Stargirl (TV series)

Stargirl
Season one logo
Also known as	Stargirl: Summer School (season 2) Stargirl: Frenemies (season 3)
Genre	Superhero Drama
Created by	Geoff Johns
Based on	Courtney Whitmore by Geoff Johns Lee Moder
Starring	Brec Bassinger Yvette Monreal Anjelika Washington Cameron Gellman Trae Romano Jake Austin Walker Meg DeLacy Neil Jackson Christopher James Baker Amy Smart Luke Wilson Hunter Sansone Nick Tarabay
Music by	Pinar Toprak
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	26
Production
Executive producers	Sarah Schechter Glen Winter Greg Beeman Melissa Carter Greg Berlanti Geoff Johns
Producers	Jennifer Lence James Dale Robinson Trish Stanard Rob Hardy Joseph Zolfo
Cinematography	Christopher Manley Scott Peck Michael Karasick Stefan Czapsky Joshua Stern Evans Brown Learan Kahanov
Editors	Andi Armaganian Daniel Downer III Mats Abbott Avi Youabian Natalie A. Boschan Joshua Carrillo Matthew Wingard Jessica L. Stone
Running time	42–53 minutes
Production companies	Berlanti Productions Mad Ghost Productions DC Entertainment Warner Bros. Television Studios
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network	DC Universe (season 1) The CW (season 2–present)
Picture format	Ultra HD 4K (DC Universe) HDTV 1080i (The CW)
Original release	May 18, 2020 (2020-05-18) – present (present)
External links
Official website

DC's Stargirl, or simply Stargirl, is an American superhero television series created by Geoff Johns that premiered on streaming service DC Universe. It is based on the DC Comics superhero Courtney Whitmore created by Johns and Lee Moder. The series follows high school student Courtney Whitmore who discovers the cosmic staff and becomes the inspiration for a new generation of superheroes who become the Justice Society of America.

DC Universe ordered the series in July 2018. Bassinger was cast that September, with additional castings for her family members, the Justice Society of America, and the Injustice Society of America through February 2019. Filming for the series began in March 2019 in the Atlanta metropolitan area in Georgia. Stargirl premiered its first season on DC Universe on May 18, 2020, which consists of 13 episodes, and also aired the following day on the broadcast network The CW. In July 2020, the series was renewed for a second season, subtitled Summer School, which premiered on August 10, 2021, exclusively on The CW. In May 2021, the series was renewed for a third season, subtitled Frenemies, scheduled to premiere in 2022.

Ahead of the series premiere, characters from the series were featured in a cameo during the Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths", establishing Stargirl as existing on a parallel Earth to the Arrowverse series. The show has received positive reviews from critics.

Premise[]

One decade after nearly all of the Justice Society of America (JSA) were killed in a battle against the Injustice Society of America (ISA), high school student Courtney Whitmore discovers the Cosmic Staff of Starman and, upon learning that her stepfather Pat Dugan used to be Starman's sidekick, becomes the inspiration for a whole new generation of superheroes.^[1] Upon moving to Blue Valley, Courtney recruits Yolanda Montez, Rick Tyler, and Beth Chapel to form the new JSA. However, they later encounter the ISA, led by Icicle and Brainwave, along with a slew of daunting villains, including the mysterious Dragon King and his daughter Cindy Burman.

In season two, Stargirl and the Justice Society must contend with the re-emergence of former ISA member Shade and the threat of Eclipso. Meanwhile, Cindy and Eclipso work on putting together a new ISA called Injustice Unlimited.

Cast and characters[]

• Brec Bassinger as Courtney Whitmore / Stargirl:
  A high school student from Los Angeles who finds a powerful weapon, the Cosmic Staff and becomes the superheroine Stargirl.^[1] As Stargirl, she also becomes the leader of the second incarnation of the Justice Society of America (JSA).^[2] In preparation for the role, Bassinger did not look at the character's previous portrayals by Britt Irvin on Smallville and Sarah Grey on Legends of Tomorrow because they were depicted as "older, more mature version[s]" of Stargirl. Bassinger added that the series follows the comic Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. more "in that she's young, high school, naive, which I wanted to bring that into this version of Stargirl."^[2] Maizie Smith portrays a five-year old Courtney.
• Yvette Monreal as Yolanda Montez / Wildcat II:
  A once popular student at Blue Valley High until a scandal made her an outcast and a disgrace to her Catholic parents. A skilled boxer, she becomes one of Courtney's friends and a member of the new JSA as the new Wildcat.^[3]
• Anjelika Washington as Beth Chapel / Doctor Mid-Nite II: A social reject and nerd who becomes one of Courtney's friends and a member of the new JSA as the new Doctor Mid-Nite.^[3]
• Cameron Gellman as Rick Tyler / Hourman II:
  A high school delinquent with anger issues and the son of the original Hourman whose parents were killed in a staged car accident when he was seven. He becomes one of Courtney's friends and a member of the new JSA as the new Hourman.^[3] Boston Pierce portrays a 7-year-old Rick.
• Trae Romano as Mike Dugan: Pat Dugan's son and Courtney's stepbrother.^[4]
• Jake Austin Walker as Henry King Jr. (season 1; guest season 2):
  A student at Blue Valley High as well as its star football player.^[5][6] He later develops psionic powers after experiencing emotional distress following his father becoming comatose. His deceased mother was Sylvester Pemberton's sister Merry. In the second season, Henry Jr. appears in Yolanda's hallucinations.
• Meg DeLacy as Cindy Burman / Shiv:
  The daughter of the Dragon King, girlfriend of Henry King Jr. and the most popular student at Blue Valley High with enhanced abilities and wields wrist blades from her skin. While she is the school's cheerleading captain, she is determined to follow in her father's footsteps. In pursuit of this, she acquired a powerful suit of armor and a flame-throwing staff.^[5] In the second season, she teams up with Eclipso and forms a new ISA called Injustice Unlimited.
• Neil Jackson as Jordan Mahkent / Icicle (season 1; guest season 2):
  The leader of the Injustice Society of America (ISA), an "astute" businessman with the power of cryokinesis and founder of a firm called The American Dream that is responsible for the revitalization of Blue Valley.^[4][2][3] Jackson initially thought "Icicle" was "a silly name" and made the character sound "like a My Little Pony", but Johns' pitch helped make the character credible for Jackson.^[7] In the second season, Icicle appears in Barbara's hallucinations.
• Christopher James Baker as Henry King Sr. / Brainwave (season 1; guest season 2):
  A member of the ISA with psionic abilities, the father of Henry King Jr. and a successful neurosurgeon at Blue Valley Medical Center.^[8] Baker stated that Henry King Sr. was the "mask" of Brainwave, as opposed to the other way around, believing Brainwave "is the true being."^[8] In the second season, Brainwave appears in Yolanda's hallucinations.
• Amy Smart as Barbara Whitmore: Courtney's mother and Pat Dugan's wife who strives to balance her work and home life.^[4] After her marriage to Pat, she initially serves as a surrogate mother to her stepson Mike and also to Courtney's JSA teammates after discovering Pat and Courtney's secrets.
• Luke Wilson as Pat Dugan / S.T.R.I.P.E.:
  Courtney's stepfather, the former sidekick to Starman, and a mechanic who owns a repair garage where he stores a 15-foot robotic vehicle of his own creation made from spare car parts.^[9] Pat serves as a reluctant mentor and father figure to Courtney and her JSA teammates while using a garage called The Pit Stop as a front. Despite his superheroics, Pat wants to provide a normal life for his family.^[2]
• Hunter Sansone as Cameron Mahkent: A student at Blue Valley High, aspiring artist, and the son of Jordan Mahkent who was born with cryokinetic powers like his father. He and Courtney share a mutual crush.^[4][10] Roger Dale Floyd portrays a younger Cameron.
• Nick Tarabay as Eclipso (season 2; guest season 1^[a]):^[11] An entity trapped inside a black diamond that Cindy obtains. He plans to become a god by feeding on the negativity and darkness of the people on Earth. Milo Stein portrays Eclipso's form of Bruce.
• Joel McHale as Sylvester Pemberton / Starman (season 3; guest season 1; recurring season 2):
  A member of the original JSA who used an anti gravity Cosmic Staff invented by scientist Ted Knight that Courtney later finds.^[12][13]
• Neil Hopkins as Lawrence "Crusher" Crock / Sportsmaster (season 3; recurring season 1; guest season 2^[14]):
  A member of the ISA who wields sports-themed weapons and believes that all of his targets are just part of a game to win. ^[15] Crusher is the owner of a gym in Blue Valley called Ripped City, is married to Paula Brooks, and is the father of Artemis Crock.^[3][14] In season two, he breaks out of prison. In season three, he moves in next door to the Whitmore-Dugans.
• Joy Osmanski as Paula Brooks / Tigress (season 3; recurring season 1; guest season 2^[14]):
  A member of the ISA who hunts the world's most dangerous humans.^[15] She is a gym teacher at Blue Valley High, the wife of "Crusher" Crock, and mother of Artemis Crock.^[3][14] In season two, she breaks out of prison. In season three, she moves in next door to the Whitmore-Dugans.

