Robin and Slade: Bitter Reflections (Teen Titans)

[@destructor3152]

Slade is honestly really dark for a kids show villain. Guy is basically emotionally tortured and gaslighting a bunch of teenagers.

[@kuno3336]

Also Ron Perlman

[@primusvsunicron1]

in the comics he’s a assassin

[@ST4RPAWZ12]

@@primusvsunicron1also kinda pedo

[@SlugKingsly]

I think one really interesting detail about Slade's first appearance is that there's an empty chair next to him in his lair. That little detail alludes to his yearning for an apprentice or some form of companionship before it's ever formally acknowledged in the series.

[@laurelromero6404]

I like to imagine that at some point while he has Terra as an apprentice he sits down on his throne thingy while she's away, and melancholically says "it's not the same, she's just not Robin"

[@Charlotte-w4l]

OMG OMG I LOVE THIS HEADCANON THATS CANON TO ME

[@devinpaul9026]

"This changes NOTHING. If I EVER see you again--" "I wouldn't expect anything less."

[@scp-507]

Marilyn Manson, 1941

[@dndhydrate]

Dang. I knew there was something uncanny about the treetop scene, but I never really noticed how the the branches never moved when Slade hopped on them.

[@dazzlethestar151]

Same, I recently rewatching Haunted and I loved seeing that little detail in action.

[@Creepers_On_Fire]

What I wanna know is how he was picking up robin off the floor and hold him in the air and stuff like that

[@christopherballero866]

One of the things I like about Slade vs Robin is that Slade is a lot like an evil Batman. So in a way we have Robin vs Batman.

[@brucebanana4486]

Also, Slade already has Robin, too, which is First Son Grant Wilson. The show hints that he had an apprentice once, which is his son, but he probably left due to being a lousy father to him and his siblings. I theorize that Red X is Grant Wilson. He is also a reflection to Robin. Both of them left their fathers to become their own person.

[@ferro6854]

@@brucebanana4486 I don't remember very well about Slade's kids from the comics, but did they all hate him?

[@christionpulliam9870]

The idea that spade serves as a dark reflection of Robin was always one of my favorite but I love the haunted episode because it reminds me of Batman Robin has dealt with fear toxins and things before and yet he couldn’t overcome the fear of needing slade

[@FFKonoko]

Spade

[@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376]

​@@FFKonoko I think you guys mean Slade

[@kevinmahaley4916]

@@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376obviously dude just had a simple typo, use context clues and move along

[@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376]

@@kevinmahaley4916 Yeah I agree

[@maccheese7885]

@@kevinmahaley4916yea but it’s funny to think Robin is compared to and is a reflection of a shovel

[@mushroomgremlin7965]

What I love about the Haunted episode is I have a theory that while Robin was touching the mask, he triggered the hallucinations. And, in the end he was the one to actually stop them. It really is a great representation of PTSD and how only you can “turn on the light” / heal yourself. Plus, that epiphany isn’t that Robin is no longer having issues, it’s that he just won’t let it destroy him. While he was the only one capable of doing so, it was with the support of his friends that he managed to even have that realization. PTSD is such a complex issue that is hardly done right in TV shows since they try to make it directly named as such instead of having allusions like TT with the gas or whatever it was. First hand experience: PTSD makes you feel like you’re alone, makes you feel like you’re crazy, and really makes you feel like you’re dying even when you aren’t physically. Now, TT represents that as Robin *actually* dying, but the indication that he was doing it to himself was so raw and real that I don’t think any other show could ever replicate how that episode makes me feel

[@Awesomewithaz]

God teen titans was the goat show

[@reignellwalker9755]

God loves you man. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day and promises that anyone who believes in Him will have everlasting life in heaven

[@dazzlethestar151]

I absolutely adore the Apprentice arc and what it did to explore both Robin and Slade's characters. Haunted is easily the best episode of the series in my opinion, that line 'I am the thing that keeps you up at night. The evil that haunts every dark corner of your mind.' still gives me goosebumps even just reading it.

[@shadowwood549]

Agreed.

[@lexyshannon9428]

SAME

[@ricardomiles2957]

This show ruined Deathstroke for me. Because none of his other portrayals gets even close to Slade, he is like an Evil Batman, he feels ethereal, he feels like ever present danger that could pop out of nowhere despite having "less" equipment wise compared to his other interations.

