DC’s Stargirl, “S.T.R.I.P.E.”, Review!

The pilot episode has teen Courtney Whitmore moving to Blue Valley, Nebraska.  She finds the Cosmic Staff and ends up facing the supervillain Brainwave.  Courtney manages to escape and encounters the big robot run by her stepfather, Pat!  We pick up with Pat trying to get Courtney to safety.  She climbs the back of the robot similar to Hiro and Baymax in Big Hero 6.  Pat activates the rocket boots of the robot and they fly into the night sky.  Brainwave walks out of the Blue Valley Tires store holding a burnt piece of Courtney’s school i.d.  S.T.R.I.P.E. the robot lands, this slams Pat in the cockpit, no effect on Courtney hanging on the outside which doesn’t sell the effect.  Pat opens the garage door to enter and opens the chest plate of his robot.  The Cosmic Staff seem to talk to Courtney before she is able to put it aside.  Pat explains he built the robot from old car parts and that the villain used mental powers and had red hair.  

DC’s Stargirl -- “S.T.R.I.P.E.” -- BREC BASSINGER, LUKE WILSON -- Jace Downs/The CW.

He knows that Brainwave was from the Injustice Society of America.  If he is trying to protect Courtney they should move back to Los Angeles.  Pat says that Icicle is the leader of group.  Again, Courtney is pushy with her step-father, no thanks for saving her life.  He tries to explain that Hourman survived and followed the villains to Blue Valley before he died.  Hourman gave the research to Pat.  He brings up costumes and Courtney wants to add a mask.  Courtney is all attitude and Pat never seems to play the mom card which might make sense since this potentially dangerous for the family.  The next morning, Pat tries to test out the robot including using its rocket fist in the fields.  He also prepares breakfast with Barbara remarking about the injuries on their faces.  Both try to explain its from falling on the basement stair.  Courtney is not interested in eating breakfast, this is near impossible since she fought in a battle, slept, and then not hungry?  

She opens the case with the uniform of Starman, her father which she takes away.  I’m still not certain how Pat can invent a giant robot and has absolutely no security measures for the JSA mementos.  The bully jock, Henry Jr. is getting ready for school, his father is wealthy and he doesn’t go to private school?  He is called by his father who asks about a girl that may have destroyed his car.  Brainwave uses his powers which causes a terrible ringing noise.  His son does not share his super powers.  Blue Valley High School, we have Courtney going to a Home Econ class trying to work on the suit suit.  You know because classroom are always kept unlocked?  Pat checks out a gym with a trainer, Larry.  Courtney heads over to her table while Beth has a video call with her parents.  The families and students are in the gym for Parents Night.  Brainwave is also there searching the students to find the girl in the i.d.  

DC’s Stargirl -- “S.T.R.I.P.E.” -- CHRISTOPHER JAMES BAKER -- Quantrell Colbert/The CW.

Courtney is also searching for Brainwave.  She tries to walk away as Brainwave follows her and finally sees Courtney, he also knows she’s Starman’s daughter.  He says she is going to bring the Cosmic Staff to him at midnight threatening her mother.  Courtney runs away.  She sees Pat and gets Barbara so they can leave.  At home, Pat tells Courtney to leave with the family if he doesn’t return.  He heads back to the garage and activates S.T.R.I.P.E.  Barbara thanks Courtney for being nice to her step father.  At the school parking lot, Brainwave sees the giant robot land, he tosses a car at the supervillain who throws it aside with his mental powers.  Pat doesn’t seem to care about damaging a resident’s car.  He sends the rocket fist, but Brainwave knocks it back.  S.T.R.I.P.E. is trapped between two cars.  Courtney takes out the super suit and rides the Cosmic Staff to battle.  Brainwave is blasted by the staff and Stargirl has arrived.  He sends two metal rods which she dodges in a twist.  Again, action parts is where Bassinger excels. Brainwave hits Stargirl with a metal pylon that has her dropping the Cosmic Staff. Another average episode with some plot holes.  

Three Cosmic Staves out of Five!  

#Stargirl, #Brainwave, #InjusticeSocietyofAmerica, #Icicle