Episodes[]

Season		Episodes		Originally released
				First released	Last released	Network
	1	13		May 18, 2020 (2020-05-18)	August 10, 2020 (2020-08-10)	DC Universe
	2	13		August 10, 2021 (2021-08-10)	November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)	The CW

Season 1 (2020)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date [16][b]
1	1	"Pilot"	Glen Winter	Geoff Johns	May 18, 2020 (2020-05-18)
The Justice Society of America's (JSA) headquarters is attacked by the Injustice Society of America (ISA), who kill their JSA counterparts. Pat Dugan, JSA leader Starman's sidekick, arrives to find his friend dying and helps him escape. Starman tells Pat to keep his Cosmic Staff safe until he can find a worthy successor to rebuild the Justice Society. Meanwhile, a young Courtney Whitmore learns that her father Sam Kurtis could not make it home for Christmas. Ten years later, her mother, Barbara, is married to Pat as he moves his step-family to Blue Valley. After a bad first day at Blue Valley High School, Courtney accidentally stumbles upon the Cosmic Staff in her basement. It takes her to the local drive-in, where Courtney disguises herself and accidentally destroys jock Henry King Jr.'s father's car while pranking him. Returning home, Courtney is confronted by Pat, who admits his involvement with the JSA, causing Courtney to believe Starman is her real father. Henry Jr. informs his dad, Henry King Sr., about the incident, leading to Henry Sr. donning his Brainwave uniform. While training with the Cosmic Staff, Courtney is attacked by Henry Sr. before Pat saves her with a suit of armor.
2	2	"S.T.R.I.P.E."	Greg Beeman	Geoff Johns	May 25, 2020 (2020-05-25)
Pat tells Courtney that JSA member Hourman survived the attack and had been secretly searching for the ISA across the country. Pat created the armor to help, but when Hourman reached Blue Valley, he and his wife were killed in a car crash. Pat came to Blue Valley two years ago to pick up the trail, during which he met Barbara. Pat advises Courtney against seeking out Brainwave, but she ignores him and creates a costume for herself from Starman's old uniform. Meanwhile, Henry Sr. finds Courtney's damaged school ID card at the site of their battle. While attending Blue Valley High's open house, Henry Sr. confronts Courtney and threatens to kill Barbara unless she brings him the Staff. Pat goes to confront Brainwave, but is easily defeated. Now calling herself Stargirl, Courtney fights Henry Sr. and, with Pat's help, short-circuits his powers, leaving him in a coma. Courtney asks Pat to become her partner, changing his codename from Stripesy to S.T.R.I.P.E. Meanwhile, Jordan Mahkent meets with associate Steven Sharpe at the ISA's headquarters under The American Dream's office and learns about Starman's successor.
3	3	"Icicle"	Michael Nankin	Colleen McGuinness	June 1, 2020 (2020-06-01)
Eight years ago, Jordan swears to his dying wife that he will ensure their son's safety and to continue "Project: New America". Courtney decides that she and Pat need to find the ISA's remaining members, starting with their leader Icicle. Pat, however, insists that being a hero is far more dangerous than she understands. At school, Courtney meets aspiring magician Joey Zarick and art student Cameron Mahkent, Jordan's son. She also tries to stand up for classmate Yolanda Montez, who rebuffs her help. Meanwhile, Jordan visits fellow ISA member William Zarick and sets up a trap for Courtney, correctly guessing that she will leap at any opportunity to catch him. A school bus gets caught up in their fight, and though Pat is able to save it, he and Courtney are unable to save Joey from being hit by a truck. Enraged by his son's death, William confronts Jordan, who freezes him and covers up his death to the public. A guilt-stricken Pat takes Courtney to the old JSA headquarters and tells her to give up her identity until he says otherwise. Refusing to listen, Courtney steals the deceased JSA members' memorabilia so she can find their successors.
4	4	"Wildcat"	Rob Hardy	James Dale Robinson	June 8, 2020 (2020-06-08)
Three months ago, Yolanda becomes an outcast after her rival, Cindy Burman, leaks a risqué photo she sent to Henry Jr. to the whole school. As a result, her relationship with her Catholic parents Maria and Juan Montez becomes sour. Using their mutual contempt for Henry Jr. to gain her trust, Courtney reveals her identity to Yolanda and recruits her as the new Wildcat. The two sneak into the hospital to spy on Henry Sr., hoping to find the ISA's members through the visitor sheet. However, they leave after witnessing their principal, Anaya Bowin, playing the violin for him and later discover her name was not on the visitor sheet. Their classmate, Beth Chapel, spots and recognizes them as they exit. Yolanda turns down Courtney's offer in favor of regaining her old life, but when her mother still considers her a disgrace, she changes her mind. Meanwhile, Icicle meets with Dragon King, who agrees to join the ISA to participate in "Project: New America". Elsewhere, William's widow Denise tells Pat that she is leaving, warning him not to trust Blue Valley's officials. Later, while visiting his friend Zeek's junkyard for spare parts, Pat finds Denise's cat, which leads him to her car's smashed remains.
5	5	"Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite"	David Straiton	Melissa Carter	June 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)
Nine years ago, Hourman mails his coded journal to Pat before he and his wife Wendi leave their son Rick Tyler in the care of Wendi's brother Matt Harris shortly before they are murdered in an orchestrated car crash. While stalking Courtney and Yolanda, Beth discovers a pair of goggles at the former's home that once belonged to fallen JSA member Doctor Mid-Nite along with its creator's A.I. facsimile "Chuck", who reveals that Rick is Hourman's son. Courtney takes Yolanda and Beth to a Halloween party to find Rick and give him his father's hourglass, which grants him super-strength for one hour per day. Not interested in becoming Hourman, Rick chooses to use his father's device for personal gain, including destroying his abusive uncle's truck and the tree where his parents were killed to vent his rage. Before a fight breaks out, Beth discovers that the ISA had Solomon Grundy kill Rick's parents. Rick agrees to join Courtney's JSA, but makes it clear he only wants revenge. Meanwhile, Bowin and Sharpe intercept and kill delivery drivers to steal a satellite dish for "Project: New America". Pat checks Courtney's room and discovers the JSA memorabilia in her closet.
6	6	"The Justice Society"	Christopher Manley	Taylor Streitz	June 22, 2020 (2020-06-22)
After killing another of their daughter, Artemis Crock's, football coaches, Lawrence "Crusher" Crock and Paula Brooks are summoned by Icicle to aid Sharpe as their ISA identities Sportsmaster and Tigress, respectively. Pat confronts Courtney, ordering her to take back the JSA equipment she gave to her friends. Fearing for her teammates' lives, Courtney asks them to surrender their gear, but they all refuse and pressure her into letting them go after Sharpe when he attempts to hack a communications company for satellite codes. However, they are intercepted by Sportsmaster and Tigress, who easily overpower and nearly kill the teens before S.T.R.I.P.E. intervenes. Afterward, Pat talks to Courtney and clarifies that while her team is not ready to face the ISA, he agrees that a new JSA is needed and offers to help train them. Meanwhile, Barbara and Pat's son Mike bond when she makes a surprise visit to his science fair presentation, Cameron's cryokinetic powers start to develop, and Icicle brings the ISA together to figure out who the JSA's successors are and to wake Brainwave to complete "Project: New America".
7–8	7–8	"Shiv"	Lea Thompson	Evan Ball	June 29, 2020 (2020-06-29)
