Stargirl 1x12 “Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One” Episode Review
Major Spoilers are included in this episode review. Please read with caution.
The Injustice Society’s plan to brainwash over a million people goes underway in the first part of the season finale. While this episode was mostly setting the table for the second part of the season finale, it was much-needed table setting to get everyone in place for what’s to come.
The penultimate episode also opens with some serious action with Sportsmaster and Tigress, making their comeback to put the hurt on Pat and Barbara respectively. While the adults were struggling to survive against the most violent members in the ISA, I really enjoyed how their kids—Courtney and Mike—were the ones who saved them in the end. The choreography in the action sequences are always so well done on this series, especially when it comes to the melee-oriented villains like Sportsmaster and Tigress.
“Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One” also showed us the machine that will amplify Brainwave’s powers, and it looks like a cheap version of Professor X’s Cerebral Room minus the X’s on the doors and the helmet. I don’t know why I expected anything less. In addition, we learned that while their intentions to mind control seem good on paper—care about global warming, don’t discriminate based on sexual orientation and race, care about universal healthcare, etc.—we learned that at least 25 million people will have to die in the process based on the success rate of the mind-control conversion.
While all this was going on, we did get small character moments leading up to the ending of the episode. Mike Dugan finally learned the truth about his father and step-sister being superheroes, which was really nice. Keeping him in the dark wasn’t fun to watch, and seeing him get excited to someday join the JSA when he gets older was kind-of heart warmer.
We also saw Barbara and Pat talk privately about why he kept the superhero secret and the state of their marriage; at least she wants things to work out for them so that’s a good start. Pat’s confession that everyone who knew about it died was too honest. Barbara also got to join Beth on a hero mission at The American Dream, where they went to hack the machine. I thought it was pretty awesome to see Barbara showing approval for Courtney being a superhero and insisting she come along for a mission with Beth.
The unexpected scene between Brainwave and Cindy Burman was very telling and disturbing. After the first season, I believe there will be plans—hopefully—to explore her character further after learning her father—and everyone else in the ISA—only see her as a failed experiment and nothing more. Brainwave also blamed her for Henry Jr.’s death somehow, saying if she learned his son had powers sooner, then he wouldn’t have to had kill him at all. Brainwave is truly the worst villain in the entire show. I hope he’s one of those villains who keeps coming back season after season.
Overall, this was an effective episode with a good set-up for what’s to come. While I do believe Courtney and her friends will defeat the ISA, the question in mind is: How?
Thanks for reading my weekly episode reviews on Stargirl for the last 12 weeks, everyone! I really appreciate it! I’ll see you all next week for the finale! It’s hero time!