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First Impressions of CW’s Stargirl
So, this last week I watched the first two episodes of CW’s new DC show Stargirl. For those who don’t know, the character it is based on is Courtney Whitmore, variously known as Stargirl and The Star Spangled Kid. In the show, they skip the first name, but mention that it was previously used by Starman. They make a few other changes, but the overall spirit of the character remains the same.
What Makes This Show Different?
The C.W. DC franchise has grown substantially, feeding off the current trend for superheroes and is much more DC’s answer to the MCU than anything being done in movies. So, did it need another show?
After watching the first two episodes, I’m inclined towards “Yes.”
The other CW shows are firmly aimed at the network’s target audience of 18 to 34 year olds, and if anything are skewing older. Black Lightning is, to my knowledge, the only superhero show to feature a protagonist in his forties, although there are his daughters to appeal to the younger crowd.
Stargirl is aimed at a different audience. The show is unabashedly young adult, with a 15-year-old Courtney dealing with problems at school and at home as much as with supervillains. It is an origin story but I can feel the beginnings of coming of age with it. Black Lightning also has plenty for…