Stargirl: Summer School: The Complete Second Season (DVD series review).
Life is never easy for teenage superheroes. Courtney Whitmore, portrayed by actress Brec Bassinger, finds that by paying too much attention to her Stargirl duties, she’s neglected her schoolwork and failed two exams. So, instead of the whole family going on holiday for a fortnight, they stay home, and she’s off to summer school. Oddly, the rest of the family doesn’t seem to mind whether they stay or go. I wonder what would have happened had they gone, because an orphan girl, Jennie-Lynn Scott (played by Ysa Penarejo), arrives possessing Alan Scott’s power ring. She’s seeking the green lantern that Pat Dugan (the former Stripsey, played by Luke Wilson) has been looking after.
This leads to her trashing the kitchen in a fight with Courtney. Instead, Courtney uses her star-rod to fight her late at night in the house, waking up the family. After everything is sorted out, Jennie-Lynn doesn’t stay long, as she is in search of her brother. Meanwhile, Jonathan Swift arrives in town, seeking The Shade’s (played by Jonathan Cake) magic tricks, as he is one and the same. Oh, did I mention Cindy Burman (played by Meg DeLacy) has the Eclipso jewel?
There are plenty of DC creators’ names as easter eggs, and they’re not hard to miss. Eclipso also ends up on Earth, plunging the town into a total eclipse. He continues to create malevolent mischief, leaving you unsure what is real or faked, or convinced of which. This makes for a hard time as Courtney finds her team quitting and handing back their costumes.
There’s an odd scene in the opening of the ninth episode with the Eclipso jewel talking to Bruce Gordon, telling him he can’t put him down. OK, so Americans are used to eating one-handed, but how does he dress, use the loo, etc., in that situation?
A lot of it is a build-up for the JSA to stop Eclipso/Bruce Gordon (actors Milo Stein, Jason Davis, and Nick Tarabay), who has ambitions to be a god. In the meantime, he casts many illusions and messes with the new JSA’s heads, as you do.
It’s hard to say much else without spoiling things. The effect that is Thunderbolt (voiced by Jim Gaffigan) is brilliant, and I wished we saw more of the pen genie. As with the original JSA in the comic books, given the right command, he is really powerful. He is also much more humorous than the original.
There are three extras. On the first DVD, they explain why they have switched filming to Georgia, as that is where the Blue Valley town is situated. On the third DVD, there are two extras. ‘Never Alone: Heroes And Allies,’ which runs for 21 minutes, covers the ‘Stargirl’ series as only one of six DC Comics TV series. Oddly, the Titans are seen from their comic book rather than TV version as the producers discuss their own series.
The Gag Reel, at nearly 3 minutes, really illustrates their desire to dance more than goof.
With these recent series being canceled despite such quality, you do have to wonder where the viewing public is, as these are worth a watch.
GF Willmetts
November 2023
(pub: 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: B09M1VC9RS)
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
