Heartwarming / Stargirl (2020)

As a Moments subpage, all spoilers are unmarked as per policy. You Have Been Warned.

Season 1

Episode 1 - Pilot

• Starman's last words are that Pat was a good friend.
• Even before she warms up to him, Pat is never anything but protective of Courtney, and really tries his best to be a good dad to her.
• After at first being freaked out by the staff, Courtney's 'training' session with it proves to be this as the staff enables her to practice and perform her gymnastics, after finding out Blue Valley High cancelled the gymnastics program shortly before she arrived. After an episode of her being angry and moping around with no positivity to her day, it's nice to see her smiling so brightly.
• Courtney not even hesitating to defend Yolanda from Henry Jr's bullying.

Episode 2 - S.T.R.I.P.E.

• Despite a rocky first start, Courtney genuinely tries to bond with Pat and gives him an empowering speech that he is better than he thinks he is. Probably the nicest thing she said to him since the move—heck, it might well be the nicest thing she's ever said to him!

Episode 3 - Icicle

• Joey fails at an "Is this your card?" trick, but Courtney can't bring herself to call attention to it when everyone is watching, so she tells him he got it right, getting him cheers from his classmates.
• Cameron painting over the word "Slut" written on Yolanda's locker with an image of beautiful flowers.
• Courtney, once again, sticking up for Yolanda against a bully.

Episode 4 - Wildcat

• Yolanda finally letting down her walls and accepting Courtney's friendship, along with the mantle of Wildcat.
  • Special mention goes to when Yolanda tearfully tells Courtney about what happened to her, and when she says that she never should have sent Henry the photo, Courtney cuts her off to insist it's Henry who was the guilty party for sharing the image. Yolanda's reaction makes it clear Courtney is the first person to absolve her of any wrong-doing and be completely on her side, which stands in stark contrast to her family, who all seem to blame her.
  • Yolanda and Courtney testing out Wildcat’s powers together seems to really bond the two heroes as they become closer friends. After spending the first part of the episode alone and miserable, it is really heartening to see Yolanda embrace the Wildcat mantle to become the hero she was destined to be.
  • When Yolanda is testing out Wildcat's powers, we see the Cosmic Staff being absolutely giddy over it. Whether it's because the staff is seeing a new Wildcat in action or because of seeing Yolanda opening up and embracing the experience, it's pretty adorable to watch.
• Yolanda clearly contemplates using her new powers to get revenge on Henry King Jr. for his mistreatment of her, but restrains herself when she sees how devastated he is by his dad being in a coma. No matter how much she hates his guts, she's not so heartless as to kick him when he's down. Courtney made a good choice for her first partner.
• Yolanda's little brother. When the episode opens with Yolanda's (previous) perfect life we see how proud her family is of her with her grandma, mom, and dad wearing 'Vote Yolanda' pins and her brother wearing a 'Vote Yolanda' t-shirt. In present-day while the rest of her family have more or less written her off, her brother is the only one who will still stick up for her at all.
• A small one but given that everyone, up to and including her parents are exasperated by her enthusiasm, it's nice that, when Beth visits her mother at the hospital, the night watchman greets her warmly and actually has a brief but friendly conversation with her.

Episode 5 - Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite

• When Yolanda is reluctant to enter the same party as Henry Jr., Courtney immediately understands and lets her stay outside so that she and Beth can find Rick. Despite her reckless and brusque personality, Courtney is shown to be considerate of her friends and their feelings.
• When Courtney shows concern for Beth when she is briefly overwhelmed when she recreates the deaths of Rick’s parents despite being annoyed by her perky personality and lack of social skills.
• Even though Rick has a reputation as the school delinquent, Courtney doesn't give up on him and empathizes with his anger over the loss of his father. After he learns the truth about Hourman's death, she tells him that she wants to get justice for everyone the ISA has killed and re-extends her offer to let him join her team, despite having previously intended to take back the hourglass.