[@xiamei140]

yeah, i kinda hate the comic deathstroke now. he's just so goofy in a lot of his comics. this slade is so much more intimidating

[@Creepers_On_Fire]

So this is a good hate then? You like this version so much that any other version just feels wrong to you? Do I understand that right? I’m just interested in the thought process here

[@jonbrewer297]

Re: The butler, he has more of a role in the comics. William Randolph Wintergreen. Basically they're old war buddies, and he's the one who negotiates Slade's contracts. (In the comics, Deathstroke is just a mercenary. He actually sometimes works for the good guys.) Marv Wolfman, who wrote Teen Titans in the 80s and was Deathstroke's creator, described Wintergreen as the Alfred of the group, Terra being the Robin. (Robin and Terra are both morally inflexible in the comics, but Terra can be relied on to take the most evil option possible; she can't stand the Titans because they're goody two-shoes.) Things get more complicated from there, as Slade has an ex-wife, two sons by that ex, and a daughter by a mistress, while by the time Rose was introduced, old Bats was only on the third Robin, a former Batgirl who was doing her own thing on the Suicide Squad, and a substitute Batman who was quite the fanatic. Note that until Dark Crisis, neither Robin nor Deathstroke ever managed a complete victory over the other.

[@brucebanana4486]

Technically, season 5 would explore more about Slade's Family, particularly with Jericho and Rose. But it got scrapped due to CN cutting the season from 20 to 13 episodes. Also, there are fan theories that Red X may be Grant Wilson.

[@IronianKnight]

I've always been in love with Slade's thematic relation to the aesthetic of heavy clockworks and inner machinery. His presence gives you the sense that his machinations are always far beyond what you can grasp, and the turning gears and axles that accompany him throughout the show really nail that feeling. They're ordered and functioning, vast and powerful, stretching overhead, oppressing the scenery. Yet you never know what they're for, you can't see the big picture. And that is so much of what Robin can't let go about the man, it gives my art brain shivers. This villain really brought it like nobody else, at least that I've seen.

[@dc7981]

This is why Slade/Deathstroke should always be a Robin villain and NOT a batman villain

[@Jellylamps]

The fact this ended up much longer and more in depth than intended is pretty thematic

[@_Majunior]

I'd love a terra video like this. That arc felt so impactful to me as a little kid, the way BB felt was palpable even at that age

[@RebekahSmithChildofGod7]

Best antagonist and protagonist relationship ever in my opinion. I never get tired of analyzing Slade and Robin's interactions and their great character development.

[@daelenevans2934]

I don’t care what anyone says Red X is Robin’s clone because Slade thinks if he can’t have Robin as his apprentice then then he would create his own😎💯

[@brucebanana4486]

I always assume Red X is the eldest son of Slade. In the show, it seems to subtly hint that he had an apprentice before, which is probably Grant Wilson. In the comics, he died, and Slade assumes that the Titans killed him. He picked up the remaining contract from Hive that Grant had in place. Obviously, comics are very different from the show. But we already know that Jericho showed up in season 5. Slade hinted at him before when he talked to Raven about how the mute ones always keep secrets, which is probably a reference to Jericho. I assume that Grant hated Slade for being an abusive father to Jericho and Rose. He assumes that fake death would make Slade stop being a dick to them. I assume that Slade Jericho knows that Grant may be alive. Also, Red X said to Robin that he is older than him. Grant is slightly older than any Titans. Slade has a similar fight style to Robin, which he taught Grant to fight like that.

[@t1rameesu]

great video! another quite small but interesting detail connecting these two more actually comes from How long is forever, where we can kinda see Nightwing has almost turned out similarly to Slade with how he isolates himself, and with how when we are introduced to his base, we get the exact same cogs turning that we do with Slade's haunt.

[@AmpleSamuel]

Actually really interesting point!

