'Stargirl' Episode 3 Review: Icicle debuts as a charismatic leader and a very deadly threat
Spoilers for 'Stargirl' Season 1 Episode 3 'Icicle'
While Brainwave (Christopher James Baker) was a fine enough villain for Stargirl (Brec Bassinger) to cut her teeth on — a major threat with just enough arrogance to fall prey to a desperate, last-minute shot — Icicle (Neil Jackson) is back in town. He's not a threat Stargirl can go up against on her own — or even with the assistance of STRIPE — and this episode shows us exactly how dangerous Icicle can be.
This episode seems to be setting Icicle up as a major series villain, giving us an extensive look at both the backstory of his villainy-fueled motivations as well as his MO in his supervillain and civilian identities. Though the series has an impressive cast of villains, it appears that 'Stargirl' is further distancing itself from the Arrowverse by abandoning the villain-of-the-week format in favor of a much larger story.
With the return of Icicle, we also see a little more into what the dynamic of the Injustice Society is like, as well as what the Society's larger plans may be. Icicle is very much someone who prides himself on being the alpha of a team, with his inferiors kept to heel. Like Brainwave, Icicle is an old school villain, a believer in grandiose plans with no respect for anyone who can't share his vision. His civilian identity as Jordan Mahkent, on the other hand, is disarmingly charming. He either truly believes in a better America, or he's a better actor than anyone has the right to be and both options are equally intimidating.
In the meanwhile, on strict orders from Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), Courtney spends a day a little more focused on her high school life. While this is very much an episode about developing Icicle, the show never forgets who its star is, as we see Courtney get to develop a little more under relatively normal circumstances. We get to see more of just how wilful she is, but also what an inspiration she can be. The character is like a light that refuses to go out, determined to shine as brightly to everyone around her as possible.
The episode also packs a few punches in. The death of Joey Zarick (Wil Deusner) was a shocking turn of events in a series that has so far been so bright - though, in hindsight, it is a series that began with the deaths of the Justice Society. The visit to the JSA HQ was another gut-punch, as the legacy of heroes long gone mixes sorrow with the thrill of what they represented.
'Stargirl' makes superheroism exciting in a way that it hasn't been in a long while - Marvel heroes can't stop undercutting their own inspirational moments with humor, while DC heroes have had a tendency towards grim darkness. The show's mission statement is clear - bringing old fashioned heroism to a new generation - and it could not be doing a better job of it.
The next episode of 'Stargirl' airs on June 8 on DC Universe and on June 9 on The CW.
