Sylvester Pemberton is form of a multitude, isn’t he? It’s exhausting to come back to some other conclusion after watching him destroy a grocery retailer as he impulsively attacked Sportsmaster and Tigress. That is greater than Starman being a spoiled wealthy boy turned superhero. The man goes by way of loads, and never simply because final week’s episode of Stargirl ended with him being tossed into the air like a rag doll.
Look, I get it. Sylvester Pemberton is attempting to regulate to his resurrection and it hasn’t been straightforward. He got here again to life, however there wasn’t a life to come back again to. His household and his former teammates are lifeless, and his beloved Cosmic Employees has bonded with a brand new hero. Life moved on with out him. He nonetheless has his former sidekick Pat, however seeing him has grow to be a relentless reminder of how life left him behind. Pat now has a spouse, youngsters and a brand new workforce of heroes. True, they’ve all welcomed Sylvester with open arms, however seeing them solely drives residence the purpose that issues have modified.
Regardless of the season premiere’s nice opening montage, it didn’t escape my discover that Sylvester didn’t go on the household tenting journey. Because the season begins, the Dugan-Whitmore household returns from a visit to Yellowstone, however we see that Sylvester was left behind. (Enjoyable truth: you could find out what occurred on this household tour by testing the Earth-Prime: Stargirl tie-in comedian.) The household took this journey shortly after defeating Eclipso, which implies that it wasn’t lengthy after Pat and Sylvester reunited.
Take into consideration that for a second. Sylvester lastly returns to Pat after an extended search and Pat instantly leaves together with his household on a tenting journey. For his half, Sylvester didn’t appear outwardly bothered by this, however I’ve to think about that inside he was hurting. When the Dugan-Whitmore household returns, they’re smiling and laughing, demonstrating a bond that Sylvester missed out on.
There’s a lot for Starman to regulate to. The previous millionaire is sleeping in a basement, and he has to simply accept the truth that his sidekick Pat is not the pushover he as soon as knew. He’s additionally coping with survivor’s guilt, blaming himself for the slaughter of his teammates. We noticed a few of this when he broke down on the sofa in “Frenemies – Chapter Two: The Suspects.” And let’s not overlook the way in which the Shade pushed his buttons both. The previous Injustice Society villain advised Sylvester that Pat was the one one which got here to his funeral and that no one wished him again. For a person who didn’t have a life to come back again to and who noticed everybody transfer on with out him, these phrases most likely felt like the reality.
Having Crusher and Paula Crock stay subsequent door could also be enjoyable for us as viewers, however for Sylvester, it’s doubtless a bit traumatizing. As followers of the present, we acquired to see Sportsmaster and Tigress transition from enemies, to allies, to wacky neighbors, making it much less jarring for us. Sylvester didn’t get that luxurious. He didn’t see Crusher awkwardly bond with Pat, or Paula chat with Barbara about how troublesome it’s to boost teenagers. The final time Sylvester noticed the Crocks, they have been murdering his finest pals.
Conserving this in thoughts helps us perceive Sylvester’s mindset. Sportsmaster and Tigress are extra than simply villains who reformed—they participated within the slaughter of Starman’s longtime teammates. In Sylvester’s eyes, these individuals are the rationale why his life is presently in shambles. Not solely are the Crocks strolling round scot-free, however Pat has welcomed them into his residence like outdated pals. As if the unique Justice Society meant nothing.
If you happen to have been Sylvester, wouldn’t you be offended as nicely?
I’m not saying Starman was justified in attacking the Crocks and destroying that grocery retailer. (Though reality be advised, I’m glad he did as a result of that battle scene was epic.) Sylvester’s actions have been tousled and the person is carrying loads on his shoulders. Perhaps it’s not one of the best concept to entrust him with one thing as highly effective because the Cosmic Employees. Then once more, taking away one of many few connections he has to his outdated life would most likely ship him spiraling additional. There are not any easy options to Sylvester’s complicated points.
I’ll be trustworthy, I’m nonetheless not 100% positive that that is the true Starman. Perhaps it’s an imposter, or perhaps it’s another person brainwashed into considering they’re Sylvester. I’ve been studying comedian books since childhood, and I’ve discovered to at all times be suspicious of resurrections. The 1993 Flash storyline “The Return of Barry Allen” adopted the same path. Barry Allen, who had been presumed lifeless, returned however started performing moody and erratic. It turned out he was Thawne in disguise.
I’m most likely being a bit too paranoid right here. Perhaps that is the true Starman. It is a good time to remind you all that I do know as a lot about future episodes as you do. I don’t know who killed the Gambler, and I don’t know what’s occurring with Sylvester. Heck, till the top of the newest episode, Sylvester was certainly one of my suspects.
I’m not attempting to excuse any of Starman’s actions this season, however it is vital for us to know the place they’re coming from. It’s not straightforward to lose every little thing whereas being compelled to hold on. However as Stargirl has demonstrated, Blue Valley is a spot for brand new beginnings. We’ve seen a brand new Justice Society rise out of the ashes of the outdated. We’ve seen villains like Shiv battle for justice. Starman could have misplaced his outdated life, however I feel he has the chance to construct a fair higher one.
Simply as long as he doesn’t burn all of it down earlier than he realizes that.
DC’s Stargirl airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (7 p.m. CST) on The CW. For all the most recent from Blue Valley, go to our official Stargirl collection web page.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, motion pictures and comics for DCComics.com, is an everyday contributor to the Sofa Membership and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Observe him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this function are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially mirror these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
