Throwback Breakdown: When Teen Titans Got Serious

[@savagebooks7482]

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[@matthewk822]

Can you make Ben 10

[@marsfreelander5969]

I fell in love with her as a child i wanted to encourage her when she was down and cheared for her when she rose abover herself i was crushed when she turned and i cried when she died... im a full grown man and j can admit that without shame because ... well ... just watch it lol

[@jackdccole]

If you’re looking for ideas about your next instalment of Throwback Breakdown, I would like to recommend “The Land Before Time”. I don’t know if you saw it when you were young, but I remember it scaring me as a kid and I am curious if what you might think about it.

[@jeremy1860]

It's actually borderline horrifying seeing the Terra arc as an adult. When you're watching as a kid you basically think of it as a Green Ranger sort of thing, good person goes bad but then goes good again by the end. When you're older you realise you're seeing an emotionally vulnerable young girl being manipulated into making terrible choices that hurt both her and those she cares about. It's tragic from start to finish 😟

[@kap1618]

But then again Slade isn't some new threat. He's an established villain in the world of teen titans. For Terra to work for such a guy and hurt so many people, you have to question her morality in general.

[@two4328]

@@kap1618 An established villain for the titans. But I doubt Slade has even been on the news because of how mysterious he is. The titans wouldn't have enough data to let the whole case be public information. I doubt even more so that Terra would know any of his previous crimes that he committed in season 1.

[@kap1618]

@@two4328 and yet she thought him being an enemy of the titans wasn't a red flag.

[@two4328]

@@kap1618 Actually that is part of the reason she was willing to join him, because in her eyes she couldn't trust them, and the only she could trust was Slade. It was clear she knew she was doing bad things but to her she could only benefit from doing these things. Slade molded her into being so paranoid about people and that the only thing that mattered was her survival and loyalty to him. I would imagine there was lots of struggling and rebellion during Slade's training and to what he taught her, but Slade basically forced her into a physical position where she would mentally choose to give up and let him take control. She had tried to fight back before and trust the titans but because of a simple confusion she ended up not trusting them and giving in to Slade because she was tired of trying to see the good in people. She gave up. That is what lead her down this path, she gave up control because she was tired of fighting back against all her past pain and trauma.

[@jonasquinn7977]

@kap1618 because morality is subjective, just being an enemy of the Titans doesn’t necessarily mean he’s a monster

[@HWORD-xg6hi]

can we talk about how Ron Perlman was by far the best choice for Slade/Deathstroke? The guy never fails to deliver an incredible performance as the villain for the titans. And whenever I read or see Deathstroke in comic/book form, It's Perlman's voice I imagine.

[@HxH2011DRA]

Facts

[@Katpiratefan275]

His voice work in the episode "Haunted" still makes me shiver.

[@alexj-t2331]

THAT WAS RON PEARLMAN?

[@chandlertucker7843]

@@alexj-t2331 hahaha dude I just had the same reaction reading that

[@KayLee-lw5iv]

The only person with similar gravity is mark hamill, in my mind

[@DarkAuraLord]

God, Slade was such a great villain. Every word out of the bastard's mouth in these episodes is meant to undermine, subvert and manipulate. It's detestable and brilliant.

[@nobodyimportant4778]

I never really noticed as a kid how terra and beast boy look like actual kids when compared to the rest of the cast.

[@maxhydekyle2425]

I've always thought Robin looked the most childlike.

[@nobodyimportant4778]

@@maxhydekyle2425 i'd say he dresses the most childlike. The bright colors of the outfit make his head and chest look bigger.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@maxhydekyle2425 Never thought from the teen titans show that robin was anywhere near "most childlike" from his mannerism or how he dresses as he was one of the coolest characters on the shows from how serious he always took himself.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

nah, they still look like teenagers the most but just young teenagers overall, wouldn't say they look like "little kids" at all.

[@TheCommenterDragon]

I miss the original Teen Titans series. It was one of the best CN cartoons ever, at least for the early 2000's anyway.

[@LuanMower55]

Much better than the current series that i've seen countless times on my country's (Brazil) television... Much, much better...

[@veryrealperson3694]

@@LuanMower55 if you are referring to teen titans go, that dogshit was already everywhere bro

[@LuanMower55]

@@veryrealperson3694 precisely. But it goes on TV nearly EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. And the worst part? It replaced the original teen titans series right in THE MIDDLE! So kids nowadays won't even get to know what the real teen titans that WE grew up with are; they'll get that trash...

[@helluvagooddrawer2027]

I believe this is when cartoon network actually cared about its content but now it dusent its manly for kida.

[@Vanillastump]

I actually don't HATE Teen Titans Go. If you watch it as sort of a Baby Teen Titans things, than you can see some of the stuff isn't bad. And if you look for the DC references and Easter Eggs, you'll see them everywhere. There was even an episode of the new series that mentions Jason Todd. Not for a long time, but enough that I got a smile. And the Teen Titans vs. Teen Titans Go had me actually laughing a couple times.

