Stargirl 2x3 : Summer School : Chapter Three review

 

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

Another week and yet another stellar episode of Stargirl. Our journey this week begins 11 years in the past. We see Pat working on the JSA's car as a man enters the room. This man turns out to be Johnny Thunder who was the wielder of the Pink Pen which houses the Thunderbolt a magical genie like creature that is extremely powerful but also can be misleading in his wishes. Pat and Johnny get interrupted by Wildcat who calls Johnny to help deal with the ISA. We're soon back in modern day as we see Mike on his paper route. He ends up getting tossed around and beat up by three bullies as he soon heads home. At home Courtney and Pat have a somewhat plan to capture The Shade. After her meeting with him last week Barbara is very cautious here as expected. As for Mike he soon gets a call from his boss as he's given more work to go and do. He goes to write down an address but his pen won't work. He picks up a Pink Pen from his room which lets off a bright spark. He sets off and while on his bike he begins to see the words So cool!! everywhere. From outside someone's house to on the paper. This leads to him falling off his bike right onto the ground. He looks at the paper and says So cool!! again and almost immediately we're greeted to Thunderbolt. Mike is blown away by this as he is now at least somewhat in control of this amazing power. He tries to wish for some things like wishing to be taller or for some water but things go awry. You need to be more specific you see as without that Thunderbolts wishes aren't exactly concrete. With all that being said though Mike is extremely happy to have this newfound power. 

We learn a bit more about The Shade this week and learn that he is at least over a hundred years old. His powers are extremely powerful as not only can he use his power for attack he can also use them for defense. To slip into the shadows to get the upper hand on his enemies. We learn all of this as Pat goes over it all with the JSA team. Mike soon ends up arriving at the Pit Stop with the Thunderbolt in hand. He wants to join the JSA and even though Pat tires to take the Pink Pen back he can't get it back because it has bonded with Mike now. Mike pleads with Courtney to let him join and eventually he does get to be a part of the team and ends up being a big help when he helps locate The Shade with the help of the Thunderbolt's power. Speaking of The Shade is he still on the hunt for the collection belonging to William Zarick. After meeting with Barbara last week this week we see Barbara looking through the collection. The Shade turns up unannounced and scares Barbara. He does apologize but seems to be there for just one thing which is a box. Upon opening it he sees that it is empty but still insists on taking it. Barbara tells him she can't allow him to take it which is when he uses his power to completely darken the room. Barbara does manage to get away but is pretty shaken up. 

The episode draws to a close as the JSA groups together to go and take down The Shade. Mike is left behind at the Pit Stop by Pat who tells him it's far too dangerous to get involved so quickly. The team arrive at the old house of William Zarick which is where The Shade has been hold up. The JSA enter the main room of the house where The Shade is already waiting for them. He offers them tea and says that they better stay out of his way. He isn't like Jordan (Icicle) and is in Blue Valley for some other reason but he won't say what that is. Just as things are looking like they'll be finished without conflict Mike rushes in and uses the Thunderbolt. What follows is pretty embarrassing for the JSA. The Shade practically bullies them into submission before leaving once again saying to stay out of his way. This was a pretty big defeat for the JSA and back at Courtney's home we see just how dejected they are. Mike who really was the cause for what happened ends up wishing that he the Thunderbolt belonged to someone more worthy. And that's exactly what happens. The Pick Pen disappears from Mike's hands and turns up in the room of his co-worker Jakeem. Jakeem who will become Jakeem Thunder much like in the comics. With Mike now without the Thunderbolt what will he do?? we'll have to wait and see but I suspect he will still be sticking around as a part of the JSA. The episode ends as we see The Shade atop the clock tower in Blue Valley. He has the same box from earlier and opens it before stating that he will kill those children. He if referring to none other than Eclipso which is what was in the box that was taken by Cindy. This is further backed up by Beth's goggles which work for a moment and state that they're in danger Eclipso is coming. Things are heating up ever so nicely which is just super exciting going forward. And that was the episode. Another great episode that although again lacked much action was full of character moments and development. I look forward to next week once again!

★★★★