Review -- Teen Titans, "Birthmark"
For everyone who knows me, you must have seen it coming. Considering my infatuation with Teen Titans, was there any doubt I would use my shiny new blog to talk about them? Well, there might have been hope among some of you. I'm going to spare you the synopsis of the episode and move straight to my feelings about it, highlighting certain parts of the show where need be. I've read comments on forums about this ep, and they make me think. Just keep in mind that I'm a very forgiving critic. On to the show!
So far, season 4 is off to a brilliant start. Spoof-tacular hilarity in "Episode 257-494," all the Titans dressed as Robin in "The Quest," and now, "Birthmark," where the light starts to fade. This, the third episode shown so far in season 4, kicks off the main story arc centering around Raven. It also has the return of Slade. After seeing the preview for this episode, I knew what was going on. Slade, who had been killed in a pit of lava by Terra in season 2, had been resurrected into the service of Trigon. The show only hinted at it, but all the pieces fit. Controling hellfire is a pretty big hint, anyway.
Now that Slade is badder than ever, Ron Perlman has kicked it up a notch, too. Before, Slade was calculating, cool, and rutless. Now, he's twisted, and wonderfully creepy. I daresay his lines had a certain joy. When he described Raven's helplessness, I could feel him smiling behind that mask. That was part of why this episode was so heavy. Evil was having the time of its life.
We also discover, much to Raven's own surpise, that she can stop time for a whole city. Seeing as how this came out of nowhere, I have the suspicion that this newfound well of power will play a crucial role in her salvation. And yes, she will be saved, somehow. Considering that she's probably the most popular Titan, I don't see how they could greenlight a fifth season without Raven on the team. At least, that's what I dearly hope.
I wasn't sure what the writers were going to do in this episode regarding the other Titans, so it surprised me to find that they had elected Robin as the only friend at Raven's side after time had stopped. I'm sure many a RobRae 'shipper wore out their VCRs rewinding this episode, especially when Raven runs back to save Robin, crying out his name in worry. Putting all that aside, I think having Robin was a good call. After all, they have a lot in common. Both are serious people, both are secretive, and both have bird names. More importantly, as the only one among the Titans who tries to understand Raven, I think this makes him the closest she has to a confidante. And as her leader, the closest she has to a parent. Besides, I'm a BBRae 'shipper (though RobRae could work, if not for Starfire).
This episode was another landmark in that we see a church. Raven and Robin hide in it, but as Raven looks up at the stained glass, guilt floods her and she tells Robin about her birth. The image of a holy place bringing a kind of confession from Raven was not lost on me. My only qualm is that she doesn't explain as much as I had hoped. Considering that there will be four more story episodes, though, I can live with it.
This episode was by far the darkest I've seen Teen Titans get. Not Spawn dark, of course. It is a kids' show. But watching as Slade puts his head back in its place (replete with the sounds of snapping vertebrae) after a brutal attack by Robin tells you that this time, things are different. This time, we're not going to beat up the little kiddies. We're sicking a demon on a very unfortunate girl's soul.
The episode hardly ended on a hopeful note, either. Although the Titans tried to lighten the mood with a birthday party for Raven, she knew things were only beginning. Even more troubling was Slade's report to his master (we assume Trigon) that Raven "knows what she must do." I found it hard not to smile during this episode, but I felt guilty at the same time considering what was happening. This is going to be a wicked season, and I mean that in both ways.
10/10
Highlights:
-In the intro fight with Dr. Light- Raven: "If you're going to steal something, do it where we can't see you from our living room." (zoom to Titans Tower behind them)
-In the intro fight with Dr. Light- Raven: (facing Dr. Light as in Nevermore "Remember me?" Dr. Light: (to other Titans) "I'd like to go to jail now."
-Having a Beast-Boy pinata at Raven's surprise birthday party.
-Robin talking about the bond he has with Raven because of what happened in "Haunted."
-Slade calling Robin's threat precious.
-Cyborg swinging an enormous steel column at Slade only to have Slade stand still and still melt it in half with hellfire.
-After above attack: Cyborg: "Whoa." Slade: "Whoa? That's it? No clever comment? I was looking forward to that."
-Slade 'fixing himself' after Robin's attack.
-Raven slamming two buildings together to stop Slade.