[@LooseAsADEUCE]

The fact that the Teen Titans writers were able to pull such a compelling and nuanced story out of an (understandably) flat story is just masterful. I watched this in real time and that shot of Terra's hair falling over her eye at the end of "Titan Rising" ALONE had us questioning Terra for days. So good! Thank you for this video and the chance to relive this bit of my childhood.

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

The show "somehow had its cake and ate it too" to make Terra sympathetic without a foundation. It was very simple. The differnece is, back then people had the insight and nuance to comprehend there is such a thing as plain evil. Not plain "lack of niceness" but moral impasse against your own. Now you just ARE the dupes who are very easy to manipulate, so all a show has to do is pander to you wanting to find the "good" in a character. Because it IS simply fiction, they can make up any old story no matter how implausible, and people will call it MORE plausible the more they add excuses to say "i didn't mean to!" by making all villainy pretty much an accident. It's the moral equivalent of making every villain die by hurling themselves off a cliff so heroes wouldn't have to kill. And presto! Heroes are "more believable heroes" by not killing. By being just a little damsel deep inside, the villain, if that's an option, spiritually offs herself so the "nice" heroes won't even have to exert the TINIEST effort of moral condemnation. But they DO get to powertrip as being "written as villains" as they have THEIR "understandable" villain moment in context. And this is no wonder, since people who think they are "nice" by imposing a gestalt morality on everyone, and call others "mean" if they EVER question it - well, that kind of moral totalitarianism might as well be the one definition of "good".

[@gehadsheha4775]

Sboink The Leg Day That was nice explanation of the good and bad.

[@yharleththegrandobserver236]

@@sboinkthelegday3892 that's a very long and convoluted way to say "I'm full of shit".

[@wgolyoko]

I loved the bit at the end where Beast Boy & Terra say their goodbyes and Terra brushes her hair aside to reveal her right eye, truly shedding Slade's influence. Very nice touch.

[@greendaleforever]

I just wanted to commemorate the incredible comic book LEGEND that is George Perez. Unfortunately, he very recently shared with his fans that he is dying of advanced cancer and has preferred to not seek treatment but enjoy one more year with those who love and made him. Prolific in every way and without him and his good buddy Marv Wolfman, my favorite cartoon of all-time would cease to exist. Thank you George for your amazing talents and astounding career.

[@crhu319]

Thats sad to hear. I hope he reconsiders but it's his choice how to spend his life. He created mythos we will always remember.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

RIP Geogre Perez. So sad to hear his passing.

[@MediumDSpeaks]

"You officially squandered an hour of your life you'll never get back" Jokes on you, I listened to this while setting up the restaurant I work in, I will LITERALLY get that time back on my paycheck

[@zyaicob]

+

[@私はクソな中国人です]

EBIC GAYMER MAOMENT

[@TheMarshmellowLife]

Same lol

[@beanilla5575]

progamer move

[@aranneva978]

A thing about tragedies is that were it anyone else, it might not've happened to them at all. There are so many opportunities to avoid it, but it's because the character is who they are that makes the tragedy inevitable

[@WinterPains]

I see you too watched Trope Talks

[@Drekromancer]

Brilliant take.

[@jasonreed7522]

@@WinterPains its also something as old as ancient greece and theoretically tought in every highschool english class. OSP just made it fun to learn, which is just 1 reason why they are awesome.

[@myth86715]

the scene that has stayed with me from these episodes is at the end of the fight between Raven and Terra. Terra keeps provoking her and Raven goes all demon-eyed and shouts 'I trusted you, we trusted you!' and then, right before getting dragged under the mud, her normal eyes return. It's no mystery why this series was loved by so many, it's really amazing

[@experiencemaster1743]

Terra: he knew my secret? Beast boy must've told him, there's no other way Robin: was trained by Batman AKA the world's best detective

[@MirBlackwell]

Right she acting like that aint the mf boy wonder

[@mehlover]

Oh this was such a blast. I forgot about all the foreshadowing the fandom did when Terra came back. And rewatching these scenes as an adult is kinda heart wrenching, I just wanna hug Terra and Bb

[@donathan2933]

Ong I feel bad for Terra

[@Pinkywinkykinky]

Someone commenting on theflamingshark's teen titans reactions said there was also that foreshadowing with Starfire first meeting Terra and saying she didn't want her staying in some lonesome cave of darkness

[@WildKat25]

I really felt like the episode "Beast Within" really encompassed how the writers could get both dark, serious, & write an awesome cohesive plot that helped to evolve one of the most unexpectedly darker side of a humorous character; all in ONE EPISODE. Beast Boy can't control himself to the point where his teammates honestly believe that he could hurt Raven due to some previous power dynamic fights between them. Only for it to be confirmed that Beast Boy's instincts view Raven as "pack" and would attempt to kidnap the threatened pack member to protect them and attempt to kill the stated threat. It had a great evolution of Beast Boy's & Raven's relationship so that despite their opposing personalities, they each can recognize the darker & uncontrollable part of their powers that they can empathize with. Raven & Beast Boy have much darker powers in comparison to the other Titans, and in the comics, if Raven embraces her more demonic heritage, Beast Boy often follows suit in choosing demons and more beastly forms to protect her. One character generally reflects the other in alternative universes.

