Stargirl Review: S.T.R.I.P.E. (Season 1 Episode 2)

Stargirl returns with a marginally better episode. A clearer narrative and theme move the show in the right direction. Unfortunately, superhero origin cliches clog the script, leaving me with more than a couple of eye-rolls.

Stargirl Season 1 Episode 2, “S.T.R.I.P.E.,” starts exactly where the story left off. Courtney is face to face with Pat’s oversized robot.

Right off the bat, I have to admit the CGI on this robot is quite cool. This is something that The CW could never pull off alone with their limited budget — aside from the annual crossover. Props to DC for going all out on what is essentially a sidekick.

Sadly, most of what the robot does this episode is for laughs. The additional strength he could add to Courtney’s first real outing is squandered for a few cheap jokes. I understand that Pat hasn’t taken this thing out into battle before, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be battle-ready. 

Robot slapstick aside, I want to like this character. Bringing along Luke Wilson as the man behind the bot proves promising. Hopefully, they can make Pat a more likable mentor instead of a bumbling idiot. 

After their initial meet-up, Courtney insists Pat spew his guts about Brainwave and his history with the Justice Society. Although originally skeptical about laying down all the facts, Pat blurts out the schematics with little feeling and even less description.

Instead of building a rich backstory, this feels like information overload. I attempt to jot down the main morsels into my notes but come back with mere mumbo jumbo. I can’t tell you how the factoids match up, so I just throw them aside, hoping they either come back again later or that they aren’t as important as they seem. 

If only a few visuals were thrown into this slew of history, this scene would be more effective. Now I just look back at the moment with a large amount of irritation.

Come the morning, Courtney and Pat head to the family breakfast table without much thought to the bruises on their faces. Barbara calls them out on it immediately.

While I’m relieved that Barbara notices their battle scars, I’m sorely disappointed in the way she handles their poorly executed excuses.

If two family members who have a history of not getting along show up with similar bodily injuries, I’m going to be a lot more inquisitive about what went down. Especially if one of them were my child. 

Barbara writing it off as them finally starting to get along is more than a tad bit weird. Bruises and oddly similar answers scream cover-up to me — but what do I know?

Later on, Courtney sneaks the Starman costume to school to make some major alterations.

Okay, I’ll admit I get a little smile watching Courtney accidentally destroy much of the school’s sewing equipment. While it has been done many times before in many different iterations, it remains fun.

Still, there are no repercussions for these accidental acts of destruction, and Courtney doesn’t even seem to feel remotely bad about the situation.

I dislike scenes like this when they don’t have any impact on the overall plot. Even a floating rumor of an unlawful bandit wreaking havoc on the school would fix this scene that should have otherwise been cut from the episode.

As night falls, Pat and Courtney split up and scour the school campus looking for Brainwave. It is never quite clear why they are so sure he will be attending open house night at the school, but for some reason, they are insistent on it.

I do enjoy Courtney and Brainwave missing each other completely in the crowd, even though every viewer knows they are going to run into each other eventually. It gives a fair amount of suspense and anticipation — which is a step up from the pilot that gave me very little feeling at all.

When their paths finally collide, I feel myself gritting my teeth as Brainwave threatens Courtney and her mother. I find this strange because as of yet, I do not have extremely strong feelings for our protagonist. I’m unsure if this is because of the way the diabolical plan is delivered — or against all odds — I’m growing a connection to the budding hero. 

Either way, the scene is undeniably one of the first truly effective moments in this still very new program. I’m hoping they can capture more instances like this and sprinkle a couple in per episode.

Courtney: You will pay for what you did to my father and the JSA!

When Courtney informs Pat of her interactions with her nemesis, Pat stands up and truly acts as a father. 

I find it strange that it takes this long for Pat to put on his parenting pants when he already has a child of his own. While step-parenting is a whole different beast, one would think he would have a closer emotional connection to Courtney after being with her mother for so long.

Pat denies Courtney the standoff with Brainwave she desires and instead tries to go it alone. It is obvious from the get-go that Courtney is going to end up in the final battle, but of course, we have to wait until Pat gets a royal beatdown first. That’s how superhero shows work after all.

This episode continues to unfold in a predictable fashion of ups and downs for the hero, and we are left feeling somewhat satisfied with the conclusion.

While aimed at a younger audience, the villain isn’t killed, only hospitalized. This I believe serves two purposes.

First, it gives us the possibility of Brainwave coming back at a later date. Second, this gives his son time to rise to power and take vengeance for his father. Both will come to fruition eventually — it is just a matter of time.

Unlike the pilot, this episode has a clear theme that is repeated throughout its forty-something minutes — that theme is family.

Nearly every character shows what family means to them throughout the episode. This includes not only the major characters but the nemesis and side characters as well.

Pat and Courtney’s relationship begins to blossom in new ways as he shows that he truly cares for her and her wellbeing. This in turn allows her to open up to him and accept his help. 

Brainwave shows that though he doesn’t get along the greatest with his son, he is still willing to move mountains for him — even if that mountain is Stargirl.

Beth gets in on the thematic action by including her parents in on her school lunch. Although they seem a bit peeved by the intrusion, they play along for the benefit of their daughter. 

This goes to show that everyone has someone in their corner. 

We often feel alone in this giant world of good and evil, but that isn’t typically the truth. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family in your time of need. Life isn’t for living in solitude. 

What did you think of this episode of Stargirl? Do you feel the show has improved at all? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Stargirl airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.

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