-Raven's uniform ripping down to little more than a bikini and her hair growing long. (Did I mention I'm a Raven fan?) In the show's defense, it did give Raven the feel of someone being prepared for sacrifice.
So far, season 4 is off to a brilliant start. Spoof-tacular hilarity in "Episode 257-494," all the Titans dressed as Robin in "The Quest," and now, "Birthmark," where the light starts to fade. This, the third episode shown so far in season 4, kicks off the main story arc centering around Raven. It also has the return of Slade. After seeing the preview for this episode, I knew what was going on. Slade, who had been killed in a pit of lava by Terra in season 2, had been resurrected into the service of Trigon. The show only hinted at it, but all the pieces fit. Controling hellfire is a pretty big hint, anyway.
Now that Slade is badder than ever, Ron Perlman has kicked it up a notch, too. Before, Slade was calculating, cool, and rutless. Now, he's twisted, and wonderfully creepy. I daresay his lines had a certain joy. When he described Raven's helplessness, I could feel him smiling behind that mask. That was part of why this episode was so heavy. Evil was having the time of its life.
We also discover, much to Raven's own surpise, that she can stop time for a whole city. Seeing as how this came out of nowhere, I have the suspicion that this newfound well of power will play a crucial role in her salvation. And yes, she will be saved, somehow. Considering that she's probably the most popular Titan, I don't see how they could greenlight a fifth season without Raven on the team. At least, that's what I dearly hope.
I wasn't sure what the writers were going to do in this episode regarding the other Titans, so it surprised me to find that they had elected Robin as the only friend at Raven's side after time had stopped. I'm sure many a RobRae 'shipper wore out their VCRs rewinding this episode, especially when Raven runs back to save Robin, crying out his name in worry. Putting all that aside, I think having Robin was a good call. After all, they have a lot in common. Both are serious people, both are secretive, and both have bird names. More importantly, as the only one among the Titans who tries to understand Raven, I think this makes him the closest she has to a confidante. And as her leader, the closest she has to a parent. Besides, I'm a BBRae 'shipper (though RobRae could work, if not for Starfire).
This episode was another landmark in that we see a church. Raven and Robin hide in it, but as Raven looks up at the stained glass, guilt floods her and she tells Robin about her birth. The image of a holy place bringing a kind of confession from Raven was not lost on me. My only qualm is that she doesn't explain as much as I had hoped. Considering that there will be four more story episodes, though, I can live with it.
This episode was by far the darkest I've seen Teen Titans get. Not Spawn dark, of course. It is a kids' show. But watching as Slade puts his head back in its place (replete with the sounds of snapping vertebrae) after a brutal attack by Robin tells you that this time, things are different. This time, we're not going to beat up the little kiddies. We're sicking a demon on a very unfortunate girl's soul.
The episode hardly ended on a hopeful note, either. Although the Titans tried to lighten the mood with a birthday party for Raven, she knew things were only beginning. Even more troubling was Slade's report to his master (we assume Trigon) that Raven "knows what she must do." I found it hard not to smile during this episode, but I felt guilty at the same time considering what was happening. This is going to be a wicked season, and I mean that in both ways.
10/10
Highlights:
-In the intro fight with Dr. Light- Raven: "If you're going to steal something, do it where we can't see you from our living room." (zoom to Titans Tower behind them)
-In the intro fight with Dr. Light- Raven: (facing Dr. Light as in Nevermore "Remember me?" Dr. Light: (to other Titans) "I'd like to go to jail now."
-Having a Beast-Boy pinata at Raven's surprise birthday party.
-Robin talking about the bond he has with Raven because of what happened in "Haunted."
-Slade calling Robin's threat precious.
-Cyborg swinging an enormous steel column at Slade only to have Slade stand still and still melt it in half with hellfire.
-After above attack: Cyborg: "Whoa." Slade: "Whoa? That's it? No clever comment? I was looking forward to that."
-Slade 'fixing himself' after Robin's attack.
-Raven slamming two buildings together to stop Slade.
-Raven's uniform ripping down to little more than a bikini and her hair growing long. (Did I mention I'm a Raven fan?) In the show's defense, it did give Raven the feel of someone being prepared for sacrifice.
posted by Aisyrn | 8:43 PM
1 Comments:
I didn't read most of the post since I'm sure I'll eventually watch the episode (Sure might be an overstatement, but it's a definite possiblity) and it seemed pretty heavy on the spoilers. Did I miss anything important?
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