#titans analysis

[mejcinta]

Kory: So any idea what Dr. Bell was talking about back there?

Conner: The part about still having feelings for her ex-husband?

....🤣🤣🤣 Interesting choice of dialogue by Prathi (the writer for this episode) given that shortly before this scene Kory had been from chiding Dick about going off on his own, getting shot and not thinking of Gar's feelings and fears; and Blackfire busted her a$$ for being into Grayson.

The theory that Dick and Kory are divorced parents struggling with co-parenting and still have feelings for each other is sailing high. ☺️🥂

Whatever's your cup of tea, this is mine.

[prosperdemeter2]

I see a lot of people complaining about Dick's "lack of reaction" to Jason's death in the most recent Titans season and, I have to say... I don't see it. I'm not a psychologist by any means but I do have some experience dealing with grief and trauma, in myself and others. I feel it has to be stated to that not everyone processes grief the same way. I get it, we all want there to be more EMOTION involved. We want to see SOMEONE cry over Jason (that isn't Tim apparently). I too think it would have been moving to see the stoic Batman break down a bit in the cave after laying his kid to rest. But there are some things we have to remember:

1. This isn't fanon. Not everything is going to happen the same way fandom Batfam makes us want things to.

2. These characters and their relationships are in their infancy. Jason and Dick were never shown growing close when he was Robin for a reason. I, personally, thought it was a really good way to show the difference in how Dick handles Jason and how Jason would come to handle Tim - resentment. Ultimately, Dick knew his problems were with Bruce, not Jason. Jason hasn't quite come to those terms yet. His relationship to Dick was more important to HIM than it ever really was to Dick.

More importantly, I think Jason's going through the same things the fans are. He wants a specific reaction that his emotionally stunted family isn't going to give him.

3. Titans takes place AFTER Jason's death. Yes, we saw it on screen. But we didn't get to see the actual immediate reaction of any of the team (aside from Gar and Kon) once they got the news. We don't know how Dick reacted to that phone call. We don't know if he found a rooftop and cried. We don't know if Kory hugged him while he broke down and mourned for the brother he had just come to terms with having. We DO know that he was pissed at Bruce for having the funeral without him.

4. Alfred is gone. Alfred has ALWAYS been the one person to force the entire family to face their emotions. It makes sense that without him there, Bruce would be a lot more emotionally stunted.

5. Multiple times in the series we've been shown Donna and now Barbara calling Dick out on the way he acts and the way he was raised. He was raised a soldier, a detective, raised to channel his grief and suffering into anger and *justice*. The Batman didn't have time for little Dick Grayson's emotions after his parents died. He trained him to put those emotions to the side and focus on things he can solve.

Which is why Dick's so hung up on the "drug" Jason was on.

6. EVERYONE processes grief differently. Everyone. Some people get sad, some drown that grief in whatever they can find, some get angry (Bruce), some point fingers, some try to solve a problem and hold together a family that was never truly whole. Keep in mind we're on episode four only here.

7. Dick is traumatized. Like. Literally traumatized. This man is probably so desensitized to death that it's insane. We all said we wanted the Robins on screen and now that we're getting it - and getting an almost realistic approach to what that would do to a child's psychology - we're upset that it's not... what? I think, personally, considering all of the death and destruction Dick has regularly been around since before he was Robin (with his parents) he's reacting to things exactly how most people would.

8. He's been left to protect Gotham. Batman's dipped, we don't know where Bruce is, and Dick is told to protect the city. The city he left. The role he never wanted. He called in his team. He YELLED at Bruce that he would never be Robin again (guys, this is huge! He's standing up for his own principles against someone who, in season one, he wanted the approval of so bad). His TEAM is his family.

I see a breakdown coming. I just think we all have to prepared for it to not be tears and crying and, instead, be anger. Anger is the only way these boys have been taught to deal with their bad emotions.

Or, who knows, Donna - who is a big sister figure to Dick - could show up and make him confront the things he's been refusing to confront.

Idk this is just my opinion and my read on things. What do I know? 😂

[speedsterredhead]

((Okay after rewatching Young Justice, I can finally better articulate my feelings on Titans Batman.

Titans Batman simply put, is not Batman. Much like in recent comic books he is an edge lord fascist twist on a good superhero. All nice things done to draw parallel to Adam West and Ben Affleck’s Batman interpretations, the only thing Batman is seems to be a fascist that actively seeks to make child soldiers. Something even in the comics he has never done outside of earths made of dark or anti matter. He also expects Dick to become the next Batman as to where in the comics though he would have preferred it, he allowed Dick to become his own person and even went as far as to find an alternate replacement. To be perfectly blunt, Titans takes and over exaggerates Bruce’s flaws as a parent while also erasing the vast majority of his virtues. What little times we do see his virtues only seems to try and shield Titans from perfectly relevant criticisms on how badly they hardly Bruce, and he is far from the only character they handle badly. As much as I love it, it really shows the bottom of the barrel of Executive Producer Greg Bertlanti. Perhaps he needs to read Batman’s peek characterization again instead of hailing the edgy, for good measure add the rest of the production team. Because doing it to Bruce is just a symptom. They have been doing it to Dick since season one. So maybe I shouldn’t be surprised there.

