Stargirl Season 3 Episode 3 Review: Frenemies — Chapter Three: The Blackmail
For one Blue Valley resident things might be cool, but for everyone else things are getting heated on Stargirl Season 3 Episode 3, “Frenemies — Chapter Three: The Blackmail.” A murder investigation will do that.
The focus of the episode on the characters and less on the clues brings the season back on track for a more sustainable pace. Sure we want to know who killed The Gambler, but not at the expense of spending time with the characters we love.
Finally, the JSA gets more meaningful screen time, with Beth and Rick getting to connect during a car ride and Yolanda talking with Sylvester about Ted Grant. Courtney also gets to explore her budding romance with Cameron a little bit even though he initially gives her the cold shoulder (pun intended).
The investigation chugs along with the truth about the Crocks’ blackmail, and their innocence, revealed but does so at a pace that allows for the rest of the show to breathe. Managing a large ensemble cast is always tricky, but Stargirl seems to be finding its “balance” again just like its protagonist.
Even Sylvester gets some needed character development as we get more insight into why he’s so tied to his Starman identity —he literally never had a life outside of being Starman. It’s funny that he’s unemployable compared to the rest of the old JSA who had real careers, but also sad.
Once again, Sylvester causes the tension on this episode though he has an assist from chaos agent Cindy. I’m still very curious what her deal is this season. Did she kill The Gambler for his files on her dad, or did she just steal the laptop from the crime scene?
Sylvester’s elaborate fight with the Crocks in the grocery store is one of the best fight scenes in a grocery store on TV since Barry Season 2 Episode 5, “ronny/lily,” which is saying something. Although it starts as a classic good guy versus bad guy showdown, the increasing intensity aided by some dark music changes the tone of the scene.
Sylvester’s attempts at being a hero are so clouded by his vengeance and ego that he turns to the dark side by almost killing two (mostly) innocent people. Thank goodness Paula and Crusher end up okay because I would miss Paula and Barbara’s adorable/weird friendship.
Luke Wilson delivers a terrific emotional performance when Pat explains to Sylvester why it’s so important he be a good role model for Courtney. Coming back from the dead to a protege who thought you were secretly her dad is a lot for Sylvester to process, but Pat’s insistence that Sylvester be a father figure shows where his priority lies which is with his family.
The Pat-Courtney bond has always been foundational to the show, so it’s nice to see he’s still putting that first even with Sylvester back. He says the costume doesn’t make the man in order to soothe Starman, but in a way, he’s talking about himself.
Pat doesn’t need STRIPE or a costume to be a hero. He does that just by caring for those around him.
The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Sylvester’s fate is not completely clear, which definitely adds some urgency to the investigation. To speak in gambling terms, the stakes are raised.
Additional Thoughts:
- Pat and Barbara deserve those “World’s Greatest Dad/Mom” mugs!
- Wasting waffles is its own crime. Straight to jail!
- I don’t trust Cindy either but a grown man should not talk to a teenage girl like that. What the heck? Leave insulting Cindy to Yolanda.
- Honestly, Tim deserves whatever Paula is dishing out.
- Rick defending his teacher is so sweet. Even if it did lead to a cheesy “cool” pun.
- I hope Sylvester is somehow alive only because Pat looked so happy making his new costume.
What did you think of this episode of Stargirl? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Stargirl airs Wednesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
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.