			Geary McLeod	Paula Sevenbergen	July 6, 2020 (2020-07-06)
Part 1 : Pat makes an effort to train the new JSA, but Courtney's impatience leads her to sabotage the exercise by showing off, upsetting the team. Meanwhile, Cindy visits her father, Dragon King, revealing her enhanced abilities and demanding to join the ISA. However, he refuses, insisting that she continue to monitor Henry Jr., who is slowly developing telepathic powers. Cindy feels increasingly isolated from her friends and peers, but when Courtney partners up with her in science class, they become friends. Jordan offers Barbara the chance to handle an important business deal for The American Dream. At a Blue Valley High football game, Mike expresses jealousy over Courtney spending more time with his dad than him. Cameron asks Courtney to Homecoming, and she chooses to leave Cindy behind. Angered by this, Cindy steals an experimental suit of armor and a flame-throwing staff from her father and goes to confront Stargirl, managing to stab her with her wrist blades. After the school janitor Justin defeats her with an enchanted sword, Cindy escapes while the Staff leads Pat to an unconscious Courtney. Part 2 : Pat fakes a car accident to explain away Courtney's injuries, although he tells her that they need to reveal the truth about the JSA to Barbara. Cindy goes to her father, who reprimands her for disobeying him before paying a visit to Courtney to reveal she knows her identity and threaten to kill her and her friends. Jordan confronts an executive of the chemical company he blames for his wife's death and kills him. Beth and Pat pose as family members to infiltrate Cindy's house and investigate her family. They find a picture of Dragon King, who Chuck identifies as deceased war criminal Dr. Shiro Ito. The team is forced to make a hasty exit when Cindy unexpectedly returns home, unaware that Courtney thinks they are in danger. Henry discovers his telekinetic power and stumbles across his father's Brainwave costume and files, learning that Cindy has monitored him. He finds her fighting with Stargirl and fires a psychic wave that knocks them both down. Confused and scared, Henry telepathically discovers Courtney's identity before running away. Noting that his prediction was correct, Dragon King orders his drones to remove Cindy.
9	9	"Brainwave"	Tamra Davis	Colleen McGuinness	July 13, 2020 (2020-07-13)
Decades prior, a young Henry Sr. killed a mugger in self-defense with his burgeoning psionic abilities. Courtney informs the JSA that she plans to recruit Henry Jr., but Yolanda and Rick disagree. With Cindy imprisoned, Dragon King meets with the ISA to report that he can use Henry Jr. to complete "Project: New America" and allow them to brainwash a large portion of the United States. Barbara invites Jordan to join her family for dinner. Pat assigns Rick and Beth to investigate Blue Valley's history, during which they discover the town's founders established a network of tunnels that enable the ISA to operate covertly. Courtney visits Henry Jr. and tries to convince him that his father's belief in humanity's inherent evil is wrong, but he forces her to leave. While having dinner with Jordan and his family, Courtney realizes that he is Icicle after seeing him handle a heated hot plate without being burned. While sharing her discovery with Pat, she unintentionally brandishes the Cosmic Staff in front of a shocked Barbara. Meanwhile, Henry Jr. accidentally kills his father's shady lawyer just as Henry Sr. wakes up.
10	10	"Brainwave Jr."	Andi Armaganian	James Dale Robinson	July 20, 2020 (2020-07-20)
After blaming Pat for convincing Courtney to become a superhero, Barbara kicks him out and tells Courtney that they are leaving Blue Valley. After discovering Henry Sr. has amnesia and Jordan killed his mother Mary, Henry Jr. becomes convinced that he can save his father from Jordan's influence. When Pat goes to find Barbara, Courtney and the JSA, accompanied by Henry Jr., search for the ISA's headquarters. Barbara records a conversation with Jordan and his parents, wherein she and Pat learn about a "machine" that Jordan is building. As the JSA continue their search, they stumble across Dragon King's private lab, where Courtney, Yolanda, and Henry Jr. defeat him before locating Henry Sr., who has been cured of his amnesia. The team tries to escape, but he corners them. Henry Jr. tries to talk his father into abandoning Jordan, but Henry Sr. reveals he killed Mary before burying his son alive as the JSA watches in horror.
11	11	"Shining Knight"	Jennifer Phang	Geoff Johns	July 27, 2020 (2020-07-27)
Kurtis arrives in Blue Valley and bonds with Courtney in the hopes of getting her locket and selling it off for money. Pat discovers this and confronts him, telling him to never return. Meanwhile, Justin suffers from memory loss and comes to Pat to remember his time as the Shining Knight. Courtney discovers Henry Sr. knows her identity and attempts to use the Staff, but it is still non-functional due to her lack of confidence stemming from her not being Starman's daughter and her fear that she is not good enough to be Stargirl. Pat and Barbara help her regain her confidence, and she activates the Staff with even more power than it had before. Elsewhere, Henry Sr. reveals Courtney's identity to Jordan and deduces Pat is Stripesy. Jordan hacks into Barbara's computer and finds that she has been looking into Starman's death and knows his identity, so he orders Henry Sr. to kill Courtney's family. Concurrently, the ISA find that they can brainwash half of the country due to Henry Sr.'s increasing power.
12–13	12–13	"Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E."	Toa Fraser	Melissa Carter	August 3, 2020 (2020-08-03)
			Greg Beeman	Geoff Johns	August 10, 2020 (2020-08-10)
Part 1 : As "Project: New America" gets underway, Lawrence and Brooks are dispatched to kill Pat, Barbara, and Courtney, but the latter group defeat them with Mike's help, who learns about the JSA and his father and stepsister's involvement in it. The family, joined by the JSA and Justin, take refuge at Pat's cabin to formulate a plan to foil the ISA. After Anaya's son Isaac comes to her with his bully troubles, she encourages him to take revenge against his tormentors before meeting with Lawrence and Brooks, who kills her for calling them unfit parents. With Pat's help, Rick deciphers Hourman's journal and discovers a map of the ISA's underground lair. Beth hacks into the ISA's computers and discovers that while "Project: New America" aims to stop global warming, utilize clean energy, and eliminate discrimination, it will come at the cost of 25 million lives. Before the JSA can locate the ISA's synaptic amplifier, Dragon King initiates the brainwashing process, leaving Justin and Barbara in trance-like states while Pat is forced to fight Courtney. Part 2 : Beth frees Pat and Justin from their trances, leading to a showdown between the JSA and ISA, wherein Lawrence and Brooks are defeated while an escaped Cindy kills Dragon King. Sharpe releases Grundy, who severely damages Pat's armor before Rick beats Grundy into submission. As Rick spares him and allows him to leave, Yolanda kills Henry Sr. while Courtney destroys the synaptic amplifier, though Jordan destroys Beth's goggles and takes Barbara hostage. He tries to convince her to side with him, but Barbara refuses before Pat and Courtney confront Jordan. After sustaining damage to his ice armor, Jordan is killed by Mike. Sharpe wipes the ISA's systems before escaping. In the aftermath, Justin departs Blue Valley to find the Seven Soldiers of Victory, former ISA member Shade watches the news pass off the ISA's plot as an earthquake from their now abandoned meeting room, and Cindy finds a gem containing "Eclipso" in William's storage unit. Six weeks later, the Whitmore-Dugan family celebrates Christmas with the JSA. Meanwhile, Sylvester Pemberton looks for Pat in California.

