After last week’s cliffhanger of Courtney being pulled into the Shadowlands, it was clear that we’d be seeing her (temporary) digs in this episode. For a show that’s always kept the pace relatively brisk, this episode felt even more chock-full of plot movement than usual. Let’s get to it.
1. The best looking episode
Nothing against the rest of this show’s episodes, but the stark black and white of the Shadowlands actually really worked, visually, for this episode. Part of that is giving Blue Valley, already a nostalgic pastiche, an even deeper sense of longing in it. This had The Last Picture Show vibes in places, and tinged everything with both melancholy and a dream-like haze. Courtney, both due to her blonde hair and her outfit in these scenes, almost blends into the surroundings, while being a visual opposite of shadows, with her hair, skin, and hoodie all a shock of white, tinged with darkness in places.
This also gave stark contrast to the ‘real’ world and the Shadowlands, and helped give the episode a real sense of where the characters, and their mindsets, were at any time. Courtney was someplace like that looked like a dream and everyone else was someplace that felt too raw and real. I’m not advocating for a Snyder-Cut-esque grey version of the show, but I did enjoy our time spent among the shadows.
2. Welcome, Dr. McNider
Aside from Pat, we’ve spent only a little bit of time with the various ‘original’ JSA members. Dr. Mid-Nite was one of the ones we were most familiar with, due to the ‘Chuck’ AI that Beth has been using with his old goggles. But in this episode, we get to spend some significant time with him, and his appearance fills in a fair amount of blanks. He gives us a better sense for who the Shade really is, he gives us a little insight into the effects of the Shadowlands, and also shows us that not all of the JSA were as shitty as Starman and Wildcat have led us to believe they were.
Seeing he and Beth team up is going to be really interesting, as will seeing him and Pat reconnect after many years apart. Pat has been a relatively lonely character, despite being married and having children, because his most important life experiences happened before any of those people entered his life. So, giving Pat a buddy is an interesting development.
3. Mike is still getting ignored
One of the best themes of this season that has been, more or less, dropped, is Mike’s turning away from his family. This episode continues that trend, with him offering up a (stupid, admittedly) suggestion, and no one even giving him the dignity of a response. I mean, look, I get why no one takes Mike seriously, but that should be part of his character. He’s just too nice right now. Get mad, Mike! Get fucking furious! Make the respect you! You killed Icicle!
4. True heroism
Courtney going back into the Shadowlands to find Cindy was one of the many moments in this season where Courtney’s true heroism has been revealed. She has really grown into an impressive hero, and someone who has borne the brunt of her team’s failures, whether rightly or wrongly. Courtney continues to impress.
5. Do we believe the Shade?
So, the Shade, after using his powers to grab Courtney, Dr. McNider, and Cindy from the Shadowlands “dies” in front of Pat, Barbara, and the rescued folks. He disappears into a plume of smoke, much like we’ve seen him do many times before. This begs the question: does he actually die as he says he is about to?
I call bullshit on this for so many reasons. First of all, I’m not sure the Shade can die exactly, but if he did, I doubt he would just puff away like that. He’s a deceptive and duplicitous character, and acts in his own best interest. Now that he’s done his heroic deed and is exhausted, he’s going to go off someplace and relax and charge up for the battle with Eclipso, or perhaps a villain in a yet to be determined season/episode.
Plus, he keeps going on about how Barbara reminds him of his sister. There’s got to be more there.
