This is a spoiler-free review of the first three episodes of Titans season three, which premiere on HBO Max on Aug. 12.
Remember Titans? DC Universe's flagship R-rated Teen Titans reimagining that's probably best known for its first SDCC trailer which featured Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) saying "F*ck Batman"? Well, it's back and it's one of the best shows that HBO Max has to offer.
A great first season on DC Universe introduced us to the titular heroes, including Dick, Raven (Teagan Croft), Beast Boy (Ryan Potter), Starfire (Anna Diop), Jason (Curran Walters), Hawk (Alan Ritchson), Dove (Minka Kelly), and later Donna Troy (Conor Leslie). It also brought us a darker and more adult tone that fit the world of the heroes who'd aged out of the first iteration of the Teen Titans. That's key here, because the show follows two generations of heroes: Dick, Hawk, and Dove, who are reeling from a tragedy that destroyed the first Titans team; and then newer heroes like Beast Boy, Raven, Jason, and Starfire, who's a mature heroine in her own right, but is also an alien who's new to Earth.
IGN's Jesse Schedeen gave the finale of season two a 6/10 and wrote that, despite billing itself as an emsemble superhero series, it's at its best when it focuses on Dick Grayson. "Dick's debut as Nightwing and reconciliation with Bruce Wayne caps off a well-realized journey in season two," Schedeen went on. "Sadly, the finale can't do justice to most of the rest of its cast."
The second season widened the scope and cast of the show to include iconic DC characters like Deathstroke, Superboy (Joshua Orpin), Jericho, and Blackfire. It arguably featured the best representation of Superman lore we've seen yet in its Conner Kent episode, and like the first season, it delved into the impact of being a child superhero.
Season three follows that thread by adapting one of the most famous Batman arcs of all time, which we won't name here for spoiler reasons. But like its source material, the first three episodes of the season are heavily invested in the relationship between Batman and his Robins. Season two ended with the death of Donna Troy, while Dick took on the mantle of Nightwing and Jason fled San Francisco. It's revealed as we enter the first episode of season three that Jason returned to Gotham and the mantle of Robin, which leads to the Titans heading there too.
The first three episodes of the season are some of Titans’ most effective and engaging yet. While the series continues directly from the events of last season, it also works as a soft jumping-on point for new viewers. It's a really smart move that doesn't feel jarring or forced, but does offer up an easy way for HBO Max subscribers to start watching the new episodes without feeling like they have to catch up with two dense seasons.
Obviously, there's a lot to gain from knowing the characters and their backstories, but the opening episodes of season three feel like a solid, almost standalone crime story. Not only does Dick get to team up with Barbara Gordon (Savannah Welch) to reckon with a new threat to Gotham, but they're given some Hannibal-esque help by an iconic Batman rogue.
The first three episodes of the season are some of Titans’ most effective and engaging yet.
If you're not a huge fan of shiny superhero costumes, then rejoice because in its new guise, Titans is far more concerned with the human side of the heroes. We do get plenty of reminders that we're in Gotham, of course, but the glimpses of the characters in costumes are rare. It's a way to build the world out for those who might not be big superhero heads and also doesn't take away from its power for fans who love that kind of thing. We know these heroes have lives under the cowl and this season leans into that in a way that works.
For those who haven't read a ton of Batman comics, there are plenty of surprises on the way. If you recognize the name "Red Hood," then you'll likely just enjoy the serious and dramatic take that reflects the reputation of the story that Titans season three is adapting.
Thwaites still shines as Dick Grayson. He's a stalwart leader, hiding his trauma and sadness under a mask of complete and utter control. Walters does a sterling job playing a quickly unravelling Jason who feels just like his comic book counterpart. Kelly and Ritchson are great as always, playing the Titans' surrogate dysfunctional parents as Hawk and Dove. Diop gives another masterful performance as her Starfire traverses a terrifying journey of self-discovery. Potter and Orpin are the best comedy relief, the sweetest boys you could wish for. And newcomer Welch is a surprisingly severe and moving addition as Gotham's new Commissioner Barbara Gordon.
Titans has always had surprisingly good fight choreography that stands -- and high kicks -- above other live-action DC TV shows like those from the Arrowverse. But this season exceeds those we've seen before. While there are far more dramatic things for the team to worry about than actually fighting crime, we get a few standout action sequences, including a particularly fun one that opens the first episode. Dick's new Nightwing fighting style is really cool to watch, and the fact that the team took the time to change and evolve shows the kind of thought and detail that goes into the show. Also, big shout out to the costuming team for doing Starfire justice so far with a series of wicked outfits that fit her stylish origins.
While the central story that drives season three of Titans is a thrilling family drama, fans of the younger members of the Titans might be slightly disappointed, as this is very much the Robins’ story. Hawk and Dove play large roles in the opening episodes. Conner gets a couple of key moments. Starfire shines as she tries to deal with some scary new struggles. But Gar is unquestionably more of a backup character, and Raven is nowhere to be seen. That matches up with the end of season two and the story that the new chapters are trying to tell. Still, it does feel like a shift towards an older audience, perhaps one that DC is hoping will become fans of the show now that it's an HBO Max original.
