DC’s Stargirl aired the finale of its season 3 on The CW. But what’s the future? The future of Stargirl season 4 is possible.
DC’s Stargirl is a popular series that has been successful on many services since its debut in 2020. It was originally a DC Universe Series. It was made a comics-only channel after the DC service. However, you can’t really call the new CW new since the first season of the streaming original performed exceptionally well on the network.
Stargirl aired two seasons on The CW since then. Both shows were highly rated and were amongst the most viewed in their respective years. It has enjoyed its success somewhat under-the-radar, with its cinematic visuals and expertly-choreographed fight going viral on social media from time-to-time whenever somebody spotlights it.
The CW has just completed the third season. The murder mystery arc is over. But will Courtney Whitmore’s adventures go on?
Stargirl Season 4 Cancellation Most Likely Due to The CW’s Future
The CW hosted the Arrowverse for many years and many of its spin-offs. Nexstar Media Group purchased the CW in 2022. The network’s majority of series were cancelled due to this change and Nexstar’s desire to engage with a new demographic than The CW’s. Nexstar made a change in The CW’s direction and showed shows like Stargirl didn’t work anymore.
The shakeup at Warner Bros. which produced most of The CW’s shows, was also accounted for by Discovery. Stargirl’sratings were good by CW standards but not as high than the network’s most viewed shows, such as fellow superhero series The Flash which received a ninth season earlier in the year. Stargirl managed to stay under the radar while DC properties took the brunt.
Stargirl Season 3 – How to Avoid an Ending Issue
The cancellations of Arrowverse shows were more surprising than expected — although there was hope that they might be renewed — Stargirl had the advantage of knowing that a cancellation was imminent. Two endings were created by the writers and both were filmed. One ending was meant to be used in case the series of superheroes were picked up. It was most likely to have a cliffhanger. This was intended to conclude the series. Fans won’t need to be left wondering what happens next in Stargirl’sstory. This allows viewers to have closure about the characters’ journeys.
Stargirl not only avoided an ending problem but was also able to end its story on its terms with a planned finale that was appropriate for a series finale. It is rare to find a way to end a story without having it abruptly cancelled in the world of television, and within the Arrowverse. Stargirl was able to conclude the story with the idea that these characters would continue being the JSA without leaving the audience wondering what the next chapter will be.
Stargirl Season 4 Preview
Stargirl Season 3: The End Explained
After Cindy shoots the Gambler’s gun, the third season of DC’s Stargirl begins with a bang. Courtney and Justice Society of America, (JSA), receive an alert about the murder. “Frenemies” is a murder mystery that features twists and turns throughout every episode. Everyone is a suspect in the murder of the former villain. Courtney, who strives to see and believe in the best in people, creates an interesting dynamic. Courtney and Pat can welcome back the Starman. This resurrected starman gives the show plenty to be creative.
Halfway through Season 3, “Stargirl” announced that the show would end. Fans were quickly assured by the cast and crew that an alternate ending was being recorded to provide closure and to complete the series. Brec Bassinger, the actress who plays Courtney Whitmore, and Stargirl, Stargirl’s superhero alter ego, thanked Geoff Johns. Collider was told by her that Geoff Johns went above and beyond to create two endings because he didn’t want to leave fans with so many questions. The finale and the penultimate episodes provide answers to many fans’ most pressing questions. Let’s get into the conclusion.
Mister Bones was not the season’s biggest bad
Mister Bones, played by Keith David, and the Helix institute will be the next big villains Courtney (the JSA and Courtney) will encounter in the finale of the second season. He suggests to Courtney that Blue Valley is home to many superpowered people, and menacingly that he go there. Season 3 is filled with anticipation as the viewers wait for his arrival. In Episodes 7-8, however, Courtney, Pat, Jennie (Ysa Penarejo), & the Shade (Jonathan Cake), end up visiting him at the Helix Institute.
Jennie and the Shade need Helix’s assistance to remove the darkness from Jennie’s Green Lantern Ring and to locate her brother Todd (Nate Swift). Jennie gives the Shadowlands to Todd and stabilizes his powers, despite being told by the Shade that they should be returned to them. Courtney and Jennie discover Helix had been trying this for years. This is surprising considering Mister Bones’ status as a supervillain in the “Stargirl” comics.
Mister Bones is only two episodes long so you won’t have enough time to explore all of the comic book history. It’s still enough time to glimpse a few other comic book characters, such as Penny Dreadful or Tao Jones, each of whom are locked behind heavy security doors. There are many potential spin-offs.