[@ScapeVEVO]

GOD this show was so GOOD

[@rickyronny4019]

Agreed

[@reignellwalker9755]

God is good. Jesus loves you all very much thats why he died for us. He rose from the dead and by putting your faith in Him you will be saved

[@Rahimahah]

​@@reignellwalker9755nk

[@tenshi7784]

Teen Titans and Young Justice are often compared a lot to each other and while YJ does a lot really well (and maybe even better than TT), the Titans adaptation of the Judas Contract storyline was waaaayy better than Young Justice's.

[@ibrahimihsan2090]

Buddy, to be honest, the Judas Contract storyline in Teen Titans was one of it's main strongsuits. It wasn't really as important in YJ. Terra wasn't as important in YJ season 3 as she was in Teen Titans S2.

[@reignellwalker9755]

judas contract is terras betrayel right

[@brucebanana4486]

YJ is a kind of mix of the OG Titans comics, Johns' run, and Wolfman's Run. To be frank, they did not adapt Judas' Contract at all. The show is shit after it got revived because of the stupid time skips.

[@FatherSonandHolySpirit]

People often ask me, "God, what is the meaning of life?" Truth is I don't know. I just spend all my time waiting for the next Ample vid to drop

[@richiescarf7993]

Please stop this

[@reignellwalker9755]

don't mock God man

[@electriczeke]

@@reignellwalker9755why he isn’t real anyways so it doesn’t matter

[@OkRoomer123-]

Still time to delete this buster

[@TheRealGuusMcgoose]

come on man. fr

[@callmejacob3234]

Deathstroke got humiliated by Arkham Batman so he had to go after his son as revenge. He got tired of the bat smoke.

[@tylerfoster2814]

Great breakdown of the most compelling theme from the series. Would love to see your take on the Terra x Slade story. Both stories hurt my soul in a way few stories have.

[@ellebassa9288]

It comes off more like Slade as a deep and personal fascination with robin

[@Missingstarspot]

Subscribed! This was the video that finally got me to do it. I love the breakdown. Watching your content always makes me want to binge my favorite cartoons again.

[@auden7264]

Took me the longest time that slayed knew Robin was x because he says to him that he tapped in to the security cameras so he say him save beast boy

[@XZatchBellGamerX]

I think Slade might have even known it was Robin under the mask the moment he proposed a partnership that would cut him in on his plans. Ron Perlman's delivery says it all. It is ASTONISHINGLY good.... The first time he responds to Red X over the transmission, you can really feel how cautious and intrigued he seems to be. Red X gives his name and Slade tries to get him to reveal his angle through negotiating.... The moment a partnership is brought up that would cause Slade to share his plans, Slade has been turning the screws in Robin's mind for so long that Slade KNEW it had to be him... Slade literally stopped trying to figure it out at that moment through his dialogue. At first it was nothing but a possible slight hunch, and then it was all but confirmed for Slade, and Slade's entire tone changes to reflect this. He acts a lot more knowing and in control whenever he interacts with Red X after that one exchange where Robin unwittingly gave himself away. Think carefully... Slade is an isolated villain always operating in the shadows, so who else even knows about him and would want to know about his plans? If it wasn't a disgruntled contractor, then it could only be the kid he's been taunting about his plans for over a month (and Red X's voice probably gave it away a little too). Slade was on another level. The Titans are awesome, but I would've loved to see how this iteration of Deathstroke would've interacted with adult heroes, because he definitely had what it took to contend with them as a mastermind.

[@TheAnime_Enthusiast]

This iteration of the Teen Titans has always held a special place in my heart, as I watched it a lot growing up. Slade as a character, his personality and the way he carried himself, as well as his actions and the way he was presented in the context of the show; it really stuck with me ya know? As far as most cartoon villains went, he was one of the more memorable ones. I dont wanna get to far into a rant, so I'll just leave it at this. He was truly built different.

[@Yupthatsme_7D]

The was so thoughtful and well done, I’m here for the Terra arc

[@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376]

Dark Reflections of the main protagonists are some of my favorite villains in my favorite things.

[@KyaC1234]

I’ve been passively watching this channel for a few weeks, this video made me subscribe.

[@midoriya-shonen]

"at least one person made it to the end of this video" (looks below and sees 68K views) way to go dude, I knew there was no way your characteristically thorough analysis wouldn't get recognition ✨

[@KaeAurora]

Teen titans was an absolute favorite show before su came out haha, so pls do more tt vids!

