'Stargirl' Episode 6 Review: With the origin story finally done, the season has well and truly begun
Spoilers for 'Stargirl' Season 1 Episode 6 'The Justice Society'
If there has been one problem with 'Stargirl' this season, it is that some of its storyline feels a little rushed. However, it all turns out to have been worth it, as the team comes together halfway through the season. The five-member Justice Society of America, which has been teased as far back as The CW's 'Crisis on Infinite Earths', finally comes together in one heck of an action-packed, full-costumed story that was worth the pace it took to get us here.
Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) has just found out what Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) has been up to, and he has some harsh words with her about just what she's been up to. He orders her to put a stop to it, and on top of that, see that the Justice Society items that she's handed out be returned. It turns out that that's easier said than done, as Yolanda Montez (Yvette Monreal), Beth Chapel (Anjelika Washington) and Rick Tyler (Cameron Gellman) are in no mood to give up their powers — and Rick manages to point out Courtney's hypocrisy, as there is nothing that Pat could do that would make her give up her own staff.
The team's first outing turns out to be a disaster, as their expectations of an easy apprehension of the Gambler (Eric Goins) are quickly ruined by an all-out superhero brawl with Sportsmaster (Neil Hopkins) and Tigress (Joy Osmanski). The show has wasted no time in putting the team together, and it has paid off — scenes like this are generally something that comes together after several seasons worth of build-up. The battle with six fully costumed combatants is wild, but at the same time isn't just action for action's sake — the storytelling isn't lost here.
Stargirl has quickly lost control of her team, assuming she ever had it in the first place. One of the bright inspirations that united the team, Pat's disappointment in her has undermined her confidence somewhat, and the team quickly strikes out on their own to disastrous results. Tigress and Sportsmaster, whose visually dynamic powers are nonetheless on the lower side of the Injustice Society's spectrum, still manage to handily beat the four teenagers in combat.
The inexperience of the team shows, as they split up, get taken down, and almost entirely taken out if it wasn't for the timely intervention of Pat in his STRIPE armor. Getting away by the skin of their teeth, the new Justice Society still has a long way to go before they're ready to take on the full might of the Injustice Society, but Pat is finally on their side. After finally establishing some common ground with Courtney, the two manage to come to an agreement about where to go next.
The show's origin story phase is now complete, and the heroes are already several steps behind the ISA. As hard as it is to believe for a show that's already come so far, it's time to kick things into high gear. The next episode of 'Stargirl' airs on June 28 on DC Universe and June 29 on The CW.