This was an absolute gut-punch as it wasn’t long ago that we had to say goodbye to Henry, someone everyone had begun to come around on and believe he could redeem himself. But “Henry” mixes up one fatal detail and Yolanda can see through Brainwave’s sick joke and slices his throat, killing the psychic psycho and avenging Henry’s death as well as honoring his sacrifice.

With everything falling apart around him and his team down, Icicle makes his way back to the foundation where he proceeds to destroys Beth’s goggles and the Dr. Midnite AI with it, and taking Barbra hostage atop the building. Icicle’s attitude takes a complete turnaround: the calm and careful criminal mastermind is getting erratic and sloppy as begins to show Barb what he’s done for Blue Valley and how this could be the new normal for America.. Icicle had become one of the most intimidating villains on the show, if not in all of recent comic book based media. One thing they never lacked on this show was a good villain making even the simplest of them somewhat of a threat. Courtney can put up a good fight with Icicle before they’re both thrown from the clock tower. Icicle is defeated by an eager and excited Mike, who strikes him with Sir Justin’s truck thus immobilizing the last remaining ISA member.

The finale doesn’t end there and leaves a few excellent teases for what’s to come in the next season. Previously it had been reported by media outlets that Shade would be playing a big role in the second season and his appearance at the end of the finale was a welcome surprise. Currently, no actor is cast in the role leaving it open to fans’ imaginations. But it doesn’t look like Shade will be alone, with Cindy digging what looks like an ISA storage room and retrieving a gem that seems to contain the angel of vengeance himself and the incarnation of the wrath of God, Eclipso. But perhaps the biggest shocker comes from the final moments, as a man is seen approaching an apartment and claims to be looking for Pat Dugan. As the camera turns around its revealed to be none other than Sylvester Pemberton himself, better known as the long thought dead Starman.

The first season of Stargirl was perfect and was worth the extra wait. You can feel the passion that was put into this project, the town itself oozed a welcoming feeling that was almost comforting. That passion, followed by finally putting the spotlight on one of the oldest teams in comics, The Justice Society of America, made for a special season. But I can’t help but appreciate how well cast everyone is, how the chemistry between them all and the relationships they developed throughout the season, friend or foe-t all just felt so perfect. Another special shout out to the stunt and CGI work done on this show, the unsung heroes of every production, they wouldn’t be as perfect as they are without them. Finally, seeing this come together and the obvious love and passion behind this project, Geoff Johns did an incredible job bringing his comic to life and when the credits roll and you see the dedication to his sister you can genuinely feel the devotion to this heartwarming project, Stargirl season one has been on the best comic book shows in recent history and hopefully it achieves a long and prosperous run.

Stargirl season 1 is nearing its much anticipated finale and while the first part to this season’s conclusion works, it’s essentially just used to make the payoff in the real even more unique. The first part doesn’t completely let you down as it features some of the best fights to date and some great character moments. But the pressure is on and the JSA doesn’t have long before the ISA’s master plan is executed. Stargirl season 1 has been an absolute treat and is was definitely a shining star in entertainment this year when many things are being delayed and unable to shoot. Stargirl landed an early renewal for its sophomore season but will be leaving ‘DC Universe’ in favor of the CW network.

We’re finally treated to the return of Sportsmaster and Tigress back in action, two of the best fighters in the bunch, whose fight scenes in ‘JSA’ were some of the best fights of the series. The showdown between Tigress and Stargirl in the Dugan/Whitmore home was almost flawless, Tigress agility and fighting style against Courtney and the staff essentially fighting as two separate entities that work best when they’re together is incredibly exciting to watch and never gets old. The brawl between Sportsmaster and Pat was a bit more one sided, as Pat takes quite the beat down from crusher. Pat is able to hold his own well, especially since he’s out of the suit, but Sportsmaster definitely caught him slacking on multiple occasions during this altercation. It was towards the end of this fight that Pat is able to gain the upper hand with a surprise assist from Mike, who was able to sneak up on Sportsmaster with a power drill. Finally bringing every family member into the loop, Mike is welcomed to the world of the new JSA, while not exactly a member it definitely made things a lot more clear for the youngest member of the family. After both failing to put down their assigned targets, Principal Bowin, The latest Fiddler is sent to set the two straight but not long after is killed by Tigress for questioning the pair’s parenting of their daughter Artemis, a questionable response but not one that would be totally unlike Tigress. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Bowin’s son pick up the Fiddle, as ‘Stargirl’ kinda has a thing for legacy characters.

