Ok, I know this scene has been pretty much dissected to bits by the 03 Titans fan base and Fandom for the incredible depiction of Robins PTSD. Btw, I'm not complaining. This episode really is AMAZING and real-world scary for a 'kids' show'.
..but this scene? It always felt like this scene was kinda looked over. Yes, It's a great visual moment to set the point of the episode in stone, and it's the moment the tone of the entire episode shifts.
But robin put his hands on starfire, not just in anger but in RAGE. The animators flaired Robin's nostrils to draw attention to each breath. He takes 3 massive breaths before he lays into starfire. He's shouts at her. He gets in her face. He grabs her arm so hard, it hurts, and we just never get that conversation after?
I would've loved to see bold accountability from Robin at some point for this.
Yes, he admits at the end of the episode that he's "been chasing slade for so long. It's hard to believe he's really gone."
But it's never shown that he actually goes to starfire and says, "I am so sorry I put my hands on you and made you cry. There is absolutely no excuse for what I did. I am sorry I hurt you."
I think if we ever got a season 6. I would've based an entire episode around this moment. In the comics that continue with the 03 series. There is a character that traps you in your worst nightmares. Traumas, fears, etc.
For Robin specifically, it's being abandoned by his team. "What happened to the Titans? Where is my family?"
I call attention to this line because It really shows how much robin adores the titans. Outside of his bio parents. This team is the closest thing he's had to a family in the universe. (Pre-batfam)
I think it would've been cool to make Robin feel abandoned, wake up from the nightmare, fight the villain and then somehow get sucked into starfires nightmare.
He sees her traumas regarding the gordanians (pull her out of the manic pixie dream girl cookie cutter a bit. Yay! Character development)
She sees Robin chilling in the background of citadel memory, and it quickly shifts to a replay of..
the dialog would play out the same except, I would have apprentice robin quickly shift into the haunted scene, real robin being forced to watch while starfire just sobs.
"You hurt me! You hurt me! First you! Then Terra! Then raven starts of end of the world! I am not a stone! I am in pain! My sisters betrayl! My brothers disappearance! My parents death!" Something like that while nightmare robin and real robin watch starfire just have a total meltdown.
Maybe nightmare robin vs. Real robin Battle? The taunts would be cutthroat and devastating. Real robin would win, but it would shake him pretty bad and force him to reflect on his character. "She always forgives you, and you always take it for granted. Tell me you didn't notice that she flinched for days after."
I just really think it could've had 'fear itself' levels of build up and 'sum of his parts', levels of self reflection, and overcoming self-worth issues.
Mainly, I just want accountability and for starfire to have a much, much needed breakdown. Maybe have robin learn that she's been faking her joy and has been morbidly depressed for the last 6 months, and they go on a mutual journey of healing.
In my opinion, that context would make this ending of the series, so so much sweeter.
Anyway, that's my teen Titans tangent. Later, dudes.
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