Season 2 of DC Universe’s Titans really threw Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) into the deep end as he struggled to keep the team on an even keel with Deathstroke (Esai Morales) wreaking havoc. In addition, Superboy (Joshua Orpin) was weaponized by CADMUS, making it clear that while Dick didn’t need to be Batman, he had to evolve into a new leader, culminating in the arrival of Nightwing. With Season 3 premiering on Aug. 12 via HBO Max, let’s break down the key events that occurred and how the new journey’s set up.
How Did Donna Troy Die in Titans Season 2 – and Did It Make Sense?
With Superboy unleashed on the heroes in the finale, “Nightwing,” it required them to finally unite as a well-oiled unit. Thankfully, Dick and Raven were able to free Superboy from Mercy’s mind-control as a CADMUS weapon. But when some pylon fell at the Golden Gate carnival, destined to hit Dove as she gave a young girl a teddy, Donna intercepted.
Sadly, the live wires caused a massive electric shock to surge through Donna’s body, killing Wonder Girl. It’s a weird choice, though, because one would assume an Amazon, who’s basically impervious, could take this. Admittedly, Donna’s never confirmed dead — her body’s just taken back to Themyscira. That said, it’s done to inspire the heroes — especially Dick — to keep fighting, and it reminds the young Titans that similarly to how Donna lost Aqualad to Deathstroke, casualties are part of the superhero business.
Where Did Rachel Go – and Is She Free of Trigon’s Influence?
Earlier in Season 2, Trigon tried to take over Rachel’s mind, and while everyone else was possessed, Gar broke her out of it. It’s why she fought tooth and nail to free him of his CADMUS programming as well when Mercy tried to use Superboy to take Beast Boy out and sell the Kryptonian clone as a weapon. However, while Rachel helped save most of her friends, Donna’s loss hit hard and she went to Paradise Island with the body.
Rachel admitted her powers were growing stronger, evidenced by clues that she actually conjured a Bruce Wayne from Dick’s memories to inspire the crew to get back together. We’re not sure who in Paradise Island could help turn her dark magic to light, but it seems that it may have worked with Season 3’s trailer showing her in white garb. Still, while it seems like Rachel’s free of her father’s influence, there may be a failsafe that he could have implanted in her mind to conjure him up again, ergo her fluctuating powers.
Why Did Jason Todd Split With the Titans in Season 2?
Jason had enough of Dick’s pandering and Bruce not trusting him. More so, he got angry that they didn’t let him kill, and with this violence, rage and pent-up aggression inside, Jason felt it was best to cut ties. Not even Rose could quell the beast within, and seeing as Jason was beaten badly and tortured by Deathstroke, he felt betrayed that the Bat-family wouldn’t endorse his methods and overall warped brand of justice.
Season 2 ended with Jason on his bike, driving off after watching the team put Donna on a plane to Paradise Island. Jason just lost faith in everyone, including Rose after he realized she hid secrets too, and without love in his life again, it makes sense why he’s becoming Red Hood. Sadly, Season 3 suggests this is going to land him in the Joker’s crosshairs, which could result in the former Robin being killed in a tweaked arc from the comics.
What Happened to Deathstroke’s Kids, Rose and Joe?
Deathstroke wanted Dick dead, because he used Joseph — who could jump into people’s bodies and possess them — as bait to trap Slade. It turned out Joe was in Slade’s mind all along, and Rose was a spy for her dad. She turns on Slade in the finale, though, killing him and absorbing Joe into her head, but while she was spotted as an official member of the crew in the field in her Ravager costume, one has to wonder what happened to them.
They’re not in the trailer, but it may be she’s training even more. This could allow Bruce to play a role, even helping her mentally as she’ll have to contain and mold Joe should he want to become a full-blown heroic version of Jericho. This would even allow them to spend more time with their mom, Adeline, if they’re not full-time soldiers working for Dick.
Will CADMUS Return – with Lex Luthor?
CADMUS lost Mercy but just before Kory knocked her out and Bruce hacked her brainwashing to auction off Conner, Lex phoned in, pissed as ever. With Mercy incarcerated, Lex could secretly be puppeteering things from the shadows, maybe taking a more hands-on approach as he would consider ‘Conner’ his son.
If that’s the case, seeds could be set up for Lex to unleash new weapons such as Metallo and the like, and even go after the Man of Steel. Titans hasn’t really detailed too much about Superman, but Conner would need a father figure and a measure of closure as he’s a clone of Kal-El and Lex. So hopefully, the Last Son of Krypton plays a role and helps out, which would lead to cool scenes with Bruce, projecting the World’s Finest.
What’s the Dispute Between Kory & Her Sister, Blackfire?
Season 2 ended with Blackfire coming to Earth, after initially sending Faddei — someone close to Kory’s heart — to bring her back. Faddei was killed for his failure and Blackfire arrived to either imprison her sister on Tamaran or kill her.
While the throne might belong to Starfire — following the source material where the people wanted her at the helm — Season 2 confirmed Blackfire seized the crown, so she’ll want to finish their sibling war. Taking Kory back would fit Blackfire’s sadistic ways as she could gloat over the empire, while an assassination would make her an unchallenged ruler back home. Either way, Dick and the troops would have to step up, especially as he may still have feelings for Kory.
Are the Titans Truly United?
Dick got over his murderous feelings as well, putting the nightmare of the Clown Prince of Crime aside and realizing that while Bruce is flawed, he did have good intentions as the Dark Knight. Dick finally let go of the legacy of the Caped Crusader, but it’ll be interesting to see how much leeway Bruce gives him in his new identity as Nightwing. With Bruce retired, Dick will look to impress the Bat, especially as he’ll have to work with Commissioner Barbara Gordon on Red Hood’s killing spree in Gotham.
Bruce can mend things even more by offering the Titans weapons and a training base. Dick might even come to him for advice as he’ll be probing the likes of Scarecrow in Arkham to help. With more Bat-rogues possibly hiding, Dick may soon find that he only has the illusion of autonomy, however, as Bruce may want to control Dick’s army, which can tie into why Tim Drake eventually becomes a new Boy Wonder. Seeing as Hawk and Dove may no longer be a couple, just vigilante partners, there’ll be a lot for Dick to balance moving forward.
Titans Season 3 debuts Thursday, Aug. 12 on HBO Max.
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