Starman explains his return from the dead
Since the finale of Season 2, the mystery surrounding Sylvester Pemberton (Joel McHale’s) untimely return from the dead has been hanging over “Stargirl”. He is still alive, it was revealed. Season 2 brought him back, but Episode 1 of Season 3 was the first time he explained why he survived. Dr. McNider (Alex Collins) reveals to the team that Sylvester has absorbed extra energy from the cosmic staff all his life. This keeps his body healthy, and keeps him alive through all these years.
Starman claims that Courtney’s connection to Cosmo, the Cosmic Staff, is what woken him up, and that it was Courtney who triggered his return. Courtney feels that it is lacking in him when he gives it. But Pat and she gladly accept it until the series finale, when Sylvester starts acting un-Starmanly. This is when Pat realizes that Sylvester may not be the man she knew from the start.
Starman’s true story and how it was brought back to life
Starman’s return is actually due to the character of Jordan Mahkent (played by Neil Jackson), or Icicle. His body is protected by the staff’s cosmic energy, as Dr. McNider claims. This is how he survived. Sylvester may not have woken up if it weren’t for Jordan, Dragon King and the Ultrahumanite.
Starman is Jordan’s puppet in order to continue his master plan for world dominance (in Jordan’s words, he’s saving humanity). This all makes sense. It can be confusing when brains are changed hands or heads. The Dragon King (Nelson Lee), cuts Sylvester’s head open and replaces it with the Ultra-Humanite’s brain. This Ultra-Humanite was born in a gorilla genetically modified and has been living there for many years. The Ultra-Humanite takes the Dragon King’s brain and places it in the gorilla. He is now “something greater”. The trio then created the Ultra-Humanite Starman and planted him into the JSA.
This storyline is the most interesting twist in the third season of Stargirl, if it’s the entire series. It’s also the best executed. This is because Stargirl creator Geoff Johns planned the storyline for this episode since Season 1. According to Johns’ chat to TVLine, even McHale was aware of the twist and made subtle nods like looking in the mirror to check his scars.
Jordan was present at the Gambler’s funeral and behind the cameras
Geoff Johns, TVLine’s executive producer, noted that Season 3 was inspired in part by mysteries such as “Murder, She Wrote” or “Knives Out.” Episode 1 begins with a classic whodunit. Eric Goins is the Gambler and everyone is made suspect. Soon, another mystery is revealed. Before he dies, the Gambler discovers that cameras are being used to record all JSA members and their families. All of this is actually orchestrated by Jordan. Episode 10 ends in Paula (Joy Osmanski), as well as Crusher (Neil Hopkins), who are lured into his lair and murdered without any provocation. The JSA and Courtney discover the lair during the next episode. They discover it is too small for them to hide in. However, the Ultra-Humanite, who they still believe is a giant gorilla, has already hidden in. They discover quickly that Jordan is alive.
It’s not clear at this point who killed the Gambler. Did it be Jordan or the gorilla who killed the Gambler? The Ultra-Humanite, however, reveals that he took over Sylvester’s body in the next episode. The Supervillain monologue he gives then explains that he (as Sylvester), Jordan, and Dragon King (in Gorilla forms) killed and mutilated Starman. Starman was made to appear like a victim, pretending to be hurt. Jordan would have wanted the Gambler and the Crocks dead, since they were his former ISA allies. Jordan saw them as traitors when they tried to reform.
Courtney’s confidence and regaining her staff
Season 3’s dynamic between Sylvester and Courtney (before his Ultrahumanite revelation, of course) and their relationship to the Cosmic staff is a big part. Courtney allows Starman to have as much staff as he wishes, even giving him the opportunity to head the JSA. He is her hero, but also a father figure who she admires and whom she can turn for advice.
Courtney discovers that Starman is not the right man for the job when he says that Pat is just an extra. Sylvester Pemberton may not be the man she had been getting to know but is the Ultrahumanite living in her body. Courtney sees how he gradually eroded her confidence and tried to destroy her relationship with her staff. Barbara (Amy Smart) then realizes that this was how he can take her team.
Barbara reminds Courtney that she has the power to regain her power and says, “He had to convince you it worked for him.” The moment was a significant one for Courtney’s Stargirl development and it wasn’t lost on viewers. Geoff Johns, the storyteller, told TVLine that he wanted Starman be the obstacle Courtney needed to become the hero that she was meant for.
Courtney and Cameron save one other
Courtney regains control of the staff and returns to face Jordan in round 2. Cosmo is at her side, but it gives her an edge. He fights too hard, and proves that his strength is greater than ever. Cameron takes Courtney’s place when Courtney becomes temporarily incapacitated and defends her. Cameron and Courtney fight each other.
