Remember when all Courtney wanted was to be like Starman? Stargirl could come face to face with her predecessor, if not by the end of this season, then definitely in the next. Joel McHale broke the news on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he would return to Stargirl Season 3 as a series regular. This version of Sylvester Pemberton may not be the same one Pat remembers, and maybe that’s for the best.
“Summer School: Chapter Nine” shows us a side of Sylvester Pemberton that doesn’t treat Pat Dugan the way he deserves. That is a vastly different dynamic from the “Pilot,” which shows a more lighthearted version of their friendship. The time and trauma the two men experienced changed them, maybe even jaded them. That shift in their dynamic makes it difficult to imagine an entirely joyous reunion between Slyvester and Pat.
If anything, it’ll be far more unnerving considering Eclipso’s potential involvement. Of course, it’s still unknown how Sylvester survived everything, but this could be Eclipso playing the longest game of all. We still don’t know the full scope of Eclipso’s abilities. Who’s to say he can’t bring back a twist version of Sylvester or create a doppelganger to do his bidding?
The alternative may be even more challenging to watch because it means this is the same Sylvester Pemberton from decades ago. But no one is ever truly the same once they’re brought back from the dead. That story will deserve a lot of time and attention. It will be a challenge to see Stargirl balance that with the already existing characters’ arcs. This is especially true considering that McHale isn’t the only adult joining the cast full-time next season.
Per Deadline, Neil Hopkins and Joy Osmanski will return as Lawrence “Crusher” Crock and Paula Brooks for Season 3. They’re one of the brightest aspects of every episode they’re in, even when they’re diabolical. It’s exciting to think of the possibilities ahead for them. Of course, their futures may not involve suiting up as Sportmaster and Tigress any time soon, and we’re okay with that.
“Summer School: Chapter Four” proves how Larry and Paula can be great supporting characters to their daughter Artemis’ story. We are all for learning more about Sylvester, Larry, and Paula. But, we don’t want that to overshadow the new generation of heroes. Stargirl rarely disappoints on any front. We have hope that Season 3 can pull off what could be impossible and make us care about all the characters — heroes and villains alike.
What are your Sylvester Pemberton/Starman theories? Let us know in the comments below!
Stargirl airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on The CW.
