ReacTT17: Robin's Got Issues

Ajouté : 2026-05-06

[00:00:00]Hello everybody and welcome back to Nquille Reacts. The show where you watch me watch Teen Titans and say, "Yeah, I guess I did." Honestly guys, at this point, what more is there to say about this series other than I'm completely vindicated. Everything I've ever thought has been correct, and you will all be struck down for your hubris and doubting me. Is that too hostile of an intro?

[00:00:17]>> By simply turning off all those useless security programs and connecting directly to an underground server in Eastern Zandia.

[00:00:24]>> Damn, what kind of websites you want to go to, Beast Boy? Actually, you know what? It's better if I don't know.

[00:00:29]>> I, Beast Boy, have gotten my hands on an advanced copy of the hottest video game ever, Mega Monkeys 4.

[00:00:37]>> That's three. Are you supposed to be the fourth? Is this a self-insert for all the animal shape shifters out there?

[00:00:44]>> And then >> interesting default pose. But you know what? In this show, I don't think there's anywhere safer in the world than Robin's arms.

[00:00:51]>> Look out, monkeys. Here I >> Oh, you're telling me Titan security doesn't allow you to just input any random thing you download off the internet? It's almost like Cyborg is a professional.

[00:01:01]>> GameStation must not have enough horsepower. But I bet the Titan mainframe does.

[00:01:06]>> Oh no, sorry. I was giving you too little credit too early. Only now are you going to share the malware with the class?

[00:01:14]>> Oh man, isn't there a computer around here that can play this thing?

[00:01:18]>> I'm glad y'all got a lock on cyber security. This could have gone pretty bad.

[00:01:26]Are you going to make Cyborg himself play the game? That doesn't seem like a fair way to treat your robo friends.

[00:01:32]>> If Cyborg's computer can handle this, nobody's can.

[00:01:36]>> You know what? Now I got egg on my face because I didn't even consider that Cyborg would have a computer. Clearly, I've got to analyze some things about myself.

[00:01:43]>> Here we go.

[00:01:46]Kind of a tight fit.

[00:01:48]>> That felt violating. I'm not sure I like what's happening here. Is the computer going to be Cyborg after all? No, cuz he's got fleshy bits. Where are those?

[00:01:58]>> Better motor before Cyborg. What are you doing here?

[00:02:04]>> That's good gaslighting. He doesn't need to be here. This isn't his room. He doesn't even live here anymore. He left to join the hive. Remember?

[00:02:10]>> That's your computer. And what's this?

[00:02:13]>> My system recharger. And speaking of, I could use a little juice.

[00:02:17]Wait, I I think a recharger might have a >> Okay, half credit. I don't know what a system recharger is specifically, but it feels like Beast Boy still [ __ ] up.

[00:02:24]And that's the main takeaway.

[00:02:26]>> This is the best peanut brittle I've ever tasted.

[00:02:31]>> Video game to cyborg system as drug is to human system. Sure, it's synthetic, too, which means this man is really in for a trip.

[00:02:42]>> He's just excited. I got an advanced copy of Mega Monkeys 4 >> with three whole monkeys.

[00:02:49]>> I tried to play Mega Monkeys on Cyborg's system recharger and now he's got some kind of computer virus.

[00:02:55]>> Oh, a virus is a drug. That makes a bit more sense.

[00:02:58]>> You know what would be fun? Let's all go out for waffles. Raven, you like waffles, don't you?

[00:03:03]>> More than life itself.

[00:03:05]>> Really? That's a cute character trait. I feel like every other time waffles have come up, you've been grouchy. That is also how you show joy.

[00:03:11]>> We must help him.

[00:03:12]>> I've never met anybody. No problem. I'll shrink down to the size of an amoeba.

[00:03:16]>> Hey, is that a real thing you can do? If so, I feel like you could have been Ant-Manning your way out of a lot more problems.

[00:03:21]>> Thanks, Beast Boy, but I think you've done enough.

[00:03:23]>> No, no, we're not doing a insecure Beast Boy plot. Blazy, he did just [ __ ] this up. There was abundant security, so many fail safes to make sure this plot never happened, and he went out of his way to destroy them all.