[@Moeller750]

So you're saying a powerful young woman, who genuinely wants to do good in the world, can successfully be foreshadowed to betray her side, and still be a round complicated character? Someone get D&D

[@blackdragonxtra]

Well, considering what Ashley Johnson's doing these days...

[@donb7519]

@@blackdragonxtra what about her?

[@artie9940]

@@blackdragonxtra I don't think they were talking about that D&D mate XD. Game of Thrones' decision makers are commonly refered to as d&d

[@jasonreed7522]

@@artie9940 interesting, although today D&D = dungeons and dragons is alot more well known meaning of the acronym.

[@jyrlan2596]

"Dany just forgot..."

[@Junior-ts1xg]

Watching KZbinrs analyze cartoons from the 90-2000s era is not just nostaglic, it makes me remember how damn good the writing was for these shows. The Terra arc always hit me hard as a kid.

[@MichaelJW72]

There were so many “if only” moments in this story. If only Terra hadn’t freaked out when Robin talked about her having trouble controlling her powers. If only Beast Boy had gotten to her sooner when Slade was filling her head with his poison and could have driven him back. If only the titans had come across BB comforting a sobbing Terra after her battle with Slade, realized what had happened, and told her that they were not going to reject her. If only.

[@travismiddleton8218]

Great analysis. Terra's arc and betrayal in Season 2 is some of my favourite writing from Teen Titans. As a kid watching those episodes and having never read the comic I remember being genuinely shocked by Terra's betrayal. I was rooting for the Titans to beat her when they ambushed her. Now as a adult I can look back and see the arc in a more nuanced less black and white terms. Yes Terra did betray the Titans and help Slade take over the city but in the end she makes the right choice and saves everyone at the cost of her own life.

[@donathan2933]

Not to mention she was an insecure girl which made it easy for Slade to manipulate her and turn her against the Titans. She is to blame for her actions but understand how scheming and psychologically good Slade is at playing mind games, her actions are also understandable

[@skullsquad900]

I loved this show as a kid, rewatched the entire series 4 times, and still love how well the story arcs were done. Slade will always be one of my favorite villains of all time because if this show. I'm both suprised and disappointed you didn't bring up the final episode where BB finds Terra living a normal life and they decide to leave her alone and let her have it. We never got to find out if that was actually her or not....but I kinda liked that.

[@fuzzylittlespider]

It was Terra, when Raven's dad Trigon turned everyone to stone. And at the end of the arc everyone was free and not stone anymore. Terra was also stone just like everyone else and when the world was reset Terra was revived. But we don't know if Terra's memories were erased or if she just wanted to forget her trauma she suffered and just wanted to live a normal life.

[@TheLimeinacoconut]

Nah this wasn't time wasted, this was time well spent! To this day I still love the Teen Titans animated series and next to Raven, Terra is one of my favourite characters

[@zadok23]

When Teen Titans first debuted I was hand over first infatuated with Terra, I had no idea she an established character known for betraying the team so it ABSOLUTELY BROKE my heart when it went down...then my heart was shattered all over again when she sacrificed herself to stop Deathstroke

[@nykole1963]

Just remember if you're afraid to show your kids a movie: It's just a movie. You can pause it, take a breather, and continue on, or stop it completely and continue later. Lessons through TV are a great way to teach, because it's not a real situation they're being put in, it's not real danger you're bringing them through. The lessons are certainly real though. And you can go through it at their pace. Not the pace of the one doing the wrongs.

[@jasonreed7522]

Learning lessons from media as a "safe space" is a concept as old as time. The ancient greeks invented the tragedy and the concept of catharsis. A tragedy is when circumstances beyond a character's control combine with their fatal flaw to end in disaster. (Its called fatal for a reason) Catharsis is that by watching the tragedy you can learn its lessons and avoid making the same mistake. (Interestingly most greek tragedies have hubris/pride as the primary fatal flaw) I think the primary innovation from greece to now in this department is the ability to pause and resume, as well as a revised list of flaws to suit modern morality. PS: I'm curious how many modern psychology terms are derived from the original greek plays. Narcissism is named after Narcissus who was so hot he fell in love with himself when he saw his own reflection. (In Ovid's telling of the myth a nymph named Echo [cursed to only repeat what others said] fell in love and was rejected which devastated her and she faded to be nothing but her voice so Nemesis [revenge goddess] lured him to a mirror like pool where he saw himself, fell inlove, and ended up dead. The narcissus flower [real plant] grew in the spot he died.)

