15 Reasons to Watch ‘Stargirl’

Stargirl premiered on DC Universe and The CW this summer, adding one more superhero show for fans to fall in love with. The show features high school sophomore Courtney Whitmore, who must become a hero alongside her friends in order to stop a group of supervillains. 

Since the show recently wrapped its first season, now is the perfect time to catch up if you missed it. Trust us, it is a show worth watching. And in case you need a little convincing, we’ve compiled this list to prove that Stargirl deserves a spot on your TV schedule.

Whether you’re a DC Comics fanatic or just looking for a fun new show, here are 15 reasons to give it a watch:

1. Plenty of Heart

If you’re looking for a show that’s not afraid to be sincere and heartfelt, look no further. Like the best superhero shows, Stargirl understands the protagonist needs to have an emotional journey as a part of their evolution into a hero.

Before Courtney even finds the Cosmic Staff that gives her the power to be Stargirl, we meet her first as a teenager being uprooted from her life to move to a new home with a new stepdad. It’s easy to relate to her and the feelings she has as she starts a whole new life in Blue Valley, Nebraska. 

By giving the audience a chance to connect with Courtney before she becomes a hero, it sets the tone for what the show is about. More than just super-powered teens and villains with evil schemes, this show is about family and friendship.

Stargirl will tug at your heartstrings just as much as any traditional family drama would.

2. A Light-Hearted Tone

Unlike the grit of Titans or the dark humor of Doom Patrol, Stargirl goes for a more light-hearted tone.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a gritty superhero show. However, Courtney’s origin is much closer to that of the average teenager, so a lighter tone makes sense for the show. 

The show is about family and something that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Stargirl achieves that family-friendly tone without ever being too cheesy or cringe-worthy for adults watching. 

Not to say there aren’t high stakes or serious situations, but this show knows how to balance those moments. Courtney gets to save the world and have time to joke around with her friends now and then. 

3. Courtney Whitmore’s Positivity 

The protagonist, Courtney, sets the tone for the show with her positive attitude and passion. Played by Brec Bassinger, Courtney has a strong sense of wrong and right and believes the best in people.

It’s not easy to play a character like this who could easily come off as self-righteous or a little obnoxious. But Bassinger does a great job bringing a level of sincerity to the role that makes it work. 

Although her optimism can sometimes border on stubbornness, it often ends up paying off for Courtney on the show. Stargirl sends the message to viewers that it’s OK to choose a positive attitude even when things are looking bleak. 

More importantly, you learn her positivity isn’t the result of living a completely sheltered life. It’s a choice. Abandoned by her dad, Courtney has had her share of disappointments in life. But she doesn’t let that stop her from seeing the best in people.

4. Breakout Performances

Another benefit of having a show featuring younger characters is the chance to discover fresh new talent. In addition to Bassinger, the cast is filled with diverse young actors who will impress you. 

Yvette Monreal plays Yolanda Martinez, who meets Courtney when she’s at an all-time low. Monreal brings a fierceness to the role while also showing Yolanda’s vulnerability. Anjelika Washington as Beth Chapel brings a little more goofiness and humor to Courtney’s group of friends.

Cameron Gellman as Rick Tyler rounds out the friend group. Rick couldn’t be more opposite of Courtney at the beginning of the show and instead shows what it’s like to channel your grief into rage. 

Of course, I’d be remiss to leave off Meg DeLacy who plays the wonderfully villainous Cindy Burman. Her performance automatically puts her in the high school mean girl hall of fame. 

5. Luke Wilson as Pat Dugan

Whether you love him from Legally Blonde or his work with Wes Anderson, you’ll appreciate having Luke Wilson back on your screen thanks to Stargirl. Luke Wilson plays Pat Dugan, Courtney’s stepfather and an important ally in her journey to becoming a hero. 

Wilson’s everyman charm is the perfect fit for Pat Dugan, a seemingly regular dude with a surprising past. Although Pat’s secret past is an important plot point for the show, the reason you’ll fall in love with him is seeing him as a caring husband and father. 

Whether you’re watching a scene between Pat and his son Mike (Trae Romano) or Courtney, you’ll end up wishing Pat was your dad. Wilson and Bassinger especially make for great scene partners and know how to play off of one another. 

At first, Pat’s instinct to protect Courtney sometimes causes friction between them; however, their father-daughter relationship develops over the season and becomes central to the heart and plot of the show.

6. Parents just as Interesting as Their Kids

Sometimes the most interesting characters on teen shows turn out to be the parents.

Although Courtney’s stepdad may be a good guy, many of her classmates’ parents are not so nice. Making things more complicated is the fact parents and children in this show don’t always fall into the same camps of friend or foe.

Leading the pack of baddie parents is Neil Jackson as Jordan Mahkent, whose motivations seem good on the surface but have a twisted outcome. Did I also mention he’s the boss of Courtney’s mom and the father of her potential love interest? Awkward. 

If you loved the dynamic of the show Runaways, you’ll want to see how Stargirl stacks up in the evil parents’ department. 

7. Comic Book References Galore

If you love deep-cut comic book references, this show is for you. Courtney Whitmore is a relatively newer DC character, making her first appearance in 1999. However, her story features much older parts of the DC Comics world. 

Just like the comic books the show is based on, the show pays frequent homage and makes references to the Silver Age of DC Comics.