[00:03:34]>> The only person qualified to repair Cyborg is >> Cyborg. Are we getting his dad? I know in the books his dad built the tower, so he's at least tangentially involved, but I don't know how much the show ever really wants to dive into these characters backstories, but we did just have a whole thing about Starfire, so maybe it's on the table now.

[00:03:52]>> I hate to admit it, but there is one other person.

[00:03:59]>> Yeah, I guess so. This is interesting.

[00:04:00]Why's Tim got beef with him?

[00:04:02]>> Look out, you shicking gunk stains.

[00:04:05]Gizmo's bootleg copy of Mega Monkeys.

[00:04:08]>> I'm sorry. I forgot what show I was watching. Of course, it's Gizmo. He and Cyborg are intrinsically linked.

[00:04:15]Seriously, I feel like they have a more consistent animosity than even Robin and Slade.

[00:04:24]Hey, what the >> No stinking way.

[00:04:29]>> Think about it this way though, Gizg. If you don't fix Cyborg, there will be no one for you to annoy incessantly for all of time. Darkness in a world without light is just empty. I'm not fixing that overgrown bucket of robo scrunch. And there's nothing you GR slippers could ever do or say to make me say it go.

[00:04:44]>> Oh, except for your supernatural powers.

[00:04:47]Yeah, I was going to say it's my bad. I I totally forgot you had those.

[00:04:54]>> Raven, what the hell? One day I want to understand the inner complexities of this little goth girl. Is this like a Lucifer type thing? Is that your real face? And if so, are you a mutant? Just saying. I noticed a few tentacly bits.

[00:05:05]What kind of sludge sniffing idiot gets himself infected with the endzone virus?

[00:05:11]>> You had some help.

[00:05:12]>> Should I know what the endzone virus is?

[00:05:13]I don't want to Google it for spoilers, but it feels familiar.

[00:05:17]>> They got to shrink down to microscopic size. Go in and hit the virus where it lives.

[00:05:22]>> Yeah, good idea.

[00:05:24]>> At least when he does it, he's not going to be an amoeba. All I'm saying is it feels like a job that could benefit from some opposable thumbs. Also, I think you can trace the downfall of culture to when cartoons stopped doing Fantastic Voyage episodes. It was a staple of the medium and they always slapped >> what you nose hair's never seen a shrink suit before.

[00:05:46]>> Is it different than what he usually wears besides the helmet? Not to infringe on a man's right to use a privacy screen just feels a little unnecessary.

[00:05:53]>> Maybe I should go. You can direct me from outside.

[00:05:56]>> Forget it, Scuzzball. This tech only works on me and I work alone.

[00:06:01]>> Famously part of a group. There's Jinx and Maxameleon and a bunch of other ones now. Cyborg himself briefly.

[00:06:08]>> But maybe I can never mind.

[00:06:11]>> They are all so fed up with Beast Boy [ __ ] There's a very thin line between comedic relief and bane of everyone's existence. And I know from personal experience that is a hard tight rope to walk.

[00:06:22]>> The virus is messing with his central processor. You know, he's a brain and that's where you're going to put me.

[00:06:29]>> Okay, so I'm actually less downed with this idea. Maybe don't give Gizmo access to Cyborg's brain. I'm not saying he's going to kill him or anything. It just seems like an opportunity for a lot of high jinks that I would not trust him to rise above.

[00:06:44]>> Okay, Far Springs, I'm in position.

[00:06:48]>> This is a ludicrously fast-paced episode. We're only like a third of the way in, and I feel like we've covered so much ground. Don't worry, Cyborg. This won't hurt a bit.

[00:06:56]>> I'm sorry. Impaling his brain. Feel like we might want to raise expectations beyond a bit.

[00:07:11]>> Apologies. You were shooting Gizmo into him like a bullet. That is mostly painless.

[00:07:18]I really appreciate that it's just loosely the shape of Cyborg. The easier gag would have been a full Looney Tune style cutout, but you guys are striving for realism.

[00:07:26]>> Are you inside Cyborg?

[00:07:27]>> Oh, I'm inside him. All right, but I'm not in his brain. I'm in his butt.

[00:07:33]>> So, get hiking. You know where the brain is? What's up, >> you cludge heads have any idea how long it's going to take me to get from this tin can all the way up to his brain?

[00:07:43]>> Then I suggest you stop complaining and start moving.

[00:07:46]>> That's what I said, Tim. Chop chop, little angry man.