Episode 6 - The Justice Society

• Yolanda and Beth both expressing their gratitude to Courtney for including them in the new JSA.
• Courtney defending Pat when the other JSA members question his usefulness.
• Barb showing up to see Mike's candy volcano at the science fair, just when the boy was starting to regret not telling his family to come. They later eat the remains together.
• Courtney gradually learning to appreciate Pat and accepting that she and the whole team need his experience to continue. Slowly but surely their bond is becoming stronger. The smile they share at the end also counts.
• In a rather morbid way, Sportsmaster and Tigress genuinely love each other and adore their daughter, who they want to have a good future. Unfortunately, they are not above casually murdering people who they see as interfering with her dream.
• Joey is not a Forgotten Fallen Friend—Pat brings him up in this episode, and Courtney looks appropriately stricken.
• The bond between Jordan and his son is very palpable. They truly do care about each other, which is either extra sweet and/or a bit disturbing considering how easily he had Joey murdered. When a waitress overhears their conversation, she brings a slice of birthday cake with a candle, assuming it's one of their birthdays. As it turns out, today was Mrs. Mahkent's birthday. Jordan tells the waitress not to worry about it, and tells his son to blow out the candle.
  • What's particularly notable was him not getting mad at the waitress for her mistake. She barged into their grief and forced them to verbalise and explain to a complete stranger why they were eating, and how it is not a happy moment to celebrate. However, he doesn't lash out at this woman and instead assures her its fine, recognising she was just trying to do a nice thing and was just unaware of their loss. Putting aside his willingness to kill a child, its a reminder that Jordan is Nice to the Waiter, in this case literally, and isn't at heart a malicious person incapable of kindness.
• Pat at the end accepts that these kids are the New Justice Society. Partially its down to the realisation he can't stop them, but he resigns to supporting and helping them get ready to take down the ISA. While he playfully needles Courtney about the difficulties of leadership, it also shows how he's readying himself to be the Team Dad to a bunch of teenaged heroes.
• The kids don't think much of Pat at first, thinking of him as a mere sidekick, but they all change their tune when they see S.T.R.I.P.E., marveling at Pat's ability to construct such a thing by himself.

Episode 7 - Shiv Part One

• The very first scene highlights the team gradually becoming happier than they were at the start of the series:
  • Courtney greets the Cosmic Staff and it happily moves through the air around her.
  • Rick carves an hourglass into the tree where his parents crashed into as a reminder of who he is and what he is fighting for.
  • Yolanda states admirably at the Wildcat helmet after a workout and has a moment of pure joy as she hugs it.
  • Beth and Chuck have a karaoke session and her parents are stunned by her change in behavior (becoming less attached to them).
• Rick in particular smiles more in this episode than he has in the previous six. But the sweetest of them all has to be him walking down the halls, seeing Courtney and just beaming.
  • Really the whole Team Power Walk scene is for the whole group. Despite starting the series as outcasts and loners, they all came together to fight against evil and become better friends.
• Like in the last episode, Sportmaster and Tigress are fully confident in their daughter’s abilities and believe that she would be a great addition to the ISA. Despite wanting her to become a supervillain, they love and are proud of Artemis.
• Courtney trying to befriend Cindy. Of course the audience knows that it won't end well and that Cindy is not only aware of the ISA but wants in, but to Courtney she's just another misunderstood teen at school who could use a friend. It's sweet, if misplaced.
  • For a few brief, shining moments, they even get along, inasmuch as Cindy has the ability to get along with anyone.
• After Cindy slams into Justin the Janitor, he responds with a quote from Don Quixote: "There is no book so bad that it does not have something good in it", which can be interpreted as a suggestion that Cindy embrace her nicer qualities (such as they are) rather than being mean. She blows him off, but at least he gave it a shot.
  • After this incident, Courtney helps him pick up his mop, for which he thanks her.
• Justin pulling a Big Damn Heroes moment to protect Courtney, and then watching over her until Pat arrives.
  • He even recognizes Pat as Stripesy!
• Jordan telling Cameron about how he met his mother and encouraging him to ask out the girl he likes. Cameron in turn encourages his dad to find someone as well. Overall, it's a very sweet scene and another reminder that Even Evil Has Loved Ones (well, except for the bit where Jordan admits that he killed the other guy who was interested in her).

Episode 8 - Shiv Part Two

• The fact that Pat is willing to crash his beloved Buick (and subsequently injure himself) just so he and Courtney can pretend that her post-battle injuries were from a car accident. Even Courtney seems surprised that he was willing to do this just for her sake.
• Mike bringing his injured stepsister the last of his pizza rolls, not only to nourish her but to apologize for snapping at her during the football game. In the end, he finally learns to "share" his father with Courtney and warmly accepts her as his sibling.
  Mike: I'm also kinda glad that he's your dad too, 'cause that makes you my sister, and that's pretty cool.
  Courtney: Thanks, little bro.
• The whole team is concerned about Courtney and would like nothing more than to confront Cindy about it. Points to Rick, who initially only joined the team for revenge, demonstrates that he genuinely cares for everyone, despite not showing it much.
• After a heartfelt talk from Pat, the Cosmic Staff actually listens to him for once and initially resists Courtney from going to confront Cindy. After it is implied it doesn't even like or trust him.