Finally after a season long wait, we know what the ISA has been up to in Blue Valley and just how they plan to enact their sinister plot, but is it that sinister? When Beth is able to crack into the details of the ISA’s plan they’re shocked to see that their one true goal is to truly make a better world and combat Global Warming and discrimination against race, religion, and sexuality, making some of the team question if they’re truly on the right side. It’s not until Beth is able to dig deeper and discover the ISA plants to use Brainwaves psychic abilities and Dr.Ito’s satellite to broadcast Brainwaves abilities across the united states and control the minds of those with fully developed minds among one-hundred million people. But twenty-five percent of that target will be able to fight back against the reprogramming ultimately causing their brains to shutdown and killing them. Towards the end the JSA realizes that the plan has already been set into motion, and the thirty minutes they thought they had is the time it’ll take to complete the brainwashing and usher in a new and better America.

Splitting up and making their way through the tunnels beneath Blue Valley, the much anticipated final showdown between the JSA and ISA will finally take place and will determine the fate of america as they know it, and with the plan already taking affect on Pat and Sir Justin, how will the team be able to stop the satellite when they’re busy enough throwing down with those closest to them.  While working mostly as a setup for the finale, ‘Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Pt 1’ offers up important character moments and sets up a surely stellar final episode to this season.

After Barbra’s shocking discovery at the end of last week’s episode that left us all hanging, Stargirl picks up right as the staff hit the ground. ‘Brainwave Jr’ cements itself as possibly one of the best episodes of the season so far, its got the best juvenile JSA teamwork we’ve seen all season, stellar character development, and yet another classic cliffhanger. With Courtney’s future in Blue Valley and as Stargirl in doubt, she’s looking to do whatever it takes to finish off the ISA and stop their nefarious plan that could see the very way of life in America changed forever.

One of the biggest revelations of this episode was Barbra’s discovery of Courtney’s alter ego, driven into immediate shock Barb doesn’t hold back and begins to question everything about her new life in Blue Valley. I think a reaction like Barb’s would be natural when you take into account what her life had been like the past 15 or so years and finally having a real family and a real home, I just think she clung to that feeling of “I did it on my own before, I can do it again”. Watching her come around at the end and begin to believe that Jonah was Icicle was exciting to see. Although we don’t know what her final thoughts are on the topic of Courtney playing superhero with her friends, I think if she realizes what lengths Pat went to, to keep her safe, that she would be fine with it knowing she had someone watching her back.

The standout of this episode and cementing himself as one of the best characters on the show, Henry King Jr. took the spotlight here. After realizing that Icicle may have had something to do with the death of his mother, who is also revealed to be the sister of Starman, he takes a complete turn around and goes searching for Courtney to take up that offer she’d given him in the previous episode. When Courtney attempts to bring Henry into the fold once more it causes even more tension among the group, while they’re not for it, the team suits up and heads down into the tunnels previously discovered by Beth. This is where they confront Dragon King, who is hard at work on trying to restore the memory of Henry’s father, Brainwave. The team’s position is given up by a captive Shiv, whose been put in time out by her father, which I wasn’t too fond of her being sidelined like that when she really could’ve helped her father, especially when his only backup was Brainwave and his minions that move at a snail’s pace. But alas the ISA forces proved to be more than enough for the JSA to handle, having only escaped due to Henry’s sacrifice. This scene had to be the highlight of the episode, Jake Austin Walker knocks it out of the park, his final moments had a genuine amount of regret and the guilt he felt for what he did to Yolanda shined through in his apology to her before he was seemingly crushed under falling rubble that his father brought down upon him. The death of Henry was something that I didn’t expect at all, but this is a comic book based property, so does anyone ever really stay dead?

With an ending like that and only 3 episodes remaining this season, the repercussions of this episode will undoubtedly shake the team to their core. Seeing how it affects the team dynamic or even if it makes some of them question if they belong on the team, but hopefully help some of them get their head screwed on right and be able to focus on the mission and honor Henry’s’ noble sacrifice, many of them have spent their time as heroes focusing on what they want to do, this would be the perfect thing bring them together and stop the ISA.

