Teen Titans

[Enchantress]

Anyone.....anyone.... Bueller?....Bueller???


Ok, I gotta admit, get past the corny theme song....*which someone in this house sings every time it comes on, and it isn't me!*

The last seasons episodes were great. I loved seeing Aqua Lad and Speedy and getting Terra as part of the team.
I think my favorite episode last season was Robin's Prom Date from hell.
and I just LOVE Beast Boy!

What about you guys?

[GlennWalker]

The wife and I sing along with the theme song every time we watch. We even know the Japanese lyrics. One night at karoke, Jenn sang it to the tune of "Secret Agent Man." Isn't it scary how similar the two songs are?

Hmmm. Maybe we should get some therapy.

Glenn

[Spiderbob]

I thoroughly enjoy the TT cartoon. Tis one of mi faves. Supposedly(sp?) they have the series planned out all the way to season 4. I'm still waiting for the final episodes of season 2. Slade is just a kick butt villian and this waiting is killing me. So, yeah, that's my rant for the day.

[The Truth]

Cyborg talking to Robin near the end of the Contest of Champions is undoubtedly my favorite TT moment. In case others haven't seen it I won't talk about it outright, but Cyborg simply says one line in such a way that cracks me up every time.

On the issue of Speedy, Terra, and Aqualad....yeah. Seeing them about is rather nice. But like I told someone else....I still wanna see Wonder Girl show up so she and Starfire can kick the tar out of one another.

[Local Hero]

Along with the news about Batman and Krypto, Warner also announced a total of 52 episodes of Teen Titans will air on Cartoon Network and Kids' WB! through 2005, with Season 3 set to launch in mid-September.

[Local Hero]

For our US CUers, Cartoon Network will also start airing new episodes of Teen Titans on Saturday, July 31 at 8 p.m (ET). The episode airing that night is "Betrayal."

[The Mighty Thor]

Finally!!!....I've been saying all along they should air Teen Titans and Justice League in an hour long DC Comics bananza. Now all they have to do is start playing the older Superman and Batman cartoons again, and we could have two full hours of animated DC goodness.

I don't understand why they don't play the older episodes anymore. It seems they are fixated on nothing but anime. Now don't get me wrong, anime is fine in reasonable doses. But Cartoon Network has been force feeding it to us here lately. I won't even turn CN on after 10pm on Saturday nights anymore, because I know I won't be seeing anything but anime. Ahh well, like all fads, this too shall pass.

[Enchantress]

Anyone heard any good spoilers about next season?

I'm waiting impatiently!

[The Mighty Thor]

As reported by <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.comicscontinuum.com">www.comicscontinuum.com</a><!-- w -->

Cartoon Network has provided The Continuum with air dates and synopses of upcoming episodes of Teen Titans, which will air Saturdays at 8 pm(ET/PT). The new episodes of Teen Titans air Saturdays at 8 pm(ET, PT), beginning Aug. 7.

Saturday, Aug. 7: "Fractured"

[spoiler]When Robin accidentally wrecks the R-Cycle while pursuing a nasty thug named Johnny Rancid, he winds up with his arm in a cast. Lucky for Robin, he gets a helpful visit from his Number One Fan: a short little weirdo from another dimension known as Larry the Titan. But Larry's reality-bending powers cause more problems than they fix.

Johnny Rancid's voice is done by Henry Rollins.[/spoiler]

Saturday, Aug. 14: "Aftershock, Part 1"

[spoiler]A long lost friend of the Titans returns and Slade orders Overload, Cinderblock and Plasmus to launch a series of sinister strikes all over the city.[/spoiler]

Saturday, Aug. 21: "Aftershock, Part 2"

[spoiler]In a world without Titans, Slade has taken control of everything: the streets, the city, and the heart of his young apprentice.[/spoiler]

Sunday, Aug. 28: "Deception"

[spoiler]School is back in session at the Hive Academy, and Gizmo, Jinx and Mammoth are up to something. To find out what, the Teen Titans send Cyborg on a daring undercover mission to infiltrate the academy and blend in as one of their own. Using a holographic cloaking device, Cyborg creates the appearance that he is fully human and takes on the persona of "Stone," a tough transfer student who can change into a powerful creature of solid rock.[/spoiler]

[Enchantress]

Ok, the first of the new episodes aired last night and I was very happy with it.
I'll post in spoilers..

