There *clap* we *clap* go! *clap* That was a much better episode!
Last episode was a tad on the weaker side, but I like how the writers took the Thunderbolt out of contention, because if not a single character tried to use the Thunderbolt to try to solve the murder that would be a massive plothole. That was written very smartly I thought since "The killer has many names."
But this episode finally showed me what the writers were doing, and I'd just like to say bravo! I was getting a little impatient with how the writers hadn't brought Mr. Bones to Blue Valley yet, but the writers actually broke their own formula here. For once, they didn't introduce the main villain in episode 1 and then have to drag out their introduction to all the players. I have a feeling we'll meet Mr. Bones in episode 6, since that would be around the midseason, but until then I'll be enjoying how the writers are giving us villains-of-the-week back, and you have no idea how much it excites me to say that!
There's some Arrow season 1 undertones here in the form of what we currently know about the murder plot, and how we're crossing off our suspects every episode. Sound familiar? It should. It was the exact way that Arrow moved along the concept of the List in season 1! Everything was tied into the main plot despite being its own standalone story! And I know that because I've been rewatching Arrow season 1 recently, and that's one of the things I like the most about the front half! I still think "Frenemies - Chapter One: The Murder" could've done a little less setup and a little more execution, but I'll take it in a heartbeat if we get villains-of-the-week back!
You honestly start to miss villains-of-the-week if you've been watching the last two-ish years of DCTV. As good as Superman and Lois season 1 is, even that season falls victim to having too much plot and not enough new weekly villains. And that was also a big issue with Stargirl season 2 as well. The season's major plot was paper thin, so I and a lot of other people got really impatient with it and felt like we could've covered the seasons entire back half in 3-4 episodes as opposed to the 7 episodes we got! My biggest issue with season 2 was that it took its time with its plot and felt slow. But here comes season 3 taking the right amount of time with its plot (not unlike season 1 btw), and it doesn't feel slow (except for some parts in "Frenemies - Chapter One: The Murder")! Just like in Arrow's first season with the List plot! This season's managed to not only reintroduce villains of the week, but inject new life into the concept by making them all important to the season's main story.
And there is a fight scene in this episode, and my god it is glorious! Some of the staff's blasts and lighting looked less good than season 1 (but still not bad, plastic-y or cheap for the record), but the choreography was some of the best on the entire show! Seriously, this fight competes with the JSA vs Crocks fight in season 1 and the JSA vs Injustice Unlimited fight in season 2. I think I still give a leg up to those first two if I had to choose, but that doesn't mean that this fight isn't everything that a great fight should be! You want awesome choreography? You got it! The Crocks are doing their teamup moves on Starman like they were on the JSA in season 1, Sylvester was fighting Paula and then Crusher comes out of nowhere and he takes them both on at once effortlessly, Sylvester throws the staff as Paula's getting up and she's able to hold herself below the staff. The choreography was fantastic! You want a lot of personality? You got it! At the top of the fight, Crusher literally says "I was getting bored anyway" and Paula replies "Me too." When Crusher gets his hands on a bat, he lets off this devilish smile and says "Hello, friend." The Crocks were absolutely the best people for this fight because they just naturally have the most personality of everyone on the show! You want the characters to use the setting of the fight to their advantage? You got that too! Crusher hits Sylvester with a bag of mulch, and he was using a shopping basket as a shield at one point. They were jumping over the aisles and knocking over displays. Bottom line, this is everything you could ever want in a fight! Again! Stargirl is three for three on having a gorgeous fight sequence at least once each season!
Oh, and the fact that they can bring in the robot casually means the CW gave them more budget for this season, which I'm fairly sure I was the only one to call out.
And in terms of Sylvester, I am still consistently impressed with his portrayal! I have to disagree with people that say Sylvester's a bad character. I really liked him in the first two episodes, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why until I saw a comment on a Youtube video, and the first sentence of that comment was "Sylvester is a manchild." And if that doesn't describe Sylvester Pemberton, I don't know what does! Doesn't fit entirely with the fact that he was really honest and down to earth when dealing with Eclipso in last season's flashbacks, but I honestly think what they're doing with him in season 3 is even better!