[@Someone-lg6di]

Yes like showing a kid poltergeist or starship troopers when they were 5. I was that kid gave me a phobia of graveyards ever since

[@lexg5317]

Teen Titans was one of my fave cartoons as a kid. I liked the characters, the artstyle, the jokes, but primarily, it felt like it didn't look down on me as a teenager. I remember thinking it felt more mature than the other cartoons i watched and that really appealed to me. It didn't look down on me as a young viewer. I think as adults with adult brains we see stuff like the Terra arc and were like "Oh no this is too much for kids, this is too scary" but as a teen it felt cathartic to have media that was targeted towards me be like "Yeah shitty things like this happen. Kids can do bad things and not be evil. Adults can take care of kids but also hurt them". It was depicting a scary issue but in a way that i could understand and digest it easily. I think you analysis is stellar (like all your vids tbh) you do an excellent job at pointing out all the things that made the Terra arc so great and why as a teen it was one of my faves.

[@playerback7722]

2003: Terra redeems herself G0: just plain evil and boring

[@nanananananananananananana9430]

Before watching the video, I just wanna say that I thought Teen Titans had a genuinely kinda perfect conclusion to the series. It's abrupt, confusing and leaves you empty as much as the idea that things you once knew are changing and that you have to let things go. It's also a great way of expressing the tragedy that this will be the end of the show. And in my personal opinion, I feel people that want it to continue on and think it's bad miss the point of what the message and mood the episode is expressing.

[@vysharra]

Same. The number of “bad endings” that retroactively taint the whole series, very very good series, is uncomfortably high. I would much rather have an abrupt “unsatisfactory” ending than one that comes after a story has outlived it’s premise and finally ended at the pinnacle of poor, empty writing.

[@theliato3809]

They had plans for more but couldn’t because of the big shots. So they did their best with making this last momment. Really making you think about the arc and where it could have gone.

[@agabascal]

Excellently done, would’ve never guessed this reverse engineering happened on storywritting and that we should thank it for terra’s story! Thanks man, hope you make more TT content

[@dantegallo8806]

Look at us all. Grown men and women still not over a cartoon character from 15+ years ago... Damn these writers were good.

[@zeehero7280]

The TT 2003 Terra is far superior becuase she isn't a terrible person. she was a GOOD person who was USED by slade and that's the real tragedy. that a good person was manipulated to betray the Titans who she had become friends with, and despite everything in the end they couldn't help her like they wanted.

[@asefbodlox1859]

Unfortunately she is the weakest Terra amoung all of them. Even the Teen Titans Go Terra can do way more then just throwing rocks

[@logansmith2703]

Thank goodness they cut her having sex with Deathstroke when adapting this story. That was just weird and gross

[@MistyDusker]

And where the writer described her as a slut was yuck. Part of the subversion was genius at the time but the shocking elements didn't age well. They actually ask more questions and poke more holes. A grown man with a teenager would give more reason to hate Deathstroke and see him as a manipulator and Terra as a victim. Labeling her as a slut showed flaws in the writer's beliefs and perspective.

[@gammarayburst5]

The slut shaming made my skin crawl fucking disgusting

[@leonardo9259]

Bro she looks 12 ofc they would cut it out

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@leonardo9259 wouldn't say "she looks 12" as she always looked like a young teenager but yeah of course they wouldn't put that in a kids' show.

[@TheZoobZoobs]

That was a masterful look into one of our favorite shows from our childhood man.

[@observer_IV]

If you think about it. Jinks from arcane and Terra in the cartoon have a lot in common, both were girls trying to do good but failed and then had a father figure that lead them astray though both stories are still different

[@knightshousegames]