Cameron and Courtney are in for a big moment, especially when you consider their turbulent relationship a few episodes back. Cameron, who has spent the majority of Season 2/3 in mourning for his father, is determined to reunite once he learns that his father is still around. Courtney was even tricked once by him for Jordan. He decided to save Courtney and officially turned his back upon his father.
The couple have been focused on saving one another for the majority of the season. Courtney helped Cameron learn to control his powers and saved him from the same fate as his father. It’s now her turn to save him from the same fate as his father. The couple’s 10-year-old flash forward brought them a happy end. It revealed that Cameron had joined JSA and redefined Icicle’s name.
Jordan doesn’t get away unscathed
After facing off against Courtney, Cameron Jordan disappears into an icy cloud. Jordan’s ethereal appearance is all that remains of him before he disappears into night. The JSA doesn’t have much time to focus on Icicle because of all the other events in the finale.
Fans are not left hanging about Jordan’s fate with “Stargirl”. After a three-month-long jump, Jordan now walks alone in Copenhagen at night. After a three-month-long jump, Jordan walks alone down an alleyway. He then steps into a sticky, thick substance that looks almost like a puddle. Artemis Crock (Stella Smith), appears above him in a dark costume. She tells him that she has trapped him using a petroleum jelly mix of her father’s invention. Jordan must also know that the mixture is highly flammable. Jordan attempts to escape but fails. Artemis calmly lightens a flare to ignite the petroleum, setting Jordan ablaze.
Stargirl has not been afraid to kill off characters so Jordan’s death is not surprising. Artemis is following him, however, it seems fitting. This scene isn’t about a moment of mad revenge, but rather a way for Artemis avenge her parents. She’s grown up and is a better person than her parents, so this moment marks a new chapter in her life.
Courtney fulfills Gambler’s last wish
Becky Sharpe is the Gambler’s daughter. He never knew her. He finally finds her and writes her a letter. However, he never receives the letter. The final chaos could have easily lost this storyline. Geoff Johns was not able to compromise on the scene in which Courtney visits Becky and presents her with the Gambler’s Letter. “That’s an incredible scene for me. Courtney’s motivation to do this was because she saw Gambler. She said that Gambler was acting like a better dad than her biological father.” he told TVLine.
Courtney’s emotional journey with her father and their relationship has been difficult since Season 1. The scene is a good way to wrap up Courtney’s story. He will always be with her, and she will continue to carry the scar. It is obvious when she touches the locket, reminding herself that it isn’t there. It feels like she is closing off the past. She’s instead trying to help Becky, so that she doesn’t feel the same pain. Becky knows her father loved and was there for her.
Whitmore and Whitmore develop family relationships.
Stargirl has had love, family, and friendship as its central theme since the beginning. These themes are most evident in the interactions between the Whitmore and Dugan families. Courtney wants nothing to do with Season 1 of the Whitmore-Dugan families. She denies that she is being raised by them, but still hopes that her biological dad will return. Things change at the end. Courtney and Mike bond like true siblings and Courtney discovers that Mike really doesn’t care about Courtney. Pat does however care about her. Court presents Pat the “World’s Greatest Dad” mug that she had kept in her closet. It is touching.
Season 3 continues their growing relationship, particularly Episode 8, when she accidentally calls him “Dad” and Episode 12, and 13, when Courtney speaks passionately to Starman about Pat being her true hero and how she is grateful that he is her dad.
Similar to Barbara, Mike’s relationship has been developing over the seasons. In Season 3, however, she expresses a motherly love and calls Mike her son. Mike appears to reciprocate this affection but it is not until the season finale when he calls Barbara “Mom” despite just being reunited with his biological mom. This moment shows the four-member family that they have come a long way since their first episode.
Since its inception, Mike and Jakeem were part of the JSA.
Mike’s most important and ongoing storylines in Stargirl has been his quest to find his place in his new family and the JSA. Pat did his best to keep Mike from the show for the first two seasons. Even after Icicle’s death, Pat was unable to stop Mike from getting involved. Pat offers to mentor Mike, and he let him do S.T.R.I.P.E. He rarely has the opportunity to join the JSA on missions. After discovering the Thunderbolt in Season 2, he believed he had found his place within the team. However, he is only a messenger so that it can lead to Jakeem (Alkoya Bunson).
In Season 3, Mike and Jakeem decide to take it on their own, away from the JSA. Mike claims Jakeem looks more like his sister. When Cindy feels betrayed and abandoned by the JSA, they tentatively call their team “The Young All-Stars.” They stop the Dragon King as a gorilla during the final showdown. Although they achieve it on their own, this scene shows how they have been working with the JSA from the beginning. Even though Mike may not be aware of it, all their missions are interrelated throughout this season. The Shade acknowledges Jakeem Thunder, S.T.R.I.P.E. and brings it to a close in the 10-year leap. JSA’s 2.0 (Mike) are integral members.