Season 2: Summer School (2021)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date [16]	U.S. viewers (millions)
14	1	"Summer School: Chapter One"	Andi Armaganian	Geoff Johns	August 10, 2021 (2021-08-10)	0.72[18]
Several decades earlier, Eclipso (in the form of a boy named Bruce) kills Mid-Nite's daughter, Rebecca McNider. A few months after the ISA's defeat, Courtney and the JSA patrol Blue Valley for supervillains but fail to find anything. Pat plans a family camping trip, but Courtney is assigned summer school by Bowin's successor, Harold Sherman, after failing several classes and getting into an unintentional altercation with Artemis. Concurrently, Rick secretly cares for Grundy while Beth successfully reboots Chuck amidst her neglectful parents filing for divorce, though Chuck has no memory of her. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after killing Brainwave, Yolanda urges Courtney to stay away from Cameron lest she reveals her part in his father's death. Elsewhere, Sylvester arrives in Nevada and asks for Pat from a waitress who knows him. Zeek finds the S.T.R.I.P.E. armor, but mistakes it for a robot project and suggests modifications. Later that night, Courtney is attacked by a girl calling herself "Green Lantern's daughter" while Cindy and Eclipso begin recruiting for a new ISA called "Injustice Unlimited", with Artemis, Cameron, Isaac, and Mike as prospective candidates.
15	2	"Summer School: Chapter Two"	Andi Armaganian	James Dale Robinson	August 17, 2021 (2021-08-17)	0.70[19]
Green Lantern's supposed daughter introduces herself as Jennie-Lynn Scott, the daughter of deceased JSA member Alan Scott. However, Courtney is skeptical, believing she may be a mole for the ISA. As Pat welcomes Jennie and teaches her to harness her power, which appears to be connected to her lantern, Courtney attends summer school with Yolanda. Pat introduces the new JSA to Jennie. Courtney berates her, but later apologizes when she realizes that she is jealous that Jennie is actually the daughter of a superhero while she is not. Jennie, feeling isolated and emotional about her missing brother Todd Rice, breaks the lantern and strengthens her powers. Pat deduces that she herself is the energy source and not the lantern. That night, Jennie leaves unnoticed. Meanwhile, antiquities collector Richard Swift calls Barbara to ask about William's equipment. Pat later identifies Swift as Shade. Elsewhere, Cindy visits her estranged stepmother Bobbie Burman, but struggles to control Eclipso and inadvertently allows him to consume Bobbie.
16	3	"Summer School: Chapter Three"	Lea Thompson	Turi Meyer & Alfredo Septién	August 24, 2021 (2021-08-24)	0.60[20]
11 years ago, JSA member Johnny Thunder meets with Pat to discuss Johnny's genie-like partner Thunderbolt. In the present, Mike experiences trouble with his paperwork business when he unknowingly grabs Thunderbolt's pen and activates him. After explaining how his wish-based powers work and seeing the late Johnny in him, Thunderbolt helps Mike seek revenge on his bullies, which Courtney and Yolanda notice. They tell Pat, but he fails to reclaim the pen. Upon learning Johnny's last wish before he died was for Thunderbolt to make a new friend, Pat allows him and Mike to stay together and help the new JSA. Working together, Mike and Thunderbolt determine Shade's location and join the JSA in confronting him, but fail to capture him before he escapes. Later that night, Mike unknowingly wishes for Thunderbolt to be in better hands, and the pen ends up at Mike's friend, Jakeem Williams' house while Chuck warns Beth of Eclipso.
17	4	"Summer School: Chapter Four"	Lea Thompson	Taylor Streitz	August 31, 2021 (2021-08-31)	0.68[21]
While Cindy recruits Isaac into Injustice Unlimited, Artemis visits her imprisoned parents to discuss her recent emotional struggles and upcoming football tryouts. Seeking to help their daughter, Lawrence and Brooks break out and kidnap Mike to force Pat to help them attend the tryouts until it ends, after which they will return to prison and free Mike. Before the tryouts, Lawrence and Brooks bond with Pat and Barbara. Courtney attempts to research Eclipso's origins and a "Bruce Gordon", but encounters Shade, who claims he wants to eliminate Eclipso. Pat accompanies Lawrence and Brooks to the tryouts, whose presence lifts Artemis' spirit. However, Cindy and Eclipso arrive at Blue Valley High and enchant Artemis into attacking Courtney, who learned of Lawrence and Brooks' attendance. After the tryouts, Pat allows Lawrence and Brooks to have a heart-to-heart with Artemis before taking them back to prison. Following this, Artemis learns she is not being recruited for college due to her attacking Courtney and Cindy meets with Artemis to ask her to join Injustice Unlimited. Meanwhile, Beth hears the original Mid-Nite calling for help through Chuck as he wanders through a dark location.
18	5	"Summer School: Chapter Five"	Sheelin Choksey	Steve Harper	September 7, 2021 (2021-09-07)	0.64[22]
10 years ago, Cindy is awakened from a nightmare about her father while Dragon King secretly watches from afar. In the present, Cindy attempts to recruit Cameron while he is working on a mural for his father, but his grandmother Lily uses her own cryokinetic powers to stop Cindy. Meanwhile, Courtney confronts Pat about Shade's intentions. As a mysterious storm rolls in, Cindy tries to recruit Cameron again, but he rebukes her. On her way out, she uses Eclipso to enchant the art teacher Paul Deisinger. Shade visits Barbara regarding Courtney's search for him and leaves his number while Beth tells Pat about Mid-Nite. As Deisinger is engulfed by a paint blob, the JSA visit the school to investigate, but the affected Deisinger causes them to see nightmares until Courtney rescues him, negating Eclipso's powers. Deisinger later ends up in psychiatric evaluation. While Beth confronts her parents about their divorce, Cindy fails to recruit Cameron a third time and meets with Artemis and Isaac with a plan to recruit Mike instead. Cameron continues working on the mural until he suffers a hand cramp and drops his ice-covered paintbrush.
19	6	"Summer School: Chapter Six"	Walter Carlos Garcia	Paula Sevenbergen	September 14, 2021 (2021-09-14)	0.58[23]
As Beth struggles to get her parents to talk to each other, she and Yolanda are threatened by Isaac and Artemis. While cleaning up at Blue Valley High, Courtney, Pat, and Cameron find a painting of Cindy holding Eclipso. Isaac and Artemis attack Pat and severely damage S.T.R.I.P.E. while Cindy abducts Mike and calls Courtney to meet. With Pat hospitalized, Courtney fears that she cannot defeat Cindy without him. Barbara reassures her before contacting Shade to tell him that Cindy has Eclipso. The JSA fight and defeat Cindy's team while Beth frees Mike. Shade intervenes when Cindy attempts to use Eclipso, but Courtney destroys the Black Diamond, resulting in Eclipso being released from his imprisonment. He uses a diamond shard to absorb Cindy despite Courtney's attempt to save her, consumes Isaac, injures Rick, disables the Cosmic Staff, and forces Shade and Artemis to flee before doing the same. Afterwards, Mike resolves to improve his training and build his own S.T.R.I.P.E. Elsewhere, Eclipso assumes Bruce's form.
20	7	"Summer School: Chapter Seven"	Sheelin Choksey	Robbie Hyne	September 21, 2021 (2021-09-21)	0.58[24]