The people in charge of 90/early 2000s DCAU were legends. They knew good storytelling wasn't solely relegated to adults, and didn't just act like children will just enjoy whatever, not understanding the deeper morals and messages. They had limitations, but honestly it made for a better product. They couldn't just produce "shocking just for shock's sake" like DC does now, they just made good stories. I think the more "cartoony" approach they took with Teen Titans compared to stuff like Batman TAS and Batman Beyond made me feel a little embarrassed to like Teen Titans when I was a kid, like I don't like the title sequence very much, it was a bit offputting, but when I finally sat down and watched an episode one day, it just happened to be the episode with Robin being Slade's Apprentice, and I was just mindblown by how good it was. Slade was just on another level compared to the villains in Batman or Superman, like none of Batman or Superman's villains REALLY feel like a threat to them the way Slade feels like a threat to the Titans, he just feels so much bigger and stronger and smarter than all of them, and is just so scary in his presentation compared to the cartoony levity of the rest of that universe. Like what other recurring villians did the Titans have? That Lightbulb guy? I dunno. The rest of their regular villains weren't shit next to Slade. When Terra came in, I really liked her design, and her powers were cool, and I wanted her to eventually join up and be a permanent character in the show, so when she heel turned it was really heartbreaking, I just wanted her to be good, it was all just soaked in tragedy, and it just made me hate Slade that much more (in the good way, as you should for a villain, not in the bad way of hating the design of the character and hating them from a writing perspective, like the modern interpretations of DC villains in the newer movies), when I looked into the origins of a lot of the Teen Titans stuff, I kept coming back to the cartoon adaption and just thinking "The cartoon version was way more mature and interesting" over and over again. I haven't liked a single live action DC movie, especially in the modern era, and it's mostly because none of them, even with no restrictions (and likely because of that fact) can touch the best of stuff like this.

[@robofistsrevenge3288]

Terra's entire arc so fascinated me as a kid that I honestly think I can trace my passion for writing and quality storytelling back to those episodes. I had seen the whole "good seduced by evil" trope happen before, sure, but never as painfully as how it was portrayed here. _I_ felt betrayed, which was a testament to how good of a job the writers did. I still have a very special place in my heart for the CN version of this character.

[@kaykay8855]

You know, I never really thought that the original Teen Titans as serious. Rewatching it, the show was serious when it called for it but I can never say it was ‘super serious’ like most fans.

[@GrapeCheckerBoard]

The writers knew how to incorporate drama and humor without letting either tone undercut the other. You could have the Titans traveling across TV channels in one episode and have Terra begging for death in another.

[@brandonlee934]

I'm glad there's a version where she's a sympathetic villain and one where she's just evil. Probably because there's both types in real life.

[@matthewgarza2564]

This video is a banger, straight 🔥. Made me tear up remembering this emotional arc and it hit. Great work

[@BNRmatt]

I had never heard about the original comics storyline before. Was anyone else super duper grossed out by Terra a) being Slade's lover and b) her being called a "slut"?

[@graydanger]

The more time past the more hated that storyline is.

[@alabamaslammer3921]

Srsly i legit had to do a double take to make sure I wasn't hearing things

[@JacobsonCinema]

Great video, Aftershock Part 2 is one of the most serious episodes in all of animation, not a single bit of humor. Terra in the show is one of the most perfect examples of adapting a flat unsympathetic character into a sympathetic and complex character.

[@Theatricbandit]

I'm floored at how well done this is...I'm honestly surprised someone can create or illustrate rather why I adore this series so much...Terra's story always impressed me as a kid from the symbolism, the message and the interactions...she wasn't just a foil, she was her own character through and through. This is going in my favorites. Well done.

[@ZeDitto3]

22:00 I think more important than CN not wanting to depict such a relationship, but also that writers in the 2000s might not have wanted to write such a thing either. I don’t think anyone involved in production would have wanted this to start.

[@briardrinksblood]

It's almost medieval the way you can tell Robin as the leader officially has had enough. Normally his moved are flashy, extreme and somewhat telling He high kicks are massively wound up he uses whatever item is in his hands currently and he where bright colors in contrast with Batman But in the Second Terra fight she isn't fighting a single member She is fighting the whole team each using the Batman's ideals of fighting Use the shadows,stay of out sight never show yourself Even when they talk they all talk in low angry voices like Batman When they fight we don't see them we just see the attacks as they hit like they came from any shadow or any corner

[@thefunkinator2435]

So excited for this video that I'm actively watching this before playing more Elden Ring. This is the highest compliment I can currently give; as I have skipped meals for the game, but would skip the game for this.

[@savagebooks7482]

I am flattered bro

[@hugoweaving7320]

I really enjoy these long-form analyses from you and I'd definitely watch more of your Teen Titans video essays! Also great choice on using the Promised Neverland track for the BG music!

[@yoseisovereign6728]

Oh god so that’s what it was! I was like “I know I heard this in an anime… I seem to remember it being dramatically cut short… what was it?!”

[@yageshabazz3456]

Yes! I’d love a video essay on the Trigon saga

[@Hugo-yz1vb]

Agreed person that shares his name with me

[@ramonety1154]

❤Thank you! I was looking for this for a long time when I heard it on another video hahaha. Appreciate it!

[@dragonskunkstudio7582]

You helped me define my character's third act. Thanks.

[@theslicerofbread481]

I've never had the opportunity to watch Teen Titans, and your video made it very easy to understand and follow, I don't see your content as a waste of time, in fact, it helps to educate and broaden mental horizons, thanks for the effort and work you put in.