Episode 9 - Brainwave

• Just like before with Pat, Courtney tries to tell Henry Jr. that he is a better person than initially believed and that just because people have ugly thoughts doesn't mean that they are bad people. Despite rebuffing her, Courtney doesn't back down and still keeps her offer open.

Episode 10 - Brainwave Jr.

• As sad as the moment is, Henry Jr's last words:
  Henry Jr: (to Yolanda) I am sorry. (to Courtney) You're right. People are good. Don't let this change your mind.
• Given the chance to leave Courtney behind and save himself, Henry Jr. uses his powers to save her first, even though it means being left alone with Brainwave.
• Seeing Henry Jr. get attacked by Brainwave, Yolanda starts furiously clawing at the iron bars in an attempt to come to his rescue. After everything he did to her, she still tries to save his life. It doesn't work, but it illustrates that deep down, Yolanda really is a hero.
  • Before that, Yolanda had told Courtney, angrily, that they are not friends anymore after she put trust in Henry despite what he did to Yolanda. However, despite her anger, Yolanda constantly jumps to Courtney's aid during the battle in the tunnels; she leaps at the drones when they're overwhelming Courtney, and when she's fighting Dragon King she leaps to free the Cosmic Staff so that she can fight properly. Hell, before that, she refused to let Courtney go alone with Henry because she still didn't trust him and didn't want Courtney to be put in danger. Despite her previous anger, she still cares about Courtney.
  • Not only Yolanda, but also Beth and Rick trying to save Henry Jr. from his father. It is noted that Rick doesn't even like Henry Jr. for his bullying ways and agreed with Yolanda to not let him join the new JSA. Despite only joining for revenge, Rick undoubtedly has the makings of a true hero as he tries to punch the bars to rescue Henry Jr. You can also hear him begging Henry to get up as he's doing so.
• In a bittersweet way, the fact Henry dies before the truth about Courtney's father inevitably comes, so he faced his end believing he had connected with his mother's family, the heroic side of his family.
  • Although it's also hilarious, Courtney's initial Freak Out to accidentally seeing Henry Jr.'s memories immediately leads into her hugging him in the middle of the street and declaring "We're cousins!" While Henry awkwardly points out that it's probably something to go over later, Courtney was also clearly thrilled to find a connection to her (supposed) heroic legacy.

Episode 11 - Shining Knight

• When Justin is wandering by a farm, he sees a flag. He reminences that he held Starman's staff and was remembering things, but couldn't find out why he can't remember more. He then sees an image of Pat in his Stripesy outfit, and happily says "Stripsey can help me!"
• Upon seeing Justin, all Pat wants to do is help the man. He has nothing but sympathy for what has happened, and is quick to tell Rick and Beth all about how, while he might be broken now, this man used to be one of the best heroes around. It's a solid reminder that at the end of the day, Pat adores all the people he's worked with.
  • Special mention also goes to Barbara, who with barely any questions, completely allows Pat to bring this stranger into their house. Despite his scruffy appearance and mentally unwell nature, she's got nothing but empathy for him and complete trust in Pat.
  • It should also be noted that she and Pat are going through a rough patch at the moment—she still trusts Pat enough to let this scruffy, mentally unwell man into their home without a second thought just on the basis of his word.
• Justin admiring S.T.R.I.P.E. Even in and out of lucidity, he clearly thinks highly of the former sidekick on his old superhero team.
  Justin: My glory days may be behind me, but you have built a fine suit of armor!
• When Sam, once again, leaves Courtney abruptly, Pat offers to let her take out her anger on him. Instead, she just hugs him and cries. In this moment, it's clear who Courtney's real father is.
• Everyone encourages Courtney after she's devastated by The Reveal of her true lineage. Beth and Yolanda remind her that they're not related to their legacies either, Rick tells her it doesn't matter, Pat assures her that the staff chose her because she was right for the role, and not just because it mistook her for Sylvester's daughter. Even Barbara, though terrified of losing her daughter, encourages her not to give up because of all the people unknowingly counting on them.
  • When Courtney tries to lift it again, this time with the encouragement of her parents and renewed faith in herself, the staff is even more powerful because now, it's not just running on Courtney's false belief in her lineage, but in her belief in herself.
  • Seeing the above, Justin proudly declares Courtney "a queen", acknowledging her as a worthy successor to his former teammate, Starman.
• Also an Awesome moment, but Pat confronts Sam and tells him not to come back after he breaks Courtney's heart. Sam doesn't intend to, then makes a disparaging crack about Barbara's looks. Pat decks him. Note that he was clearly wanting to deck him for how he treated the girl he's began to see as a daughter, but restrained himself into just telling him to never come back. Sam pushes his luck, so Pat lays him out. He would've done more had they not kinda been busy with everything else.
• Despite worrying about her daughter, Barbara encourages Courtney to be the protector Blue Valley needs.
• When Pat only finds Beth and Rick at his garage, Beth informs him that Yolanda decided to go to church before school so she could pray for Henry Jr. It's a touching little reminder that, despite everything they went through, she still cares for the guy.
  • It's also especially sweet because she'd previously mentioned that her parents had grounded her from going to church. At least they're not totally without a heart.