[00:07:54]I do appreciate that his delusions are entirely foodbased. They took what seemed like a onenote joke about this character and turned it into a true character trait. If he's not in the midst of an existential crisis about his own humanity, there's only one thing on his mind.

[00:08:07]>> You remember who we are. Yes, >> you're the nasty egg people who stole all my waffles.

[00:08:15]>> And he gives the food lore. That's far more fascinating. Now I want to know the backstory of that lollipop.

[00:08:21]>> Where's Beast Boy? Resin Frost and Titans want to blast his stinking CPU to punch CR virus scum.

[00:08:29]>> All right, step one. Stop shooting inside the man. I don't know what Oregon you're in currently, but I think he needs it. Step two, we are doing the amiibo plan. Beast Boy, you understand that you not understanding boundaries is literally how we got in this problem.

[00:08:42]>> Dude, cut it out. What the blob boy? I'm here to help. This use of his power is rattling me in a way that none of the others have because how do you feasibly shift this small? What happens to the hair and the skin and the teeth? And again, I understand that's an issue every single time, but something about shedding everything but a single cell makes it hard to ignore.

[00:09:06]>> Hey, Burbrain, you hearing this crud?

[00:09:08]>> Yes, and it's a good idea. You've got a partner now, Gizmo. Deal with it.

[00:09:12]>> Say what you want about Robin, but he is a good team leader. My man may have actively disobeyed me, but I'm not talking bad about him to you.

[00:09:19]>> East boy, for Cyborg's sake, please don't touch anything.

[00:09:23]>> Tell Gizmo not to be popping off at the slightest inconvenience.

[00:09:27]>> Yeah, don't move. Are you kidding me with this?

[00:09:31]>> Did you forget that I'm one of your villains? No, I just thought you were one of the chill ones. You have chill villains. You know, like half the time we're fighting some pretty serious people who want to do us major harm and the other half is um if you say hi jinx shenanigans.

[00:09:46]What rich inner history does the traffic meter have? Did it betray you to the legion of pancakes?

[00:09:52]Mumbo clock. I love that this little goofball has got so much merchandise in universe. He really stole the hearts of everyone, not just me.

[00:10:05]Also, in terms of the range of Teen Titans episodes, this one's pretty far on the filler side. I don't mind the sillier, lighter eps, but usually they're at least an excuse for really cool visuals. This one's got none of that and no real plot. Feels like we're just treading water for the story to resolve, which is a shame cuz I think the concept is prime existential dread material.

[00:10:29]As is, I feel like he's the wrong person to do the Fantastic Voyage trope with, cuz usually these episodes are about the strange kingdom that exists within us with weird anim animalistic viruses and bizarre terrains. Because he is so mechanical, this just seems like a corridor they could all walk down anywhere else. Even Beast Boy as an amoeba isn't that interesting cuz he's just going down a big blue hallway.

[00:10:55]However, I am learning a lot about cyborg psyche. Specifically, which foods are friend and foe >> CAN KEEP YOUR SPRINKLES. I NEED RASPBERRY FILLING.

[00:11:10]>> Are the dollars your sprinkles or did you get your wish?

[00:11:13]>> No, not macaroni.

[00:11:15]>> I'm sorry. I don't know what the [ __ ] I was thinking. Obviously, shards of glass are sprinkles.

[00:11:27]Cyborg's virus has made sick the machine of money.

[00:11:30]>> Um, actually, no. It looks like he touched something and blew it up. And you know what? Never mind. This is actually a great episode. Cyberborg's my favorite character.

[00:11:36]>> And if this is what it does to an ATM machine, >> there's no telling what it can do to everything else.

[00:11:41]>> He has touched a lot of stuff, most of it mechanical. I feel like it's not that prevalent of an issue. The virus is feeding on his circuits. And judging by how scuzzed up they are, I'd say we're getting close to his brain.

[00:11:53]>> True. It's not even a legit virus. It's robo stuff. That's a neat subversion, I guess. But I don't know. For a show that is usually so dynamic. I just want something more fun to look at.

[00:12:03]>> What are those white blood cells?

[00:12:05]Cyborg's human immune system thinks we're the virus. Run.

[00:12:10]>> Here we go. This is what I'm talking about. This is why you do this story with Cyborg to show how the human and metal bits clash within him.