[@davidthorne5715]

I don’t remember every episode but I do remember this being such an impactful storyline, even as a kid you still somewhat feel that emotional weight and deeper meaning, but as adult you see how much more struggling there was beneath the animation and fun. I’m glad that they chose to portray it this way instead of being pure evil and malicious.

[@chrisperez9854]

To this day I still don’t know what Terra was expecting Beast Boy to do once he found out she was working for Slade. She wanted him to be her friend no matter what, but how would that work with Slade around her? Did she want Beast Boy to join Slade alongside her?

[@LifeUntilLove]

It is very much a child/teen perspective on friendship "If you say you are my friend, it is an unbreakable contract and I can do whatever I want without fear of it breaking". Which, given Terra is a child and a more immature one due to her trauma at that, makes sense.

[@Oznerock]

@@LifeUntilLove I don't think she actually wanted him to join slade, she was having strong second thoughts about what she was doing, clearly has abandonment issues, and the situation was pushed by slade appearing suddenly there, so she took his words very literally. If Slade didn't show there she would have warned beastboy herself probably, or at least properly turned on slade during the attack. But she was attacked at a particular vulnerable moment, and made the wrong choice... It's much like zuko at the end of s2.

[@donathan2933]

Knowing how creative and fleshed out of a character Terra is, this video wonderfully explains why I love her character arc so much

[@fishy0929]

This arc of teen titans and the episode haunted always have a special place in my heart

[@alien5589]

This arc is a big reason for who I am as a person. It resonated with me so well back then and it still does now that I’m 30 and understand more about my own emotions.

[@Mystic_Stirling]

Wow, this conflict is similar to Catra’s identity, responsibility, needs, and such, but it focuses on trauma a lot. Really wish SB would talk about Shera. Asking why on evil always is worth pursuing

[@opinionpaladin6007]

Also I was always convinced Terra wasn't dead.

[@manband20]

My biggest gripe with the show is how they just kinda sidelined her for almost half of the season. I wish they would have just had her as a background character with on or two lines in the episodes she isn't prominent in with maybe one or two episodes where she goes on a mission, has a couple lines, either screws up or helps out, fade to black. Making her an occasional character, at least watching as an adult 15 years later, makes it seem... less impactful

[@DarkAuraLord]

33:08 - 33:19 on the topic of that, I'd love to hear your thoughts about the adventure time episode "Freak City" and the role magic man serves in that brilliantly written episode. Magic Man fits that description perfectly, the episode was pretty much making the exact point you were talking about in regards to Terra's comic book iteration.

[@a.jthomas6132]

It’s hard to believe it has been 16 years since the "Things Change” finale of Teen Titans is aired and cut short way too soon after Trouble in Tokyo movie. While we can all accept that Terra wants to start a new life as a school girl and doesn’t want to be a hero anymore, we still have yet to know what Slade is plotting while the Titans are away battling the Brotherhood of Evil. Thus, a Starfire arc is never been made. Let alone explore more of Star's relationship with Blackfire, and their early history on their homeworld Tamaran. Also the minor character Jericho is the son of Slade (as seen in the comics). When we see his and Ravanger's connection to their father? Is Rose's characteristic is much similar of Karai of TMNT? But more importantly, when will this show be revived for season 6 or two more? Fans have grown restless and had been waiting for so long and all we get is the ongoing Teen Titians Go! Which displeases fans whom grown up with the original. Since we have see Samurai Jack been brought back, Warner Bros and DC Comics needs to consider it for this one!

[@Raspthewolf]

I remember watching for the first time. I was so hurt and betrayed by terra's turn (mind you I was a kid) and the whole time I was like rooting for her possible "death"

[@lordkuroneko3219]

Who else thinks that the writer on Miraculous Lady Bug who hates Chloe and can't understand why the fans who are royally pissed they reversed her redemption arc should watch this?

[@DimensionalMaster]

It still hits me hard to this day even though I'm an adult I still remember crying when Tara had to sacrifice herself

[@spirit5923]

I loved her so much in the show. I think they made a great set of changes

[@calemlinke773]

Slade and Robin both hate to lose... I tend to keep fighting even after I've lost, even though I've died in one life, and reborn keep trying on to bring forth goodness. from the ashes to become more focused on my goals. to ashes again with more information and strengths. fire within, lighting up the dark, flaming like a star in the sky. this my God has made me like. I am a phoenix at heart, and carry out more every time I live. I too hate to lose, more than wanting to win. but I don't give up so easily.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

“Spoilers for the Bible, I guess?” 😂😂😂

[@aciarduce]

The OG Teen Titans was simply amazing. And yes the writers were incredible. Then there's Teen Titans Go! .....

[@abashedAuthor]

when i was younger, like genuinely a child, and boomerang still ran Teen Titans, it was finally airing the Terra episodes, and since I was a kid we have a timer on the tv that turned off when I was supposed to be asleep, but I was genuinely so infatuated with these episodes that I got right back up and turned the tv on despite getting my ass kicked a mere few moments later lmao. 2000's cartoon seriously had the formula down perfectly.

