Stargirl 3x2 : Frenemies - Chapter two : The Suspects review

 

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

After what was a great premiere episode last week can this weeks episode of Stargirl build upon it's base?? the episode opens up twelve hours before the death of The Gambler. We see him arrive at his trailer unpacking, ironing some shirts and just living a normal life. A car is soon seen pulling up outside his trailer and it's none other than Crusher (Sportsmaster) it's easy to see here that they're setting up multiple suspects especially when once Crusher loses his nerve and leaves The Shade shows up to confront The Gambler. It's all simple story telling but really effective in my opinion. We're soon back with the JSA whom after finding out about The Gambler having a meeting, everyone is present except Cindy who is off doing her own secretive work which I'll talk about later. The meeting is pretty short but it's evident that pretty much everyone including Starman seems to think Cindy is to blame since she was there when The Gambler was killed and she even was seen holding his gun. But could it be her??

The next morning Courtney who found The Gambler's letter to his daughter and gets a bit emotional. Pat walks in as Courtney is due to leave for school and sees how emotional she is. She tells Pat that The Gambler really was trying to change or at least he was giving it his best shot. He talked in the letter about his regrets and how he wished he was a better father to his daughter. Speaking of his daughter Courtney vows to find her and give her the letter once this entire situation is resolved. Pat thinks it's a good idea too as Courtney heads to school. As she is at school both Pat and Sylvester go to the diner and question The Shade and things quickly take a bad turn as Sylvester gets physical by grabbing The Shade as he questions him about The Gambler. I really think The Shade did not kill The Gambler as not only would it derail his entire character arc and work thus far but he isn't acting like someone who just committed murder. So who could it be? well we get more clues as the episode goes on first starting with Mike and Jakeem who make a wish of wanting to know who the killer is to the Thunderbolt pen. The words ''The killer goes by many names'' is written on the wall of the boys bathroom which is just adding more fuel to an already hot fire. 

The episode draws to a close as Stargirl levels up thanks to Starman. We see Courtney at school before she is taken out of class by Sylvester who brings her out to an open area where he shows her a new move. It's called the Shooting Star and it is very powerful and awe-inspiring to look at. Courtney's eyes glow with golden delight as she shoots high into the sky. This was such a great scene that showcased the bond between not only Stargirl and Starman but also the Cosmic Staff which is really put to the test here. So after learning this new move both Courtney and Sylvester go to see The Shade to apologize for earlier. It doesn't take long once again for things to go south and Sylvester actually uses the Cosmic Staff on The Shade this time. He knocks him down which in turn leads to The Shade announcing that he is to leave Blue Valley at least for the time being. The plot thickens. The episode ends with a couple further details. Firstly we learn that The Gambler was stabbed in the heart which was the cause of his death. Blue Valley is told through the media and paper that the cause of the crime was a tornado rampaging through the city. Next up we see that Cindy has the Gambler's laptop and is trying to access it for some sort of reason. Probably for her own gain as she is more distanced than ever from the JSA at this current moment in time. The episode ends with Crusher and his wife (Tigress) who basically say that they've done something but nobody knows. What could it be? I doubt it's to do with what is going on but it also very well could be. Things are heating up however and I am loving this season thus far. This was a great follow up episode to last weeks premiere and Stargirl remains one of the best DC adaptations ever put to screen. Roll on next week!

★★★★