I especially really like that Pat brought up what happened with Courtney's real father in "Shining Knight" to Sylvester, because even though I'd already interpreted what Pat told Starman before, cementing that episode as one of my favorite episodes of any tv show, I hadn't considered that Courtney may still put Sylvester on a pedestal. So him acting rashly, not thinking carefully about his decisions, convincing Courtney to leave school in the middle of the day and neglect her duties... It's like he never learned to be a real hero. And I actually really like this because it shows that he's not some perfect hero like the show's made him out to be in the past, but that he's a kid in an adult man's body that's basically never had an ounce of responsibility in his entire life!
He's kindof like Kilgrave on Jessica Jones in that Kilgrave never actually learned how to be a good person (though trust me that's where the parallels between the two of them end.) Sylvester spent his childhood, and most of his adulthood, living out his childhood fantasies of being the "Star-Spangled Kid" and eventually "Starman". He had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but always had more mature people around him. It even ties back to his death all the way back in the Pilot episode, how he went on about how there *needed* to be another person that could carry the torch. He was being purposely overdramatic in his final moments instead of being real because nobody ever told him that's not how superheroes acted!
And him being so attached to the Starman persona ties into Courtney's season 1 and 2 arcs where she went through the same thing, though for radically different reasons than Courtney. And I, again, really like this, because while Sylvester teaches Courtney what the Cosmic Staff can really do, it's *Courtney* teaching Sylvester how to be a real person, care about people and live a normal life! It's a really good subversion of the "mentor teaches the next generation" trope!
Also, no, that scene at the end of the episode doesn't convince me that he's dead. I read before season 2 even ended that Joel McHale was being added as a series regular for season 3, so he's definitely coming back. Though, yes, I do still think he's gonna die at the end of the season. But if they somehow make his death meaningful, like he finally learns to be a real hero and sacrifices himself to save Pat or Courtney, or maybe even Cindy if the writers wanted to throw us a curveball, then I'd be okay with that. Again, I'm just expecting him to die one way or another.
In terms of Cindy this season, my theory is that she's dying and she's trying to recreate the accident that turned her into a monster, hence her stealing the Gambler's laptop and trying to get access to the Dragon King files. I hope she doesn't die, that would be a huge waste of the character.
I don't think that any of the suspects that are on the table are the villain because none of them fit all of the criteria. Cindy's got the blades to kill the Gambler, sure, but she doesn't have the super strength to tear his trailer up like that. Solomon Grundy is dead as far as I know (unless that actually was him that attacked Sylvester at the end of the episode and it just takes a few days to resurrect him or something), but even if he wasn't, the cause of death was a stab wound, and Grundy doesn't fit that bill. Cameron or his grandparents are good suspects since their ice powers could definitely be used to make a knife that would melt away and leave no trace, but they're again lacking the super strength element. And every option currently on the table is lacking motive.
I think that the killer is going to be... A character we won't see until they're revealed to the audience that somehow ties up all loose ends. This isn't gonna be like the mystery of the Green Goblin in Spectacular Spider-Man where you could guess his identity because they gave you just enough pieces of information, but always kept you guessing up until the moment of the reveal, and maybe a minute or two after the reveal too. And if there was one aspect of the season I'm bound to dislike, that's probably gonna be it.
Good episode overall, love that they're putting a new twist on villains-of-the-week, Sylvester is a great character, big thumbs up on that supermarket fight scene, and the Crocks are running away with every scene they're in (as they should, they're definitely the most fun characters this season). I just pray that the season keeps this pace and that the killer won't just be some deus ex machina.
But as for right now, keep giving us episodes like this, and you may manage to fix *every* problem I had with season 2!
