Bridget Chapel

**Dr. Bridget Chapel** is a recurring character in The CW and DC Universe series, *Stargirl*.

She is the mother of the heroine Beth Chapel and a brilliant doctor at Blue Valley Medical Center who worked closely with Henry King Sr. After learning the truth about her daughter being a superhero, Bridget and James leap into action to help their daughter navigate a new part of her life. She becomes Dr. Mid-Nite's sidekick, **Hootie**, in honor of Dr. Charles McNider's trusty owl.

## Biography

Bridget married James Chapel and had a daughter with him, Beth. According to Beth, Bridget and James sacrificed much of their lives and careers to raise their daughter and help her grow as a young woman. Bridget presumably took a step back from her duties at Blue Valley Medical Center, though she maintained a professional relationship with Dr. Henry King Sr., her colleague at BVMC. When Beth entered high school, the couple went back to work and pushed Beth to be more independent and make real friends.

## Series

### Season 1

Beth Chapel sits at lunch as she video chats with her mom, Bridget. She excitedly gets her dad to join the "family lunch", only to be informed by him that he's busy. Bridget's colleague, Dr. Henry King Sr., stops by and waves hi to Beth, taking a seat at his desk behind Dr. Chapel. She asks her daughter who the girl sitting next to her is, and Beth introduces Courtney to her. Beth tells her she'll see her at the open house, and their video call ends. Henry, casually asks about the open house, and Dr. Chapel asks if he and his son will be there. He responds that he wouldn't miss it.

At the open house assembly, the principal is giving a light-hearted speech. The principal gives a shoutout to councilman Zarick for his help funding and Doctors Henry King and Bridget Chapel for their volunteer work.

Pat visits the hospital and finds a comatose Henry King Sr., only to be found by Dr. Chapel. He awkwardly introduces himself as an old friend and is saddened to hear what's happened. Dr. Chapel agrees with the shame of his state. She's thrown off by Pat's odd question of what he had on when they found him and answers his lab coat. She's called away, and Pat finally concludes he wasn't alone.

Bridget is working late one night when Beth brings her rotini that she made. Bridget gently reminds her that she doesn't have to bring her dinner every night, but Beth knows her father is on the road and thought it'd be nice. Her mom urges Beth spend time with friends instead of worrying about her parents. Beth laments that she and dad are her best friends. The janitor answers a phone call about a messy supply closet, ending the mother-daughter conversation.

A few weeks later, Beth performs bathroom karaoke in the morning when Bridget and James knock on the door. They didn't see any food in the fridge for them and asks if she made something. She cheerfully says she forgot and didn't make it, breezing past them on her way out.

### Season 2

On the last day of school, Beth works hard on her laptop when Bridget and James come downstairs. Bridget is so late for a committee meeting and has to run. Beth figured so she made breakfast to go - French toast for her dad and eggs Benedict for her mom. They thank her as it looks great. Beth quickly tells them it's the last day day of school, which they didn't know. They fumble through wishing her good luck on her test, which are pre-calc and American Literature. She studied all night. They're sure she'll do great but have to get going. They hug her goodbye as they leave. Once they're gone, Beth finds divorce papers on the end table. That night, Beth makes a beautiful dinner for her family, only for them to not show up.

As the days tick by, Beth tries to reach Chuck and determine why they're in danger from Eclipso. As the AI searches the house, Bridget comes in and Beth hastily hides the goggles. Beth tells Bridget that she just missed James, and suggests they go on a mini-golf date like they used to. Bridget says that they're both very busy and suggests Beth and her friends go, and leaves.

Beth is at home when her parents come down. She is looking at a photo of her family, and tells her parents that she found divorce papers and asks what is going on. They say that it's a mutual decision but they haven't decided to go through with it yet, but it doesn't change that they love her. Bridget says that she has to go to work, but they'll talk more that night. James and Bridget awkwardly hug Beth, then leave.

Beth's despair over her parent's divorce leaves her vulnerable to Eclipso's mental hallucinations, which become tailored to her parents blaming her for their divorce. After she beats Eclipso in her hallucination attacks, she scans the house to confirm that it's her own, and McNider tells her that she never left. He says that she should never take off the goggles, and they let her see through Eclipso's illusion. Bridget calls to Beth, and Beth goes to her room. Her parents come in and says that they haven't been there all day. Beth realizes that the entire thing was Eclipso's illusion, and says that sometimes she's trying to be something she can't be. Bridget tells her that she was the first black doctor in Blue Valley, and the people didn't know what to make of her when she started. She did her job the best she knew how, and eventually she won Blue Valley over. Bridget tells Beth that she can be anything she wants to be, because their family works hard and she shouldn't let anyone tell her what she can be. Beth's mother asks about the goggles Beth is wearing, and Beth claims that they're swim goggles as she's trying out for the swim team.

