*This review contains minor spoilers*
Click here for my SPOILER review on YouTube
“Titans” attempts to balance its dark subject matter with likable characters and just the right amount of humor, and they succeed more often than not.
This show is for adults. There’s stuff here that would make Marvel’s Netflix shows blush. Graphic violence, the abundant use of the f-word, and there’s just a few well-placed shadows blocking out male and female full-frontal nudity. While some moments feel gratuitous, for the most part these moments are appropriate for the context of the story and the characters.
The plot is solid. Rachael and Robin’s on-the-run storyline works well alongside Starfire’s amnesia arc. Gar’s inclusion feels a bit random, but he adds much needed levity to the show. While it’s clear that the threat isn’t neutralized just yet, there’s still a solid twist in the final few episodes that reestablishes the danger. However, the finale seems rushed and the final episode kills the momentum and leaves off with way too big of a cliffhanger. This would be fine for a midseason finale, but not the end of an entire season.
The main cast is strong, particularly Brenton Thwaites as Robin and Anna Diop as Starfire. Both can show vulnerability, yet still come off as convincing strong leaders. The supporting cast isn’t bad, even though many of them only appear for one or two episodes. These appearances are a mixed-bag. Jason Todd and Donna Troy are both important parts of both Dick and the Titan’s mythos. Hawk and Dove are built up to be something of importance, and then suddenly get pushed aside…twice, while the Doom Patrol seems to exist only to set up their upcoming series.
Another complaint is that while it’s fun to see a show taking place in a firmly established DC Universe where there’s already a Justice League and all the major heroes are established, you can only take so much name dropping before it gets aggravating that you’re not seeing the characters. The most blatant example is Batman. He’s mentioned non-stop, but except for a few body-doubles of Bruce Wayne and a couple out of focus stuntmen in a Bat-suit, you never see him. It’s a bit like the first season of “Supergirl” and their handling of Superman. (However, the body-double used for the post-credit scene of the Titan’s final episode is acceptable, and they shouldn’t rush to cast such an iconic roll.)
Overall, “Titans” season one is a fun ride. The likable characters, dark subject matter and relatively straightforward plot work well, but a few shoehorned in characters and a cliffhanger ending that derails the momentum bring the show down a notch.
***1/2 out of *****