[00:12:24]Well, at least Beast Boy learned to appreciate Gizmo. Feel like the issue was actually the opposite, but I'm sure Gizzy will give him a pat on the back after this.

[00:12:33]Let me guess, Cyborg is eating something he's not supposed to.

[00:12:41]Okay, I was being sassy, but that is pretty funny. I'm glad it wasn't just another random machine. Even more targeted mayhem like that, I could easily get behind.

[00:12:53]Y'all see that pink energy that coursed over it? They know how to keep my attention. I'll give them that.

[00:12:57]>> The city's communication hub. If he infects that transmitter coil, the virus will spread to every machine within 100 miles.

[00:13:05]>> Oh my god. Stakes. Let's go. Oh, I guess the whole time I should have been worried that Cyborg was not going to get cured, but also I wasn't.

[00:13:16]>> So, we're just going to pretend this never happened. Deal?

[00:13:19]>> No. Get your pat on the back, fam.

[00:13:21]That's why you do this hero [ __ ] for the accolades.

[00:13:24]>> I think he means we're almost there.

[00:13:26]>> Almost isn't good enough.

[00:13:28]>> Don't rush me, Scuzz breath.

[00:13:29]>> We got to stretch this out for 22 minutes.

[00:13:32]>> If the virus isn't stopped, Cyborg could wreck the entire city. And I'm the idiot who wrecked Cyborg.

[00:13:38]>> Have the petty party later or when you have more than one cell. Right now, keep your eye on the bomb or brain. You know what I mean?

[00:13:45]>> If Cyborg tries to wreck the city, this will shut him down. But good, but you'll be able to turn him back on, right?

[00:13:52]Don't know. Don't care.

[00:13:53]>> Now, that is interesting. You got a guy in there who's willing to kill him off in order to save the town. I like that direction a lot. Though, I am curious why Gizmo wants to save the town. Maybe it's more a case of finding any way to screw over Cyborg possible.

[00:14:07]>> We'll find a way to stop the virus in time somehow.

[00:14:12]I already found a way.

[00:14:16]>> This is the risk you run with archeneemy surgeons. They're cheap, but do take pleasure in your pain.

[00:14:30]It is fun to see that Cyborg can also hold his own against the whole team. The fact that all the members are still highly capable by themselves actually helps make the team dynamic a lot stronger cuz you can tell it's an active choice.

[00:14:41]>> How come they're not trying to eat us?

[00:14:43]Because they're not stupid. The virus knows we can't stop it and so do I.

[00:14:48]>> Never known a virus to gloat, but I guess some things just have too big of an ego to contain. Wouldn't know anything about that. Everything I've ever thought has been correct.

[00:14:56]>> Scanning threat minor deletion eminent.

[00:15:02]>> This is what I'm talking about. A fun new villain, cool design, unique powers, and a nice foil for Gizmo specifically.

[00:15:08]Cuz who is the techiest guy in the world going to lose to other than tech?

[00:15:12]>> That may not be able to stop you, but I will.

[00:15:16]>> Scanning single cell organism threat zero.

[00:15:20]>> Thank god there's only one cell. I was imagining all the comments the whole video. Hopefully, they're still stuck on how the monkey thing was just the fourth installment of a game about three monkeys.

[00:15:31]Presenting the virus as an octopus whose tendrils slowly encroach and smother all the other tech is the sort of interesting visual that I've come to expect out of this show. Maybe I've been spoiled a bit too much, but I'm a little sad we just got to it at the end.

[00:15:43]>> Single cell organism, mental capacity, zero. Programming ability zero.

[00:15:49]Mathematical aptitude zero.

[00:15:51]>> Translation: You are useless. and rightfully insecure.

[00:15:55]>> You know, this cell may stink at math, but I can still multiply >> and become a real octopus. You're lucky I draw a line at Cyborg dying cuz otherwise I'd [ __ ] you up.

[00:16:11]>> See, again, this makes sense because Beast Boy does typically consist of more than one cell, but something about seeing them all laughing is making me question things I don't usually think about. Could he at any point assign consciousness to any part of his body?

[00:16:24]That feels like a superpower in its own right.

[00:16:27]>> Processing overwhelming.