So how does Young Justice tie into this? Simple. Upon my rewatch I have remembered just why it is one of my favorite DC cartoons.

Aside from it’s focus on relationships between the characters and the perfect highlighting of how they are different in and out of costume, we see their flaws and their virtues highlighted.

Bruce is no exception. Seasons one and two heavily highlighted Batman’s flaws as a leader, but his virtues as a friend. Seasons one and three focused heavily on his flaws as a father, but also showed his virtues and that no matter what he truly does love his children. Even if he is not the best at showing it at times. We see him constantly called out for his flaws but never once praised for his virtues and both are placed well.

To be blunt, Titans seems incapable of doing such a thing. It shows flaw after flaw. And then makes a throw away parallel to either Adam West’s Batman or Ben Affleck’s Batman. That is then overlooked as everyone starts screaming about how much of a SOCIOPATH he is (we get it Titans, you hate Sociopaths but do not even know what the word actually means. It shows.). So yeah. That is why Titans Batman is irredeemable garbage and there is nothing they can do to salvage my opinion on the writing.))

[holyrobins-batman]

Robins fight - flashback, illusion or training?

So I was rewatching the Season 2 teaser yet again and I noticed something else. One of the first scenes is Dick and Jason punching each other in their Robin uniforms, and that’s what got me thinking.

As when can see, Dick is obviously wearing his Robin suit. But he burned that after the Asylum, so I have three theories:

FLASHBACK: this happened after episode 6 “Jason Todd” and before episode 7 “Asylum”, which makes pretty much no sense, for I believe there is no time for this, and we have no introduction to this place they are at.

ILLUSION: this is an illusion or hallucination Dick is experimenting while under Trigun “control” or influence. We saw it happened once, so I might happen again, it could explain the Robin suit still being used, and the violent way Dick is fighting Jason.

TRAINING: this was my first idea, but upon giving more thought it might not be training at all. If it is, it’s very intense training, and if it’s happening at the present time, it means Dick has a second Robin suit (a spare, because in the line of duty it might as well be too damaged for further use) and he decided to use it again, despite making it clear he wanted to move on from it.

This is it, finally haha Now I’m most inclined to believe it’s some sort of illusion, but let’s wait for Season 2 to air so we can find the truth!

[mejcinta]

Here's some not so coincidental moments in Dick and Kory's scenes this season that I found pretty interesting given that Greg Walker has said Dick and Kory are Mom and Dad of the Titans (team leads) and the romantic endgame of the show.

1. The Rude Awakening.

When the conflict for both characters unravels in season 1 they're both rudely awakened from their state of rest (sleep for Dick and consciousness for Kory) to realize that they have a problem on their hands: Bruce giving up Gotham and Blackfire getting to Kory. What's even more interesting is that these two scenes follow each other.

2. The Flying Graysons.

This was a deliberate scene. The Flying Graysons is a symbol for Dick Grayson's heart and soul. His innocence, his desire for family and his desire to be better. Dick gazes at this picture with longing and nostalgia when he returns to Gotham. Kory as well gazes at Dick's picture (heart and soul) with fascination, with a desire to know him and understand him better. This is also a moment of shared loss as both Dick and Kory have lost their parents, but from the way they look at the picture you can tell there's a need to build what was broken and take back the belief in family and love that was so rudely snatched from them. 😭😭😭

3. Leaving and Coming In.

VERY interesting that the writers chose to follow up the scene of Dick leaving Barbara's office with Kory entering his room, eh? I believe there's more to this picture than what it seems, especially because of the timing.

Barbara still is an embodiment of Dick's past no matter how you look at it and this season is about Dick rising above his past. Like I said before, the bedroom is like a symbol of Dick's vulnerability and his heart; the part he keeps secret.

But Kory is out here among his things, taking a closer look at what makes him tick, gazing at his Flying Graysons picture...while Barbara and Dick reserve their interactions to strictly professional as she deliberately blocks him from her heart. They're setting up Kory as being the more emotionally open one to Dick which is a sharp contrast to how Babs is locking him out. It's all very telling and very obvious at this point. All Dick and Kory need are more scenes together and we'll see. 😉

4. Parents.

When it comes to teaming up, Dick will take Kory with him despite of knowing about the friction between Hank and Dawn. Many people poked good fun at how they looked like parents in this shot but something else that needs your attention is that framed picture of a parent and his seemingly inter-racial son. Could it be a hint for Mar'i and Jake being on their way when Dickkory build a life together in the future when Rachel and Gar are a grown and off on their own?? 🥺🥺🥺 This is really quite something and it makes sense that it's a clue because the showrunners have said Dickkory are endgame.