[@TheeMustangBro]

Honestly it’s so real and emotional. I wish they had writing like this in kids shows these days

[@Pikmanx]

I just started watching your channel, but I just want to say that I absolutely love it. The way you explain things and especially the shows you cover get me invested. Keep up the good work man!

[@AmpleSamuel]

Thank you so much !!!!!

[@Pikmanx]

@@AmpleSamuel of course man!

[@brucebanana4486]

I feel you miss some other important factors with Slade, which is his children, but mostly Grant Wilson. In the comics for New Teen Titans, Slade assumes that Titans killed Grant. He had a contract with Hive to kill Titans, which Slade carried in his contract to kill them. I know that comics are different from the show. But I always assume that Slade's first apprentice was Grant. This will get into fan theory, but I assume in the show that he faked his death because he disliked Slade's behavior towards Jericho, which he showed up in season 5. I believe that Red X is Grant Wilson. Slade has a similar fighting style to Robin, and he taught Grant to fight the same. It makes sense because Red X has a similar style to Robin. When Slade saw Robin he noticed how similar he is to Grant, it also shows the failures of Slade as a Parent. He is making up for his mistake with Robin.

[@bumuman]

Robin was just like Vegeta when Goku died lol, "ill never be able to prove my strength against him.."

[@alexmcdonald4707]

Great video! Also, a Terra video would be awesome.

[@crimsonfishf0099]

these types of videos are my absolute favorite thing and i’d adore if you did videos like this for just the entire series i’d watch all of them beginning to end probably multiple times teen titans was a show that meant a lot to me as a child and a special interest of mine now

[@Masonicon]

both Robin and Slade are Borderline Metahumans in Teen Titans 2003 and not just that

[@bellah6294]

Thank you going to keep this on loop forever now

[@josuesoto2702]

You should totally do that Terra video. It'd be interesting to see your take on that dynamic

[@Devanglestudios]

I love that dynamic. They have similar hair as well

[@louistech112]

Slade is a reflection of robin over obsessive with justice . I belive that this shows us that justice can be bad too that’s just my take

[@SivaExperiment]

Maybe slade in TT is robin’s biological father forced to give him up at first but now that time has passed and stuff he is ready to reclaim his son

[@SivaExperiment]

And the original final season could have gone in a direction where the end that was revealed though that’s just a theory based on similar hairstyle

[@katelynthewhitewerewolf6376]

​@@SivaExperiment What's funny is that there's a Fanfiction story about John Grayson becoming Slade because he escaped the Court of Owls.

[@sketch-eee4165]

Great video to workout to! Didn't remember till now how similar Robin was to Slade.

[@cedricjones7560]

Please do a video soon on the episode birthmark!

[@siirgeatz613]

10:46 LOL “On the other hand” Slade catches Robin

[@anime_world6684]

25:00 do these mistakes include ending the human population in season 4 (and that’s just casual compared to the evil acts he does in the comics)

[@DarkShadeAnimations1]

This is a good ass breakdown more teen titans content please

[@skitterkitter2027]

This is a fantastic video. I’d love to see a Terra video in this style

[@coolcat-je2qt]

Amazing video I always loved the dynamic between the to

[@TheDarkAdventure]

"The old man disguise" It's just his face. He's an old man.

[@ImTakingYouToFlavorTown]

No. The mask cracks, revealing Slade's mask under it.

[@kra_hme]

Gosh I love this dynamic! Maybe this is why I loved Danny phantom and Vlad Masters, I just enjoy the dynamics between an evil guy who wants an appearance! Also also Slade is very weird towards Robin, like uncomfortably weird.

[@rusticdebris8021]

25:33 Just a small thing, but I LOVE the use of the Hylics 2 OST

[@AmpleSamuel]

Easily one of my favorite OSTs ever!

[@icecreaminabag]

wait mandela effect i thought haunted was episode 3 season 3 too JSKAHFASK

[@MumboMod]

Would love to see a Terra vid too :) thanks Abrakasamuel!

[@cedricjones7560]

And yes, please do a video on the Terra arc!

[@evenorpineda6691]

Omg I’m not ready!!

[@Super_BeastGirl]

Please make the Terra and Slade video. This Teen Titans show is one of my all time favorites and I want more!!!

