Advance Review: Titans Season Three Is An Enjoyable Ride, But Looses The Titans Along The Way
The new season of Titans drops tomorrow, August 11, on HBO Max and this season is all about the Bat Family. When the teaser for the upcoming season was released earlier this year, fans of DC Comics immediately began to speculate that the new season would bring to life a fan favorite Batman comics series, Under the Red Hood. Without giving away any spoilers, that’s exactly what this season does. It relies heavily on the Batman mythos to push the “Under the Red Hood” story forward while also sprinkling some try and true Titans’ moments here and there.
In the first five episodes, viewers find the Titians heading to Gotham City to help protect it against a new villain, Red Hood. It’s there that the team meet the new commissioner in town, Barbara Gordon (Savannah Welch) and realize that there is more to this villain that meets the eye. As each episode progresses, the team find themselves always a step behind this formidable foe, who seems to know more about them then they do.
It’s this idea of knowing more about our favorite characters that drive this season, specifically for Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) and Jason Todd (Curran Walters). The pair are at a constant struggle of trying to find their way out of Batman’s shadow while also trying to create an identity for themselves. This struggle is played out beautifully between the pair and really showcases just how messed up growing up as Robin could be for young mind looking for a place to call home.
However, it becomes quite clear that the show is primarily going to be focusing on members of the Batman lore instead of the Titans. As the season progresses, the show becomes less about the Titans and more about Nightwing or Bat Family show. Our favorite Titans are tasked with taking on a very small secondary role and plot points that should be further developed are quickly tossed to the side. It’s a little disappointing to see, especially when fans are finally getting one of the things that has been desperately missed from the comics, Beast Boy’s (Ryan Potter) bromance with a fellow Titans member. In the comics, Beast Boy and Cyborg were thick as thieves, but with Cyborg not appearing in the series, Beast Boy was missing part of his comedic relief; until now. The series has chosen Conner/Super Boy (Joshua Orpin) to fill that void and it is definitely a highlight of the season thus far. It’s just a shame it’s not one of the focuses because Potter and Orpin have amazing chemistry.
There are a couple new additions to the cast in the new season. Welch, who takes on the role of Barbara Gordon, Jay Lycurgo as Tim Drake, Damaris Lewis as Blackfire, and Vincent Kartheiser as Jonathan Crane. Each of them bring their own unique take to the characters, but it’s Welch’s portrayal of Gordon that really takes the cake. She commands the screen when she appears and works brilliantly with the already established cast.
Season three of Titans does not disappoint when it comes to a fast pace, action filled ride that gets the heart pumping every episode. But, it does disappoint when it comes to telling an ensemble piece. Something the show has struggled with since Day 1. At the end of the day though, fans of the series will quite enjoy what the season has to offer, even some of the crazier surprises along the way.