Justice Society of America members like Doctor Mid-Nite and Hourman have briefly appeared on screen before in shows like Legends of Tomorrow, but they’re far from household names. These new versions play much bigger roles in the Stargirl story and will win you over as fans. 

And while villains featured in the show are normally just as obscure, there is one big name on the roster fans will recognize right away. 

8. High School Drama Without the Cliches

What’s a show set in high school without at least a little drama? Every show about teenagers needs it, but Stargirl approaches these issues with a little more nuance.

For example, what could’ve just been a love triangle between Yolanda, Cindy, and Henry Jr. takes a much more interesting twist when you realize how Cindy and Henry’s parents are behind it. 

So many of these characters fit into a classic high school stereotype and then subvert it. You may have met mean girls before, but none with a backstory as tragic as Cindy Burman’s. 

Stargirl doesn’t completely ignore the staples of high school life. There’s an awkward first day at school, football games, a school dance, and the like, but it doesn’t rely on those tropes as plot filler either which makes it stand out. 

9. Amazing Fight Scenes

Stargirl kicks butt. Literally.

This show features some of the more impressive fight sequences I’ve seen in superhero television. From the original Justice Society of America battle in the premiere to the big showdown in the finale, the show doesn’t take many breaks from the action.

While the big battles are probably the most fun, there are also plenty of one-on-one fights throughout the season that do a great job of highlighting each character’s ability. 

You may be wondering how a bunch of teens can fight grown villains. You may need to engage in some suspension of disbelief but not as much as you think.

In addition to having a Cosmic Staff that allows her to fly, Courtney is a trained gymnast. Other characters are also gifted special abilities. So although there is very little training shown, it mostly makes sense. 

10. Impressive Practical and Special Effects

Although Stargirl aired concurrently on The CW, the show was developed by DC Universe and that streaming budget shines through in the special and practical effects. Courtney would never have become Stargirl without finding Starman’s Cosmic Staff, which appears on the screen through CGI.

The Cosmic Staff moves independently of and often reacts to Courtney, sometimes disagreeing with her. The Cosmic Staff has a mind of its own, and the fact so much personality shines through proves it was money well spent. 

The other huge visual effect on the show is S.T.R.I.P.E., a mech robot piloted by one of the characters. A real-life version of the robot appears on screen in addition to movement shots rendered in CGI. 

There are many more cool special effects, especially when it comes to the villains, but I suggest watching the show to see for yourself!

11. High Stakes

Stargirl may have a light-hearted tone, but that doesn’t mean it lacks high stakes. Courtney lives a double life as Stargirl and her choices have serious consequences for herself and those around her. When she messes up, it means she or others get put in danger. 

Early on you learn just what lengths the villains are willing to go to achieve their goals, and it leads to tragedy. One particular defining moment provides Courtney’s motivation for taking on the supervillain Icicle. 

Courtney and her friends are often fighting for their lives and the lives of others. And in this show, the heroes don’t always win. 

12. Heartbreaking Moments

Remember when I said this show had plenty of humor? Well, you still might want to keep a tissue box handy. Sometimes a story needs a little heartbreak, and Stargirl knows just how to serve it up. 

The heartbreaks in this show are usually not about romantic relationship drama though. Most of them have to do with family.

While there are some heartwarming moments, especially when it comes to Pat and Courtney, there are equally as many instances of characters being let down by the ones they love. 

Your heart will break alongside the characters, but that’s OK. It makes it all the better when you see them learn to stand up for themselves and move forward. 

13. Realistic Reactions to Trauma

While some shows about teenagers gloss over traumas faced by their characters, Stargirl isn’t afraid to have their characters react like real human beings. These storylines humanize the heroes, making them even more relatable to viewers.

Rick, who lost his parents at a young age, is angry and still grieving. Yolanda, who suffers humiliation at the expense of someone she trusted, withdraws from the world to hide her pain. Even with Courtney, there’s a heartbreaking storyline throughout the show where she copes with her abandonment issues through denial.

But don’t worry, the emotions aren’t always sad. Sometimes you will be cheering along or crying happy tears as these characters also find happiness and peace throughout the show. It’s showing that entire journey that makes Stargirl stand out among its peers.

14. The Creator’s Love for the Character 

Geoff Johns is not only the series creator and executive producer of the show, but his connection to Stargirl goes back to the very origins of the character. He co-created her alongside artist Lee Moder.

Beyond just co-creating the character, Johns has a special connection to Courtney Whitmore. The character was named and modeled after Johns’ own sister, who passed away in an accident as a young woman.  

It’s obvious from watching the show that a lot of care was taken in adapting the character, and that attention to detail translates to a great story on screen. As long as Johns is involved, it’s safe to say that this will continue to be the case and fans won’t have to worry about the character they love from Season 1 being messed with.  

15. A Perfect Set-Up for Season 2

Once you’ve finished the series, you’ll be counting down the days until Season 2. The good news is The CW already renewed Stargirl for a second season. 

So if you’re the type of viewer who hesitates to invest their time in a new show because you’ve been left hanging before, rest assured there are plenty of stories left to tell.

Without revealing any specific spoilers, interesting new villains are introduced in the finale, and the season ends with a shocking twist that will leave viewers anticipating the show’s return. 

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Have you watched Stargirl? What did you think about Season 1? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Stargirl Season 1 is available to stream on DC Universe and The CW’s website and app.

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