Stargirl Review: Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part 2 (Season 1 Episode 13)

As this season of Stargirl reaches its conclusion, the action comes to a head bringing the best and worst out of the newly formed team. The characters learn what it truly means to be a family, and that definition doesn’t necessarily include blood relations.

Stargirl Season 1 Episode 13, “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part 2,” starts off seconds after where the last episode left us — S.T.R.I.P.E is ready to take Courtney’s head off. Pat is being mind-controlled to take her out, and he refuses to hear the heart-aching pleas from his stepdaughter.

It is quite heartwarming to hear the attachment Courtney has developed for her stepdad. I can’t help but feel that as she says these encouraging words to Pat that she is just realizing them herself. Sometimes it takes dramatic circumstances for us to come to terms with our feelings.

Courtney does her best to avoid lashing out at the robotic monstrosity, even though her words seem to be ineffective. She doesn’t see the blood leaking from Pat’s ears that is the tell-tale sign that he is resisting. Courtney only has faith that her words can mend his broken mind. 

Unfortunately, it also takes a little bit of hacking to cause interference in the situation. Luckily, it is a helping hand from an additional teammate that does the trick. Beth, aka Dr. Mid-Nite, steps in with guidance from her handy-dandy goggles, giving Courtney the assist she needs at just the right time. 

Strangely, Beth’s relationship with her AI goggles kind of resembles a family in and of itself. Chuck serves as the patriarch, while Beth’s partnership plays the key to getting things done. Together they are a mighty force, but I’d be lying if I said this is the healthiest of relationships.

After all, these goggles aren’t a sentient being, they are only programmed to resemble one. But there is no denying that their pairing is effective in most ways.

Beth and Chuck even complement each other after the fact, giving props where they are due. Slightly comical, but still more than a little strange. 

Courtney: I need you Pat. I really, really need you!

Once Pat is free from Brainwave’s manipulative methods, he not only apologizes but admits he was able to hear every word that Courtney said. I feel this is a very special moment. 

I see how this scene could have played out much differently. Heck, I’ve seen similar situations addressed in other shows minimizing the impact the truth can have on a relationship.

Typically, the other character being spoken to won’t remember what was said in its entirety, or they are too embarrassed by the scenario to come clean to their friend’s face. Both of these tropes are avoided, and instead we get a heartfelt moment between a daughter and a stepdad. 

This bond is a perfect picture of what agape love looks like — hopeful, forgiving, and unrelenting even in the worst of times. 

With this situation tucked away, the story moves onto bringing the rest of the team back together, focusing on Wildcat and Hourman. Rick and Yolanda’s conversation about morals and where they start and end shows the depth of their relationship.

The two haven’t had many emotionally impactful scenes together, but this one lands perfectly. 

Rick’s baggage left over from the death of his parents weighs on him like a ten-ton brick. The amount of anger he feels is always at the surface waiting to bubble over.

 Yolanda tries to snuff out what Rick feels is a gray area. Rick has long ago decided that Solomon Grundy has earned a horrible fate due to his crimes. In love, Yolanda attempts to convince him otherwise. 

Of course, Rick doesn’t want to hear it — his mind is made up. Speaking from personal experience, arguing with someone stuck in this mindset is like shouting at a brick wall. 

Thankfully, later on in the episode we see that this quasi pep talk Yolanda hands out may have made a small wedge between Rick and his anger. While I believe that Yolanda’s words aren’t the sole factor in letting Grundy go, I find it probable that they planted the seed of doubt.

The open and honest communication in these scenes can’t be overlooked. They are full of passion, honesty, and truth — just like every family discussion should be. Even if you can’t agree, try your best to see the situation through the other person’s eyes.

Yolanda’s words later come back to haunt her when she crosses the line that she begged Rick not to cross. The aftermath of her decision has not yet come to the surface, but I have a feeling that Rick will be the one to walk her through it. There is no better person to walk you through the fire than the one closest to the flame. 

Finally, the team meets up minus Beth and has an all-out brawl with the ISA. I still can’t get over how the bad guys don’t hold back even though they are fighting teenagers. The villains teach the good guys a lesson in humility by giving them a pretty decent butt-kicking. 

That is until Courtney observes the brutality being handed out to the team she put together. She steps directly into harm’s way at pivotal moments in the fights her friends are having. The sense of justice on her face speaks volumes for how much Courtney has grown over these 13 episodes. 

She is the strong, mother-like character her superhero family needs to progress past this barrier to meet their ultimate goal. She doesn’t let her friends lose sight of what they are fighting for. It isn’t for revenge — it is for the fate of the world.

As the team gains the upper hand, they are forced to split up once again due to the time constraints of the mission. They know each other well enough at this point that they can use each other’s skill set to the best of their abilities. Rick and Pat’s strength is more important than Yolanda’s dexterity in the fight against Grundy, so who better to send up ahead than Yolanda.

Our family often knows our strengths better than we do, and they know how to utilize them to the best of everyone’s advantage. In reality that isn’t always a good thing, but in this instance things work out well.

Further down the line, Courtney catches up with Yolanda moments after she disposes of Brainwave. To me, what Courtney walks in on is pretty obvious, but she fails to flat-out judge her friend. She understands who Yolanda is as a person and refuses to be her judge and jury.

This is the type of person you want in your corner!

On a side note, I’m honestly surprised at the amount of death in this episode. While it makes sense that a majority of the people that know the JSA’s secret identity are disposed of, I didn’t see it coming. With the kid family atmosphere, I only expected jail time at the most.

After the satellite and ISA are put under wraps, Courtney heads off to save Pat and Barb. 

Again Pat shows his prevailing love by facing off with Jordan — one of the last remaining villains. Practically defenseless except for his fists, Pat does whatever he can to protect his wife. Luckily, he has someone named Stargirl in his back pocket in case of an emergency.

It comes down to her intervention since human versus superhuman isn’t the grandest of matchups — it is one-sided to say the least.

Even superhuman versus superhero doesn’t fare well when a rookie is involved, thus forth causing Jordan to nearly outwit the titular hero. Her friends and family have learned well that stepping in at the last minute can change the tides of the fight. 

A double team of Mike and Yolanda save the day in the last few minutes, putting the mission into the history books and proving this team forged in fire is truly a family. 

Once the dust settles, we fall into Christmas time where Courtney hands Pat the sacred gift she always reserved for her real father. At first glance, it is just a lame coffee cup that everyone has gotten their father at some point in their life. A last-minute gift without a lot of thought put into it. 

On the other hand, the simple words “World’s Greatest Dad” means everything for Courtney and Pat’s relationship. It proves she is no longer holding out for some symbolic character that meets all her ideals, or even some deadbeat dad to change his spots. She is willing to embrace everything Pat has to offer as a father-figure with no strings attached. 

What a perfect scene to end the season with and bring home the underlying message.

The theme of family dynamics isn’t exclusive to this episode, but they do a great job of bringing it all home at the end. Although some of the moments have a bit of a Hallmark channel feel, nonetheless, they make you want to hug your loved ones extra tight for the next couple of nights.

What did you think of this episode of Stargirl? Is that the real Starman who is looking for Pat? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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