[spoiler]I love Beast Boy, but damn! Terra just went and broke the poor guys heart! I think overall the episode was good, it did have a few moments that lagged that had you wishing they'd get back to the action that was going on over at Titan's Tower. [/spoiler]

[The Truth]

Here here. I also found certain points of last nights episode to be rather lacking, but I did love the scene with...

[spoiler]Beast Boy talking about how that was the greatest pie in the history of pie. Also, while I love the fact that Slade now has an apprentice.....Terra just doesn't do it for me. She seems a bit to powerful to be subjegated to that role. Now...if the writers would only introduce a "spoiler" of their own to fill the role.....[/spoiler]

[The Truth]

Well well well. Now I find myself at a crossroads. On the one hand, I love the show the way it is, mixing comedic epidsodes with more serious ones and having a slightly anime cartoon feel throughout. But after these last few episodes....especially Aftershock parts one and two, I really don't know if I want the show to stay it's present course or take a turn towards JLU and become more serious.

If it stays the same, I know I won't be disappointed by anything they do. But if they make it a bit more mature....then one could only imagine the stories that could be told.

[Enchantress]

I rather enjoyed Aftershock Part 2. I didn't get to see Part one but I gathered the gist of it from the last episode.
Anyway, I could see TT taking a serious turn, it would definately be interesting. But, considering this is supposed to be for the kids, I doubt it will happen.

[Spiderbob]

Quote:Well well well. Now I find myself at a crossroads. On the one hand, I love the show the way it is, mixing comedic epidsodes with more serious ones and having a slightly anime cartoon feel throughout. But after these last few episodes....especially Aftershock parts one and two, I really don't know if I want the show to stay it's present course or take a turn towards JLU and become more serious.

If it stays the same, I know I won't be disappointed by anything they do. But if they make it a bit more mature....then one could only imagine the stories that could be told.

- The Truth

Well, hopefully this will answer your question, Truth. Robin's talk on the line between good and evil sure seemed pretty mature. Very nice.

Anyways...

Season 3 Episode Listing w/ spoiler summaries.

[spoiler]Episode #27 - Deception
Original Airdate - August 28th, 2004 - Third Season Premiere

School's back in session at the HIVE Academy, and Gizmo, Jinx and Mammoth are up to something. To find out what, the Titans send Cyborg on a daring undercover mission to infiltrate the academy and blend in as one of their own.

Episode #28 - X
Original Airdate - September 4th, 2004

When the Titans track down the culprit in a string of recent robberies, our heroes are shocked to find themselves facing a foe they thought they'd never see again: Robin's evil alter-ego: the mysterious Red X. Is Robin to blame for Red X's crimes?

Episode #29 - Betrothed
Original Airdate -

The Teen Titans take a road trip to Starfire's home planet, Tamaran. But this is no ordinary visit: The Grand Ruler of Tamaran has arranged for Starfire to be marrie! The Titans try to go along with the strange ways of Starfire's home world, but Robin has a hard time believing that Starfire really wants to marry someone she's never even met.

Episode #30 - Crash
Original Airdate -

When Beast Boy mistakes Cyborg's system recharger for a video game system, he accidentally infects it with a nasty computer virus. The virus quickly spreads to Cyborg himself, causing the half-teen-half-machine to go haywire. The only way to stop the virus is to shrink down to microscopic size and go on a fantastic voyage inside Cyborg.

Episode #31 - Haunted
Original Airdate -

Ever since the Titans' final confrontation with Slade, Robin has been haunted by one question: is Slade really gone? When Cinderblock breaks out of jail, Robin finally gets his answer: he sees Slade. Robin goes after him, fiercely determined to stop his nemesis once and for all.

