Last episode of Stargirl ended with the sudden and unexpected appearance of the Ultra-Humanite, a very dangerous foe of the JSA for decades. Considering that, obvious raw power to one side, the Ultra-Hunanite has a few specialties that are very troubling, it makes me wonder about a few things. Actually, it incites the same level of paranoia as much of the Skrull presence in Secret Invasion. Regardless, after most of the season is over, we finally get to the big reveal in “Frenemies: Chapter Ten: The Killer.”

For a brief moment, we continue from last episode’s surprise discovery, as the Ultra-Humanite rages and promises death. After that deafening roar, we cut to a tour of the Crocks’ house. We see their mementos, interests, plans, and that they really do seem to have turned over a new leaf from their supervillain days. Later, we see Crusher and Paula out jogging, exchanging friendly greetings with assorted people, and their concern about the Mahkent house. There’s also a somewhat ominous closeup of a manhole cover, troubling considering how many things have gone on beneath the streets of Blue Valley.

Back out to the woods we go, as Mike and Jakeem are fleeing from the raging bad guy, with occasional discharges of pink energy showing us the Thunderbolt is still doing its monkey’s paw/rules lawyer style wishes. They encounter a blast from the past, find out they’re lacking something important, and then keep running after some hurried and clearly terrified dialogue. In their defense, I’d be scared too if a giant albino bio-engineered gorilla was chasing me through the woods. Back at the Dugan-Whitmore home, the family and friends try and figure out what’s happened to the kids. Despite his many displays of uncharacteristic temper this season, Sylvester is actually the voice of reason, pointing out a few flaws in Pat’s jumping to an understandable conclusion. The group also tries to figure out if Beth’s tracing of the signal from the cameras spying on everyone is an additional trick of some kind, since whoever is behind it seems really good at laying false trails.

In more aftermath from last episode’s big fight, Sofus lies in a hospital bed while the psychotic Lily sits at his side. She’s a cold-hearted killer and obsessed with vengeance, but clearly loves her husband. Cameron looks on, and Lily urges him to “do what must be done” despite his pointing out that Beth/Dr. Midnight saved Sofus’ life with her on-scene ministrations and calling 911. Cameron, looking grim, leaves the hospital and reflects on the big mural he painted of his father and his big American Dream project. Poor Cameron still doesn’t know what Jordan was planning, or that his beloved father was prepared to kill thousands of people in the process of brainwashing the entire country. And because we’re not done with problems yet, in the Chapel household, a very bruised and battered Rick Tyler is being examined by Dr. Chapel. Everyone is worried about him, and he shows he’s deep in both denial and addiction.

Pat’s real superpower is that he’s a decent guy who will always do the right thing, and is more than willing to risk himself to do that. He also inspires others into following him. He’s not as impressive or attention grabbing as Captain America, but I bet the two of them would get along really well. As an example, Pat has convinced Sylvester to join him in a visit to the Mahkent home. No STRIPE, no Cosmic Staff, just two guys trying to have an actual conversation with powerful and not exactly stable supervillains. Fortunately for them, Sofus is home from the hospital and Lily is out. They have a discussion about what’s happened between their families, and Sofus paints a dark picture of his family’s history. It’s rare you hear a calm conversation that has so many threats in it, but that’s what happens. Pat and Sylvester leave, not exactly on great terms with Sofus, but with some degree of understanding, despite the ultimatum hanging in the air.

Barbara is at home, busily calling anyone she can think of that might have seen Mike or Jakeem. It’s repetitive, boring work, but that’s how a lot of crimes get solved in the real world. I admire her persistence and willingess to take on the menial tasks while everyone else is out having confrontations. But she doesn’t get left out, as an unexpected visitor turns out to be Lily Mahkent, still cloaked in icy determination to get vengeance. Things are looking bad for Barbara, who is arguably one of the least combat-capable of the main characters, but she gets a last-minute save as Paula appears, crossbow in hand, and runs Lily off. Paula then states that Barbara really needs to learn to use the weapon. Considering how badly her hand to hand training went, I’m not sure what Paula expects here, but it’s good of her to try and help her friend. Jakeem and Mike are still running for their lives in the woods, and considering best I can tell they never got any sleep last night, they have to be exhausted. In rapid succession, they find a trap, a character who has been missing for a while, and get a rare direct reference to another, much more famous superhero. Then, finally, a wish works out the way it was intended and they end up back in town at the diner that so many scenes have been set in.

Following on that scene, that worked so much in so quickly, we get another good one with Paula and Barbara. I’d really watch a spin-off with these two, or at least a limited series. Barbara turns out to be about as good with a crossbow as she was with her fists. Paula is remarkably patient and makes a comment about Barbara being her only real friend outside the family, which was touching, especially since it was delivered in such a casual way. Two things really stood out for me about this scene, one good and one bad. There’s an indirect reference to Green Arrow (who does, or did, exist in this world), which was great, and Paula calls the ammo for the crossbow “arrows.” Crossbows fire bolts. This is something Paula should clearly know, and just as clearly neither the writers nor the actress did. Not the actress’ fault, but shame on the writers. Despite being the titular hero, Courtney gets her only real scene in the park with Cameron. She admits she made some mistakes, he asks a reasonable question, and she tells a lie to protect a loved one. It ends on a real downer note for the two in terms of their future together.

The Crocks decide to take a page from Pat’s book, and visit the Mahkents. There’s no violence, threats, or anything like that. The two reformed supervillains are actually, earnestly, pleading the case for peace and forgiveness. Sofus, as ever, seems more inclined to listen to reason, but Lily is steeped in vengeance. At the Pit Stop, Pat and Sylvester are tuning up STRIPE as Pat talks about his plans to go flying and try and find the missing boys. Why Sylvester isn’t using the staff to do the same thing is never touched on. But, the missing kids finally get there and share what they’ve been up to. Sylvester and Pat recognize the description and are appropriately worried.

Crusher and Paula continue their impassioned pleas to the elder Mahkents, and they’re doing their best. Lily gazes thoughtfully at the portrait of their dead son, dead daughter in law, and broody grandson. Back at the Whitmore-Dugan home, the team gathers, or at least most of them do. Rick hasn’t been seen since he stalked off earlier, and neither Pat nor Sylvester are pleased. The two give everyone else the rundown on the Ultra-Humanite, from history to powers and just how dangerous he actually is.

This leads to a series of wrap-up scenes to bring the episode to an end. Paula and Crusher leave, not sure what effect they’ve had on the Mahkents, but hoping they’ve managed to sway the supervillains’ minds. Courtney and Pat go out to the porch and talk about the threat of the Ulta-Humanite, her take on things, and the need to gather everyone else to face this threat. As a menacing growl echoes through the woods, two other characters are lured to a shocking fate and we get a really surprising reveal about who another big bad is lurking behind the scenes. It was a hell of an impressive ending.

What I Liked: They pulled off the rare trick of a superhero show where absolutely no one appears in costume, and the episode still works. There’s minimal powers and action, but a lot of development and history, and I thought they pulled it off quite well. I really liked the closer look at the reformed Crocks. The Ultra-Humanite is a very dangerous foe and I’m curious to see what’s going on. The reveal at the end surprised me, and I’m curious to see how that works out. I liked the direct reference to Batman and the more subtle one to Green Arrow. I also thought it was a great touch that everyone was still looking beat up from the big fight last episode.

What I Didn’t: I really didn’t like the ending of this episode, and that’s all I can say without spoilers. I mentioned the bolts/arrows thing earlier. Sofus might yet be redeemed, but I’m beginning to think the world would be a much better place without Lily. And I’m a bit worried that the heroes are going to be overmatched by the collection of evil they’re facing.

I’ll give this one a 4 out of 5. They really impressed me with a lot of the scenes and themes in this episode. They have a few more chapters left to end this story.