Stargirl: Frenemies: The Complete Third Season (DVD TV series review).
Eclipso is toast… literally, in the third and final season of ‘Stargirl’. Normalcy is returning as Stargirl (played by Brec Basinger) grudgingly tolerates various JSA enemies in retirement, provided they steer clear of criminal activity. The Gambler (portrayed by Eric Goins) arrives in town, searching for a daughter he’s never met. Sylvester Pemberton (Joel McHale), the former Starman, miraculously back from the dead, agrees to share Courtney Whitmore’s star-rod during her school hours.
One peculiar observation is the minimal police presence, especially notable when the Gambler is murdered and his caravan ransacked. The young JSA members always seem to be a step ahead, arriving and departing before the police and forensic teams. This season focuses heavily on relationships and the mystery of who killed the Gambler, who appears to be earnestly attempting reform, including ceasing his blackmailing activities.
However, the Thunderbolt’s inability to answer the critical question of the killer’s identity more than once leaves everyone, including the viewers, in the dark until the very end. Notably, the Gambler’s daughter and Pemberton’s unmasked altercation with the Crocks (Neil Hopkins and Joy Osmanski) at a local supermarket lead to no repercussions, highlighting a lack of accountability.
A curious trend this season is the sprouting of beards among the adult male characters. The new Icicle, Cameron Gellman (played by Rick Tyler), stands out with a notably deep voice for a young character. Echoing ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, the actors portraying students are noticeably older than their characters, a trend continued here. Seth Green brings a fresh voice to the Thunderbolt.
The murderer’s reveal, earlier than expected, comes as a surprise, being an unlikely suspect yet in keeping with comic book traditions. There’s a nod to the giant white gorilla Ultra-Humanite, but delving deeper would spoil the plot.
The final episode tidies up the storylines, clearly signaling the end of the series. Personally, I would have preferred a more open-ended conclusion. Similar to other DC Comics/Warner Bros TV series finales, it misses the chance for potential mini-series continuations.
All three seasons were well-executed, even though some characters, like Jakeem Williams (Alkoya Brunson), bearer of the Thunderbolt pen, seemed underutilized. His and the Thunderbolt’s fates remain unclear. Overall, the series has learned some valuable lessons and is worth watching in its entirety for a comprehensive experience.
GF Willmetts
November 2023
(Warner Bros/DC Comics, 3 DVDs 535 minutes 13 * 45 minute episodes with extras. Price: varies but ensure you have a multinational DVD player/recorder. ASIN: B0C34Y8BVZ)
cast: Brec Basinger, Luke Wilson, Ysa Penarejo, Yvette Monreal, Anjelika Washington, Cameron Gillman, Amy Smart, Trae Romano and many more
check out website: www.warnerbros.com
