Stargirl Review: Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One (Season 1 Episode 12)

Family can be a pain. They are needy and judgemental people you have to be around your entire life — whether you like it or not. The fact that they know your deepest, darkest secrets doesn’t help matters much.

On the other hand, as Stargirl Season 1 Episode 12, “Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One,” demonstrates, a family can be your lifeline in the darkest of times.

Courtney and her family are going through a rough patch. Courtney’s superhero identity has been revealed to her enemies painting a target on Pat, Barbara, and Mike’s backs.

Jordan’s crush on Barbara originally kept his hand at bay, wanting only to protect her from harm’s way and shield her from the coming onslaught. His discovery of her snooping during the last episode has made him reconsider.

Barbara and Courtney pack their bags for what they are calling an “impromptu camping trip” to get out of town. The real idea is to reconvene at a safehouse in time to meet up with the rest of the JSA. Everything seems to be going fine until Tigress and Sportsmaster show up.

This battle scene montage is the best action displayed throughout the series thus far. Heroes and villains going neck-to-neck trading off the upper hand at key moments — if only to keep you on your toes. The ferocity in which Courtney and Pat fight their enemies is intensified by the vulnerability of their family members. 

Barbara gets knocked down only to have Courtney swoop in and take the lead. I love that she gets to see her daughter in action, therefore realizing how awesome and powerful Courtney truly is.

It is even better when this scene is bookended with Mike and Pat having a similar situation, but with role reversal.

Family tension has been high over the last few episodes with Barbara finding out Courtney’s secret,  and Mike being left out of the loop. This kind of drama can truly break a family in half and make it unrepairable. Fortunately, the family sees the fine details of the scenario and realizes they are stronger together than they could ever be apart. 

With intervention from their non-superhero counterparts, Pat and Courtney one-up their nemeses — if only momentarily — giving them all time to flee. 

Not only does this fight entertain, but it also informs.

The situation tears the blinders from Barbara and Mike’s eyes, showing them exactly what the family is dealing with. Mike can see his father for the hero and inventor he truly is, and Barb realizes her little girl isn’t as powerless as she seems on the surface. 

When we can see past our preconceived notions, we can analyze the situation for what it is. We realize things aren’t as hopeless as they seem, and can now come at things with renewed strength.

Brainwave: I have control over all of them.

Tigress and Sportsmaster share a similar moment when their parenting skills are brought into question.

The two villains are licking their wounds when one of their “co-workers” barges in to bat cleanup. While Tigress and Sportsmaster aren’t exactly keen on the team up, they reluctantly agree for now — that is until their so-called friend begins to run her mouth.

Anya Bowin’s accusatory tone, along with heavy snark aimed at their daughter, reunites Tigress and Sportsmaster in the common goal of defending their family’s honor. 

There is nothing like a few insults from outside the inner circle to raise a fit of anger inside of us. Times like these clarify our true feelings for our loved ones. I can say what I want about my family, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit around and let you bad mouth them as well.

Their quick disposal of Anya realigns their priorities, proving again family is what matters most. 

Family is a bond we are born into. Although we at times don’t get along very well, we have each other’s backs when everything hits the fan. Most of us know this from tragedies that befall us throughout life, but it is always nice to be reminded of it.

Towards the end of the episode, another life situation is explored when the ISA’s plan is revealed in its entirety. It turns out that although the ISA is a group of unsavory people, their common goal is one of harmony. 

Climate change, racism, and bigotry are three subjects very important to the world right now. At least half of the population, or more, would like to bring an end to all of these calamities in the various forms they take. 

Through Brainwave and the rest of the ISA’s intervention, the world could truly be a better place. Eliminating hatred and overall selfish thinking would be a great step towards the healing of our nation and the world at large.

The only problem is that it has the potential to take out a decent percentage of the population as well. So that begs the question, does the end justify the means?

The automatic answer that comes to mind is no. Millions of lives is not a sacrifice I am willing to make to achieve universal harmony. 

But as the ISA proves, that isn’t something everyone agrees on. Even the JSA themselves ponder whether or not they are fighting on the right side before coming to their senses with Courtney quickly doing the math. 

As the timer quickly counts down, it seems that no matter how the JSA feels on the subject, their time to respond is running out — quite literally. 

I haven’t seen a cliffhanger this good in quite a while. Adults under mind-control and Pat in midswing towards Courtney, doses us with a shot of adrenaline just in time to watch the credits roll. Hopefully, this will prove more worthwhile than Arrow’s bombing of the island. 

What did you think of this episode of Stargirl? Will the JSA win before any permanent brain damage takes effect on the adults of the world? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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