Titans Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Titans
Paul Dailly
at
.
Updated at
.
As the first show to launch on DC Universe, there's a lot riding on the success of Titans, and while I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed with this series because the initial trailer wasn't all that appealing, I was proven wrong.
Thankfully, Titans Season 1 Episode 1 will go down as one of my favorite series premieres on TV in quite some time. Adapting a beloved team of superheroes is no easy task, but there's a lot to like about this new show.
Let's start with Dick Grayson aka Robin. He's the glue that's going to hold this team together, and from the moment we witnessed the demise of his parents, it was clear there was more to him than meets the eye.
He's grown into a fine young man, but this has come with some major caveats: He doesn't have much in the way of social life. He has quite the opposite, and that probably explains why he's so adamant about working alone.
Off the bat, he was rude to Amy because he isn't high on working with partners. This could be attributed to his fraught relationship with Batman. The biggest assumption is that they were fighting crime together before things went off the rails.
"Titans" barely scratched the surface about what paved the way for him to leave Gotham City, and Batman behind. What we do know is that Robin was MIA for a year, and he only came out of hiding to take down a group of child abusers.
Now that he's suiting up to fight crimes in a new locale, it makes sense that the rest of the Detroit Police Department would worry. Vigilantes tend to garner fans or those who don't agree with what they do.
It makes for a divisive environment, and it could make things more dangerous in the long run if these "fans" are making their way to crime scenes. With that said, it doesn't look like Dick is going to be spending much time in Detroit.
Dick: Hey, uh, any luck on that Robin thing?
Amy: Wait, are you talking to me? Is everybody else dead? I clearly must be the last person on Earth for that to happen.
Dick: I guess I haven’t been the most welcoming.
Rachel aka Raven's storyline was just as heartbreaking as Dick's. There was an immediate bond between them because Rachel saw comfort in him after she witnessed his parents take their final flight in her nightmares.
Related: Titans Renewed for Season 2!
It was natural for Dick to jump to conclusions. It's not every day some girl shows up and says she was part of the worst day of your life. There's a lot of years between them, so Rachel was only there in her dreams.
That's what was difficult for Dick to get on board with, and likely how he questioned her very motives. But he felt a sense of urgency when he noticed Rachel was kidnapped by someone posing as an officer.
While I was expecting another big fight scene to rival the "Fuck Batman" one that occurred early on the series premiere, the mission to save Rachel was somewhat subdued.
Fuck Batman.
Robin
It was clearly a plot device to show just how powerful her demonic side could be when it was activated. My major gripe with the way Rachel was kidnapped was that if the man really needed her heart for whatever sacrifice he wanted her for, why didn't he take it out while she was out cold?
He would have accomplished his goal, but instead, he was wiped out in one fell swoop when the demonic side took over. Then again, there had to be something in the of comeuppance for this dude.
He killed the woman who raised Rachel without so much as a second guess. It was difficult enough for Rachel to watch that play out, but she also learned that the woman wasn't even her mother.
I think it's fair to say that day was the worst of Rachel's life. She almost attacked her mother to start her day off, was slut-shamed on the way to school, possibly groomed by Ally, and then kidnapped.
Related: Titans Anna Diop on Bringing Starfire to Life for First Time
At least she's on the road with Dick. He's the beacon of hope she needs in her life right now. Maybe they could both learn some things from each other.
The other intriguing character introduced in the premiere was Kory Anders aka Starfire. Being thrown straight into the deep end with that plot worked wonders as a viewer.
There was a lot of backlash after the initial trailer dropped, and a lot of it was down to the pink wig, but there was really nothing wrong with it. Kory is a firecracker who does not take too kindly to people messing with her.
Konstantin: You come here, you sit at my side, you sleep in my bed. I trusted you, and you turn on me? You betray me? Because of this girl? Who is she? What do you want with her?
Kory: I don’t know. I woke up in a car, and these men were trying to kill …
Konstantin: Shh. I loved you.
Kory: Uh, I don’t think I loved you, too. Yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s a no.
The way she dispatched of Konstantin after telling him she had no feelings for him was a highlight. I have no idea whether she wants to hurt or save Rachel, but I'm so on board with where her storyline is going.
With stunning cinematography, solid writing, a winning soundtrack, and first-rate acting, Titans has launched, and if the show can keep up the same level of quality, it will quickly help DC Universe establish a unique identity for itself.
Related: Titans: Brenton Thwaites Takes on Dick Grayson, Robin, and ... Nightwing?
The major positive, at least in the premiere, was that the show is not formulaic. There's no villain of the week to take down. What we're getting here is a story with a distinct beginning, middle, and end.
As a superhero property, it's a great move because the DC TV shows on the small screen generally tackle the villain of the week in addition to an overarching storyline.
Titans is different enough to take viewers on a refreshing ride filled with high-octane fights, and crazy twists.
Okay, Titans Fanatics!
What are your thoughts on the series premiere?
Hit the comments below.
Titans continues Fridays on DC Universe.
Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.
