Stargirl 1x7 : Shiv Part One review

Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it. 

This week's episode of Stargirl was the beginning of a two part episode. It begins with a look at all hero's loving life. Courtney is seen saying good morning to her staff, Yolanda is seen training and hugging Wildcat's cowl while Beth and Rick are also on the up. Before leaving for school Pat tells Courtney that the training of the new JSA will begin after the day in class. At school we find out that the homecoming game and dance is soon upcoming. The gang bump in Cindy who as always is not the nicest of people. Beth tells Courtney that Cindy's mom died when she was a young age and her dad has married multiple times since. That is no excuse says Rick as Cindy bumps into the school janitor who like before is intentionally being put in the spotlight. Cindy knocks over his broom before Courtney picks it up. We later see him again in the janitor closet where a sword is seen behind all the brooms and stuff. 

This episode for the most part is entirely Cindy based which was really quite interesting. But more on that in a bit. After school the JSA members all go to Pat's mechanic shop to learn to work as a team as before now they really have struggled in that aspect. Courtney's eagerness to not fully train ends the session as quickly as it begins much to the dismay of others who were eager to learn especially Beth. Courtney and Pat are soon seen arguing as she insists that he let her go on a mission to find out of Principal Bowen is indeed The Fiddler. While she is off he can train the other JSA members. Courtney gets turned down but later in the episode goes off on her own anyways not heeding Pats words. More on Cindy now and we do learn a lot more about her and her upbringing in this episode. We know her mom died when she was young but more importantly we learn that her dad is infact the villain Dragon King who we see a few weeks back. At her home Cindy bumps into her stepmom so to speak. Her step mom seems to be strictly under control as Cindy honestly is quite awful to her even threatening to tell her dad about her dis-obeying her. Cindy is here to see her dad and soon enough we're shown that her home houses a secret entrance to the ISA HQ that much like at the Football Stadium I reckon has plenty of interconnecting entrances all over Blue Valley. Underground Cindy sees the ISA meeting and they mention Stargirl. She soon meets her father and we learn that Cindy actually wants a seat at the ISA table. She sheets blades from her hands and kills one of her father's followers right in front of him. It turns out that not only is Cindy being popular all a ruse but her relationship with Henry King Jr is also fake. Dragon King mentions how they need him for their plans if Brainwave doesn't wake up.  Cindy gets refused a seat at the table before leaving in a mood.

The episode draws to a close at the Football Stadium where Pat, Mike and Courtney all attend the game. While sitting down Mike mentions to Courtney just how upset he really is with her for always spending time with Pat. Of course we know why but for Mike it seems like his dad is extremely taken with Courtney. Maybe Mike will find out about what's going on soon?? while Pat is off getting food and drinks Courtney gets asked to the school dance by Cameron who is the son of Jordon (Icicle) she agrees and blows off her plans with Cindy which she had made earlier. Yes Cindy and Courtney had made plans to hang out while in Science class but Courtney blows her off stating that they'll do it another time. Cindy's reaction is bad however as it leads to her again going to see her father. While she does Courtney spots Principal Bowen in the crowd. She soon leaves while on the phone and soon enough we see her leaving through a secret entrance. Courtney follows but is soon stopped right in her tracks by Cindy who is now in full on villain mode as Shiv. Her and Stargirl immediately face off in what was truly one of the best fight scenes all season long. Stargirl gets beat up pretty badly Shiv impaling her with her blades. Shiv soon makes her escape as Pat who on the outside with Mike was worrying about Courtney soon arrives as the episode ends with Courtney out cold in Pats arms. Looks like Pat was right all along. Courtney's eagerness was almost her downfall here. Just great storytelling all round here. This was another great episode of Stargirl. Further fleshing out the characters and their backstories. Showcasing how being eager and enthusiastic can be a hero's downfall in the beginning and all in all this show at this moment in time can seem to do no wrong. Long may it continue. 

★★★★