- After Barbara discovers what Pat and Courtney have been hiding, the JSA go into the tunnels with Henry to find Brainwave before he is corrupted by the ISA.
- As Henry Jr. hones his newfound skills, uncovered secrets from his family's past force him to make a difficult decision. Meanwhile, Courtney, Yolanda, Beth and Rick's latest plan brings them face to face with a member of the ISA. Finally, tensions between Pat and Barbara force her to revisit her own past.—brahamdali
- Blue Valley, Nebraska: Two Years Ago
At the town diner, Pat is sitting a booth going through the JSA files. Barbara is working in a booth, a couple of booths back. The waitress announces to both of them that the kitchen is closing in a minute, and they both order banana splits. The two of them exchange greetings, and Barbara says that she had lots of paperwork to work on selling her mother's house. Barbara explains that her mother passed away a few years ago and it's been hard to let go, and Pat offers his condolences.
Barbara and Pat talk about living in California and introduce themselves. Pat says that he's passing through on a hunt, and that he collects old cars. The waitress returns and says that they only have one banana left, and Barbara suggests that she and Pat share.
Now
Barbara drops her basket, startled, and asks what Courtney and Pat what the Staff is. Courtney claims it's a broom, and Pat says that he's telling Barbara the truth. He says that it belonged to Starman, and Courtney says that Jordan killed her biological father, Starman. Pat asks to start at the beginning.
Pat shows Barbara photo of Starman and himself as Stripesy, and Barbara doesn't believe that Jordan is Icicle. Courtney insists that Jordan is behind everything bad in Blue Valley, and Barbara is angry with Pat, believing he told Courtney that Starman is her father. Her daughter says that Pat didn't do anything and the Staff chose her. Barbara tells her to go upstairs, but Courtney persists and says that being Stargirl is her birthright. Her mother says that Starman isn't her father, and Courtney insists that "Sam Curtis" was an alias. Angry, Barbara doesn't want to hear it and orders Courtney up to her room.
Once Courtney goes, Pat insists that he was a sidekick, not a hero, and Barbara points out that if it's true, their marriage is a lie. Pat tells her that it isn't and that their family is real, and Barbara accuses him of dragging Courtney into the insanity. He says that he wanted it to stay in the past, and Barbara asks him if the "car accident" was real. Pat admits that it wasn't, and Barbara tells him to get out of the house, and he goes.
At the hospital, Henry visits Henry Sr. Henry Sr. doesn't remember the last ten years, and hopes that his memory will come back. He wonders why they're there in Nebraska, and Henry explains that his father moved them there after his wife Merry died. Henry Sr. doesn't remember Merry, and Henry explains that she drowned in an accident in their pool. Father and son hug as Henry breaks into tears, and Henry Sr. realizes that Henry has his mental powers. He asks if he taught Henry, and Henry says that he wasn't and his powers started while Henry Sr. was in a coma. Henry Sr. speculates that he telepathically reached out to Henry while he was comatose, and triggered Henry's powers. The older man says that he will help Henry with his powers.
In her room, Courtney paces back and forth. She finally goes to a closet and takes out the Christmas present from her father. She hears Mike calling to Pat as he leaves, asking if everything is okay with Barbara. Pat says he can't explain things and he's going to spend the night at the garage. He tells Mike that he'll be home in the morning, and doesn't know what will happen after that. Mike wonders if Pat and Barbara will get a divorce, and Pat admits that he doesn't know. When Mike insists that he goes with Pat, Pat finally gives in and Mike goes to pack a bag. Behind him, Pat says that he loves Mike.
At the hospital, Henry picks up his father's thoughts about Merry and loving her, and Starman. Henry tries to wake his father up without success, and leaves. Behind him, Jordan enters the room and stands over the unconscious Henry Sr., then tells Henry that it's good to see him.
Henry goes home and goes through his father's video diaries, then plays one. On it, Henry Sr. talks about Merry's death. He says that they met while he was robbing a bank, and Merry was a superhero, the Girl of 1000 Gimmicks. Merry and Brain Wave fought, and he was stunned by her pure thoughts that were so different than everyone else's. She caught Brain Wave, physically and emotionally, and Henry Sr. question Jordan's mission but he couldn't allow that. Jordan led the JSA to them and they killed them, including Starman. Henry Sr. knew that Merry would never forgive him for killing her brother, and she didn't go into hiding as Henry Sr. hoped. He curses Jordan, and Henry goes to find his mother's killer.
At the Dugan house, the Staff floats into the sleeping Courtney's room and wakes her up. She says that they can't go out because Barbara is too upset, and tells the Staff to go back to its crate. It leaves and goes to the garage, and "looks" at the photos of the ISA. It studies the photo of Icicle with interest.
