TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Stargirl Season 3 Episode 4: The Evidence

There are certain problems that can come from a season long mystery. Mainly, if you don’t advance things far enough, or try too many fakeouts, people are going to get burned out and thus the “mystery” of it all is lost until the very end. Stargirl’s 3rd season is very much in that territory right now and it’s only 4 episodes in. “The Evidence” did move a story or two forward, and I am grateful for that, but it came once again at a plodding pace that didn’t make other characters look good.

So, what was the one that stood out? That would be Cameron’s storyline ironically enough. After multiple episodes of basically nothing (and that terrible scene with Rick last week), things FINALLY came to a good point thanks to Courtney. Yes, also ironic. The side of her that came out when talking to and helping Cameron was the one that I’ve been preaching for for over two seasons. The one who is “down to Earth” and truly trying to help versus being “100% go, go, go!” like we’ve seen before with her (aka the annoying side). She really wanted to help Cameron, and did it in a way that was both touching and believable.

Plus, when Cameron’s powers emerged in full, I’m glad Cameron played it cool (pun intended) and just wanted to make sure that Courtney was alright. As well as admitting that he didn’t know what his grandparents wanted from him instead of going full, “I’ll kill the ones who murdered my father!” like certain other CW shows have done in the past. This is a young man who’s conflicted and I’m glad we’re seeing that. And while MANY DC/CW shows have had “terrible first kisses”, this one honestly felt wholesome. Outside of the “just like you” line, that was total cringe. I’m curious to see how this will play out now, and what will happen when Cameron finds out about Stargirl.

Oh, and the relationship between Barbara and Paula is still great, please don’t stop with it. EVER!

Coming in at the “almost good” territory was Starman. I’m glad they didn’t drag out his recovery, and even explained how he came back to life (it was the staff, a good MacGuffin to use here) and would heal quickly from the injuries. Bringing in the OG Dr. Midnite to help was fun too, even if it was brief. I do appreciate them following up on the “what am I if not Starman?” that they started last week, but they’re going into some dangerous territory.

Key among this is the “abuser/enabler” relationship that Starman/Pat have right now. Even just watching a movie that they both like, Sylvester won’t let Pat have ANYTHING, not even quoting lines from a hero character! Then, Pat is basically enabling Starman to still be himself and “be a hero” even though he literally lists off all the ways he’s screwed up! As noted in my past reviews, I’d love Starman to be a mentor character to the new generation (they need it, a lot), and they did touch on that, but then Pat refused to let Starman retire and as the preview for next episode shows…he’s going to screw up again and that’s really pathetic at this point.

Going right into the bad points, the thing with Cindi needs to be answered, and soon. First she was a suspect, then she wasn’t, then it was revealed her father might be back (which would’ve been a good plot twist and one that makes sense given what happened with Starman) but then SURPRISE! Something is happening with Cindi to make her biology change and now she might have been the one to attack Starman. Except, that can’t be right because A) that would ruin many plotlines, and B) in the final scene we saw someone TOWER over Starman before beating him up. So unless she has a “dragon Hulk form” it’s not her, and thus we’re back to “who did it?” Which honestly we’re already there because SOMEONE, SOMEHOW, has cameras all over Blue Valley and it’s clearly not in the ISA base.

The scene with Yolanda honestly felt out of place too. Yes, we know, her parents are still rough on her, but what will this lead to? This season has had many scenes like this and I wish they’d “cut the fat”. Which of course brings us to Mike, again. He keeps trying to “be a hero” and “not be a joke”, and what does he do? He basically forces Jakeem to do things and…it makes them look like bigger jokes. Seriously, enough. Mike is just the worst and Jakeem deserves better treatment than this.

Also, something I’ve noticed this season is that they’ve done things WAY down in the action department. Seriously, the only real fight this season was at the grocery store, and it didn’t involve the “main heroes and villains”. Every time the #NotMyJSA suit up is just to…basically do nothing. They either go to a fight they do nothing in (the Artemis “audition”, remember?) or they go to the trailer of the Gambler to search for evidence. I’m fine with not every episode having things for them to do, but this season is playing much more like a “teen drama” than a superhero show.

In the end, “The Evidence” didn’t really do anything to move the main story forward. We’ve got two weeks until the return and I’m fine with waiting.

3/5