One morning, Beth and her parents sit in their living room. James and Bridget stare at the goggles Beth is wearing, and she says that she has to wear them because they show her what's real. Beth refuses to explain further, saying that it's safe if they don't know. She sees something in the goggles, and leaves and tells her parents they should stay there and figure out what is going on their life. When the Chapels ask what she's doing, Beth says that she's made friends and they need her.

### Season 3

With Summer officially over, Bridget and James wake up Beth with breakfast in bed. Bridget eagerly shows her color swatches for a new super suit. Beth forces a smile and looks down at her phone, seeing a selfie from Courtney telling her the family is leaving Yellowstone National Park. While Beth is at lunch, she talks with her parents using the goggles. They continue to show her samples and a digital design for a new suit. Bridget suggests lemon yellow as a new color scheme, but Beth reminds them that yellow and black are Rick's colors. She likes her cape, too. She ends their call and sighs that she shouldn't have given them this number.

Later that week, Beth and Rick drive down the street in his car. She wears her goggles for a video chat with her mom. Bridget asks if this about The Gambler, conferencing in Beth's father as he'll want to hear about this. He questions if this is about The Gambler, but Beth can't talk about it right now. She has to run. Bridget tells her to have a good day. Beth hangs up on her parents as they continue talking.

When Sylvester is attacked and left brutally wounded, he is taken to hospital. Courtney, Pat and Dr. Chapel have a conversation about the attack. Sylvester is unresponsive, but stable. He has large contusions across his body, and in his back, a puncture wound much similar to that of The Gambler's fatal wound through the heart. Dr. Chapel isn't sure what caused the puncture. Pat concludes the police won't blame this on a freak tornado. Dr. Chapel already reported his injuries with those consistent with a hit and run. She picks up on their shiftiness, asking if it was the right thing to do. Pat remarks that the police will be looking for a driver. Courtney suggests she should have said that he hit a tree. Bridget's confusion pushes Courtney to admit that it worked for her before. Pat assures Bridget they'll take care of it. Bridget reflects on her and James getting so caught up in it all, being proud of Beth for being Dr. Mid-Nite. She didn't realize there's a cost to it. She then leaves to call Beth.

Beth is in a JSA meeting when here goggles ring so she puts them on, answering a call from her parents. Bridget and James grin on the other end, asking how her math test went. It was horrible because she cheated, but can't talk right now as she's in the middle of a JSA meeting. The goggles automatically analyze Sylvester's mood, first showing agitation, then curiosity. James tells her that Barbara said the Crocks were following up some leads. Bridget thinks that if the Crocks can help, they can certainly do something. They want an assignment or a special mission believing themselves to be ready. She promises they'll talk later tonight and hangs up.

That night, Beth sits at her computer at home, working on The Gambler's case by viewing feedback from the goggles. Her parents rush in, having come as soon as she called. They know there's a lot happening fast, and ask how they can help. Beth slowly stands from her chair, closing her computer. They can help her the most if they stay out of her life as Doctor Mid-Nite. This confuses them so she explains to Bridget how dangerous this life is. Sylvester's sister was murdered because she got involved, and so was Dr. McNider's daughter. If Dragon King is out there, or whoever it is, she doesn't want anything to happen to them. It scares her so she's asking them to please stop calling her and to stop helping. She tears up as she asks and looks at their saddened faces. James and Bridget understand and leave the room as Beth cries.

The next night, Beth works on decrypting Gambler's laptop when her parents come into her room. They've been trying to call her all day, but couldn't seem to get through. They came home when they couldn't reach her. Bridget asks if Beth really blocked them. Beth's guilty look is confirmation. She told them before, it's too dangerous for them to be involved in this. Mr. Pemberton, Starman, his sister was killed because she was involved. Bridget wonders who will be protecting Beth if she's trying to protect them. Beth affirms that it'll be her friends, her team. James insists they're on her team. Beth shakes her head - there's a killer out there. She's asking them to please, don't make her push them away anymore she already has. James and Bridget solemnly leave the room.

During a brutal fight at the Mahkent Residence, Dr. Mid-Nite answers a call from her father. He realizes she's in a fight and tells her that he and her mom talked to Dr. McNider about the full capabilities of her suit. He instructs her to activate combat mode. When the event at the house causes Sofus Mahkent to have a heart attack, Dr. Mid-Nite decides to call her mom for help. Bridget tells her that Sofus's heart has stopped. James reminds her about the gloves, which double as defibrillators because of their power. The suit will insulate her, she just has to get everyone clear. She sends a shock through Sofus then another, successfully reviving him.