[@VampyBlood17]

Love how you used Isabella’s lullaby at the end there. Considering hm her story and Terra’s overlap it feels poetic in a way

[@MosheNS]

Isabella's lullaby from the promised Neverland starts playing at 42:54 and boy did my ears perk up Kind of fits the scenario how Isabella had to choose between evil and good just like Terra

[@t1997bone]

I knew that's what that was! I came into the comments to see if anyone else recognized it or if I was just crazy

[@MosheNS]

@@t1997bone don’t worry we’re both crazy 😜

[@pumpkingamebox]

Being an author is like being a part of the smallest fandom. And to get the next chapter have to bear it out of yourself with a stick.

[@6Qubed]

I remember for years afterward, being obsessed with "did you think we wouldn't take it personally"

[@chrisblanc663]

I am astounded they were able to do so much with so little. The original story is based off an unlikeable character. And they only had a hand full of episodes. Terra’s story is my favorite story in teen titans, (although I liked the trigon story and Slade).

[@Mathue360]

Excellent as always! The complexity and maturity that the original teen titans was something that I always appreciated as a child. Shows meant for children/adolescents have a wonderful opportunity to inspire and encourage these young people, I'm glad this show and cartoon network at the time were willing to both go that extra mile

[@DrTssha]

Damn, you actually had me crying partway through that analysis...and that ain't easy. Remembering this tragic story...so many memories, and so many feelings...

[@EV_Comics]

Teen Titans is a large part of why I'm a writer today. There just hasn't been a cartoon that's felt the same as TT, and I'm trying to make stuff inspired by its comedy, story telling, action, & characters.

[@zachanikwano]

I'm so glad you're covering this!! And that it's so long! I remember adoring Terra as a kid and not being able to verbalize why. I love the complexity of her character and that of Teen Titans in general.

[@YaburuRunyaru]

I remember watching that scene, and I thought that it was fake. I remember I couldn't decide if it was real or she was going crazy due to the guilt she felt over betraying them. I was very surprised when it showed that it actually *was* actually them.

[@zionleach3001]

8:00 If only Hollywood realized that everytime the adapt something to "fix" it. *cough* Resident Evil *cough* Cowboy Bebop *cough*

[@NotXaq]

Bro, I gotta say: The music throughout your vids is great. That symponic metal when you summed up the arc in your conclusion really amped me up haha

[@beckyginger3432]

I'm really glad you gave that spoiler warning for the bible - I haven't gotten to the end yet so I'm glad there are still some surprises! 😛

[@andrecherry2347]

14:12 It's interesting how the backgrounds of the thumbnails SB used to list the structure of Terra's tragedy grow darker over time, mirroring the increasing darkness of her story. It's the little things like that which I appreciate

[@underplayer420]

One of my new fave video essays. Taught me a skill I can use for writing, something new about a beloved character, and kept me occupied for almost 45 min

[@Little-Buster]

How different things could have been if Terra didn't betray the Teen Titans, or if slade learned from his mistakes when he had Robin as his apprentice and tried to be a nicer mentor or father figure to Terra to ensure her loyalty.

[@thepriorstone4064]

The Do-Gooder who can Do no Good is such a sad yet fascinating character concept

[@AaronLitz]

Man, this show was _awesome._ And that isn't nostalgia talking, either; I was 27 when the Teen Titans cartoon started, and I watched it religiously. Along with Dragon Ball Z, my friends and I watched these shows in our late 20s and they were excellent. Unfortunately that does make it kind of irksome when I try to have discussions on the Internet today about shows like this, since most of of the people apparently only remember the shows from their childhood and get all kinds of things about the shows wrong because they apparently haven't watched them again since and don't seem to have actually understood what the show was about when they were children. This is most especially apparent when it comes to Dragon Ball. When Dragon Ball Kai was released there were _so many_outraged Millennials going online and bitching about how Kai was just a censored "kiddified" version of Dragon Ball Z, after having watched only one or two (if any) episodes, because when they re-edited the show cut out a lot of stuff that had been bloody in the original, because it had always just been meaningless filler that didn't have anything to do with the original manga. But for someone who had already been in their mid-20s when the Funimation dub of DBZ first aired in the US, then read the original manga, and who wasn't just half-remembering a poorly-dubbed show through the rose-tinted nostalgia of childhood, seeing the new Kai version was incredible. The re-translation and re-dubbing of Kai was _so damn much better_ than the original dub, fixed _so many_ translation errors, corrected Goku's portrayal from being too Superman-esque, and had _so much better_ voice acting, that there isn't even any comparison to be made. Dragon Ball Kai is just infinitely superior to the original Funimation dub. Now, I'm _not_ trying to knock the people at Funi; they were doing their best with the tools at their disposal, and they did a good enough job that we were all able to see how great DBZ was even through their mistakes. In fact, all the people at Funi were _thrilled_ that they got the chance to go back and fix their mistakes with the dub and really turned out something wonderful with Kai. Unfortunately, you will _still_ to this day run into stupid people putting videos up on KZbin about how Dragon Ball Kai was nothing but a "kiddified" censored version of DBZ that was only made to edit out all the blood and sell more toys. _None_ of these people have ever actually read the original Dragon Ball manga, and they have _no_ idea that the Hell they are talking about.

