Stargirl season 2, episode 8 review: Summer School: Chapter Eight

“What is Eclipso waiting for now?” Spoilers for Stargirl season 2, episode 8 follow.

After trying to connect with Grundy for weeks, Rick is finally able to make a connection. However, as soon as the connection is made, he must ask Stargirl to help save him.

Meanwhile, Eclipso begins to toy with Beth and her fears.

Here’s everything that happened in Stargirl season 2, episode 8 “Summer School: Chapter Eight”

Rebirth in Stargirl season 2

After seven episodes of set-up teasing the possibility of Rick and Grundy forming a relationship, it’s nice to finally get some pay-off for it. incredibly satisfying pay-off at that. Just the first scene that the two of them share, just Grundy and Rick sharing some apples, it’s a sweet, heartfelt moment that is so different from every scene we saw from the two of them during season 1.

That one scene alone makes Rick’s reaction and worry for Grundy later down the line feel completely real and organic. He now has the friend that he was trying to get for the entire season and it’s immediately going to be taken from him? Anyone would fight against that.

On top of all that though, this episode is heavily influenced by – and slightly recreates – 1931’s Frankenstein (this writer’s favorite horror film) with Grundy acting as the Frankenstein’s monster. This entirely comes from Grundy seemingly having something to do with a child’s death when, in fact, it was Eclipso playing tricks on both Rick and Grundy. It’s a great subversion that truly gets at the heart of both Rick and Grundy’s fears regarding each other and themselves.

Ghosts

As for Beth though, she made some headway in her search for the original Dr. Midnite and, in fact, was able to do so. They even were able to have a meaningful conversation that will potentially be used to rescue him from the Shadowlands that he’s trapped in as well.

At the drop of a dime though, she is haunted by Eclipso who, for the first time, really gets to show viewers how he can play into people’s fears. The hallucination that he forces Beth to have is just absolutely brutal from beginning to end.

From forcing her to believe it was her fault for her parents’ divorce, to her attempt to find her found family when they are nowhere to be seen, to even resorting to racism; it’s absolutely heart-wrenching seeing Beth go through all of these things at the hands of Eclipso. However, by the end of the traumatic experience, we get to see why she’s on the JSA. Her smile was never fake. Her courage was never faulty. She is Dr. Midnite and she showcases that by refusing to give into Eclipso’s mind games. She deserves to be on the JSA as much as anyone else.

Hurt friends

Compared to Rick and Beth though, Courtney has it easy this episode. Yes, it’s still very dark and there’s really not much in the way of levity, but she definitely has it easier than her friends. All she is doing is mourning the loss of her friendship with Yolanda and her sadness over her staff. Okay, when it’s put that way, it doesn’t really sound easy either.

The little bit of levity that this episode does have is from learning that Courtney has now given the staff a name. Cosmo. It’s fun little moment that feels right in character for her and is fun play on how it is called the Cosmic Staff in the comics.

Stargirl season 2 returns to The CW next Tuesday, October 5, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

What did you think of Stargirl season 2, episode 8? Have you been enjoying Stargirl season 2 so far? Let us know in the comments below!