After delving deeper into the background of the diabolical Dragon King and his just-as-Sinister daughter Shiv, Stargirl shifts focus to one of its longest running subplots and puts the spotlight on the King family. For a majority of the season, Henry’s father, Prominent ISA member Brainwave, has been rendered comatose from his encounter with Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E with the ISA membrers having little to no success in their attempts to awaken him. This forces the ISA to look for alternative options for the plan for a new and better America, a plan in which Brainwave’s telepathy is integral. They find this potential in his son, Henry, who presented with two paths in this weeks episode ‘Brainwave’.

While still reeling with the discovery of who Cindy and Courtney really are, and simultaneously dealing with his developing psychic abilities, Henry becomes a hot topic on both the ISA and JSA agendas. Courtney believes recruiting Henry to join the JSA could be their next best move and be crucial in figuring out who within Blue Valley is a member of the ISA. This causes further discord within the newly formed team, splitting the team on whether or not its a good idea, with Henry and Yolanda’s troubled past. The ISA believes Henry to be essential to their plan if Brainwave doesn’t awaken in time for project new America. While all this is going on Henry is stuck within his own mind figuring out how to control his newfound powers, going through his father’s old research to try and figure out the extent of his abilities.

This episode may have had some of the weakest writing and overall delivery of lines for this season so far but Courtney’s words of inspiration to Henry, when trying to convince him to choose them and help save the innocent, using the death of fellow classmate Joey Zarrick to to try and turn the tables. Henry’s development is another shining star in this episode, his mind reading capabilities have shown him the darker part of those around him, the selfish and vile that drive Henry to believe those around him are out to get him and he himself is probably the only one he can really trust. On the issue of recruiting Henry, the loudest response from Yolanda indicates what lengths she would go to keep Henry out of her life, Showing a darker side to her that most figured was there but had never reared its ugly head, goings to such far lengths as to threaten Henry’s life.

Biggest thrills of episode come right from the dinner table, where Courtney and Pat unexpectedly walk into an ambush of sorts that sees them sharing a meal with the Mahkent family. The pair at first aren’t aware of who Jordan Mahkent really is, until the end of the meal when Jordan exposes himself by placing his hands on a hot pan that Courtney realizes who Jordan could quite possibly be, sending her into a frenzy. Courtney’s impulsiveness shines brighter than her staff once more and continues to be her biggest foe as her first idea is grab the staff and go after the Mahkents right after they leave.  Courtney’s inability to learn a lesson is a glaring flaw in her character, and down the line will undoubtedly be the maker of a foe, with seeds already be planted around Blue Valley, who knows where Shiv will end up? It isn’t until the final few minutes were left with possibly one of the biggest cliffhanger of the season, that’ll leave any eager fan crawling back for the next episode.

Stargirl season 1 has spent its previous episodes really establishing the characters and the antagonist they’ll be facing throughout the rest of the season and it’s something they’ve done quite flawlessly. I found myself craving another episode after finishing each and trying to savor them as they released. Now that we’ve got most of the setup out of the way, it’s time to finish what they came to Blue Valley to do. As the story begins to develop further and we witness the dawn of the new JSA, other foes will rise and “Shiv: Part 1” does a great job of setting up Cindy Burman as the sinister Shiv, daughter of the Dragon King.

Beginning with the JSA’s first official training session, Courtney’s impulsiveness rears its ugly head as she makes the whole session about her, irritating her teammates and Pat. Courtney’s impulsiveness is something that’s followed her since the first episode: from running off with the Cosmic Staff, to looting the old JSA headquarters to begin her recruitment process, her lack of self-control is becoming her one her biggest foes, but not as much of a threat as Cindy Burman is becoming. Since episode one, Cindy has been the resident “Mean Girl” at Blue Valley High and is now taking it even one step further. Cindy’s relationship with her father had become strained ever since the death of her mother, now she wants her spot on the ISA, but her father does not believe she is ready stating that he only gave her abilities so she would be able to protect herself.

The blended family dynamic at Courtney’s house is working great as Courtney and Pat’s constant back and forth is helping the two understand each other and work better as a team and Mike’s rising jealousy between the two getting closer feels incredibly natural.. To see where they’ve come since the first episode this fast and this well-done bodes well for the future of the show as the writing just gets stronger as the relationships and rivalries do as well. The choreography is another thing to behold, the fight between Shiv and Stargirl in the gym was amazing, reminiscent of the fight between the Stargirl and Sportsmaster.

Stargirl is a strong contender for being one of the best DC shows. The atmosphere is charming, yet threatening, and the progression of the characters and the story is elegantly done, along with the mystery of the Janitor who may know more about Blue Valley, and Arthurian Legend, then he is letting on.