Courtney struggles to restore the Cosmic Staff and begins talking to Cameron more often. Barbara finds a strange substance dripping from the ceiling and believes Shade is responsible. Yolanda continues to struggle with Brainwave's death and begins hearing his voice before unknowingly meeting Bruce. While in class, Yolanda is taunted by a vision of Henry Jr. and Brainwave. Courtney consoles her and advises her to tell Rick and Beth. When she does so however, Yolanda states that they and Courtney have never killed anyone and that since they will not be willing to kill Eclipso, she must be the one to do so. Later, she goes to church to confess, but is taunted by visions of Henry Jr. burning and Brainwave attacking Courtney. After Courtney awakens her, Yolanda lashes out at Courtney over choosing her to become Wildcat and quits the JSA. Meanwhile, as Pat and Mike work to repair S.T.R.I.P.E., Mike finds fragments of the Black Diamond and hallucinates leeches attacking his skin before being awakened by Pat, who hopes that the Black Diamond could imprison Eclipso. That night, Bruce appears outside Beth's house.
21	8	"Summer School: Chapter Eight"	Andi Armaganian	Steve Harper	September 28, 2021 (2021-09-28)	0.47[25]
Yolanda returns the Wildcat gear to Courtney, who is still struggling to accept her best friend's decision. Rick receives a visit from his teacher Miss Woods, who gives him information about applying to college before his uncle Matt tells her to leave. Rick goes to the forest and expresses his frustrations to Grundy, who expresses sympathy. Meanwhile, Eclipso causes Beth to hallucinate that her parents blame her for their divorce and casts doubts about her inclusion in the JSA. However, Beth's self-confidence enables her to return to reality before Mid-Nite tells Beth he is being hunted. Eclipso manipulates Rick into thinking that Grundy killed a little girl. Rick mistakenly attacks Matt and destroys his hourglass amulet upon the realization. Subsequently, Rick is arrested and Matt is hospitalized while the real Grundy solemnly watches from afar. As they comfort each other, Barbara and Mike's house is partially encased in frost.
22	9	"Summer School: Chapter Nine"	Andi Armaganian	Alfredo Septién & Turi Meyer	October 5, 2021 (2021-10-05)	0.47[26]
Several decades earlier, Eclipso persuades Bruce to give him control of his body. Years later, the original JSA attends Rebecca's funeral. Starman learns from Shade that killing Bruce will force Eclipso back into the Black Diamond, but Pat and Jay Garrick advise him not to. When Eclipso threatens their families and defeats the rest of the JSA, Starman reluctantly kills Bruce. In the present, Courtney and Beth strategize a plan to defeat Eclipso without Yolanda and Rick as a storm rolls in. Barbara gets caught in it and Eclipso causes her to see Icicle, Mike to see Cameron attacking and taunting him over his birth mother leaving him while seeking revenge for his father's death, and Pat to see Bruce and the JSA taunting him over his silence regarding the truth about Eclipso's imprisonment until Shade awakens Barbara and Courtney awakens Mike and Pat. Pat tells Courtney the truth and that Barbara already knows, angering Courtney and causing her to lash out at them while Eclipso watches from outside.
23	10	"Summer School: Chapter Ten"	Sheelin Choksey	Taylor Streitz	October 12, 2021 (2021-10-12)	0.56[27]
Following Gordon's death, Starman reveals to Pat that Eclipso had threatened Pat's life and they reconcile. In the present, as Courtney argues with her parents, an injured Shade appears and claims that they can trap Eclipso by fixing the Black Diamond with the Cosmic Staff. This fails, so Pat suggests they use Jennie's power ring. Pat and Courtney find her at a Civic City rehabilitation facility searching for Todd. After leaving, head nurse Louise Love informs her boss Mister Bones about Jennie and that she covered up where Todd really is. Meanwhile, Mid-Nite contacts Beth and reveals that Shade rescued him from the ISA, but accidentally lost him in the Shadowlands, and Shade received his powers after being unsuccessfully sacrificed to Eclipso in the 1800s. At the old JSA headquarters, Jennie repairs the Black Diamond, but Beth realizes too late that Shade lied. After the diamond restores Shade's powers and summons Eclipso, he knocks out Jennie and uses the diamond to absorb Courtney despite Pat's best efforts.
24	11	"Summer School: Chapter Eleven"	Sheelin Choksey	Paula Sevenbergen & Robbie Hyne	October 19, 2021 (2021-10-19)	0.52[28]
Courtney awakens in the Shadowlands, where she is taunted by illusions of the Zaricks and Bowins in a black-and-white Blue Valley. She is attacked by Cindy, but the two realize they are both real and escape from an illusion of Dragon King. Cindy blames Courtney for being trapped in the Shadowlands, and the two argue before the former is dragged away by Dragon King's drones. Courtney pursues her, but gets lost and is rescued by McNider. He informs Beth of her survival, so Jennie uses her power ring to track down Shade, who can bring them back. As Mike searches for Thunderbolt and Beth and Jennie search for other traces of dark matter, Pat and Barbara find Shade recuperating in a movie theater and convince him to bring Courtney back. Despite still being weakened, Shade opens a door to the Shadowlands, but Courtney refuses to leave without Cindy. She and McNider rescue her from Dragon King after enduring Gordon's taunts regarding Yolanda, Rick, and her father before returning to the real world. Shade seemingly dies from overusing his powers and dissolves, requesting that his good deed be remembered.
25	12	"Summer School: Chapter Twelve"	Greg Beeman	James Dale Robinson	October 26, 2021 (2021-10-26)	0.62[29]
Jennie is unknowingly infected by dark matter residue. Courtney comes home to find the Cosmic Staff at full power and agrees to a truce with Cindy. Courtney tells Yolanda that she was not the first JSA member to kill, but this upsets her further. Pat pleads for Matt to drop the charges against Rick, eventually coercing him into doing so. Barbara hears a voice calling her name before consoling Courtney. Mike finds Jakeem with the pink pen and convinces him to help the JSA. Cindy goes to Yolanda and tells her about the truce, prompting her to return temporarily. Rick studies his father's journal, hoping to recreate the Hourglass Amulet. Cindy calls an unknown group, asking for help. McNider deduces that Courtney's light can stop Eclipso and works with Beth to find him, but they are intercepted by Eclipso, who allows Beth to summon the JSA for his plan to feed on Courtney's darkness. Meanwhile, Jennie has visions of Courtney becoming Eclipso's host and defeating the rest of the JSA before waking up.
26	13	"Summer School: Chapter Thirteen"	Greg Beeman	Geoff Johns	November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)	0.57[30]
As Eclipso merges Earth with the Shadowlands, the JSA are joined by Grundy, Lawrence, Brooks, Pemberton, and Thunderbolt, the last of whom repairs S.T.R.I.P.E., in fighting him, but Eclipso defeats them all and kills Grundy. While struggling to rescue her parents, Beth and McNider receive help from Shade. Courtney admits her hatred for Eclipso, allowing him to make her his new host. However, Starman and the JSA help her regain control. Lawrence and Brooks weaken Eclipso before Thunderbolt turns him into a slice of toast. Afterwards, Pemberton offers to teach Courtney more about the Cosmic Staff. Yolanda and Cindy decide to remain with the JSA while Mike and Jakeem discuss starting their own team. Beth locates McNider's wife and learns that he has a son. Her parents also decide to stay together. At his father's mural, Cameron's grandparents reveal their cryokinetic powers to him. Rick buries Grundy, but Shade states that Grundy could come back. Lawrence and the Crocks move next door to the Whitmore-Dugans, much to their dismay. Meanwhile, at the Helix Institute for Youth Rehabilitation, Nurse Love informs Mister Bones about the heroes and villains living in Nebraska as he makes plans to visit Blue Valley.