Cindy is the Dragon Queen
It’s hard to imagine a world in which Cindy would be allies with Courtney or the JSA at the start of Season 1 of Stargirl. She actively opposes them, and she plans ways to kill Court and make her father Dr. Shiro ito (aka the Dragon Queen) proud. She’s determined to form a new team called “Injustice Unlimited” in Season 2 to bring down the JSA. They always get her support.
Cindy’s character story is one of the best in Season 3. She has transformed herself from a villain to a hero. It’s not an easy path for her as her father’s experiments on her make her feel isolated and alone. She doesn’t learn to trust her team right away. After Jakeem’s wish transforms the Dragon King, who had been living in the gorilla’s body, into a soft plush, Cindy is finally free of his conscious and subconscious influence. The Shade flashes back 10 years to reveal that the Dragon Queen is now a full-fledged JSA member — Cindy has taken over the Dragon King’s role and made it stand as something good.
Beth and Rick share a happy ending
The 10-year jump revealed that Beth (Anjelika Washington) and Rick (Cameron Gellman) finally found their happy ending. Although their relationship is slow and not fully developed yet in the series, Gellman previously mentioned Beth and Rick’s canonical love in an interview, and said that it would eventually be revealed in the series.
Season 3 is a continuation of their relationship, although it was cut short by the untimely cancellations of “Stargirl”. Beth is always most concerned about Rick’s mental deterioration. He still tries to be there even when everything is falling apart with Rick’s hourglass. They meet with her parents to discuss the situation after the battle. Rick accepts his apology and requests their support. Beth asks Rick for his support as she takes on the role Dr. Mid-Nite. The scene shows Rick gently rubbing Beth’s back and putting his arm around Beth. This is subtle but highlights the intimate nature of their relationship, even though it isn’t fully developed. Shade announces their engagement during the time jump. This is a wonderful way to acknowledge their blossoming romance.
Never the end…
Stargirl’s 10 year time jump was what she needed to complete her story. It is narrated by the Shade and gives us a glimpse into the storylines that might have been seen if we continued the series, including the JSA teaming with the Seven Soldiers of Victory to save Nebula Man, Courtney turning Starwoman, Starman’s return for real, and Courtney becoming Starwoman.
Shade also points out the JSA’s continued growth over time. He confirmed that Jennie (Green Lantern), and Todd (who adopted his comic book title Obsidian), had officially joined the team.
Although the flash forward does not resolve all issues, it opens up new possibilities for the series. John Wesley Shipp briefly returns to his role as The Flash in order to seek the help of the Shade and the JSA. Before the words “Never the End”, flash up on the screen, it is clear that this is not the end of Stargirl’s story. Geoff Johns spoke out about the importance of the series’ signature. Geoff Johns stated that the signature was intended to honour the series’ legacy. He said that it was not just about the characters’ achievements and future plans, but also for fans, crew members, cast, and staff. He wanted to leave the series with a positive ending.
Stargirl Season 4 Story You Might Have Been
Stargirl wraps up season 3’s storylines in a neat fashion. There are some plot threads that could have been picked up by season 4, such as the search to find Sylvester Pemberton’s brain, which was hidden in a mountain, and the search for Starman (aka Starman). Sylvester was saved in the end by the Justice Society of America. However, more details could have made available. StargirlSeason 4. Later, the Shade confirms that the JSA saved Seven Soldiers of Victory from Nebula Man. This is a DC Easter Egg. However, it’s possible StargirlSeason 4 could have explored the rescue process.
Stargirl Will Return One day?
Stargirl and her JSA team are likely to return. Stargirl could make her crossover debut on HBO Max’s The titans. It is possible that this is because Arrowverse featured crossovers of superheroes. Season 4, Episode 7 Stargirl’sBrec Basinger was pictured with some Titans’Cast member. Stargirl is expected to appear at least once. However, the nature of the story and its relationship with Stargirl are not yet known.
It is understandable, considering Stargirl and Titans are the outliers in the Arrowverse. Stargirl will be joining Titans and Doom Patrol, who have already crossed over. Titans’showrunner teased about her appearance. Who knows what else? And who knows? It’s a never-say-die situation for Stargirl’s Future. With Batwoman returning to The Flash despite her cancellation, David Ramsey playing John Diggle multiple times, it’s a no-brainer.
