DC’s Stargirl 2×12 Review: “Summer School: Chapter Twelve”

The JSA assembles new and former recruits as Eclipso reveals his ultimate plan in “Summer School: Chapter Twelve.”

After returning from the shadow lands in “Summer School: Chapter Eleven,” Courtney (Brec Bassinger) is even more determined to stop Eclipso (Nick Tarabay) in “Summer School: Chapter Twelve.” The remaining Justice Society of America (JSA) members work to bring back Yolanda (Yvette Monreal) and Rick (Cameron Gellman) while recruiting new members as the season finale draws near. While the episode was light on action, it successfully set the stage for a powerful and likely emotional final showdown between Eclipso and the JSA.

The episode opens with a sequence of Buddy the dog and Cosmo the staff’s interactions in the empty Whitmore-Dugan house, providing a much-needed light-hearted moment in the overall bleakness of the past couple of episodes. The ensuing homecoming of Courtney is another nice moment as she reunites with Beth (Anjelika Washington) and Jennie (Ysa Penarejo). The moment is ruined by Beth realizing that Cindy (Meg DeLacy) intends to team up with them and is rightfully skeptical of the former villain. Everyone else’s apprehensiveness towards Cindy while she casually hangs out in the house is also amusing to watch.

Beth also gets to meet McNider (Alex Collins) in person for the first time and the meeting is well worth the wait. McNider’s support of Beth is a joy to see, and the possibility of McNider mentoring Beth in Dr. Mid-Nite business is exciting. In addition, Courtney and Barbara (Amy Smart) have another great moment where Courtney tells her about what Eclipso’s vision of Barbara told her in the shadow lands, causing Barbara to assure that she loves Courtney no matter what.

Courtney attempts to convince Yolanda to return to the JSA, sharing the revelation that the original JSA also took a life. It’s great to finally see Yolanda again, even if the revelation doesn’t end up changing Yolanda’s mind. Cindy ends up being the one to bring Yolanda back, telling her that she was the one behind Yolanda’s leaked photos and spurring Yolanda to return to ensure that Cindy doesn’t turn on Courtney. While it’s strange that Yolanda doesn’t seem to have as much concern about Eclipso, her continued protectiveness of Courtney makes their reunion and Yolanda’s return to the JSA somewhat satisfying.

Pat (Luke Wilson) focuses on getting Rick out of jail. After politely asking Rick’s uncle Matt (Adam Aalderks) to drop the charges against him, he calls out Matt’s abusiveness and gives into his dark side to coerce Matt to change his mind. Pat giving into a darker side of himself adds an interesting layer of depth to his character, but there’s no denying that Matt deserved whatever Pat did to him. Pat’s methods work and he brings Rick to the auto shop and Rick works to repair his broken hourglass. While we don’t get to see a full reunion between Courtney, Beth, Yolanda, and Rick, it’s great to see that the JSA is back together.

Meanwhile, Mike (Trae Romano) works on a recruiting mission of his own as he tracks the new owner of Thunderbolt. His search leads him to Jakeem (Alkoya Brunson) who has been using Thunderbolt to conjure up strange things around town. Mike gets Jakeem up to speed on the JSA and Eclipso, and Jakeem agrees to help if Mike will help him with the dishes. While there is a lot to learn about Jakeem, the budding friendship between him and Mike is promising, and it will be cool to see what role the two will play in the final showdown.

With the JSA finally back together, and a suggestion that The Shade (Jonathan Cake) might not actually be dead, the stage is set for the final battle. There remains a question of how Eclipso will be defeated, and the episode presents conflicting strategies. Early in the episode, McNider suggests that Courtney and Jennie’s light will be able to drive the darkness of Eclipso out while the episode ends with Cindy suggesting that Courtney will have to do bad things to stop Eclipso. With the episode ending revelation that Eclipso intends to turn Courtney evil and Jennie’s corresponding vision of an evil Courtney standing over her unconscious friends and family, it will be interesting to see which methodology ultimately prevails in next week’s season finale.

Author: Jessica Wolff

Jessica Wolff is a graduate of Drexel University with a BS in Film/Video. She has a passion for entertainment and representation in entertainment. She currently resides outside of Washington, DC.

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