This season of Titans on HBOMax is a high point for the series, however newest episode “Troubled Water,” is the low point. At the center of the episode is a premise that’s so preposterous it rips you best out of the story. as well as that’s stating something in a show where two characters came back from the dead last week. Honestly, with What If likewise airing best now, I am wondering if I didn’t slip into a new universe. since this felt like an episode of a different TV show, just with the exact same characters. That said, there are some fantastic moments in the episode, especially from Vincent Kartheiser’s Jonathan Crane. With everybody acting so mad in this episode, it practically makes sense that the psychotically disturbed character is the most interesting.

Last week’s Titans was the very first episode with Raven in season 3, as well as she’s likewise mainly absent from the action. I am loathe to phone call any type of episode of television “filler,” since those self-contained stories are frequently extremely entertaining. Yet, this episode does feel like filler, however it’s just that considerable modifications happen that change the character dynamics in big ways. In short, I feel somewhat blindsided by much of what this episode does.

Still, even at shaky moments in seasons past, Titans storytellers are outstanding at driving the characters together against the villain in the house stretch leading as much as the finale. If you can chalk the events of this episode as much as just something in the water, the season ought to be able to get back on track extremely quickly.

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Spoilers for the episode to follow.

“Troubled Water” Is an Episode of Titans Centers on a Legitimately awful Idea

picture by Ben mark Holzberg through HBOMax

Diving best in, Dick Grayson makes a awful decision during the program of this episode. This is instantly complied with by each member of the team, all of whom ought to dislike this idea, signing on without any complaints. view the scene with the noise off, as well as it’s a fantastic moment of the Titans coming together. Yet, this is totally undercut by the inane premise. After Crane somehow hijacks every phone as well as television screen in the city, he broadcasts Red Hood propaganda. therefore the Titans are now blamed for the sci-fi poison disposed into the water last episode. It’s weak, however I’m purchasing it. It gets worse.

In the midst of this city-wide crisis, Savannah Welch’s Barbara Gordon satisfies Brendon Thwaites’ Grayson for a solo dinner in a restaurant. These two are on a date while numerous countless people are raging since of Crane’s anti-Fear toxin. It’s at this dinner he suggests that the Titans turn themselves in to the authorities. then publish bail as well as “work from the shadows.” Literally, what? When they eventually do this awful plan, there is no media present. So, the “it’s just for show” thing doesn’t make any type of sense. (Although, this show routinely utilizes its well edited fight footage for news reports.)

The Red Hood then pays off some cops (again, why?). A fight breaks out when the Titans turn themselves in. All this is done to get the Titans “wanted” as well as lead them to ultimately either clearing their names or staying desired as well as working from the previously mentioned shadows. Also, Barbara shoots a police officer to save Dick, getting herself arrested.

It’s Not just Nightwing who has poor concepts This Episode

Along with all the Gotham stuff, a plot this season focused on Anna Diop’s Starfire as well as her sibling Blackfire, played by Damaris Lewis. In the very first Titans episode with Blackfire, she as well as her sibling had a full-on fight. Starfire is super-strong, as well as Blackfire was taking those punches. In this episode, she is obviously susceptible to bullets. All season, Starfire experienced episodes in which she’d lose herself in visions only to get up in a different place. rather than discussing this, the show deepens the mystery. since Blackfire is dying, Starfire utilizes her power to “heal” her. (Sure, why not? Tamaranians are made-up.) However, in the process, Blackfire takes possession of Starfire’s powers. even though she was on board with Dick’s awful plan, Blackfire then tries to persuade Starfire to abandon the Titans. It seems no storyline is risk-free in the “Troubled Water” episode of Titans.

Meanwhile, Conor Leslie’s Donna Troy is stuck outside of Gotham, as well as has to some other “resurrection crucible” before rejoining the team. This does really facilitate the very best part of the episode. Donna realizing that she’s not “hated” by the Amazons is a huge moment. It’s just overshadowed by so much silliness. It likewise might have been avoided, had she had this conversation with this lady in Themyscira rather than on the side of a highway on the outskirts of Gotham. one more highlight was the few seconds we got of Teagan Croft’s Raven at the end of the episode. She’s certainly much much more in manage now. The finale team-up will be something.

Lastly, if Donna’s back, that implies Iain Glen’s Bruce Wayne is most likely back, too. I hope with my whole heart that he walks in on Curran Walters’ Jason Todd as well as Crane kicking it disrespectfully in his house.

picture by Ben mark Holzberg through HBOMax

Titans debuts new episodes on Thursdays on HBOMax.

What did you believe of the “Troubled Water” episode of Titans on HBOMax? Am I being as well harsh? Did Dick Grayson’s plan to turn himself in make sense to anyone? Share your thoughts, theories, as well as defenses in the comments below.

Image by Ben mark Holzberg through HBOMax