Stargirl Season 3 Episode 10 Review: Frenemies – Chapter Ten: The Killer
Just when you thought you were getting all the answers, Stargirl takes a huge turn. The show proves it’s not afraid of taking some risks late in the home stretch on Stargirl Season 3 Episode 10, “Frenemies – Chapter Ten: The Killer.”
“Frenemies” may be a cutesy term but it’s taken on serious consequences on Stargirl. Time and again Courtney has taken the route of forgiving those who have done bad in the past in the hopes of redemption.
This episode brings that strategy back into focus as new enemies are unmasked. For every Paula and Crusher, an Ultra-Humanite is waiting in the wings to hurt you (and he’s not the only one).
Although the exposition explaining Ultra-Humanite’s origin is a little clunky (sometimes comic book origins are too complicated), his return goes to show what happens when you don’t rehabilitate your enemies.
It makes the good guys’ attempt to make amends with the Mahkents all the more important and stressful. They cannot afford to have another enemy after them right now, and fighting isn’t going to help anyone.
Although Pat’s attempt is admirable as a father protecting his son, Paula and Crusher’s scene with Sofus and Lily is even more moving because they come from a place of knowing. Their emotional appeal about what Jordan wanted for Cameron seems to work and proves how far the couple has come in understanding right from wrong.
This full-circle scene of redemption makes what’s to come even more heartbreaking. From the moment the episode opens on a happy montage of the Crock family you get a sinking feeling in your stomach that everything is not “coming up Crock.”
Like a horror movie, you’re shouting at them to not go into the sewers when they see the trail of flyers.
Bookending the episode with their happiness and then their tragic deaths at the hands of a somehow revived Jordan Mahkent is shocking. The return of Icicle and him being the voyeur is probably not on many people’s bingo cards.
You would have to be stone-cold to not shed a tear when Paula and Crusher die holding hands and saying “I love you.”
The reveal that Icicle is somehow still alive brings a flurry of questions (pun intended). How he’s alive and whether it’s the same Jordan we knew or just an imposter are at the top of the list.
Given Courtney’s false confession about killing him, this complicates her relationship with Cameron even more. Will he be able to forgive her if his dad isn’t dead, or was the supposed act of killing him enough to sour their love forever?
The JSA is also relying on a team-up with the Mahkents to take down Ultra-Humanite, but Jordan’s return may interfere with that plan as well. This is especially likely when they learn what he’s done to the Crocks.
Between this, the drama with Rick (he better apologize to Beth!), and Ultra-Humanite, there are so many plot lines to look forward to.
The show is setting up just enough drama to keep things interesting and fresh without overextending itself. Kudos to Stargirl for keeping up its momentum in the second half of the 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.
2 comments
I loved this episode for the twist of Icicle returning; for Paula protecting Barb; and for the conversation Crusher and Paula had with Lily and Sofus. Courtney’s taking responsibility for the death of Icicle was both necessary (protecting Mike) and sad because she lied to Cameron. It was all done very well, including Mike having a warm moment with Pat. I can’t remember when Mike last got a hug from his dad.
The death of the Crocks after they were shown to have fully reformed was very sad, although it satisfied my “crime and punishment” side as they were really bad people in the past. They helped murder the original JSA, killed their own teammate in the ISA (The Fiddler) and even took out Artemis’ football coach for not giving her enough playing time.
This season the Crocks became my favorite support characters. I was thinking they may get a spin off when their daughter goes to college. In tonight episode we find out she is going to college but looks like no spin off. However, Starman and Icicle came back. Only time will tell. Waiting for the next episode, same CW time, same CW station.
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