Episode 12 - Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part One

• Barbara watching in awe as Courtney fights off Tigress in the living room. You can tell that she really is proud of her daughter for her bravery.
  Barbara: Court, that was...
  Courtney: I know, dangerous.
  Barbara: Amazing.
• Similarly, Mike is genuinely amazed when he sees the S.T.R.I.P.E. suit for the first time. in his own words, he thinks it's "badass" for his father to build such an incredible robot from scratch. He also has a sweet moment with Courtney that evening where he expresses his admiration for his sister.
• Rick finally manages to decode his father's journal and seems genuinely happy for maybe the first time in the series.
• It's subtle, but when the Gambler confronts Beth after hacking her goggles, Chuck is quick to stand up for her and confirm to his old nemesis that she's his successor.
  Gambler: And with whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?
  Beth: (Nervous) I'm... I...
  Chuck: She's Doctor Mid-Nite.

Episode 13 - Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Part Two

• Pat and Courtney; this episode firmly establishes how, over the course of the season, they now firmly consider themselves father and daughter. To wit:
  • When Pat is brainwashed, Courtney calls herself his "daughter" (while before always correcting others that she's his step-daughter) and goes on about how he's been there for her at every moment she's needed him. It's enough to make Pat start fighting from the inside, but instead of dropping dead like the others, he has enough Heroic Resolve to stay alive. When he's free, he tells Courtney how he heard every word she said. Her response? "I meant every word."
  • When Jordan scoffs at Pat, wondering what his plan is to fight him since he's got not Starman or STRIPE, so what's he going to use to protect Barbara. He replies with "our daughter." Just in time for Courtney to pull a Big Damn Heroes moment.
  • After everything is said and done, we get the flash-forward to Christmas at the Whitmore-Dugans. While a great set of scenes on its own, in particular, Courtney gives Pat a present: The present she had intended to give to Sam Kurtis all those years ago. He opens it and the gift is revealed to be a "World's Best Dad" mug. The kicker is she says she's wanted to give it to him "for a really long time", indicating that she fully sees Pat as the dad she's been waiting for and wanted to have.
  • What makes the mug extra significant is that past episodes have shown Barb using a similar "World's Best Mom" mug, meaning the two are a matching set. It just proves further how Pat completes Courtney's family.
  • Finally, the final scene before the credits, where Courtney goes for a Christmas morning fly across Blue Valley with her staff, stopping off on top of an old water tower. Then Pat joins her in STRIPE, and the two enjoy watching the view together before going off on their next adventure.
• Chuck refers to Beth as his "best bud," and she absolutely beams. It's immensely clear that no one has ever called her that before, and it's just so sweet to see him confirming that she really is not just his owner, but his friend. His best friend.
• How does Yolanda see through Brainwave's ruse, pretending to be Henry Jr.? He calls the JSA "[her] friends". As far as Yolanda is concerned, the JSA were Henry's friends too, and slashes Brainwave's throat, avenging Henry's death.
• Rick, after months of wanting to kill Grundy for killing his parents, gets his shot. And, over the course of five minutes gives the monster a vicious beat down. With seconds left of his Hour of Power, Rick's about to execute him with a large rock, but sees that Grundy is scared. It becomes clear Grundy is not even remotely intelligent, more like a big dog or a small child, and Rick can no longer bring himself to kill him for that exact reason. Instead, he just scares him off and tells him to leave.
  • Note that later, we see an inverse of Vengeance Feels Empty. Having chosen to spare Grundy, Rick is actually now much more relieved and happier than he's ever been; he helped stop the ISA so he's did get justice for his family, but he did it the "right way", and by learning of Grundy's true nature, he seems at peace with forgiving the monster rather than killing it. He's gotten the closure he's been longing for. Pretty much as soon as the fighting's over, he's unable to stop smiling.
• The Christmas scene. Rick, Beth, and Yolanda are apparently spending Christmas with the Whitmore-Dugans, who consider the trio completely part of the family — to the point Mike calls them all together for a family photo, including them. We also see during this scene Rick is utterly happy and seems to have developed paternal respect for Pat, while Beth is helping make the Christmas cookies and Yolanda is beaming with joy — which is uplifting after the tragedies that they suffered during the final battle.
• Mixed with a moment of awesome, Beth, the one member of the team who cannot fight, earns her own victory against a supervillain when she and Chuck rid the Gambler of what he treasures most, his money, and she does it in a way that reflects her kindness, by donating all of Gambler's money (which seems to be over a billion dollars) to various charity. Her happiness as she defeats a villain by helping those in need and Rick and Yolanda's happy smiles as they listen to the whole thing helps drive this home.
• Justin heads off to look for his horse, but promises Courtney and the others he'll be back when they need him.
• Right before The Stinger, we get a quick, simple message that packs a lot of meaning: "Dedicated to Courtney Elizabeth Johns".
• In a brilliantly touching detail, notice where Courtney places the family Christmas photo on her wall: right between a picture of herself and a picture of Courtney Johns. This shot, alongside the aforementioned dedication, serves as a beautiful tribute to the young woman who started it all.

