Shout out to Warner Bros for providing a copy of this product for our review. My opinions are my own.
After watching the awesomeness that was season one of this show... I was really (like seriously) concerned that DC's Stargirl: The Complete Second Season would be kinda sorta DOA. I don't want to say that I didn't trust the writers to deliver but... I don't know them like that (just being honest).
Season one went hard in the paint... and if you have yet to watch the show... consider starting there, or... at least do yourself a big favor and backtrack if you start in season two. You won't be sorry. So does season 2 measure up and lead the team to a 2 for 2 in awesomeness? Let's jump in and find out.
Story: So when it comes to the season two... opener, let's just say you're served up with a blast from the past that gives you an idea of what will be going down this season as far as the main villain goes. It also shows you clues of how Dr. Mid-Nite got revved up to begin with... even if you don't see him in the initial scene. There is also a tie-in between Dr. Mid-Nite and one of the villains that finally showed face in season two.
Anyway, in season one... school was in session, and it's definitely part of Courtney's life as a teen (duh of the day). In season two, school is still in session... to an extent. See what had happened was... Courtney was so focused on being Stargirl (even with no danger in sight), she neglected her studies and found herself in... Summer School taking on dangerous... assignments so that she isn't held back! Dun dun duuunnnn!
Yes, this actually happens, but... I appreciate the writers finding a creative way to keep school in the mix. I would say it adds a level of normalcy, but at the same time... a lot goes down on the campus of Blue Valley High. One of the best fights takes place on campus, but we'll touch on this later.
Season two delivers from chapter one, which is a cool way to title the episodes considering the focus around School. You get introduced to Elipso (considered one of the most frightening adversaries in DC's mythology) that was around to an extent in season one + a new hero (I don't want to give it all away).
Season two actually serves up two new heroes with a possible 7 or more total new heroes (and other heroes are also featured in this season). You can count them yourself and side-eye me if you'd like, but what I've written here is true. The season's chapters have a good engaging balance that keeps the story moving forward with plenty of action to enjoy. Don't believe me? Stargirl slugs it out with a Green Lantern in Chapter One alone, and two of my favorite ISA villains crash the party this season as well.
It's not all about the fighting or Summer School if you're wondering what else this season offers in terms of character progression.
You have Courtney at a crossroads in terms of being a superhero or being a teenage girl (which is how she ended up in Summer school). She's so ready to kick off into superhero mode at times... it dives in the way of her normal life beyond the costume, but it's part of her personality where she gets ahead of herself. After this season, I think her maturity and confidence level will increase but her personality will surely remain intact.
I feel like it's for the sake of appeasing the actress based on something that occurred off the screen in season one... check out our season one review to find out what went down. I won't say it's a bad thing that it was written in, because it certainly happens... but I'll keep as much of the story under wraps so you can check it out yourself. As far as her alter ego goes, it's good to see Dr. Mid-Nite II do more this season and... it might crank up moving forward.
This season... Beth's bubbly personality is also pointed out as something that she sort of wears like a mask. I had a back and forth with a member of the team on this, but... I still think it's her true personality. You can feel various ways as far as your emotions go, but... her true personality shines through whenever it gets the opportunity. Anytime she gets to be Beth, she's Beth with or without her costume. The reason why her bubbly personality appears to be a mask is that she's... awkward and almost seems to wrestle with other feelings at times when she's not sure how to feel about something.Yolanda is also at a crossroads, even more than Courtney. Courtney is more so on the lines of being put into a position where her decisions put her in situations (i.e. Summer School). Yolanda is dealing with the trauma she suffered from season one, and you will see how it plays out with the decisions she makes in terms of her alter ego.
In regards to Rick Tyler, he's battling assumptions, whether it's assumptions that he's just a step away from being locked up or... that he can't possibly be smart enough to get a really good grade in school.
Not only that, he's still dealing with crap at home with his Uncle who won't put the booze down enough to provide a more stable home for Rick. He's so resentful, he wants to see his own nephew's life hit a wall quicker than he did. It may appear that I'm spilling more of the beans about his story in this review, but... there is more... which makes me wonder what the future could hold for Hourman.
While I could dish on more of the characters, I'll leave it at the main four.
When it comes to Eclypso taking center stage this season, you might get the creep's compliments of his Nightmare on Elm Street type of vibe. Whatever he can exploit... he does exploit and definitely challenges the JSA physically and mentally, and he even takes on someone who came out of left field. I was like damn, can anyone stop this dude? They had to work together more than ever and got help from unlikely sources, but... Eclypso was still owning with a smile.
Overall, it wrapped up nicely with heroic battles, some unanswered questions (mainly about Hourman), and unexpected twists... that includes a few big ones at the end to gear us up for season 3. They must've been listening to me and I can't wait for Season 3 to soar in.
In this fight alone they delivered medium shots, pan + tilts, low angle, worm's eye view, an extreme close up that comes by way of someone's face taking the plunge in the crapper, and almost an over the shoulder aka off the hip type of shot as Stargirl pulled a drive-by with the cosmic staff. The fact that they were really getting busy made it so much better. They even pulled a team combo. So as you see... this episode alone covers all the camera angles you can just about get, but they did a good job sharing the love among other chapters. I'm serving up some random pics, so you can indulge on unspoiled action when you grab a copy of the complete second season.
Audio + Extras: I didn't get the opportunity to listen to this using my usual surround sound setup, but I did get the opportunity to test out the built-in DTS TruSurround in the new office telly. My experience was quite enjoyable because it delivered something on the lines of a simulated surround sound experience... to the extent of what the TV could pull off with its onboard speakers.
Audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Gag Reel (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD)
- Never Alone: Heroes and Allies