Season 3: Frenemies[]

Production[]

Development[]

In July 2018, DC Universe gave a series order to Stargirl, consisting of thirteen episodes. The pilot was written by Geoff Johns, who also executive produces alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Melissa Carter (who is co-showrunner with Johns).^[31][17] Production companies involved with the series are Mad Ghost Productions, Berlanti Productions, and Warner Bros. Television. The series was said to be a "reimagining" of Stargirl.^[31] The CW renewed the series for a second season in July 2020, resulting in the series moving exclusively to the network as a CW original series.^[32] The second season is subtitled Summer School.^[33] Ahead of the second season premiere, The CW renewed the series for a third season in May 2021. The renewal allowed the series to be co-financed by HBO Max, part of a larger deal between The CW and HBO Max.^[34]

Writing[]

Johns described Stargirl as having a similar tone to 1980s films such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Back to the Future. The start of the series sees the deaths of the original members of the Justice Society of America (JSA). With the younger generation taking up their mantle, Johns said their "paths aren't complete. They don't know where they're going to be or what they're going to be. And so, there's all sorts of mistakes they can make and choices they can make, and who knows what their ultimate destiny will be?... It makes for a lot of fun and a lot of unpredictability." The members of the Injustice Society mirrors those on the JSA team, with Johns teasing that just about everyone who has been a member of the Injustice Society in the comics would appear in the series. Speaking to classic JSA members such as Alan Scott and Jay Garrick, Johns called them the "elderly statesmen" and that they "are spoken of and they exist in the JSA" with "their legacies... felt throughout the show". There were also "plans in the future for things". For the first season, star Brec Bassinger felt the original Doctor Mid-Nite, Charles McNider would have "a significant role to play", while Johns added the season would establish the Seven Soldiers of Victory as the first superhero team before the JSA and explore the history of the Cosmic Staff.^[2] Regarding the death of Henry King, Jr., Johns revealed that he always "had a finite story", going "from this almost unlikeable bully to possibly a redeemed hero, and then ultimately die protecting his new friends when facing his father, while also learning a lesson that Courtney imparted on him and apologizing to Yolanda." Johns spoke with actor Jake Austin Walker before he signed on to play the character to inform him of this and discuss the character with him. The character's return in the season one finale with his father pretending to be his son was done to subvert the "nobody ever dies" superhero trope.^[35]

