The Stargirl series has drawn characters from a few different eras of DC Comics history. Despite the group calling itself the Justice Society of America, it’s more like Infinity, Inc. for the majority of the members. They draw in some more elements from that title in the appropriately enough titled “Frenemies: Chapter Eight: Infinity, Inc. Part Two.”

Last episode showed us Todd Rice, also called Obsidian in the comics, not having a great time of things at the Helix Institute. A rescue party of Shade, Jennie-Lynn, Pat Dugan, and our heroine Courtney managed to sneak in, but things went bad fast, and then the group got divided as Pat and Shade got exiled to the Shadowlands.

The episode starts with Pat and Shade, not enjoying their trip, and Shade explaining how things are supposed to work there, then quickly finding out they don’t anymore. After they repeat a trick with the title card they used last time we visited this dark place, we see Courtney, Jennie, and Todd back at Helix. Todd is being tormented by memories of his past, which doesn’t go well for him. Jennie tries to comfort her brother, but, as before, that doesn’t go well and the resulting power flare ends the scene and knocks out everyone present.

Some time later, Courtney wakes up in an office, very confused about what happened. Nurse Love comes in and scolds her for interfering with Todd’s “process.” They argue for a bit and then Love scurries back out of the room, locking Courtney in again. For someone as skilled in fighting as we’ve seen Courtney get, she really doesn’t do well dealing with one, not in the best shape, older woman.

Back in the Shadowlands, Shade explains more about what’s going on to Pat, and gets a very well-timed visual aid to illustrate how thing aren’t working normally. They visit a few different places, find a few more things that are different than Shade has seen them before, and they get a visit from the Gambler’s ghost, maybe trying to remind them about the big mystery they keep not making any progress on. Pat takes his turn getting taunted by his past. We learn a bit more about his early days, and he faces down his demons with the calm and quiet strength he usually displays when the writers aren’t making him comic relief. Jen finds herself in less pleasant accommodations than Courtney woke up in, and has an odd conversation with Mr. Bones. Bones has gone from villain to hero to murky government operative in the comics, and his role here isn’t entirely clear at this point in the story. He delivers some bad news as Nurse Love fiddles with some of Shade’s effects that were left behind during their hasty exit.

Pat dealing with his past shows a certain kind of strength. As they moved to a new location, Shade proves a bit less adept at that task, giving us more insight into his background. I guess we’re learning a lot about various characters’ histories in this world. Fears and traumatic flashbacks are a decent enough way to do that. Courtney makes some accusations, and finally gets Mr. Bones’ attention as he differentiates between some of Courtney’s team and Jennie and Todd. Bones demonstrates one of his powers, and explains some of why he’s doing what he is to a disbelieving Courtney.

Pat and Shade make a very rough transition to a new location, and it definitely took its toll on the man of shadows. He explains some of his past, and his difficult outlook on life. Mr. Bones has an even grimmer view of the world, which he shares with Courtney. The star of the show keeps her sunny outlook, and makes a plea for trying things her way. Despite the obviously great stakes, Bones is grudgingly convinced and decides to try things Courtney’s way. Gathering her forces, Courtney gets to release Jennie from her cell and explain some of what’s going on.

The Shadowlands keep working their dark magic, and Pat is forced to face more of his own fears and worries. Weirdly, whatever force is behind these visions seems to be operating under false assumptions, showing that while it’s plucking some images and themes from its victims’ minds, it’s not getting everything right. I thought that was an interesting distinction, but they never go into any more detail about it. Things are reaching a fever pitch in both places, as Pat and Shade face some dangerous side effects of the instability of the plane, and Courtney and company have potentially even graver things to deal with at Helix.

Everything comes to a head, and then Courtney manages to prevail, showing the validity of her beliefs, which the more jaded and cynical Shade and Mr. Bones have some trouble agreeing with. Throughout the episode, there are some hints about a few of the Helix characters from the comics, but they don’t do much aside from brief cameos and namedrops. Everyone parts on more or less good terms, which is a big change from where things were before. Mr. Bones muses about changing his approach to a few things. Shade is persuaded to mentor Todd and, by extension, Jennie. They mention another JSA legacy character, and go off to help them, Shade looking like he is immediately regretting his choice. Pat and Courtney find out that Helix is not behind the cameras all over Blue Valley, then have to overcome an aftereffect of their adventure in a very prosaic way. Along the way, there are nods to the home cities of the Hal Jordan Green Lantern (does he exist in this world?) and the Jack Knight version of Starman. Pat and Courtney are left with more questions, and we see whoever the spy/voyeur is having a bad reaction to the team taking out his (hers? Its?) cameras.

What I Liked: I really like the Golden Age characters, and was a fan of Infinity, Inc. when it came out, so it was great to see more about them. I also really liked the mention of the other JSA legacy near the end. I’ve been a fan of Jonathan Cake’s take on Shade since the first time he showed up, and this was no exception. It was interesting to see Courtney and Pat have to deal with things without their high-tech gadgets. I liked them showing Pat’s strength of character, and am intrigued by the Shadowlands getting some things wrong as I mentioned above. The nods to the Helix characters were nice, too.

What I Didn’t: They are still making no progress on the murder of the Gambler. I get this was mostly focusing on Pat, Courtney, Todd, and Jennie, but I’m really curious about what’s going on with the rest of the team and other characters.

I thought this was another really good episode of a series I’ve very much enjoyed. I’m giving this a high 3.5 out of 5. Only a few more episodes to go, unfortunately. I really wish the behind the scenes stuff at the CW network hadn’t wiped so many good hero shows.