Jordan tells Henry Sr. that the Project New America is on the precipice of becoming a reality. He says that they need Brain Wave's telepathy to take control of every "poison" mind in six states and will make them see things their way. Henry Sr. asks who Stargirl really is, just as the Staff bursts in and blasts Jordan against the wall. The former comatose man creates a mental force field to hold the Staff, and Jordan recovers and smiles in triumph. He touches the Staff and freezes it.
Henry runs into the hallway outside and sees Jordan through the observation window. Meanwhile, Jordan wonders where the Staff came from, and invites Henry Sr. to come with him to have all of his questions answered. Henry hides behind a desk as Jordan goes and Henry Sr. leaves with him. Henry Sr. senses his son, who shields his thoughts, and Henry Sr. says that it's nothing to Jordan.
At the Dugan house the next morning, Courtney goes to the basement and discovers that the Staff is gone. She finds Barbara and asks where the Staff is, and Barbara says that hopefully Pat took it. Courtney says that the Staff might be the only thing that can stop Icicle and she's the only one who can use it, and Barbara tells her that they're leaving. She doesn't want Courtney near Blue Valley or Pat anymore, and tells Courtney that Starman wasn't her father. Barbara tells Courtney that she's going to work and Courtney should start packing, and she'll be back in an hour.
Pat is at the garage with Mike, who is sleeping in one of Pat's cars. Courtney pounds on the door, and Pat reluctantly comes out. She tells him that the Staff is missing and says that they have to find it and take the fight to Jordan. Pat is surprised when Courtney says that Barbara is leaving, and is taking Courtney with her. When Pat goes to get Barbara out of the American Dream, Courtney asks him what she should do and he tells her to do what Barbara said. Pat tells Courtney that it's all over and it's his fault, and he can live with losing Barbara as long as he knows they're both safe.
As Pat drives off, Mike wakes up and comes out. He asks Courtney what's really going on, and she says that she can't tell him. Mike figures that she never wanted him or Pat around, and tells her that brothers and sisters trust each other. He accuses her of thinking he's not his sister, tells her to have a good life, and goes back in the garage.
Courtney walks down the street and hears Henry's mental voice in her head. He motions her over onto a side street where he's waiting for her, and when she joins him he inadvertently projects mental images into her head of everything he's learned about his father and Merry. Shocked at the overwhelming mental power, Courtney tells Henry to stay away from her. Courtney takes in the fact that Merry was Starman's sister, so the two of them are related. She hugs Henry, who says that Jordan has the Staff and Henry Sr., and Henry Sr. doesn't remember anything including Courtney's secret identity. Henry says that her mother was starting to change Henry Sr.'s villainy. Courtney figures that they need help to stop Jordan and walks off, and Henry follows her.
At the American Dream, Barbara is in her office looking at a photo of her and Courtney, before packing it away with her things. She looks at a photo of Pat and Mike, and smiles sadly, then puts it back on her desk. She then sends an email to Sam, saying it's about Courtney, they're in Blue Valley, and she needs Sam to contact her. Barbara then starts doing a web search on Starman.
At the high school, Courtney takes Henry to meet with Rick, Beth, and Yolanda. She reveals their secret identities, and Rick is less than thrilled. Courtney insists that Henry isn't the enemy, and Henry explains that Courtney didn't tell him. The two newcomers sit down, and Courtney says that they have to find the Staff and stop the ISA, and hopefully that will not only save the town but Pat and Barbara. Rick isn't thrilled at saving Henry Sr., pointing out that he'll kill Courtney and then the rest of them once he regains his memories. Henry insists that Rick isn't going to hurt his father, and Rick invites him to try.
Henry telekinetically knocks Rick over with a cafeteria tray, and Yolanda reminds Henry that she threatened him. Courtney intervenes, and both Rick and Yolanda insist they're not going to work with Henry. Beth asks what Pat thinks of the situation, and Courtney says that Pat went to get Barbara. When Beth says that they need to help Courtney, Yolanda agrees to help but tells Courtney that she choose Henry over her and they're not friends anymore.
Barbara finds shadowy photos of Starman on the Internet. Pat comes in and they both say that the other can't be there. He says that it's the most dangerous place in town, and sees the photos of Starman. Barbara admits that she doesn't know what to think about Sam and Starman, and Pat tells her to get Courtney and get far away from Blue Valley. Jordan and his parents come in, and Pat gets a call from Courtney but doesn't answer it.
