Monday, May 25, 2020

Stargirl - S.T.R.I.P.E.


Working as a second-half to the show's pilot, "S.T.R.I.P.E." offers a proper introduction to Pat's (Luke Wilson) robot teased at the end of the first episode as well as Courtney Whitmore (Brec Bassinger) in costume for the first time as Stargirl. Once again, the show downplays high school life, other than a scene to remind us that Courtney is largely ignored by the student population, while focusing on the willful teen embracing her super-hero destiny over Pat's objections (including a humorous montage where she makes good use of the school's sewing room to remake Starman's costume into her own).

"S.T.R.I.P.E." works as a solid follow-up to the show's pilot, getting the heroine in costume, and continuing to develop themes of Courtney's family life. While itching to take on Brainwave, it's actually the threat the villain makes towards Courtney's mother (Amy Smart) that leads to Stargirl's official first appearance. There are also some nice individual moments here including a short scene focusing on how disappointed Brainwave is with his powerless son (Jake Austin Walker) who can't read his mind, the montage of Pat getting his robot functional, and Pat's dismay to discover that, even after all these years, he's still a sidekick.

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