Episode #32 - Spellbound
Original Airdate -

There's no one else quite like Raven: dark, somber and undeniably creepy. Even with four friends around her, Raven still manages to feel alone in Titans Tower...until she discovers a charming young wizard named Malchior trapped inside one of her ancient books.

Episode #33 - Revolution
Original Airdate -

The Titans Fourth of July festivities are cut short when Mad Mod crashes the party, declaring the American Revolution a hoax and reclaiming the city for Jolly Old England. If that wasn't enough, old Mod uses his high-tech cane to steal Robin's youth, making "King Moddie" young again, while Robin turns into a withered, dried-up old man.

Episode #34 - Wavelength
Original Airdate -

Brother Blood is back. And this time, it's personal. Cyborg learns that Blood stole his blueprints - and the villain is using Cy's technology to create a doomsday device. Can Cyborg take charge of the team and lead a mission to stop his arch-enemy? Or will he even get the chance?

Episode #35 - The Beast Within
Original Airdate -

When Beast Boy begisn turning into an angr and aggressive Man-Beast against his will, can the Titans save themselves from their savage friend?

Episode #36 - Can I Keep Him?
Original Airdate -

Starfire adopts a weird mutant silkworm named "Silkie" as a pet. When when she feeds him some alien food from Tamaran, Silkie has an unexpected - and monstrous - growth spurt. Can Starfire still keep her beloved worm?

Episode #37 - Bunny Raven
Original Airdate -

The Amazing Mumbo is up to his old tricks. When the Titans try to stop the madcap magician in mid-performance, Mumbo pulls a fast one. With a wave of his wand, he sucks the Titans into his hat...where our heroes discover a strange, magical world of weirdness.

Episode #38 - Titans East, Part 1
Original Airdate -

The final showdown between Cyborg and Brother Blood culminates in the creation of a new branch of the Titans team. Titans East includes a new tower in a new city with five new members: Aqualad, Bumblebee, Speedy and a pair of high-speed twins known as Mas Y Menos.

Episode #39 - Titans East, Part 2
Original Airdate - - Third Season Finale

The final showdown between Cyborg and Brother Blood culminates in the creation of a new branch of the Titans team. Titans East includes a new tower in a new city with five new members: Aqualad, Bumblebee, Speedy and a pair of high-speed twins known as Mas Y Menos. [/spoiler]

Sorry I'm two episodes late. This show is just...AWESOME!!!
Too bad the DVD coming out only has the first six episodes instead of a box set of the entire first season. Oh well, I'm getting it anyways.

[The Mighty Thor]

This weeks episode saw the return of Malcolm McDowell as the villainous Brit, Mad Mod. And I must say that I liked this episode even more than I did the original Mod episode.

The black and white London backgrounds was a wonderful idea, as were the almost constant British Pop Culture referances. The Monty Python bits were an especially nice touch. This show continues to get better and better with a nice mix of heavy comedy and serious drama.

The only thing that could make this show better would be if they took the time to delve into the character's personal lives a bit more, and stretched those themes over multiple episodes. Although I believe Titans is still geared towards the younger demographic, so I doubt it will ever get that complex. Which is ok really, considering I love the show anyway.

[Spiderbob]

I wish Beast Boy wasn't back to his stupid self. He had such potential in Betrayel and Aftershock, acting mature in serious situations and actually kicking butt with his powers and having a real mastery on them. Now he's just the comic relief guy again and is actually a lot more brainless than he was before. Shame such potential has been squashed. Really my only major quibble. Awesome show. Love Slade and Robin in Haunted. Go Titans.

[GlennWalker]

Gotta agree with Thor, I just saw and loved the return appearance of Mad Mod in "Revolution."

I do wonder about the demographic though... who is watching this show? Do the kids really get any of the Brit references in those two episodes? I'm not complaining, mind you, I look forward to another Mad Mod showdown - I just wonder who those episodes are for... If it's me, bullseye. I was drooling for a re-watching of Yellow Submarine and old Monty Python shows.