Yolanda Montez's struggle with killing Brainwave was "a big part of season 2". Johns added that compared to Rick Tyler, who is "starting to kind of turn a corner" after overcoming his anger for his parents' death, Yolanda is "turning the other way... She’s lost in her own world, thinking about what she has done" since she was not ready to kill someone, unlike Rick. Additionally, more motivations from the surviving members of the Injustice Society are explored in the second season.^[35]

Casting[]

Brec Bassinger was cast as Courtney Whitmore / Stargirl in September 2018.^[1] Johns called the casting of Stargirl a difficult process, auditioning hundreds of actresses for the role. On why Bassinger was perfect for the role, Johns said: "Immediately... I knew she was Courtney. She has the humor, she has the enthusiasm, the energy, the innate optimism, and Brec really embodies who Stargirl is".^[2] The following roles were cast in November: Anjelika Washington as Beth Chapel / Doctor Mid-Nite,^[36][2] Yvette Monreal as Yolanda Montez / Wildcat, and Christopher James Baker as Henry King / Brainwave.^[37][2] The next year in January, Luke Wilson was cast as Pat Dugan / S.T.R.I.P.E.^[9] Amy Smart joined the cast as Barbara Whitmore the next month,^[4] along with Neil Jackson as Jordan Mahkent / Icicle,^[4][2] Trae Romano as Mike Dugan,^[4] Hunter Sansone as Cameron,^[4][10] and Cameron Gellman as Rick Tyler / Hourman,^[38][2] with Jake Austin Walker cast as Henry King Jr. and Meg DeLacy cast as Cindy Burman, rounding out the cast.^[5][6]

The following members of the Justice Society of America were cast in December 2018: Joel McHale as Sylvester Pemberton / Starman,^[12] Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Rex Tyler / Hourman,^[39] Brian Stapf as Ted Grant / Wildcat,^[40] and Henry Thomas as Charles McNider / Doctor Mid-Nite.^[41] As well, Joy Osmanski was cast as Paula Brooks / Tigress, Neil Hopkins was cast as Lawrence "Crusher" Crock / Sportsmaster, and Nelson Lee was cast as Dr. Ito / Dragon King, members of the Injustice Society.^[15][2] In April 2019, Hina Khan was cast as Anaya Bowin.^[42][43]

In October 2020, Nick Tarabay joined the cast as a series regular as Eclipso while Jonathan Cake was cast as Shade and Ysa Penarejo was cast in an undisclosed role in recurring capacities for the second season,^[11] while Jim Gaffigan was cast as the voice of Thunderbolt.^[44] The following month, Alkoya Brunson was cast in a recurring role as Jakeem Thunder.^[45] In February 2021, John Wesley Shipp was cast to reprise his role as Jay Garrick from The Flash.^[46] Alex Collins replaces Thomas as Doctor Mid-Nite for the second season.

Hopkins and Osmanski were promoted to series regulars for the third season in August 2021, following their recurring roles in the first season and guest appearance in the second.^[14] McHale was also promoted to a series regular in October for the third season following his guest appearances in the first two seasons.^[13]

Design[]

Costume designer LJ Shannon "tried to stay as true to the [comics] lore as possible" in her designs. Each of the costumes are "utilitarian" with individual looks. Johns described Doctor Mid-Nite's as "[a] little steampunky" with canvas and leather and Hourman's as "a little more slick".^[47] Legacy Effects created a practical S.T.R.I.P.E. for use during filming.^[48]

Filming[]

Filming had begun by March 14, 2019,^[49] with Glen Winter directing the pilot.^[50] Christopher Manley and Scott Peck were directors of photography on the series.^[51][52] Filming occurs throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area, including: Marietta, Virginia–Highland, Duluth, Lithia Springs, Dallas,^[49] Marietta Square, West End, Westlake High School, the Atlanta Center for Medical Research,^[53] Campbell Middle School, Paulding County, Smyrna, Arbor Place Mall, Vinings,^[54] Mableton, and Douglas County High School.^[55] Walter Garcia serves as the series' stunt coordinator and second-unit director. He was hired to help Stargirl's staff "have a personality and be alive when she fights with it".^[48]

The series continued to film in Atlanta for the second season,^[56] with filming beginning by October 28, 2020.^[57][58]

Visual effects[]

Zoic Studios provided visual effects for the series.^[59] According to Johns, Stargirl was the first Warner Bros. Television series to use previsualization (a process most commonly used by feature films) for their effects scenes.^[48] Previsualization was handled by The Third Floor, Inc.^[51] Johns brought his experience working on the films Wonder Woman (2017), Aquaman (2018), and Shazam! (2019) to help the series have visuals not "seen in superhero shows before".^[48]

Music[]

Pinar Toprak is a composer for the series.^[60]

Release[]

Stargirl premiered on DC Universe on May 18, 2020,^[61] and consists of 13 episodes.^[62] The series was originally intended to premiere on May 11, seven days before its official release.^[63] The series is released in 4K Ultra HD on DC Universe.^[64]

In November 2019, The CW announced to broadcast each episode the day after it premieres on the streaming service, with each episode available to stream on The CW's online platforms after its broadcast.^[17] Stargirl started airing on The CW on May 19, 2020, at 8 pm.^[61] Some episodes have content removed when they air on The CW to allow for the network's commercials, notably approximately eight minutes in each of the first two episodes.^[47] DC Universe streams the full episodes,^[48] and Johns said starting with the third episode, both releases are "almost identical".^[47] The series release plans shifted and it stayed in post-production longer to accommodate the broadcast on The CW to accomplish the adjustments that had to be made.^[51]

Scenes removed in the first episode from The CW broadcast included: establishing shots of Barbara Whitmore's new job, and Pat's auto shop; an interaction between Courtney and Cindy Burman in the halls of Blue Valley High School that Alex Zalben of Decider said was "clear set-up for later" but helped strengthen Courtney's emotional arc; and Mark Ashworth's scenes as "a mysterious, extremely creepy bearded janitor", which Zalben said was more of "a fun Easter egg that will pay dividends down the road";^[65] and Courtney finding a newspaper article about Starman and Stripesy.^[66] The first season became available on HBO Max on December 1, 2020.^[67]