Season 2

Episode 1 - Summer School Part One

• Courtney is unconditionally supportive of Yolanda's actions in the season one finale.

Episode 2 - Summer School Part Two

• Bobbie celebrating being free of Cindy and Dragon King is really nice to watch, even if Mood Whiplash and Yank the Dog's Chain quickly come into play.
• Jenny calls Stripesy a legend. Given that he spent most of the last season being treated with disdain, it's so sweet to see that people actually look up to him.

Episode 3 - Summer School Part Three

• Rick, Mr. "Back off or else" himself, is the one to notice something is eating Beth and offers a sympathetic ear. She admits she's scared her parents are getting a divorce, and he convinces her to talk to them.
• The Thunderbolt reveals to Pat that Johnny's last wish before he died was that he'd find a new friend.

Episode 4 - Summer School Part Four

• Rick's math teacher apologizes for doubting him, and he accepts.
• The main plot of the episode sees Pat and Barbara reluctantly playing host to the newly-escaped Crusher and Paula, who just want to watch their daughter Artemis' football tryouts so that she'll have someone cheering her on, after which they promise to return to prison. Pat and Barbara reluctantly go along with it, and the two supervillains keep their word, and even take the time to explain to Artemis that, contrary to what she's believed, they did commit crimes and were rightfully arrested. Nonetheless, they don't want their past to affect her future and assure Artemis that she's going to be amazing before returning to jail without resistance.
• Beth discovers that the voice she's been talking to in the goggles isn't Chuck, but the actual Charles McNider, who's still alive, but lost in another dimension.

Episode 5 - Summer School Part Five

• When Pat discovers that Mike has been trying to yet again insert himself into JSA business, he starts giving him a typical parental "I know how you feel" speech. But then he realizes it's not just a lecture; he really does know how it feels to be left out, to be left behind because others assume the situation is too dangerous for you and you won't be able to contribute. He knows it's not a good feeling, so he changes the speech to suggest that he and Mike find a "JSA project" they can do together, and Mike's happiness at hearing this is palpable.

Episode 6 - Summer School Part Six

• During their rampage in Pat's shop, Artemis stops Isaac from killing Pat, because her parents consider Pat to be their friend.
• Upon seeing what Cindy and her gang have done to Pat and learning that they've kidnapped Mike, Barbara fully encourages Courtney to gather her friends together and kick Cindy's ass. She also reluctantly calls on The Shade for help.
  • The fact that Shade shows up to help is particularly heartwarming, not only in an Even Evil Has Standards way, but also because, as we later learn, he's gone up against Eclipso before and knows how powerful it is.
• When Eclipso turns against Cindy and opens up a portal beneath her, Courtney does not hesitate to rush over and try to save her.

