Stargirl season 2, episode 12 review: Summer School: Chapter Twelve

“He’s a being of darkness. What do you think hurts darkness?” Spoilers for Stargirl season 2, episode 12 follow.

As the threat of Eclipso begins to rise to its foremost conclusion, Courtney and Justice Society of America must rely on help from an unlikely ally in Cindy to destroy him.

In order to do so though, they need two members of the JSA back first: Wildcat and Hourman.

Here’s what went down in Stargirl season 2‘s penultimate episode.

The fight continues in Stargirl season 2

The opening scene of “Summer School: Chapter Twelve” is absolutely ridiculous in every possible way. But it’s absolutely the kind of breath of relief that the season has needed. It’s dumb fun and also allows us to see that Cosmo is starting to pretty much get back to where he was before the JSA first fought Eclipso. It’s also probably the most fun that the episode gets, besides some of the few Thunderbolt moments along the way.

As soon as the fun ends though, the darkness seeps back into the episode as we see Jenny get infected by a residual piece of Eclipso’s darkness. After seeing so much of what Eclipso can do, the fact that he is able to infect the Power Ring, even indirectly, makes him even scarier.

Back from the void

Courtney, Cindy, and Dr. Mid-Nite return from the literal darkness and begin to formulate a plan to stop Eclipso. But before all that, Beth and Charles meet in the flesh for the first time and it’s just as wonderful as pretty much everyone watching hoped it would be. It’s sweet and kind and it brings a smile to your face.

As for Yolanda though, she’s making her way back from the metaphorical darkness as Courtney tries to tell her that she’s not the only JSA member who has killed. When that doesn’t work, Cindy works her twisted magic on the situation, basically playing reverse psychology to bring her back into the fold. It’s such an excellent scene that pays off so well in terms of what happened last season as well as showing that Cindy is still willing to do what she thinks is necessary in order to win.

As for getting Rick out of jail, Pat goes to see Rick’s uncle to try and get him to drop the charges against him. Unsurprisingly, that doesn’t work in the slightest, but this leads to one of the best Pat scenes of the season. He finally calls Rick’s uncle out on being a terrible person and how he failed in caring for Rick. And then we get to see Pat’s dark side come out. He’s protective of every single one of these kids and, the fact that Rick is being treated that way by someone who is supposed to be his family, it just sets him off and it makes so much sense.

Chasing the lightning

Mike finally finds out who the Thunderbolt went to when he accidentally wished it away several episodes ago. It was none other than his friend Jakeem.

So, after trying to get the Thunderbolt back from him, Mike realizes that he and Jakeem were the same and that they both were lonely without friends, so it’s nice to see him back off and give him the chance to join the JSA.

The Stargirl season 2 finale airs on The CW next Tuesday, November 2, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

What did you think of Stargirl season 2, episode 12? Have you been enjoying Stargirl season 2 so far? Let us know in the comments below!