At the now "for rent" Burman house, Stargirl and her team go into the tunnels and Courtney takes the lead. Chuck cuts out as the tunnels block the signal to Dr. Mid-Nite's goggles, and Dr. Mid-Nite tells Stargirl what's happening. They come to an intersection and Stargirl says that they should split up. Wildcat refuses to let Stargirl go with Henry, and Stargirl takes Wildcat with the two of them, while Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite go another way and they'll meet back at the intersection in fifteen minutes.
Solus gives Barbara some food to thank her for having them over for dinner. He and Lila talk about Jordan and Barbara in their native Norwegian, and Jordan quickly escorts them out. Once they're alone, Barbara reveals to Pat that she recorded the conversation in Norwegian and they can translate it.
As they continue, Henry tells Wildcat that he wishes she could read his mind. He says that he'd do anything to take back what he did to hurt her, and Wildcat angrily tells him that he can't.
Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite hear something growling ahead, and Hourman insists on investigating. They come to a reinforced cell door, and Hourman realizes that the creature inside is Solomon Grundy, who killed his parents.
Henry telepathically senses that his father is close, and the trio find Dragon King's chamber. Dragon King and his drones have hooked Brain Wave up and have him on a table, and Stargirl spots the Staff nearby, confined in a holding chamber. Cindy is in her cell, sees the intruders, and yells a warning to her father.
Dragon King and the drones turn toward the trio, and more drones come in. Stargirl grabs a spear hanging on a pillar, and the trio attack the drones. When they overwhelm Stargirl, Wildcat leaps across the room and attacks Stargirl's captors.
Hourman flips over his hourglass to rip off the door holding Grundy in his cell. Dragon King hears him and walks out, while Henry runs to Brainwave, who wakes up and sees his son. Stargirl finishes off her last drone and confronts Dragon King, who draws a sword and attacks the heroine. The two fight and Dragon King breaks Stargirl's spear and throws her across the floor. Wildcat frees the Staff and slides across the floor, giving it to Stargirl. The Staff activates, letting Stargirl block Dragon King's next attack.
Stargirl knocks Dragon King back and knocks off his hood, revealing his lizard-like head. When Stargirl blasts him back, he goes down unconscious.
Henry frees Brainwave, who refuses to go with his son. When his son figures that they changed him back, Brainwave says that it's who he and who he's always been... just like Henry. Henry telekinetically slams his father into a wall, stunning him, joins Wildcat and Stargirl at the door, and says that it's too late and they should go.
Hourman continues prying at the door, and Dr. Mid-Nite pries him away, saying the others are counting on them. Drones advance on them and Hourman attacks them, punching them unconscious. He yells at Grundy that he'll be back, and they run to the intersection and join their teammates.
Pat and Barbara go to the diner and play the recording. When Pat says that he can't believe she recorded the Mahkents, Barbara tells him that she wanted answers she could trust and had to find them herself. The translation finishes and the parents say that once the machine turns on, it won't matter whether Barbara likes Jordan. Pat admits that he doesn't know what they're planning.
Jordan goes to Barbara's office and discovers that she's not there. Once he leaves, an email comes up on the computer from Sam.
The JSA come to a locked gate in the tunnels, and Hourman pulls the bars apart. Wildcat and Dr. Mid-Nite slip through, and Brainwave telekinetically pushes the bars back into position. Stargirl blasts him, and Brainwave telekinetically stops the blast while Hourman tries to pull the bars back open. He's able to do so with telekinetic help from Henry, and Stargirl tells them to go on ahead while she holds back Brainwave. Henry telekinetically pushes her through the gap that Hourman has already gone through, then closes the bars behind her.
Henry advances on his father, who telekinetically blasts him. The teenager holds his own with his own mental powers, and blasts Brainwave back. Henry begs his father to listen to him, and says that the mental powers morphed Brainwave's beliefs. He says that he doesn't want to fight his father because he loves him, and Brainwave says that he loves Henry. Brainwave asks Henry to let him train him, but Henry says that Merry believed in Henry Sr. and knew he could be good.
When Henry says that Jordan killed Merry, Brainwave tells him that he killed Merry. He had to make a choice, and asks Henry not to make him choose again. Henry refuses to stand at his side, and telekinetically throws the rocks in the tunnel at Brainwave. Brainwave telekinetically stops them and says goodbye, and throws them back at Henry. Henry slams into the bars, while the JSAers try to break through the telekinetically reinforced bars.
Henry looks at Wildcat as Brainwave telekinetically brings down the ceiling pipes. The teenager tells Wildcat that he is sorry, and says that she's right that people are good and what happened shouldn't change her mind. Brainwave brings the ceiling down on his son, crushing him to death, and Wildcat breaks into tears as the others stare in shock at Henry's corpse.
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