Also, props to the producers for creatively rebooting what was a lame, dated 1960s villain into the animated version of Mad Mod. Sheesh, I can remember a time when Mad Mod was mentioned in the same breath as Prez and Brother Power the Geek as DC characters who would never see the light of the comic page again.

Glenn Walker

[The Truth]

Well...it's finally happened. I've fallen in love with this show all over again. No offense to anyone here....but if you somehow managed to miss "Titans East: Part 1" then you should just go throw yourself off the nearest cliff because you have missed the best pre-theme song sequence Evar!!

EVAR!!!!

But before I get ahead of myself, Let's discuss "Bunny Raven". When my little bro first told me the premise of this episode, I was a bit underwhelmed, but after witnessing the execution I must say I was very amused, and impressed with it overall. In hopes of not giving to much away, Mumbo Jumbo has shown to have quite a pit of potential. He impressed me in so many ways....

But now back to "Titans East: P1"....... EVAR!! Sorry. Just had to get that out of my system. If nothing else, this episode will please many people just by bringing back past fan favorites Speedy, Aqualad, and Bumblebee. Not to mention the newest Titans, Mas y Menos (Plus and Minsus). To paraphrase Aqualad..."They're small, from Guatemala, and they only speak Spanish. Oh... and they move really really fast, but only when they're touching." I'm quite sure that they've become my friend's new favorites, not only because of the Spanish thing, but also because he's convinced they swore at one point in the show.

The team interaction of Titans East is intertaining enough, but when you add in the return of Cyborg's honorary Arch-Nemisis, and the way the show itself ended, you have an episode which appears to have as much potential as Aftershock parts 1 and 2.

Anyone else manage to catch either of these two episodes?

[The Mighty Thor]

I caught some of the first half, but am sorry to say I missed the opening sequence. It was a great episode though.

The second half, which I saw all of, was superb and the two together do rank as some of the best Titans episodes in its 3 year history.

[GlennWalker]

I have the first half of "Titans East" and "Bunny Raven" on tape so haven't seen them yet. We did get to see part two of "Titans East" however. The bride found Mas y Menos hysterical. She kept calling them the Spanish Wonder Twins on too much caffeine!

Glenn Walker

[Spiderbob]

Ugh. Looks like I'm on the opposite end again. I was VERY dissappointed with Titans East Part 1 and 2. In my mind, Brother Blood has not been executed properly. His character is flat, his plans are unoriganl and illogical, his 'relationship' with Cyborg is no where near as well written as Robin's and Slades. In short, he's a second rate imitation of Slade. We aren't seeing anything that we haven't seen before.
I found part one rather dull and, again, done before. Part two, while the fight scenes were as good as usual, still fell short of redeeming this finale and even shorter of matching the calibar of 'Apprentice' and 'Aftershock'. I found it unrealistic that Cyborg would just up and leave his friends so easily and even more hard to swallow that neither him nor Robin in their arguement brought up the fact that they were BEST FRIENDS!! The other four Titans miss him as a friend, but nothing of the sort is mentioned between the two. And in the end, I found the twins more annoying than amusing.
So far, Season Three as been the runt of the bunch. I've got big expectations for season four. Focusses on Raven and we'll be seeing the reappearance of Trigon, who appears to be our main villian this coming season.
So yeah, to me, 'Titans East' was okay, but fell short of reaching its full potential and joining the ranks of 'Apprentice' 'After Shock' and 'How Long is Forever?' as my favorite episodes.

[GlennWalker]

Spiderbob, maybe you're missing the point with Brother Blood, just as the producers have. Blood is a character that can not be translated to the world of prime time animation which is unfortunately considered the realm of children. Religion, of any type or stripe, is a big no-no. Brother Blood should never have even been considered for the "Teen Titans" cartoon. Why the producers even tried to adapt the concept is a mystery to me.