Episode 7 - Summer School Part Seven

• It's cold comfort in the grand scheme, but Father Thomas genuinely cares for Yolanda. When her attempt at Confession alarms him, he calls her mother without betraying her confidence, and shuts Mrs. Montez down when she tries to berate her daughter, insisting Yolanda needs understanding, not condemning.

Episode 8 - Summer School Part Eight

• The teacher who accused Rick of cheating goes to his house to apologize again and to deliver a folder of college pamphlets and financial aid brochures because she recognizes Rick's potential and wants to encourage him to live up to it. Especially heartwarming since she's on holiday and still took the time to drive so far out of town to do it.
• Rick and Solomon Grundy eating apples together. Rick's come a long way from wanting to kill Grundy to befriending him, and Grundy reciprocates by giving him an apple and calling him "friend".
• Mike finally calling Barb "Mom" for the first time.

Episode 9 - Summer School Part Nine

• In contrast to Sylvester, who treats Pat almost like a servant in the funeral scene, Jay Garrick is a Nice Guy who speaks to Pat like an equal.
• Later, we see another flashback where Sylvester reveals that the only way to stop Eclipso is to kill the host. Pat reminds him that they're not murderers, and that they can and must do better. Sylvester thanks him sincerely.
  • We also see the JSA asking Pat to act as a tiebreaker, and Jay insists that he ought to have a vote.
• The Shade helps Barbara to break through Eclipso's illusion.

Episode 10 - Summer School: Chapter Ten

• As Rick lies dejected on a cot in his jail cell, apples suddenly fly through the window. This proof that Grundy is nearby and looking out for him is enough to coax Rick to smile.
• Following the Bruce Gordon debacle, Sylvester brings Pat a beer. He reveals that he's always considered Pat family—more so than his actual neglectful parents—and apologizes for not treating him better.
• A bit of Fridge Heartwarming: Jenny is sleeping at the old JSA headquarters. But she's not sleeping in Alan's old workspace—she's in Stripesy's. It shows how grateful she was for the Whitmore-Dugans taking her in and helping her.

Episode 12 - Summer School: Chapter Twelve

• Beth finally meeting her predecessor, Dr. McNider, in person for the very first time. He even insists on her calling him "Chuck", so it's as if she's also reuniting with her old AI friend.

Episode 13 - Summer School: Chapter Thirteen

• Even though they're enemies, Yolanda worries over Cindy's injuries before her Healing Factor kicks in. She also willingly hears out Cindy's request to join the JSA (though it is left ambiguous whether she's on board with the idea).
• Basically everything about Rick and Grundy's friendship:
  • Grundy helps fight against Eclipso because Rick asked him to even though Eclipso kills him in the end.
  • Rick calling Grundy a friend and his reaction to Eclipso killing him.
  • Rick's last scene is burying his fallen friend and planting an apple tree to honor him. The Shade even lampshades the irony of how he's now mourning the one who killed his parents.
• Beth tells Chuck his wife Myra's new address and reveals that Myra was pregnant during Chuck's Disney Death and that he has a ten-year-old son. He thanks her and calls her a worthy successor to his alter ego.
• Artemis and her parents showing up to help fight Eclipso and then greeting the Dugan-Whitmore family like ordinary new neighbors is decently touching.
• Who is it that gives Courtney the motivation to fight off Eclipso's possession? None other than the original Starman! Given how much she worried about living up to his legacy in Season 1, it's great to see how much respect he has for her right off the bat.

Season 3

Episode 1 - Frenemies Chapter One: The Murder

• Cosmo sparking brightly and doing a gleeful twirl in the air when Courtney decides to share it with Sylvester. The staff may love working with Stargirl, but Starman clearly still has a special place in its proverbial heart.
• It turns out that the Gambler, of all people, is actually trying to turn over a new leaf for the sake of his daughter.
• Sylvester has taken up a measure of humility, genuinely tries to be grateful to the Whitmore-Dugans for taking him in, and sincerely thanks and apologizes to Pat and Courtney multiple times.
• Seeing the Crock family in their morning routine, which is the three of them sharing a morning jog together.

Episode 3 - Frenemies Chapter Three: The Blackmail

• Paula's nerves are wracked when she has to do a speech at the Women's Rotary Club. When it looks like she's going to tank it, Barb strolls into the room. Paula stands up confidently, and says that she loves Blue Valley, and "the people in it," as she looks at Barb. Seems these two are actually becoming friends.
  • Although in a somewhat dark, twisted way, Paula also standing up for Barbara at the end of the episode. Admittedly, her idea of "standing up for" Barbara is implied to involve a No-Holds-Barred Beatdown to the jerk in her office who was being rude, but it's nice that she tries.
• Sylvester tells Yolanda that Ted Grant would've been proud of her. Given all of her struggles to live up to his identity and example, it's obviously very meaningful to her to have another member of the JSA give her his blessing and tell her she's doing fine.

Episode 4 - Frenemies Chapter Four: The Evidence

• Cameron finally unleashes his powers in front of Courtney, filling the room with frigid icicles. Courtney, having dealt with cryokinesis before, shows no fear and instead tries to comfort Cameron. Hearkening back to Sylvester's advice about letting your emotions drive you, Courtney tells him that he should express himself through the ice, like what he does with his paintings. Then the two lock hands, Cameron unleashes once again, and he creates not a cluster of icicles, but a beautiful snow flurry that blankets the area.
  Courtney: (in awe) It's magical.
  Cameron: Like you.
  (Their eyes meet, and they lock into a Big Damn Kiss.)

Episode 5 - Frenemies Chapter Five: The Thief

• When Sylvester has an outburst in front of the kids, he's left unsure whether he's mentor material. Barb encourages him to keep doing his best and learn from mistakes, comparing their relationship to her's and Mike's.
  Sylvester: Well, how's it going with Mike?
  Barb: He's my son. I'm really grateful everyday for it.
• When Courtney and Cindy team up to work on a chemistry project, Cindy laments that Courtney is the only one of the JSA to treat her with any kindness. In response, Courtney reaffirms her faith in Cindy's Heel–Face Turn and assures her that the others will see it eventually.

Episode 6 - Frenemies Chapter Six: The Betrayal

• With the JSA fractured by the reveal of too many secrets, Courtney is beating herself up for apparently making the wrong choice. Sylvester eases her guilt by telling her it's good that she sees the best in people, and if she thinks Cameron isn't a bad kid, then he trusts her judgement. It's a nice break for Cameron too, since everyone else is worried about him taking after Icicle.

Episode 7 - Frenemies Chapter Seven: Infinity Inc. Part One

• From the little we see, Todd's boyfriend Danny. Not only does he break them into a swanky restaurant to give Todd a candlelit dinner, the birthday present he had planned were bus tickets for a trip to reunite him with Jennie. What an incredible guy.
• Even though she and Courtney are currently at odds, Yolanda still goes to Courtney's house when she needs a place to stay after her mother kicks her out. And Barbara takes her in without question.

Episode 8 - Frenemies Chapter Eight: Infinity Inc. Part Two

• Bit of Fridge Brilliance here. While Pat sees his deepest fears in the Shadowlands, and is confronted by visions of Mike and his abusive father, none of the visions say anything about Barbara or Courtney. The fact that he doesn't have any insecurities related to them that the Shadowlands could dig out and torture him with is really very heartwarming. Particularly given how long it took Courtney to warm up to him back in Season One.
• Pat encourages Swift to take Jennie and Todd under his wing and help them understand their powers, pointing out how different the Shade's own life might have been had he had a mentor when he started out all those years ago.

  Pat: You want redemption for the past, right? It's not just about not doing bad things—it's about doing good.

