Stargirl Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Frenemies — Chapter Two: The Suspects
Stargirl is starting to have a big Starman problem. Sylvester continues to disrupt things in Blue Valley and makes us question whether he is much of a hero on Stargirl Season 3 Episode 2, “Frenemies — Chapter Two: The Suspects.”
While Courtney and Pat take the investigation seriously, Sylvester uses it as an excuse to open up old wounds with his former enemies like the Shade.
To see him disrespect Pat again, calling him his sidekick, is frustrating. To quote Pat, he’s a “bull in a china shop,” and his dramatic superhero antics don’t fit in in Blue Valley.
Although he seems receptive to Pat’s feedback, the fact he turns around and later takes Courtney out of school to train her shows he’s not thinking about anyone but himself. Courtney cannot afford to take summer school again!
Sylvester may be a hero, Pat’s best friend, and Courtney’s mentor but he’s ironically also the closest thing the show has to a villain right now because he’s the primary source of conflict. It has the potential to be a very interesting dynamic, but right now no one challenges Sylvester enough on his actions.
Stargirl does its best to make him sympathetic, including having him admit his guilt over being alive when he blames himself for the rest of the JSA’s deaths. Sylvester’s trauma does deserve to be explored but it’s hard to trust his apology after he’s already lied and gone behind his friend’s back since showing up.
Redeeming Sylvester and him actually undergoing some growth would make this arc worthwhile, but right now it just feels like it’s coming at the expense of other characters.
Once again the JSA members don’t get much development in their stories. How many times do we need to watch Yolanda and Cindy squabble?
Courtney underwent significant character growth in Season 2, but Season 3 is putting that to the test. Already the JSA is falling apart again with the pressure of the murder investigation and Starman’s presence.
The murder is too personal for her: even after accepting her dad is not a good guy she still clearly carries some emotional baggage (as most people would). Would she care so much about The Gambler’s death if he wasn’t in the process of making amends with his daughter when it happened?
Courtney has a good heart but when superheroes let things get personal it doesn’t always turn out well.
This is especially true considering the episode ends with the implication that Cindy (who has The Gambler’s laptop) and the Crocks (who have a secret) may know more about the murder than they let on. Courtney’s faith in rehabilitating people may blow up in her face.
It’s not all doom and gloom in Blue Valley though.
Paula and Barbara’s awkward friendship continues to be a standout this season when it comes to humorous moments. The two of them attempting, and failing, to bake a cake for the Rotary Club is the type of nice lighthearted gag Stargirl likes to intersperse with all the drama.
The same goes for Jakeem and Mike using Thunderbolt to attempt to solve the murder. Of course, they can’t outsmart him from their wish going awry, but it’s so much fun to watch them try.
This is the most we’ve heard from Thunderbolt all season so it would be easy to miss that the voice actor was recast. Seth Green doesn’t bring quite the same zany fun as Jim Gaffigan, though I am impressed Stargirl managed to include a whole monologue about Columbo in a show about teen superheroes.
Hopefully, Stargirl remembers that even crime-solving teens are allowed to have some fun and the rest of the JSA gets more lighthearted moments this season.
What did you think of this episode of Stargirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Stargirl airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Breeze Riley
Breeze Riley is a pop culture enthusiast who decided to turn her love of watching too much TV into a hobby writing about it. Although she's a convention-going sci-fi and fantasy nerd, she's just as likely to be watching an off-beat comedy or period drama. She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic.