Spoilers ahead for the penultimate episode of Stargirl Season 1, called "Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E."
The first season of Stargirl is winding down, and "Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E." ended with Brainwave's powers less than 30 minutes away from reprogramming the minds of adults throughout a huge chunk of the country, and around 25 million people could die as a result. The episode ended on a crazy cliffhanger with Pat in S.T.R.I.P.E. seemingly attacking Courtney, and fans will have days of waiting to find out what happens next. That said, "Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E." did apparently settle the question of whether or not a key character really did die.
Henry Jr. was seemingly killed a couple episodes previously after he refused to side with his father, and Brainwave chose to kill his son rather than allow him to live and oppose the Injustice Society. While Stargirl didn't really leave much room for doubt that Henry Jr. should be pretty permanently dead, this is a comic book-based show that we're talking about, and Arrowverse viewers at least are probably so used to dead characters coming back via loopholes that Henry didn't necessarily feel gone for good.
The latest episode may have given reason to stop considering a possible return. It's all thanks to an exchange between Beth and Chuck in "Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E.," during a brief moment of peace when the heroes were hanging out and planning at the cabin far from the ISA. When Beth asked if Pat's theory about what was happening was right, Chuck said:
I’m still searching, Beth, but Pat’s hunch was correct. There has been a massive increase in electrical activity in Blue Valley. I’m narrowing it down to where. My concern is that it’s connected to Brainwave somehow. I believe his powers increased after the death of Henry.... There was an energy released when Henry died. That energy was absorbed by Brainwave. I am sorry, Beth. I know this tragedy has affected you all.
Well, that settles the question, if you ask me! There were ways to explain away how Henry might have survived, since Stargirl technically didn't show a body (although there probably wouldn't have been much that could be shown on The CW considering how he died). A burst of energy releasing and Brainwave's powers increasing timed to what happened to Henry makes it pretty clear that fans might want to stop crossing their fingers that he returns. The kids are going to feel the consequences of Henry's death as they move forward into Season 2, short of a Season 1 finale shocker that he somehow isn't dead.
Of course, it seems like Stargirl will have plenty happening in next week's finale without magically resurrecting any high schoolers. The episode description for the Season 1 finale, called "Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Part Two," reveals that Courtney and the JSA will face off against Icicle and the villains of the Injustice Society as the ISA gets closer to accomplishing their mission. Luke Wilson has already promised a cliffhanger at the end of the finale, so fans should prepare to finish Season 1 with some unanswered questions.
The good news is that Stargirl has already been renewed for a second season, although not without a major change, and it likely won't be back with new episodes until early 2021 at the very earliest. You can find the full first season so far streaming on DC Universe, where the finale will release on Monday, August 10. The finale will broadcast on The CW the next day, starting August 11 at 8 p.m. ET. For more viewing options now and in the coming months, check out our 2020 summer TV premiere schedule and our 2020 fall TV premiere guide.
