#no but seriously i want to display these amazing plots / dynamics like a little science project

[tamedstray]

At some point a relationship page / tag won't be enough. I need to make PowerPoint presentations. This is a threat.

[ihassheepquake]

Stargirl 1.07 “Shiv Part One” is out now on DCU, and I’m here to talk about it.

As my one comment before the episode actually comes out and we get into this little review/recap, I find it really interesting that we’re getting such an explicit two-parter. So far this show has been pretty much exclusively a serial, which means that a two-parter is gonna be extra important and we need to really pay attention to what happens in these two episodes. 

I love the look into the morning routine of the JSA. Courtney goes to see the staff and say good morning, Rick is off being an angsty teen, Yolanda is training, and Beth is being buds with the goggles. We don’t necessary need to see this but it’s really great to see and teaches us a lot about these four core characters in just a few seconds.

Ooooh, our first look at Brainwave since episode 4 I think. And Cindy is, at least before coming into the room itself, yet again being a bitch about Henry Jr. being sad about his dad. She was like this at the Halloween party back in episode 5 and she’s doing it again. She only cares Henry Jr. when it benefits her, which I think is telling of the likely “redemption” arc we’ll be forced to deal with for him. At least he does clearly give a shit about his dad. Cindy later repeats this pattern with trying to force Henry jr. to take her to the dance he’s already said he’s not going too multiple times. 

I love how the JSA has a little assemble moment in the halls at school. That’s fun. And then they give us a little Cindy backstory and at least gives a clue as to what some of these kids think of her. BTW fucking go Jenny for standing up to her and calling her out. And it ends with some interaction between Cindy & Sir Justin, and then Sir Justin & Courtney (and finally we get some lore & backstory for Sir Justin, how exciting).

Last time for 1.06 I talked about how I love the Barbara moments and the family dynamic we get for her. We get some good moments with her again in this episode. Each episode gets closer to both Mike & Barbara figuring out the truth. I kinda feel bad for Mike. 

Honestly this kid playing Henry Jr. is fucking good at his job, he’s playing this losing it and discovering his powers thing really well. In the classroom he seems on the verge of a panic attack the whole time. 

The interactions between Courtney & Cindy doing the science experiment are fun. There does seem to be a genuine bit of bonding here and there, in another life they could’ve actually been buds. I think she really just wants someone to be in control of though after Jenny stood up to her. Getting home her mum is scared as fuck though, is it because of Cindy herself or is the Dragon King himself around? This at home scene puts Cindy so clearly in charge and she seems like such a little monster. Wtf is this about “your dad gave me orders” shit. Cindy is supposed to be some genetic experiment or something and I’m starting to wonder if her mum is even a real person either. It’s cool to see that this evil lair is connected to both the American Dream building & Cindy’s house, so I’m betting it could also connect to the King house, the Zarick house, and the Mahkent place. And also the school? How much of this city is connected by these secret tunnels? I like this villain meeting, especially the specific point of how the group agreed to keep their kids out of it. 

We love a training montage in this house! Especially low-budget ones. (thank you for the Joey mention yet again. Seriously, for someone who’s “dead” he keeps getting mentioned in literally every episode). Love the display of skill from Courtney & power from the staff, both always good to see, though I’m especially happy to see the rest of the JSA call her out on it. She’s clearly a really leader but doesn’t fully know how to completely work with a team. 

Cindy’s a meta, oooooh, love that for her. And a look at her future costume?? Fuck yeah! And it looks great. And now that she’s talking with her father, it’s even more clear how unstable she actually is and how she gives literally no fucks about anybody. Her comments about how she’s “lonely” and has “nobody to talk to” is setting some interesting potential parallels with Beth, and they’re clearly setting up a ton of parallel between her and Court. 

I love any and all Cameron scenes, love this kid. Clearly the girl he’s talking about is Courtney, and I 100% believe that Icicle killed the other dude interested in his dead wife. I’m surprised that we haven’t gotten any sort of love plot in this show until now, and even now that a possible one is being introduce, I can already tell that it’s not going to become the kind of overwhelming force that love plots usually are in these shows. Cameron asking Court is admittedly cute. But Courtney, is the middle of the game really the time to go ask her about postponing your hang out? But of course, Cindy is gonna be a bitch about it anyway.

A secret door in the principles office? How fun. And the fact that the staff is just kinda there is beautiful. And Sir Justin sees something huh? Is he gonna actually be around as Shining Knight?? A small thing but the effects of Court blowing the lock on the door is fucking incredible.  Cindy suiting up to fight Court is pretty cool. Again, this outfit looks amazing. All the outfits in this show are amazing.I love even here between Courtney & Cindy how clearly out matched the JSA kids are. Yeah Court is holding her own in this fight but the staff is putting in a ton of work. OMFG SIR JUSTIN DID COME OUT TO PLAY AS THE SHINING KNIGHT!!! Fucking iconic. Gosh Pat, maybe in a situation where the staff comes to get you for help you shouldn’t go running around yelling “Courtney” because she’s probably in costume but idk, just a thought.

So there’s a lot to unpack in this episode, and certainly going to be more in next weeks 1.08 “Shiv Part Two.” We’ve seen shots of Henry Jr. using powers & working with the JSA and I’m willing to bet that’s happening next week. I’m interested to see how the rest of the JSA fit into this and what’s going to happen to Cindy for disobeying her dad. These little recaps of mine keep getting longer every week, so expect an even longer one next time. I should probably start doing a follow-up to these. 

[larenoz]

Roswell New Mexico - Live Rewatch - Ep 4 -  Where Have All The Cowboys Gone

Rosa making crack jokes. Too soon Rosa, Too soon.

Yes, high school is kind of a jerk, Liz.