Continue reading...
Remember Titans? DC Universe's flagship R-rated Teen Titans reimagining that's probably best known for its first SDCC trailer which featured Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) saying "F*ck Batman"? Well, it's back and it's one of the best shows that HBO Max has to offer.
A great first season on DC Universe introduced us to the titular heroes, including Dick, Raven (Teagan Croft), Beast Boy (Ryan Potter), Starfire (Anna Diop), Jason (Curran Walters), Hawk (Alan Ritchson), Dove (Minka Kelly), and later Donna Troy (Conor Leslie). It also brought us a darker and more adult tone that fit the world of the heroes who'd aged out of the first iteration of the Teen Titans. That's key here, because the show follows two generations of heroes: Dick, Hawk, and Dove, who are reeling from a tragedy that destroyed the first Titans team; and then newer heroes like Beast Boy, Raven, Jason, and Starfire, who's a mature heroine in her own right, but is also an alien who's new to Earth.
What We Said About Titans' Season Two Finale
IGN's Jesse Schedeen gave the finale of season two a 6/10 and wrote that, despite billing itself as an emsemble superhero series, it's at its best when it focuses on Dick Grayson. "Dick's debut as Nightwing and reconciliation with Bruce Wayne caps off a well-realized journey in season two," Schedeen went on. "Sadly, the finale can't do justice to most of the rest of its cast."
The second season widened the scope and cast of the show to include iconic DC characters like Deathstroke, Superboy (Joshua Orpin), Jericho, and Blackfire. It arguably featured the best representation of Superman lore we've seen yet in its Conner Kent episode, and like the first season, it delved into the impact of being a child superhero.
Season three follows that thread by adapting one of the most famous Batman arcs of all time, which we won't name here for spoiler reasons. But like its source material, the first three episodes of the season are heavily invested in the relationship between Batman and his Robins. Season two ended with the death of Donna Troy, while Dick took on the mantle of Nightwing and Jason fled San Francisco. It's revealed as we enter the first episode of season three that Jason returned to Gotham and the mantle of Robin, which leads to the Titans heading there too.
The first three episodes of the season are some of Titans’ most effective and engaging yet. While the series continues directly from the events of last season, it also works as a soft jumping-on point for new viewers. It's a really smart move that doesn't feel jarring or forced, but does offer up an easy way for HBO Max subscribers to start watching the new episodes without feeling like they have to catch up with two dense seasons.
Obviously, there's a lot to gain from knowing the characters and their backstories, but the opening episodes of season three feel like a solid, almost standalone crime story. Not only does Dick get to team up with Barbara Gordon (Savannah Welch) to reckon with a new threat to Gotham, but they're given some Hannibal-esque help by an iconic Batman rogue.
The first three episodes of the season are some of Titans’ most effective and engaging yet.
If you're not a huge fan of shiny superhero costumes, then rejoice because in its new guise, Titans is far more concerned with the human side of the heroes. We do get plenty of reminders that we're in Gotham, of course, but the glimpses of the characters in costumes are rare. It's a way to build the world out for those who might not be big superhero heads and also doesn't take away from its power for fans who love that kind of thing. We know these heroes have lives under the cowl and this season leans into that in a way that works.
For those who haven't read a ton of Batman comics, there are plenty of surprises on the way. If you recognize the name "Red Hood," then you'll likely just enjoy the serious and dramatic take that reflects the reputation of the story that Titans season three is adapting.
Thwaites still shines as Dick Grayson. He's a stalwart leader, hiding his trauma and sadness under a mask of complete and utter control. Walters does a sterling job playing a quickly unravelling Jason who feels just like his comic book counterpart. Kelly and Ritchson are great as always, playing the Titans' surrogate dysfunctional parents as Hawk and Dove. Diop gives another masterful performance as her Starfire traverses a terrifying journey of self-discovery. Potter and Orpin are the best comedy relief, the sweetest boys you could wish for. And newcomer Welch is a surprisingly severe and moving addition as Gotham's new Commissioner Barbara Gordon.
Titans has always had surprisingly good fight choreography that stands -- and high kicks -- above other live-action DC TV shows like those from the Arrowverse. But this season exceeds those we've seen before. While there are far more dramatic things for the team to worry about than actually fighting crime, we get a few standout action sequences, including a particularly fun one that opens the first episode. Dick's new Nightwing fighting style is really cool to watch, and the fact that the team took the time to change and evolve shows the kind of thought and detail that goes into the show. Also, big shout out to the costuming team for doing Starfire justice so far with a series of wicked outfits that fit her stylish origins.
While the central story that drives season three of Titans is a thrilling family drama, fans of the younger members of the Titans might be slightly disappointed, as this is very much the Robins’ story. Hawk and Dove play large roles in the opening episodes. Conner gets a couple of key moments. Starfire shines as she tries to deal with some scary new struggles. But Gar is unquestionably more of a backup character, and Raven is nowhere to be seen. That matches up with the end of season two and the story that the new chapters are trying to tell. Still, it does feel like a shift towards an older audience, perhaps one that DC is hoping will become fans of the show now that it's an HBO Max original.
Continue reading...