'Stargirl' Episode 8 Review: Courtney's life may never be the same after Shiv's attack
Spoilers for 'Stargirl' Season 1 Episode 8 'Shiv Part Two'
Though it's not the first time that Stargirl (Brec Bassigner) has gone up against dangerous villains, Shiv (Meg DeLacy) is the first one who has managed to seriously hurt Courtney. For the first time, Courtney is starting to realize how dangerous things are, and just how seriously she should be taking things. The JSA team up to investigate Cindy, but things do not go quite as smoothly as planned.
Though the series has been largely light-hearted, every now and again it reminds us of how serious it can get and how dangerous its villains are. Icicle (Neil Jackson) is one such villain, having killed a child early on in the series just to distract Stargirl. In the last episode, Shiv managed to nearly lethally stab Stargirl and the opening scenes of this episode show just how seriously the show is taking that wound.
Injuries in superhero shows largely tend to be overlooked. They look good and shocking in the moments they happen, but the heroes tend to shrug them off with a grim, determined "I'm fine" to show us all how tough they are. The Marvel Netflix shows may have been the only real exception — its heroes were tough, but injuries were always a major liability. This episode takes things just as seriously and underlines just how young Stargirl is, and what a dangerous position she's in. Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) has to go through extreme measures just to be able to keep the source of the injury a secret.
Luke Wilson and Brec Bassinger both give powerful performances as it sinks in for the both of them just how serious the situation is. Courtney is, perhaps for the first time in the series, aware that she is in over her head. The bigger fear, however, comes from the knowledge that she's so close to everything being taken away from her when Pat tells her it's time to let her mother know what's really been happening. Pat, for his part, shows just what he's willing to do to make sure he keeps everyone safe, but things have already spun out of his control. Even the staff feels bad about what happens. All of it works to make the stakes feel real, making the Injustice Society that much more of a threat.
The JSA is at a bit of a loss as to how to help. Rick Tyler (Cameron Gellman) is predictably angry and needs to punch someone, but Beth Chapel (Anjelika Washington) finally steps up to both cool him down and come up with a plan as for what to do next. This is Beth's moment and it's been long overdue. An amusing attempt to infiltrate Cindy's home sees Pat and Beth team-up, and den-mother Pat is always fun to see, especially without Courtney there to act as a buffer.
Cindy Burman is an unrepentant killer as enthusiastic about villainy as Stargirl is about heroism. She's a great foil for Stargirl. Both girls are determined to further their aspirations no matter how many times they're told to just stay put. With Cindy's knowledge of Courtney's identity, however, Shiv definitely has the upper hand. Twice now, Stargirl's life has been saved by the timely intervention of a third party — Shiv is an intimidating, dangerous foe.
The Justice Society, who haven't even had their first training session together, has not yet come together as a working team. Their leader has been seriously injured, and nearly killed, twice. Though the JSA inch closer to finding out just who the Injustice Society consists of, they are woefully unprepared to take on the bad guys. The team needs to come together and fast, especially since Henry King Jr (Jake Austin Walker) has manifested his father's powers at last. There's an all-new villain in Blue Valley.
The next episode of 'Stargirl' airs on July 13 on DC Universe and on July 14 on The CW.