[@daynanielsen6956]

When i was really young watching this on TV, i always thought Slade was Robins Father. I remember being really disappointment when Tara took him down, it seemed so easy, so underwhelming. I really wished we got another season of Teen Titans.

[@BC21beats]

I never realized this guy is supposed to he death stroke

[@EurickHidalgo]

This video was really well done I always loved the relationship between slade and robin and I feel like teen titan in Cartoon Network was the best version of teen titans and to dick Grayson as a robin character

[@TheUnknownGruntProductions]

Definitely make more TT vids, this one was super good.

[@musicwing32]

Daily Crashouts be like: 15:07 - 15:28

[@mastermonarch]

I never understood the need for Slade to hide his face or identity anyone that has ever picked up a comic knows who he is.

[@SupportGamin2024]

Slade in this show isn't Deathstroke he is his own character

[@-radioactivity-]

I NEED a terra ark video by you

[@bryanpenaloza5697]

Robins obsession with slade kinda adorable

[@Trash2000s]

❤

[@twinzzlers]

The fuck? No

[@rickyronny4019]

No. It’s self destructive

[@predalien775]

Deeply need the Terra video

[@skkygavin9509]

I personally like forces of nature

[@jordanamaya-flores8786]

I liked this video style

[@williamcorteslugo5393]

Terra video!

[@rafaelleair325]

Yes yes yes! DO THE TARA ARC!

[@rickyronny4019]

Slade in both the comics and the shows was always a great enemy for the Titans and this show nailed his parallels with Robin

[@SansINess53]

slade thought he was batman.

[@christionpulliam9870]

Shit would love to see a Ben ten video or a video on night crawler from X-men

[@Slyrider777]

Terra arc please

[@redhood8798]

Peak video

[@XxscenedeathxX]

The fucks going on with robins hair at 15:55

[@whiplash415]

Make the Tara video

[@drbenben]

Great video

[@snickcageSnickSage7346]

Slade is Cyborg.

[@CaligoNight]

40 minutes holy shit... i guess we'll see how far i get

[@Trash2000s]

I only care about teen titans! Ahhh gagahgahagag!

[@imglub]

terra please!!!!

[@SilentVinyl]

Neat

[@joeyidc3212]

have to disagree she turns super evil for like no reason, terra.

[@inablackout1539]

Literally, who was the butler? What happened to him? Where did he go??? Why does Slade have this random guy in his evil basement?

[@Trash2000s]

It was charlton, afred’s evil clone.

[@doodleboy565]

That was Wintergreen, Slade’s butler from the comics. He actually appeared in the final season as a member of the Brotherhood of Evil, but it was difficult to notice him. He’s sort of functions like an evil version of Batman’s butler, Alfred.

[@doodleboy565]

@@Trash2000s His name is actually Wintergreen.

[@persephonene7421]

His name is Wintergreen. In the comics he’s basically Slade’s manservant, but also his best friend. They were in the army together and Slade saved his life, and Wintergreen dedicated his life to him basically. It’s actually a really nice relationship.

[@persephonene7421]

He’s also way cuter little old man in the comics and has a lil mustache.

[@Christdiedforus.-]

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (Matt. 12:30-32) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (1 Cor. 15:3-5) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. (From Acts 16:31)

[@laurelsilberman5705]

BROOOOOO I have never ever in all my viewings picked up on the *extremely* telling detail that you did-nor have I seen any other videos covering this episode point this out, so Eagle Eye points to you, sir-that the three locations on screen as Robin does unnecessary late night surveillance in the opening shot of the episode are the three locations “Slade” tells him the bombs are. They’re locations Robin is already highly concerned about, for different reasons, all of which Slade might use as justification for making them a target. One is clearly a plaza that emotes a strong feeling of like a tragedy memorial; a location where the city might have commemorated surviving previous attacks and losses, one is a location of pleasure and excitement, the most cheerful and brightest target in all of Jump City, and the third is what appears to be the structural supports for a major, multi-lane highway overpass, which if attacked, could plunge hundreds of cars full of people into the water before the titans could do anything about it. Gah. Very nicely spotted🫡

[@pastorcodymitchell1456]

awesome video