The second season of the series airs exclusively on The CW,^[32] and premiered on August 10, 2021.^[68][69] The season will eventually also debut on HBO Max.^[34]

Marketing[]

On December 7, 2019, a teaser trailer was released.^[70] In early August 2020, The CW released several posters for its Arrowverse series with the superheroes wearing face masks, including Stargirl, with all posters having the caption "Real Heroes Wear Masks". This marketing tactic was used to "stress the importance of wearing masks while out in public to help stop the spread of" COVID-19.^[68]

Reception[]

Ratings[]

Season 1[]

The following table represents viewership data for each episode's airing on The CW, as DC Universe does not release viewership information.^[71] The pilot episode was tied for the second-best series debut on The CW for the 2019–20 television season with Nancy Drew after Batwoman,^[72] and was the best summer series premiere on the network since Whose Line Is It Anyway? season nine in 2013.^[73] Through the first seven episodes of the season, Stargirl was averaging a 0.2 rating for adults 18–49 and close to 1 million initial viewers per episode, which was "on par" with The CW's Arrowverse series.^[71]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Stargirl

No.	Title	Air date	Rating (18–49)	Viewers (millions)	DVR (18–49)	DVR viewers (millions)	Total (18–49)	Total viewers (millions)
1	"Pilot"	May 19, 2020	0.3	1.22[74]	0.2	0.54	0.5	1.77[75]
2	"S.T.R.I.P.E."	May 26, 2020	0.3	1.19[76]	0.2	0.63	0.4	1.82[77]
3	"Icicle"	June 2, 2020	0.2	0.96[78]	0.2	0.72	0.4	1.68[79]
4	"Wildcat"	June 9, 2020	0.2	1.10[80]	0.2	0.56	0.4	1.65[81]
5	"Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite"	June 16, 2020	0.2	0.94[82]	0.2	0.76	0.4	1.70[83]
6	"The Justice Society"	June 23, 2020	0.2	0.92[84]	0.2	0.71	0.4	1.63[85]
7	"Shiv Part One"	June 30, 2020	0.2	0.99[86]	0.2	0.59	0.4	1.58[87]
8	"Shiv Part Two"	July 7, 2020	0.2	0.96[88]	0.2	0.61	0.4	1.57[89]
9	"Brainwave"	July 14, 2020	0.2	0.83[90]	0.2	0.58	0.4	1.41[91]
10	"Brainwave Jr."	July 21, 2020	0.2	0.77[92]	0.1	0.31	0.3	1.08[93]
11	"Shining Knight"	July 28, 2020	0.2	0.74[94]	0.1	0.41	0.3	1.14[95]
12	"Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One"	August 4, 2020	0.2	0.83[96]	0.1	0.39	0.3	1.22[97]
13	"Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Part Two"	August 11, 2020	0.2	0.86[98]	0.2	0.48	0.4	1.34[99]

Season 2[]

Viewership and ratings per episode of Stargirl

No.	Title	Air date	Rating (18–49)	Viewers (millions)	DVR (18–49)	DVR viewers (millions)	Total (18–49)	Total viewers (millions)
1	"Summer School: Chapter One"	August 10, 2021 (2021-08-10)	0.1	0.72[18]	0.1	0.47	0.2	1.19[100]
2	"Summer School: Chapter Two"	August 17, 2021 (2021-08-17)	0.1	0.70[19]	0.1	0.46	0.2	1.15[19]
3	"Summer School: Chapter Three"	August 24, 2021 (2021-08-24)	0.1	0.60[20]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
4	"Summer School: Chapter Four"	August 31, 2021 (2021-08-31)	0.1	0.68[21]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
5	"Summer School: Chapter Five"	September 7, 2021 (2021-09-07)	0.1	0.64[22]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
6	"Summer School: Chapter Six"	September 14, 2021 (2021-09-14)	0.1	0.58[23]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
7	"Summer School: Chapter Seven"	September 21, 2021 (2021-09-21)	0.1	0.58[24]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
8	"Summer School: Chapter Eight"	September 28, 2021 (2021-09-28)	0.1	0.47[25]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
9	"Summer School: Chapter Nine"	October 5, 2021 (2021-10-05)	0.1	0.47[26]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
10	"Summer School: Chapter Ten"	October 12, 2021 (2021-10-12)	0.1	0.56[27]	0.1	0.33	0.2	0.89[101]
11	"Summer School: Chapter Eleven"	October 19, 2021 (2021-10-19)	0.1	0.52[28]	0.1	0.36	0.2	0.88[102]
12	"Summer School: Chapter Twelve"	October 26, 2021 (2021-10-26)	0.1	0.62[29]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD
13	"Summer School: Chapter Thirteen"	November 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)	0.1	0.57[30]	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

Critical response[]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 89% based on 38 reviews, with an average rating of 7.61/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "A stellar series perfect for anyone looking for a little hope, Stargirl is delightful fun the whole family can enjoy."^[103] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 68 out of 100 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[104]

Brian Lowry of CNN described the series as "hardly seeks to reinvent the wheel, or even expand the mold. Still, its mix of solid characters, clever writing and youthful exuberance casts a brighter light than most."^[105] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter gave a review stating "Derivative, but should fill the superhero-origin-story-shaped hole in your heart" and wrote, "The result is that a show that is frequently derivative to the point of distraction might actually fill a need for viewers able to concentrate on its occasional charms until better superhero shows return."^[106]

Arrowverse[]

Stargirl and her team were briefly introduced in the Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths" in January 2020,^[107][108] from footage from "The Justice Society" episode.^[109] Stargirl is set on a new Earth-2, created during the crossover.^[107][108] Stargirl from the pre-Crisis Earth-1 had previously appeared in three episodes of season two of Legends of Tomorrow, portrayed by Sarah Grey, between October 2016 and February 2017.^[110]

Regarding any proper crossovers with the Arrowverse, Johns and Bassinger were keen on the idea. In April 2020, Johns said, "right now the main concern is making sure that this show is great, that these characters are great, that they have their own stories and they get the proper screen time and the proper episodes to develop on their own. So hopefully in the future we can do something fun, but the first season is all about making sure that Stargirl is the best show it can possibly be". Bassinger added that there had already been preliminary discussion about crossing over with The Flash, and she was hopeful to be able to crossover with Melissa Benoist on Supergirl.^[2] John Wesley Shipp reprised his role as Jay Garrick from The Flash.^[46] Johns said Shipp's appearance helped connect "our universe directly with the other shows, and also shows that we’re part of a grander universe. It opens up the door to opportunities for us to eventually interact with those [Arrowverse] characters, and that was important."^[111]

Notes[]

References[]

External links[]

• Official website
• Stargirl at IMDb