Glenn Walker

[Spiderbob]

Again, I'm going to have to disagree. I have no problem with religion playing a part in cartoons, so long as it doesn't turn the show into a thirty minute preaching and try and convert its viewers. The old X-Men cartoon had an episode with Nightcrawler that was very religious orinated, even had Logan praying in a church at the end, a scene I really liked and still do.
The producers of the show decided to alter Blood from what he is in the comics, which again, I have no problem with, so long as it's done well. Many shows and comics have alternated original characters and made them just as likeable.
What I DON'T like is the way they used Blood. The way they portrayed him in the show. They mirrored him after Slade, tried to make him another major baddie who had a personal relationship with one of our heroes, in this case, Cyborg. They tried to copy what Slade and Robin had with Blood and Cyborg, and to me, they failed miserabley. Blood was, at best, a second rate reflection that could never hope to match Slade.
Heck, I started hating him at the begining. When Cyborg infiltrates the school, Blood goes up to him and says (paraphrasing)
"So, you think your pretty clever don't you? You think your so clever that you can sneak into my school, mingle with my students, and then humilate them in a crushing defeat. Well, let me tell you something, you're not clever, YOU'RE BRILLIANT!!"
Right then and there I was like WTH!?! Slade would have kicked his ass for infiltraing the school or interogated him very throughly. Heck, Slade would never have allowed his school to be snuck into. He would have seen Cyborg coming a mile away, just as he knew Robin was Red X. But instead, Blood CONGRATULATES him on breaking into his school and making his students, not to mention security, look like fools, and then lets him wander around unsupervised and unchecked.
Later on, when Blood attacks Titans East Tower he breaks in with his minions after hacking the security system and battles the New Titans. Then he gets TROUNCED and HUMILIATED. But he only does so to keep Cyborg's attention away from his trap, that he's controlling the other Titans. Now compare that to Slade. Slade set up an elaborate scheme where Titans Tower is almost sunk and discretely makes Terra saving the Tower as the only counter to the assualt. This gains the Titans trust on Terra and Slade has successfully put a spy amongst the Titans and they're none the wiser. So, Slade cleverly put a spy in the ranks and put his plan into action while Blood humilated himself to put plan into action. For pete's sake, he looked like this!!!
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/teentitans/episodes/titanseastpt1/28.jpg">http://wf.toonzone.net/WF/teentitans/ep ... pt1/28.jpg</a><!-- m -->
There is NO WAY you can take him seriously. None. Slade, or any other respectable villian, would NEVER be caught DEAD looking like that or humilating themselves to such an extent. It's pathetic!! Blood's pathetic!
And then, his big plan at the end was to mentally control everybody and start an ultimate school of villians... If they're being controlled, and he has the power to controll such a large population, why the h. does he need to create a school?!? There's no point. Just take over the stupid city.
I just hated how he portrayed and saw season three as a big let down compared to the other two seasons.
However, so far, season four has been good and this Saturday's episode looks like it'll give Haunted a run for it's money. So I'm content.

[Enchantress]

I'm going to interject here, and Glenn can correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the point he was trying to make is that religion and cartoons don't mix. They are, afterall, cartoons. Teen Titans is aimed at a 8-10 year old age range. Can you honestly debate religion with someone in that age bracket, or even properly explain it to them in a 30 minute time frame?

Most companies steer clear of mixing religion with cartoons. Not only to you have parents to contend with...and not everyone is the same religion, so you have to worry about offending someone, you also have potential lawsuits to worry about from people who feel you are violating their constitutional rights. (Trust me, someone would try it! Hell, some guy sued McDonald's for serving hot coffee and won.)

[DarkKnight430]

I must say I agree with Enchantress on this one. Although I have personal religious beliefs, I believe it is up to the parents to instruct their children in what they consider right and wrong. I believe parents should have control over their children's lives, but I also believe there is a point when a parent should [i]teach[\i] their children right and wrong and allow them to learn. Although there are certain aspects of some caroons that have religious overtones too deep to be understood by a child, not everything is about religion.

I feel myself making this a deeper point than I had intended to.

(Restate thesis here)
I agree with Enchantress on this one.