9 / 10.
Last episode was a tad on the weaker side, but I like how the writers took the Thunderbolt out of contention, because if not a single character tried to use the Thunderbolt to try to solve the murder that would be a massive plothole. That was written very smartly I thought since "The killer has many names."
But this episode finally showed me what the writers were doing, and I'd just like to say bravo! I was getting a little impatient with how the writers hadn't brought Mr. Bones to Blue Valley yet, but the writers actually broke their own formula here. For once, they didn't introduce the main villain in episode 1 and then have to drag out their introduction to all the players. I have a feeling we'll meet Mr. Bones in episode 6, since that would be around the midseason, but until then I'll be enjoying how the writers are giving us villains-of-the-week back, and you have no idea how much it excites me to say that!
There's some Arrow season 1 undertones here in the form of what we currently know about the murder plot, and how we're crossing off our suspects every episode. Sound familiar? It should. It was the exact way that Arrow moved along the concept of the List in season 1! Everything was tied into the main plot despite being its own standalone story! And I know that because I've been rewatching Arrow season 1 recently, and that's one of the things I like the most about the front half! I still think "Frenemies - Chapter One: The Murder" could've done a little less setup and a little more execution, but I'll take it in a heartbeat if we get villains-of-the-week back!
You honestly start to miss villains-of-the-week if you've been watching the last two-ish years of DCTV. As good as Superman and Lois season 1 is, even that season falls victim to having too much plot and not enough new weekly villains. And that was also a big issue with Stargirl season 2 as well. The season's major plot was paper thin, so I and a lot of other people got really impatient with it and felt like we could've covered the seasons entire back half in 3-4 episodes as opposed to the 7 episodes we got! My biggest issue with season 2 was that it took its time with its plot and felt slow. But here comes season 3 taking the right amount of time with its plot (not unlike season 1 btw), and it doesn't feel slow (except for some parts in "Frenemies - Chapter One: The Murder")! Just like in Arrow's first season with the List plot! This season's managed to not only reintroduce villains of the week, but inject new life into the concept by making them all important to the season's main story.
And there is a fight scene in this episode, and my god it is glorious! Some of the staff's blasts and lighting looked less good than season 1 (but still not bad, plastic-y or cheap for the record), but the choreography was some of the best on the entire show! Seriously, this fight competes with the JSA vs Crocks fight in season 1 and the JSA vs Injustice Unlimited fight in season 2. I think I still give a leg up to those first two if I had to choose, but that doesn't mean that this fight isn't everything that a great fight should be! You want awesome choreography? You got it! The Crocks are doing their teamup moves on Starman like they were on the JSA in season 1, Sylvester was fighting Paula and then Crusher comes out of nowhere and he takes them both on at once effortlessly, Sylvester throws the staff as Paula's getting up and she's able to hold herself below the staff. The choreography was fantastic! You want a lot of personality? You got it! At the top of the fight, Crusher literally says "I was getting bored anyway" and Paula replies "Me too." When Crusher gets his hands on a bat, he lets off this devilish smile and says "Hello, friend." The Crocks were absolutely the best people for this fight because they just naturally have the most personality of everyone on the show! You want the characters to use the setting of the fight to their advantage? You got that too! Crusher hits Sylvester with a bag of mulch, and he was using a shopping basket as a shield at one point. They were jumping over the aisles and knocking over displays. Bottom line, this is everything you could ever want in a fight! Again! Stargirl is three for three on having a gorgeous fight sequence at least once each season!
Oh, and the fact that they can bring in the robot casually means the CW gave them more budget for this season, which I'm fairly sure I was the only one to call out.
And in terms of Sylvester, I am still consistently impressed with his portrayal! I have to disagree with people that say Sylvester's a bad character. I really liked him in the first two episodes, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why until I saw a comment on a Youtube video, and the first sentence of that comment was "Sylvester is a manchild." And if that doesn't describe Sylvester Pemberton, I don't know what does! Doesn't fit entirely with the fact that he was really honest and down to earth when dealing with Eclipso in last season's flashbacks, but I honestly think what they're doing with him in season 3 is even better!