It feels like a sneaky way of saying Dick and Kory are each other's futures and a new beginning; a new family. I'm honestly so stoked, and it'll be great if this is indeed a Mar'i and Jake Grayson reference. 💓💕

Nothing is a coincidence in media messaging, you mark my words. These are all very delightful clues to spot.

Don't be impatient with the pacing of the show. Slowburns take time. And you need time for characters to develop individually and emotionally, so that their getting together will feel earned, legitimate and appropriate.

[mejcinta]

This head bow and averting of the eyes in season 3:

.

.

...is reminding me so much of THIS similar gesture in season 1:

In both instances, Dick wants to do or say something ("Kory, wait!") but is holding it back due to situation of the moment.

He shoves aside his own thoughts or feelings in the moment to cater to who or whatever the situation should prioritize over himself.

In the Koriand'r episode of season 1, when Kory had just been from trying to kill Rachel in her altered state of mind, the situation called for Rachel to be protected and reassured, despite of Dick's deep belief that Kory was innocent and not as bad as Angela was painting her out to be.

"I want her out of my house!" Angela roared.

"Now, wait a minute," Dick protested weakly.

He didn't want to see Kory go. And in as much as he was forced to have Kory leave, he still went after her. But in that heated moment in the house he was holding himself back, wanting to do more but he couldn't.

In the same way in this season 3 clip, Dick appears unwilling to let Kory go. It's clear he wants to go with her, but she strokes his arm to tell him no.

Dick bows his head and stands aside. He's not happy, he's worried, but the situation calls for him to respect Kory's decision to do this on her own.

Whatever is happening in that scene, I'm sure it's going to be very exciting and maybe heartbreaking to watch.

I don't know. But I'm loving the consistency and strings we can tie to Dick and Kory's dynamic in season 1.

Maybe I'm overthinking but, hey 🤷

[mejcinta]

Dick's flaw was in thinking he's fully independent from Bruce.

Jason's flaw was in thinking he's fully dependent on Bruce.

When you watch these two men's opposing perspectives in season 1 episode 6, you can understand why they are where they are at now in season 3.

Dick always saw the worst in Bruce but now sees differently as he himself is in a fatherly/leadership position.

Jason on the other hand saw the best in Bruce (even in the bad things like putting a tracker in his arm). He worshipped the man, he feared being abandoned just like he'd been by his uncle and the foster care system.

The two men are opposed to each other when really they could learn a thing or two from each other.

Jason needs to accept he can be independent from Bruce, like Dick, in order to heal, develop and thrive. To start something of his own while keeping his mind and health intact.

Dick needs to accept he can still lean on Bruce for counsel on how to navigate the world of leadership, and steering the young ones in his care in the right direction; sometimes with affection, other times with tough love.

[mejcinta]

Can I just say that this scene is beautiful and the dialogue cleverly and sneakily woven together to foreshadow the turn Dick's romantic life is going to take? I have to actually thank Barbara for keeping a level head throughout and being open to reality, as our boy Dick wasn't that clear-minded and was this close to switching to his old self. Phew!

Analysis:

*You okay?* (She’s noticed how Dick is basically dangling a carrot at her. Wanting to stay.)

*Yeah, I’m good.* (No he isn’t. He’s screaming to be taken by her.) 🤦 It's so obvious, it hurts, lol. Dick is definitely the one more invested in their past relationship.

*I should probably go.* (Dick realizes he’s being inappropriate, breaching their deal to keep things professional. Also, this is him acknowledging whatever little change he’s underwent since leaving his life as Robin and nurturing the Titans for 6 months. I loved that he did this. That he paused to respect himself and Barbara and the deal they'd made 6 years ago after breaking up.)

*Right.* (Barbara’s disappointed, because she's human of course, but also she's not opposed to the reality that things have changed; and Dick is a different man now, with a different emotional obligations and responsibilities to others in his new life as the head of the Titans ‘family’. Kind of felt sorry for her. She seems to be just as good at communicating her true feelings/opinions as Bruce.)

*It’s late.* (He’s trying to excuse why he’s turning her down. That it’s not in bad taste. But Dick inwardly knows what this conversation and his previous comment signals: that things truly have changed between him and Barbara. And that they’re not exactly sure about where they stand at the moment.)

*It is.* (Barbara swallows this reality. She’s not referring to the time, but their relationship and that they can’t take things back to how they used to be, regardless of the residual feelings they have for each other. She’s letting Dick go in a sense. The bittersweet reality has set in and she’d rather keep things that way because she’s the more logical and realistic one between them. Dick still wants to hold on to the shadow of their past, all he needs is her signal. But Barbara can’t perceive a future. At least not for now. She puts out the flame of hope and lets him go, empty. It’s appropriate to her at the time.)