WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Stargirl Season 2, Episode 4, “Summer School: Chapter Four,” which aired Tuesday on the CW.
Last week on Stargirl, Pat (Luke Wilson) hyped The Shade (Jonathan Cake) to be one of the most dangerous villains the Justice Society of America would face; however, upon their confrontation, he seemed to be more civil than expected, swearing he had no evil plans for Blue Valley and claiming that they truly do not understand the accusations they throw at him. Come Stargirl Season 2, Episode 4, “Summer School: Chapter Four,” it seems even more likely that The Shade is an unlikely ally, as are two other Injustice Society members: Tigress (Joy Osmanski) and Sportsmaster (Neil Hopkins).
These two take center stage in Stargirl’s new episode, as they break out of prison to see their daughter’s (Stella Smith) football tryouts. While they initially hold Mike (Trae Romano) hostage in hopes of getting Pat to help them see Artemis, they swear that they will break back into prison and hurt no one as long as they can support their child. This is a bit surprising, since the two took joy in killing others before, but as the episode progresses, it becomes clear that their first priority will always be Artemis, even if it means putting their villany behind them.
During an awkward bonding moment at the Dugan house, Sportsmaster reveals that Tigress and him never really saw eye to eye with the Injustice Society, and they even hold animosity toward some members, looking down on The Gambler and hating The Shade. Meanwhile, Barbara (Amy Smart) and Tigress connect over how they admire their daughters’ independence and determination, even though it can be frustrating.
After the tryouts, it really seems like the two are more than willing to move forward, coming clean to Artemis and willingly accepting whatever punishment lies ahead of them. This, the surprising “friendship” they started with Barbara and Pat and how they would do anything for Artemis set the power couple up to be JSA allies, especially with Eclipso and Cindy (Meg Delacy) recruiting Artemis for the new Injustice Society.
Artemis had a bright future ahead of her, but Cindy sabotaged her chances of being recruited. That alone would likely prompt Sportsmaster and Tigress to side with the JSA because their priority is Artemis’ future and goals, which have been taken from her. Furthermore, it’s fair to assume they would not like Artemis being anywhere close to Eclipso, especially after what The Shade reveals about the Black Diamond.
While investigating the Black Diamond, Courtney (Brec Bassinger) runs into The Shade, accusing him of wanting to team up with Eclipso, which he deeply takes offense in. She also accuses him of Dr. Mid-Nite’s death, but The Shade suggests Pat is not telling the full story. After prying some more, Courtney learns The Shade wants to dispose of the Black Diamond for good and that Eclipso killed Dr. Mid-Nite’s ten-year-old daughter.
Eclipso is clearly the biggest threat in Stargirl at the moment, and he also seems to have his own agenda beyond what Cindy has in store. He isn’t afraid to kill and use children, thus putting Artemis at risk, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Tigress and Sportsmaster jump in to stop Eclipso and the new Injustice Society to save their daughter, even if that means teaming up with the JSA or The Shade in later episodes of Stargirl, which air Tuesdays at 8/7c on the CW.
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