I especially really like that Pat brought up what happened with Courtney's real father in "Shining Knight" to Sylvester, because even though I'd already interpreted what Pat told Starman before, cementing that episode as one of my favorite episodes of any tv show, I hadn't considered that Courtney may still put Sylvester on a pedestal. So him acting rashly, not thinking carefully about his decisions, convincing Courtney to leave school in the middle of the day and neglect her duties... It's like he never learned to be a real hero. And I actually really like this because it shows that he's not some perfect hero like the show's made him out to be in the past, but that he's a kid in an adult man's body that's basically never had an ounce of responsibility in his entire life!
He's kindof like Kilgrave on Jessica Jones in that Kilgrave never actually learned how to be a good person (though trust me that's where the parallels between the two of them end.) Sylvester spent his childhood, and most of his adulthood, living out his childhood fantasies of being the "Star-Spangled Kid" and eventually "Starman". He had the weight of the world on his shoulders, but always had more mature people around him. It even ties back to his death all the way back in the Pilot episode, how he went on about how there *needed* to be another person that could carry the torch. He was being purposely overdramatic in his final moments instead of being real because nobody ever told him that's not how superheroes acted!
And him being so attached to the Starman persona ties into Courtney's season 1 and 2 arcs where she went through the same thing, though for radically different reasons than Courtney. And I, again, really like this, because while Sylvester teaches Courtney what the Cosmic Staff can really do, it's *Courtney* teaching Sylvester how to be a real person, care about people and live a normal life! It's a really good subversion of the "mentor teaches the next generation" trope!
Also, no, that scene at the end of the episode doesn't convince me that he's dead. I read before season 2 even ended that Joel McHale was being added as a series regular for season 3, so he's definitely coming back. Though, yes, I do still think he's gonna die at the end of the season. But if they somehow make his death meaningful, like he finally learns to be a real hero and sacrifices himself to save Pat or Courtney, or maybe even Cindy if the writers wanted to throw us a curveball, then I'd be okay with that. Again, I'm just expecting him to die one way or another.
In terms of Cindy this season, my theory is that she's dying and she's trying to recreate the accident that turned her into a monster, hence her stealing the Gambler's laptop and trying to get access to the Dragon King files. I hope she doesn't die, that would be a huge waste of the character.
I don't think that any of the suspects that are on the table are the villain because none of them fit all of the criteria. Cindy's got the blades to kill the Gambler, sure, but she doesn't have the super strength to tear his trailer up like that. Solomon Grundy is dead as far as I know (unless that actually was him that attacked Sylvester at the end of the episode and it just takes a few days to resurrect him or something), but even if he wasn't, the cause of death was a stab wound, and Grundy doesn't fit that bill. Cameron or his grandparents are good suspects since their ice powers could definitely be used to make a knife that would melt away and leave no trace, but they're again lacking the super strength element. And every option currently on the table is lacking motive.
I think that the killer is going to be... A character we won't see until they're revealed to the audience that somehow ties up all loose ends. This isn't gonna be like the mystery of the Green Goblin in Spectacular Spider-Man where you could guess his identity because they gave you just enough pieces of information, but always kept you guessing up until the moment of the reveal, and maybe a minute or two after the reveal too. And if there was one aspect of the season I'm bound to dislike, that's probably gonna be it.
Good episode overall, love that they're putting a new twist on villains-of-the-week, Sylvester is a great character, big thumbs up on that supermarket fight scene, and the Crocks are running away with every scene they're in (as they should, they're definitely the most fun characters this season). I just pray that the season keeps this pace and that the killer won't just be some deus ex machina.
But as for right now, keep giving us episodes like this, and you may manage to fix *every* problem I had with season 2!
9 / 10.
