In Review: Titans – Deathstroke

Synopsis: With the team in upheaval, the Titans do everything in their power to save Jason’s life. But when Deathstroke demands they turn over Rose, the dilemma threatens to tear the team apart.

Review: This could well prove to be one of the most controversial episodes yet. Especially given that the closing moments look like they could be potentially re-writing one of DC Comics’ most loved stories with regards to the fate of Jason Todd. To find out for sure. We’ll have to wait until next week.

The Story

Picking up from last week. Dr. Light and Deathstroke have captured Jason Todd’s Robin and the Titan’s are in disagreement as to the best course of action to take. Hank wants to go with the offer that Deathstroke has made to them and hand Rose over, but Dawn does not agree. While the grown-ups fight over what to do Raven is struggling to come to terms with the new powers she has inherited from the fight with Trigon and is struggling to control them. Added to that is the fact that Gar is struggling with his own guilt for his role in inadvertently facilitating Jason’s capture.

Meanwhile, Deathstroke is concocting some countermeasures in preparation for Dick Grayson. He knows that Batman’s former sidekick will most likely attempt to be a hero without any backup, and it doesn’t look good for new Robin aka Jason Todd.

The Acting

This week’s episode played a lot with dramatic beats as the team argued about the best course of action. Alan Ritchson was strong in the role of Hank aka Hawk and he wants to try and take the path of least resistance was consistent with his character. Especially given that both Hawk and Dove were essentially out of the Titan’s when the series started and were trying to live a quiet life.

But the best performances this week came from the younger cast members. Teagan Croft has some great scenes this week. The best of which is where Kori tries to reassure her about the new abilities that she has inherited. We also get some nice work from Ryan Potter as Gar. Who is really racked with guilt over his role in aiding Jason Todds capture and at one stage redirects some of his guilt and frustration in Rose’s direction.

Overall

A fairly strong episode with some really solid acting performances and a fantastic set of action beats towards the close of the episode. I loved the fight sequence involving Dick, Kori and Deathstroke and how that all ended with a very uncertain future for Jason Todd. Will history repeat itself. Will Jason Todd die much like Aqualad did, which is why the team is dysfunctional or will Jason Todd be saved at the very last minute? We’ll have to tune in next week to find out. The last thing Titan’s needs is another ‘Death in the Family’.