Episode 9 - Frenemies Chapter Nine: The Monsters

• Pat opens up to Barbara about Mike's mom and his own fears that he's becoming like his father. Barbara reassures him that he is so much better than his father, and even encourages him to let Mike see his mother again to get closure.
• When Courtney and Yolanda see each other again, they hug tightly and both apologize. Whether you ship them or consider them best friends, either way, it's wonderful to see the depth of their friendship.
• The Crocks in this episode have several wonderful moments showing how much they are slowly coming around to being truly better and reformed people then they were as former ISA villains:
  • Crusher sits down with Pat to have a talk about the latter's ex-wife and shows genuine concern and caring about the situation with Mike. Seeing this nice gesture, Pat decides to open up to Crusher about it.
  • Meanwhile Paula wants to show Barb how to fight (or learn self-defense) solely because there's someone spying on everyone who's also a killer, and because Barb was kind to her. This leads Barb to thank her for the offer even though she can't bring herself to commit even that kind of violence and call her her friend; Paula becomes visibly emotional and says no one has ever called her their friend before.
  • And of course, Artemis showing up at the Mahkent house not only helps save Beth, but the two of them make a pretty good team, leading to one moment when Artemis helps Beth up with a friendly "Come on, nerd!".
• For some time it's been building how Sofus is the one among the Evil Old Folks pair who actually has standards, compassion, and leans more toward kindness when it comes to both the JSA and Cameron. Despite fighting Beth and Artemis, in the end it's his appeal to let go of hate and revenge, to instead embrace love, that cuts through Lily's influence and prevents Cameron from applying what would likely have been a killing shot on Rick. And while it remains to be seen what the fallout will be, it's Beth then saving him from a heart attack afterward that has a chance to get through Lily and Cameron's rage and resentment.

Episode 10 - Frenemies Chapter Ten: The Killer

• Larry and Paula, of all people, have a series of these throughout the episode:
  • Both of them are seriously upset about the Mahkents' hurting the JSA, with Larry stating that "Barbara Whitmore and her family are our people."
  • Paula saves Barb's life when Lily comes calling, and later teaches her to shoot a crossbow.
  • We also see Paula baking a chocolate cake. This is heartwarming not only because it's a nice call-back to earlier in the season, but also because originally, it's doubtful that the Crocks would ever have eaten something as unhealthy as chocolate cake.
  • Larry, of all people, has a heart-to-heart with Lily, and encourages her to move on from the past. Not to forget her son's death, but to learn from it, accept it, and keep going rather than getting involved in a blood feud.
    • Following this, Lily cries in her husband's arms as she comes to accept Jordan's death.
  • Both Crocks are absolutely overjoyed at Artemis' getting onto the college football team.
  • At the very end, Larry and Paula hold hands and exchange "I love you"s.
• Subtle, but Mike and Jakeem being present at the JSA's planning meeting really shows that they're not just junior hangers-on any more. They're part of the team.

Episode 13 - Frenemies Chapter Thirteen: The Reckoning

• Sylvester's grave shows the words, "Loving friend and brother." This is heartwarming as it is, but then you remember that the legend must've come from Pat, who also considered Sylvester his brother.
• In turn, when Sylvester is woken up, his last words are begging to know what happened to Pat.
• Pat reveals that he used a trick Sylvester taught him to escape the Ultra-Humanite. As Courtney points out, this means that he got to save Pat's life one more time.
• Sofus refuses to fight against Beth, likely remembering that she saved his life when he had a heart attack.
• After months of waiting, Solomon Grundy revives, reuniting Rick with his friend.
• Mike finally gets to meet his mom, and spends time catching up with her.
• Resolving a lingering plot detail, after the big battle is over Courtney finally tracks down the Gambler's daughter Rebecca and tells her that her father loved her and didn't want to abandon her. While the scene is short, Rebecca does show genuine, teary-eyed gratitude and gives Courtney a hug.
• There's also Cameron's return after having left town. While Courtney stands disconsolately outside the dark, empty Mahkent house, it suddenly starts to snow, confusing her...until she realizes the Call-Back to when she helped him use his powers through The Power of Love, described in episode 4 above. She turns around to see him watching her with the most yearning expression...and after confirming that she thinks she can help him, they share a long, tight embrace.
• After the ten-year Time Skip, we learn many pleasant things about the future:
  • Cindy, Cameron, and Artemis are all members of the JSA, cementing the ISA legacies' journey on the path of heroism. Nor is Mike a sidekick like his dad: He's listed as a full member of the team.
    • This is also means that Cindy and Yolanda are now fighting on the same team, suggesting that they did eventually put their differences aside.
  • Rick and Beth have become a couple and are engaged.
  • If the above wasn't heartwarming enough for you, The Shade now fights with the JSA, and will be officiating Rick and Beth's wedding!
    • The fact that the Shade refers to how "they" defeated Eclipso and the others. He's not taking credit for his part in their victories, but instead refers to them as "the greatest heroes the world has ever seen."
  • The JSA eventually rescue Sylvester's missing brain and restore him.
  • Jay Garrick, aka the Flash, is alive!