Titans streams new episodes weekly in the US via HBO Max. International airdates are yet to be confirmed.
Synopsis
Jason goes after the Joker alone in the series premiere.
Review
Back in September 2019 the Titans returned for their second season at a disadvantage. The season 2 opener, “Trigon,” was a mix of footage from the scrapped season one finale and new material. It meant that the series ended its debut season on an unsatisfying ending. But also meant the second season started in mid-flow.
Now, almost two years later, the series returns with an absolute banger of a season opener. Having moved to HBO Max, Titans finds itself open to a wider audience than ever before. As such the writers have crafted a re-introduction which is one of the series strongest hours to-date.
It’s no secret that season 3 will transition Jason Todd (Curran Walters) from Robin to Red Hood. It’s unexpected that the transition begins right from the outset. Choosing to open the season with Jason taking on Joker is a bold decision. It’s also indicative of the new creative vigour the Titans production team has found.
As I said in my first impressions on the season, Curran Walters quickly proves there’s much more to his character than we’ve seen before. But there will be much more on that later in the season.
“Barbara Gordon” has a fair amount of ground to cover in terms of setting up the latest season. The pacing is relentless but exciting, bringing us in to the world of Gotham and laying the foundations for a number of sub-plots. The episode also introduces a number of new characters including the titular Commissioner Gordon (Savannah Welch) and Jay Lycurgo’s as Tim Drake.
Titans is a series which struggled in balancing its cast in past seasons. A prime example being fans crying out online for more of Ryan Potter’s Gar Logan. If this episode is anything to go by then the new season will do a much better job at bringing that balance to the narrative. After the opening focusses on Jason we meet a slimmed down Titans in the middle of a case featuring classic comic book villain Gizmo. With just Dick (Brenton Thwaites), Kory (Anna Diop), Conner (Joshua Orpin) and Gar in this lineup each has a moment to shine during the fight scenes. There’s little overcrowding on camera and so character voices are clear an able to breathe even amongst the fast-paced narrative.
Welch is immediately synonymous with Gordon, disappearing in to the role. This Barbara feels born of the Gotham the Titans find themselves in. She’s cold and confrontational but easily recognisable as a Barbara who has seen the downside of vigilantism. Welch has a strong connection with Brenton Thwaites which instantly puts fire in the relationship between Dick and Babs. Comic book fans are sure to be excited by seeing the two together in live-action.
Tim Drake is little more than a tease in this episode. But it’s clear even within these short scenes that Lycurgo is going to bring a new emotional depth to Titans. His connection to Batman and Robin is strong from but it remains to be seen how he might take up his famous mantle from the comics.
As a Titans fan I feel proud to say that “Barbara Gordon” is a narratively concise, action-packed hour of television. It proves why the show survived shifting from DC Universe to HBO Max and also that there is plenty of mileage left in these characters.
Verdict
Titans returns with its strongest season opener to-date. A bold statement on the series arrival to HBO Max signals huge things are ahead for DC’s young heroes.
Titans stars Brenton Thwaites as Dick Grayson/Nightwing, Anna Diop as Starfire, Teagan Croft as Raven, Ryan Potter as Beast Boy, Alan Ritchson as Hawk, Minka Kelly as Dove, Curran Walters as Jason Todd/Robin and Joshua Orpin as Conner Kent/Superboy.
Joining the cast in season 3 are Savannah Welch as Barbara Gordon, the former Batgirl, Jay Lycurgo as Tim Drake and Vincent Kartheiser as Dr. Jonathan Crane, the former Scarecrow.
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