The morning after the fight, Bridget examines Rick's facial wounds in the living room of the Chapel Residence. He asks what his prognosis is and if he will ever be able to play the violin again. Beth replies that it's not funny, and that Mr. Mahkent almost died. Rick snaps back that he didn't, neither did he. Dr. Chapel tells him while that's true, his blood pressure and heart rate are elevated to unnatural levels. Beth insists it's that hourglass, as he's been wearing it for too long. He chuckles, standing up, as he feels better than ever, and with Cameron Mahkent and his grandparents out there, none of them can let their guard down right now. James tells Rick that from what Beth told them, it sounds like he just rushed in, even hit Courtney. Rick angrily and offensively yells back that it was an accident. Beth looks at her parents in surprise and he looks to Beth, insisting she knows that. She gestures for him to calm down as she takes a step closer. They do know that, but also knows he hasn't been acting like himself. They're all really worried about him him. Rick grabs the hourglass, insistings he's fine, really. Beth tells him to take off the hourglass, then. Take it off for ten minutes and see how he feels. Rick scoffs and approaches Beth, looking down at her. He warns her to don't ever tell him what to do. He leaves the house as she shouts after him, with James telling him to hold on. Rick ignores them as he leaves. The Chapel family stands together in worry.

After the Battle of Blue Valley, Rick sets the hourglass down on the coffee table in front of Beth, Bridget, and James. He's sorry for the way he spoke to all of them. He's not going to blame that on anything other than being a thick headed jerk. Bridget and James chuckle, and she assure him it's alright. James adds they're just glad he's feeling better. He looks to Beth and says thank you, than to the parents, for being there for him. He looks back to Beth with a soft gaze as it's her turn. She nods and nervously stands beside Rick. They exchange a look before she talks to her parents. They've been her guides since she was a kid, and they were her guides when she was Doctor Mid-Nite through all of this. Even when she told them she didn't want them to be. She becomes emotional so Rick puts a supporting hand on her back. She knows they love her, and she loves them too. Rick rubs her back gently in support. She does need their help. She wants their help, so she's asking for it officially. James and Bridget laugh and grin with excitement, questioning if she wants them to be her sidekicks. Beth quickly admits that sounds a little derogatory, but her parents are too eager to let her finish. James leaps over the couch as it's a dream. They point to both of them, ready to talk costumes.

The Chapel's and Rick go to the Whitmore-Dugan house for a family dinner with the JSA and Young All-Stars. Beth tells her dad the dish he brought looks great. Rick asks James and Bridget about being sidekicks. He's decided to be Nite-Lite, while Bridget is choosing Hootie, in honor of Dr. McNider's wise owl. He has the whole suit design, which makes Beth chuckle as she puts her arm around him. Bridget greets Yolanda as she brings a bowl of pasta to the table on her way out of the room. Rick asks what James's powers would be, and he incredulously says he's glowing in the dark, man. Rick chuckles as that's cool. James has some new things and it's going to be great, it's going to be fantastic. Beth smiles that she knows. The group laughs together and talks. Beth and Rick ultimately meet on one side of the table, while James pulls out Bridget's chair for her so they can sit.

## Personality

Bridget is an intelligent and kind woman whose interests include being a medical professional and thus, helping others. She has a big heart, a trait she passed onto her daughter, but a desire to return to her life before having a daughter. She wants Beth to have friends her own age and is blunt in telling Beth that she isn't her friend, she's her mother.

Despite her innermost feelings, Bridget has come to accept Beth as a superhero and has now become almost obsessive with the idea and is fixated on updating her suit. However, when Sylvester ends up in the hospital after being attacked by the individual who killed Steven Sharpe/The Gambler, Bridget realizes that being a superhero is dangerous and is something Beth has to deal with daily, ending her need to update her daughter's supersuit.

## Abilities

* **Medicine:** As a trained medical professional, Bridget has medical knowledge and skills that exceed the average person.

## Notes and Trivia

* Bridget is the second parent after Barbara to learn about their child's superhero antics.
	+ She and James are the second parents to become a sidekick to their child, following only Pat Dugan, who became Stargirl's sidekick.
* One of her favorite movies is "Remembering to Forget" starring Dolores Winters.

## References

1. ↑ "*S.T.R.I.P.E.*"
2. ↑ "*Icicle*"
3. ↑ "*Wildcat*"
4. ↑ "*Shiv Part One*"
5. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter One*"
6. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Four*"
7. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Five*"
8. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Eight*"
9. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Ten*"
10. ↑ "*Chapter One: The Murder*"
11. ↑ "*Chapter Three: The Blackmail*"
12. ↑ "*Chapter Four: The Evidence*"
13. ↑ "*Chapter Five: The Thief*"
14. ↑ "*Chapter Six: The Betrayal*"
15. ↑ "*Chapter Nine: The Monsters*"
16. ↑ "*Chapter Ten: The Killer*"
17. ↑ "*Chapter Thirteen: The Reckoning*"