Stargirl Season 3 Episode 4 Review: Frenemies — Chapter Four: The Evidence

Self-discovery is something the midlife crisis and teenage years have in common. Stargirl Season 3 Episode 4, “Frenemies — Chapter Four: The Evidence,” explores both types of journeys through the stories of Sylvester and Cameron.

From the start of the show, Stargirl emphasized there is a cost to being a hero. Beth’s mom even references early on the episode that the superhero stuff is exciting until you realize what a huge cost comes with it.

Interestingly, the show chooses to teach that lesson again, but with someone on the other side of their journey. Courtney is just beginning hers but Sylvester is seemingly near the end and reflects on what the true cost is now that he may no longer get to be Starman.

For Sylvester, getting jumped by their still unknown suspect makes him rethink his life. His entire arc this season has been about his attempts to regain his former glory which hasn’t gone too well.

Pat pointing out that Sylvester helped show Courtney everything not to do stings even if Pat is trying to look at the glass as half full. Even more emotional is the scene Sylvester shares with Dr. McNider where they ask each other if they’re happy and we don’t get a reply from Sylvester. The silence speaks volumes.

Dr. McNider feels fulfilled in passing on his legacy to Beth because he has a life to move on with his career and family. As Sylvester constantly reminds us, he lacks a life outside of being Starman.

As much as I didn’t like Sylvester’s role early in the season and how much screen time he took up, it’s satisfying to watch him develop as a character. He’s not completely changed, but he’s more than the jerk who once bossed Pat around.

Who would have thought we’d see him hanging out with Crusher on this episode? He really does seem to be changing, and it’s exciting to see where his role as mentor to the JSA could go.

Although Courtney finally has the hang of being a hero, there’s still plenty of teen angst to go around thanks to Cameron starting his own identity crisis.

The use of Cameron’s powers on this episode makes for some very cool visuals like when he turns the art classroom into a spiky tundra. There isn’t a ton of action compared to other episodes but these sequences make up for it.

The scene where Cameron creates snow flurries with Courtney’s help is downright magical and one of the more romantic scenes we’ve seen on Stargirl.

It’s heartwarming to see Courtney support Cameron and pass on the wisdom she’s learned, but it’s also a little uncomfortable. A relationship built on lies is already starting from a losing position but especially when one of those lies involves Courtney’s involvement with the death of Cameron’s dad.

Even if he does accept the truth that his dad was not the hero his grandparents make him out to be, will he be able to forgive Courtney? Knowing where this relationship is heading puts a bit of a sour taste on what is otherwise a very sweet turn of events for the young couple.

It may already be too late for Courtney to get the balance she desires.

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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