‘Stargirl’ Season 3, Episode 11

Stargirl had many different paths it could have taken following the surprising twist and reveal at the end of last week’s episode. The main villain from Season One, Icicle (Neil Jackson), has returned. Even though he hasn’t appeared since then, his presence has weighed heavy on all of the characters. It’s specifically put a wedge between Courtney (Brec Bassinger) and Icicle’s son, Cameron (Hunter Sansone). Since he’s returned, it’s complicated matters immensely. But rather than have Icicle in the shadows as he’s been this entire season, he decided to emerge and reveal himself to absolutely everyone in town as if nothing has happened. It made for a peculiar if not interesting dynamic that many of the heroes are having trouble dealing with.

First Icicle visits his household, where he reconnects with his family. He then visits his old job and is welcomed back with open arms. Of course, all of the heroes know who he is, so he is forced to try to make amends with them while going on an apology tour of sorts. This happens as Artemis (Stella Smith) discovers that he killed her parents, so she obviously won’t forgive and forget so easily. He brushes it off as an accident, and the main theme of the season, which is redemption, is pushed to its limits as Sylvester (Joel McHale) doesn’t believe Icicle is reformed.

The episode’s closing moments show that Icicle definitely has some hidden agenda. He is without a doubt the season’s main villain along with the Ultra-Humanite. It will be interesting to see how all of this plays out. Cameron is at the center of the struggle as he will have to make a choice before the season ends. Courtney will also have to make an equally important choice as to what it means to forgive and offer a second chance. Some people just might be beyond forgiveness — the struggle and theme of this season.

Stargirl airs Wednesdays on The CW.