[00:16:34]Also, I do like that his form is being presented as a gas. All the tech bits are obviously solid. The blood cells were presented as a liquid. This is a neat way to show that while Beast Boy is a foreign agent, he is capable of fitting naturally into this environment.

[00:16:48]>> Say good night, Spyro Scrunch. If I must kill you to make my life more convenient for even a second, then that is a sacrifice I am willing to make.

[00:17:00]>> Not to mention cannote his strength as he expands to encompass pretty much everything and literally cannot be fought.

[00:17:10]>> The fact it makes for easy expulsion is just a bonus.

[00:17:13]>> What happened?

[00:17:15]Oh, my stomach feels like I ate a tire.

[00:17:19]>> Oh, true. You've got at least a partially human digestive system. I hope you got your own toilet in that tower or somebody else is in for a very rank week.

[00:17:26]>> I appreciate what you did for me, but dude, please. It's hard enough knowing you were running around inside me. I don't need to know what else was there.

[00:17:32]>> His literal least favorite person on the planet. Have we brought that little factoid up to him yet?

[00:17:37]>> May not be smart enough to do everything, but I'm dumb enough to try anything.

[00:17:42]>> That honestly could be the motto of this entire crew. Even the smart ones are flying by the seat of their pants.

[00:17:46]>> I wonder what became of Gizmo.

[00:17:52]Titan crunch.

[00:17:56]>> They just left him like that. That's insanity. If he can't grow by himself, this is a fate worse than death.

[00:18:06]>> You still up?

[00:18:06]>> Yeah, he's basically nocturnal. It happens if you grow up in Gotham.

[00:18:16]>> Alas, poor Slade. I knew him well and he sucked just so much.

[00:18:22]>> He's not coming back. You know, that's all that's left of him. Nothing but dust.

[00:18:26]>> You canonically read comic books, don't you? I don't know what they're like in your world, but I can tell he's an afficionado in this one. He is absolutely coming back.

[00:18:33]>> We can't be sure. He was never captured, never found.

[00:18:36]>> However, from an in universe standpoint, I would like to bring up that he drowned in lava. Usually, I do agree with the no body, no death mentality, but again, I have a sneaking suspicion of what happened to the body. Slade's gone.

[00:18:49]>> Trouble.

[00:18:52]>> But then how am I going to be edgy? I feel like I haven't had the focus of a season in like a while, man. Who's going to be the central character now? You.

[00:18:59]You can eat all the parking meters you want. It's not happening.

[00:19:06]>> Cinder block. Underrated villain in this franchise. Man is booked and busy doing evil monster nonsense every damn day.

[00:19:12]He's had more one-on-one encounters with the Titans than pretty much anybody else. And he still shows up swinging every time.

[00:19:23]>> Drop it, cinder block. Your little cosmic energy blasts are just love taps to this man, okay? He's made out of the things that you break in karate. That's why the only person he fears is the master of martial arts over here.

[00:19:40]Do you autodefault when stressed or you just allergic to good decisions? Turn into a bird.

[00:19:49]God damn. I don't mind them skimping on the animation last step if we can splurge in random moments like this. I didn't know I needed to see Cyborg doing his best Thor impression, but god damn if it didn't give me a reason to live.

[00:20:07]>> Take his ass out, Rob, and do what none of these metahuman cyborgs or aliens could dream. Kick him with YOUR NORMAL FOOT.

[00:20:19]THANK YOU. THOUGH I'm shocked it wasn't more effective.

[00:20:24]>> What I wouldn't give to know what's going on inside Beast Boy's mind when he makes these decisions. Okay, so the Triceratops had absolutely no impact whatsoever. So, it's time to try literally anything else? Yes. Else meaning not a dinosaur. No, different dinosaur.

[00:20:43]Slade.

[00:20:46]>> Oh, I'm sorry. I was making hahas.

[00:20:47]Robin's broken. These are what we call delusions and not the fun grandeur variety. You need to go to therapy.

[00:20:53]>> Too slow, Robin. You always were.

[00:20:56]>> I knew you'd come back.

[00:20:58]>> Honestly, I hoped cuz things were getting a little stale around here. Not going to lie. You know, the hive people just sort of forgot they were our big bads now. We took their main guy. They haven't even checked in.

[00:21:11]I like giving him a legit martial arts stance. That's fun.

