Emily Swift

**Emily Swift** is a minor character in The CW series, *Stargirl*.

She is the late sister of Richard Swift, who died of an illness early-on in the man's immortality. Her death shaped the way Richard viewed others and began his reluctance to form attachments.

## Biography

Emily was born in London, England in the 1800s to an unnamed father. She was the sister of Richard Swift, a con man who gained unspeakable power in the mid-1800s. He tried not to abuse his power when in the presence of his sister. When their father fell ill, Richard left him in Emily's care, and wasn't there when he died. Emily soon fell ill as well, and died without her brother by her side.

## Series

### Season 2

Shade appears to Barbara as she suffers an illusion courtesy of Eclipso. He insisted that nothing was wrong with Barbara's car, that she had to fight through the illusion. He ordered her to start the car and drive home. He then murmured that he needed Emily before vanishing.

He reappears to the Whitmore-Dugan's, still injured from his fight against Eclipso, and leaking shadows. While Pat and Courtney went off to find Jennie-Lynn Hayden to help, Shade rested on the couch. Barbara approached Shade to ask some questions, but Shade saw Barbara as Emily and apologized to her for abandoning her while their father was ill.

Barbara and Pat track down Shade when Courtney is sent to The Shadowlands. She tearfully begs him for his help and he gives in. He adds that Barbara really does remind him of his sister.

### Season 3

Shade and Pat become trapped in The Shadowlands, where their subconscious haunts them with constructs of their guilt and fears. Shade's construct of The Gambler mocks Shade for not forgiving him before his death. Pat tells Shade to ignore him, but Gambler isn't finished. He knows Shade caused his sister so much pain, yet she forgave him. Shade snaps that's enough, but the construct presses on about sweet, dear Emily. He asks if Shade remembers what he said to Emily on the day she died. Shade hurries them out of the diner, and they rush through the doorway, a white light enveloping them.

Pat and Shade appear in an early-century room where nurses and doctors surround a bed. A woman coughs from the bed. Shade's face falls as he remarks no. Pat asks what it is, but it's nothing Shade wishes to see. He grabs the doorknob and green energy sizzles his hand, burning him. He cries out in pain and moments later, the woman calls out, asking if that's Dickie. The nurses move to reveal a young Emily Swift, ill, asking if he's come to say goodbye. She doesn't want him to let her die alone, not like their father. Shade tries the doorknob again but it continues to burn him. He turns to Emily, who asks him not to ignore her, to please say something. Shade tries the door again but it won't budge. Pat knows it's difficult to lose people that they love. Shade asks him to please, spare him the bleeding-heart sentiments. Pat ignores him, bringing up how Courtney survived The Shadowlands. Shade remarks it's because of him, but Pat corrects that she got out because of him but survived because of herself. She had to face her own darkness to get past it. Shade can't believe Pat is telling him about darkness. Pat's just saying that maybe the key here is to face things and not run away. Shade pauses for a moment before painfully, yet blankly, admitting that he's incapable of feeling anything. Pat moves Shade back and then kicks open the doors, letting green energy flow into the room.

Shade and Pat land in the Whitmore-Dugan House with a thud. Shade groans in agony, as he can't travel through the fire like that again. While in pain, he tells Pat that Emily asked if he'd come to say goodbye. But the truth is, he didn't say anything to his sister the day she died because he wasn't there. He couldn't bear it, as he had to separate himself from her. Losing people is just too hard.

## References

1. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Nine*"
2. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Ten*"
3. ↑ "*Summer School: Chapter Eleven*"
4. ↑ "*Chapter Eight: Infinity Inc. Part Two*"