People are the worst drug.

OMG, so much forshadowing - cages around hearts, people hurt you, armour.

Who hurt you? Liz asks. She assumes Frederico but now we know it's probably Iz.

Seriously, how much bottled water does Max keep at his house? Is he a secret prepper?

Damn, it shouldn't work but that short sleeve denim shirt and white tshirt combo really works for Michael.

I gotta hand it to Liz, she is finding out all their secrets pretty damn fast.

Here comes Arturo. Liz, Liz, Liz, it doesn't matter how long it's been.

Meat cleaver. Gotta love the classics

Die Jesse Manes Die

You go Sheriff Valenti. YOu call Jesse on his bullshit.

Yeah, Jesse, reminding the Sherriff that her husband was cheating on her is totes the way to get her to co-operate

No Cam, don't do it.

Pod Squad

Will she forget me. Poor Max

If I say it enough it might happen!!

What I want stopped mattering along time ago. Now where have we heard that before??

Secrets, so many secrets. They really should know that's not a good idea by now.

What's worse, thinking someone doesn't love you  or not knowing that they do??

You tell her Arturo.

That's one thing Liz and Max have in common, a little too quick to pass judgement.

I really want to try churro pancakes. And again more lies

Noooooooooooooooooo

Not Arturo.

There's my MVP, Kyle

Helps Arturo, gets Liz a job.

Michael getting barred from the Pony - again.

Dramatic cowboy angst.

Maria REALLY doesn't like Iz

Fuck, you gotta love Iz's sense of humour - Racist Hank ordering a fruity cosmo

I do love the voice Max does about low pants hanging holligans.

Max, Max, Max the last thing you should EVER want to talk about with Cam is what you did last night.

Seriously dude, you dumped her for another chick while she was giving you a hand job.

You haven't been yourself lately really just doesn't cut it. You should be thankful she didn't shoot you. ffs

I am so glad they made Cam like she is. No fucking bullshit. She calls Max on what he did and that it's about Liz. But in such away that it doesn't come off as the typical jealous chick bullshit.

Queso, tequilla and no less than three orgasms. - possibily one of the greatest lines ever spoken on tv

Fuck, I love that little smile/smirk that Michael does.

Michael, your really are a dumbass if you think getting in between Maria and Isobel is a good idea.

Iz poking at other people hiding the truth, no, no, no

Michael does look a tad bit hesitant about the idea of Iz reading Maria.

Iz, Iz, Iz there is a difference between being blunt and just plain rude. You can't call someone a freak.

"curated, Pintrest page you call your life" That is one class A insult and really, probably a bit too close to home.

And then Maria throws that freak comment right back at her.

Because Rosa hated you.

It's lets call Max on his bullshit day. You go Kyle. Bonus points for using a dying child to rub it in.

My father was real hero. Poor Kyle.

To help people.

"We're just men, we can't play God." oh really says the cop whose an alien with healing powers to the doctor. I think you both play god every damn day.

The backpack.

Oh, why mention where Rosa was going on the bus? Maybe there is another connection to Los Alamos? You apart from the whole nuclear thing.

I do like the way they mostly manage to let the non-Spanish speakers know what the dialogue is about.

OT - watching all the ads for GoT is really weird now that I know how bad they fucked it up.

Max looking at his hands....

No Cam. just following orders is never good enough.

OK, I know this is fiction and everything. But that just isn't how electricity works people.

Detective Liz on the case about to make a massive  stuff up

Liz, this is why we don't jump to conclusions based on limited evidence. You as Ms Science should know that.

Poor Kyle, no baby, he really wasn't such a good husband but that's for another episode.

To be fair, Kyle asking about saving Max at the expense of his Dad isn't unreasonable.

But then Liz is ready to change her conclusion when presented to an alternative theory. Yay

And then Kyle starts dropping big plot points.

"I know what it's like when heroes fall". Damn.

His eyes are amazing.

Downside - taxes and parents having flaw. And what are the perks there Kyle??

Michael watching over Iz. I can't.

Mikey....

He would do anything is Iz.

That is a face that should make you run very fast in the opposite direction.

Oh, Liz and Arturo as so cute together.

Gotta say her pancakes don't sound too tasty.

And here they are about to break my heart again.

Michael waiting/wanting to be saved......

We have each other - but do you Max?

And here he goes, throwing himself on the sword again.

"I'm not gonna let you martyr yourself" (because that's my job).

"You got a good life, Isobel, you got Noah, I got nothing but some old scrap metal"

Fuck I just want to hug him, then shake some sense into him then hug him again.

"I'm gonna confess, after all, I'm the one that killed those girls" dum dum dum

And fuck you Max and Iz for not even fighting him on this, not even a little bit. Just fuck you both sideways - especially you Max.

Not one fucking word in opposition for throwing Michael to the wolves.

And even though it's obvious and easy I really do like the light effect of their symbol at the very end.

I know that at this stage we don't know the whole story and that in fact Michael didn't do it. But even so, the fact that neither Max nor Isobel argue with MIchael makes me really angry.

Like it might make sense for Michael to take the fall but at least put up a fight!! Let Michael know he's worth fighting for.

Exactly, like even a "There must be another way" or something.

Yeah, you might be right on that one.

Yeah, and even though it's possible it might've been Michael, I think it's more that when push comes to shove, Max wants it to be Michael rather than Iz.

That he's always willing to preference Isobel over Michael.

So, not an episode with alot of fireworks. But when you look at it, alot of backstory and alot of people's feelings are out there for the people who need to know

Lot's of inter-character dynamics on display.

I think I'll have to rate the drama quotient of each ep by how many times I say fuck. In which case this ep scores quite low!!

(Commenter) That might be the most Aussie thing I've heard you say, lol