[@theliato3809]

They did a pretty good job under the time restraints. I’d have liked to see what they could do if they had more episodes and less serial restrictions

[@jeluenhayo2410]

A great analysis. But a message to all writers out there: please do NOT write your tragedies - or, well, any story - around "misunderstanding" as a catalyst plot point. It's lazy and stupid and shows only how you couldn't think of another logical reason for something and resorted to deus-ex-machina of relationship drama.

[@vergilmontiero2558]

This whole breakdown of Terra was amazing, ending it with Isabella's Lullaby was a perfect bow to tie it all up considering Isabella's own story start to finish. Nice job👍

[@DragoLavinia]

Not gonna lie, but as a kid I didn't get Terra. I just thought she was an idiot for betraying the heroes. Now i can better see her train of thought and the fact that everyone has flaws which leads them to mistake and even villainy.

[@emilythedragon]

Arcane pulled off a very similar feat with the whole "reverse engineering" storytelling to do the unthinkable and make a video game adaptation that's genuinely good

[@Babidi111]

- I felt like she had it coming. Good demonstration why all these super groups should keep in touch with say Justice league or at least another group that has a damn psychic and guys who can tell if your cyborg has been hacked. That would happen all the damn time, everyone gets mind scanned, all the computer guys get examined, and only overt damn power should make the exception. Though if Supes is refusing a mind meld I'd take it as solid evidence of Fuc*ery a foot!

[@blitzgirl6522]

This video came at just the right time. One of my favorite reaction channels, Blind Wave, have been reacting to Teen Titans, so the show is very much on my mind again.

[@hawkshot867]

Terra might be why so many of us like the dark edgy rogue arc-type so much lol

[@somasaasaa4850]

I’m learning writing in college, and I still find your videos endlessly insightful

[@sephandremanticore5438]

Reverse-engineering can fail if you don't consider random variables. It feels like every heist movie uses reverse-engineering in the "master plan" revelation scene leaving the audience scratching their head like, "what? Why? How?" Like you have characters draw up a plan that involves random variables they CAN'T POSSIBLY PLAN AROUND and yet magically go exactly the way they want because plot. Or how about treasure hunt films where the person who hid the treasure created a bunch of tests and puzzles which would not be possible to solve the same way so many years later. Like the treasure is in Big Ben, but a clue to that ultimate location is... under the Great Wall of China. "Um... what?"

[@dyliriuss7751]

From as a teenage to my adulthood, I remembered the second season of teen titans always resonated the most within me. Great video!!!

[@zyxer3610]

To me, Terra and Jinx(Arcane) are kinda similar. Terra wanted to make friends and learn to control her power. Powder, looked up to Vi and wanted to be useful. Both experienced some kind of betrayal from the person they never expected to turn their back on them. Beast Boy straight up told her “Slade was right, u have no friends” and dips. Vi yells to Powder “ur a Jinx” and to Powder, “abandons her.” These were possibly the worst things they could have experienced since it came from the person they least expected it from. This resulted into them joining the other side, but I felt a lot more emotion from Jinx’s story and… im not sure why.

[@FreelancerStudios100]

Reverse engineering is a useful tool for dungeon masters for dnd because your telling a story around dice and other peoples characters. That can shift even if you know the ending is that the party stops the villain it’s up to your players to get there and the dm to tell the story around that point

[@opinionpaladin6007]

Ngl. My teenage self had a crush on Terra. No wonder I have issues with damaged women. Cartoons are evil. Lol

[@michakasprzak6869]

44:15 minutes long video about the single best 'cartoon' that could ever be served to children WAY under its restrited age (I remember watching it while about 6yo and seeing this small "12" icon in the top left corner of the screen) GREAT! LET'S GET INTO IT! TERRA!

[@playallato]

Same ! My older cousin would always have me watch it with him, no regrets

[@robertpoole9707]

God, after knowing the animated Teen Titans for so long the comic versions look completely terrible. They're genuinely hard to look at

[@Zencast5]

(Thunderous applause) bravo!

[@ravecrazeglitch2360]

Kid me was cheering. Like i was shouting “get that jerk!!”. I felt bad for her sure but i was not a forgiving kid