[00:21:14]>> Save your energy. You're going to need it. I merely freed Cinderlock to get your attention.

[00:21:22]>> Am I insane, too? He's making a good argument. Cinder block is just sort of a big dumb dude to get sent places. But no, this has got to be madness. There would be some pageantry surely. In three short hours, they'll trigger an earthquake so magnificent it will break your city in two.

[00:21:39]>> Not if I break you first.

[00:21:41]>> I'm not sure that would actually help the situation. Could be cathartic for you, though.

[00:21:44]>> Slade, he's back. He's going to create a massive earthquake and we have 3 hours to stop it.

[00:21:50]>> The dude fell into a pit of lava. Who lives through something like that?

[00:21:54]>> Comic book characters. It's okay. You're stuck inside. Go have a chat with Super Boy Prime. He'll explain it all to you.

[00:21:59]Yeah, he's pretty pretty.

[00:22:06]>> To be fair to little Garfield here, it does seem that some of the changes are involuntary. I resend one of my earlier critiques.

[00:22:13]>> We'll worry about how Slade survived later.

[00:22:16]>> Also, I'm just clueing in now that she's using the raven form as an umbrella.

[00:22:19]This is the sort of casual use of powers I adore. It sounds stupid, but I love when writers remember that superpowers are just things that characters can do, and they can be used for both extravagant and benol purposes.

[00:22:29]>> Cyborg, check out the bridge. Raven, take the park. Beast Boy, the pier.

[00:22:34]Starfire, we're going after Slade.

[00:22:37]>> I think you three can handle the simple task of bomb removal. Starfire, let's take a walk through the park.

[00:22:41]>> Did you find the seismic generator? Man, I can't find Didley.

[00:22:45]>> Nothing here either.

[00:22:47]>> They're there. Keep searching.

[00:22:50]Oh, now I'm starting to really feel bad for Beast Boy. As we all know, there's nothing worse in life than sneezing.

[00:22:54]It's loud. It's annoying. It sort of possesses your whole body like a wrathful spirit. Can't imagine what it's like if it also changes your size, shape, and amount of limbs.

[00:23:02]>> Told them exactly where Slate put the generators. I should have gone to find them myself.

[00:23:06]>> Yes, right. Cuz you could have hallucinated them right where you thought. That would have been so much easier.

[00:23:11]>> You must have faith in your >> Robin.

[00:23:17]>> No time to talk, Star. Lightning means Slade's being dramatic.

[00:23:20]>> Robin.

[00:23:22]>> Starfire, stop him.

[00:23:27]>> Oh, the look of worry in Starfire's eyes. The slow, creeping suspicion that Robin truly is a few eggs short of a basket.

[00:23:34]>> What happened?

[00:23:36]>> You are hurting me.

[00:23:38]>> Slate ran right by you. How could you let him get away?

[00:23:41]>> But Robin, there was no one there.

[00:23:44]>> Jokes aside, this is dark. I feel really bad for Starfire in this moment. and Robin. Honestly, the man's been through a lot. It's no wonder that he's staying so paranoid or that the constant fear of the other shoe dropping would take its toll, but it is sad to see.

[00:23:55]>> I've looked everywhere. I think Slade set us on a wild goose chase.

[00:24:03]>> That suggests that the animal forms are just subconsciously chosen. That makes way more interesting. Why was he feeling armadillo in that moment?

[00:24:10]>> Robin has elected to search on his own.

[00:24:13]>> Why?

[00:24:14]>> He said he saw Slade. I tried to see him, but I could not.

[00:24:19]>> I know, girl, cuz you're too good for this world. I'm sure you tried your hardest to help, but some battles a person's got to fight on their own.

[00:24:25]>> I have never seen Robin so angry. So angry at me.

[00:24:31]>> Let's go find Robin.

[00:24:32]>> Also, I do really like when Cyborg comes off as the eldest member. For the most part, he's as silly and goofy as the rest of them, but every now and then, he's got the ability to say, "Let's stop [ __ ] around and take things seriously for a sec."

[00:24:42]>> Slade, show yourself. Come out and fight. Relax, Robin. I'm not going anywhere.

[00:24:49]>> I am wondering if my jokes about Robin not wanting Slade to be gone are just going to be the truth. Cuz now he does kind of have to ask himself, what is he without this thing that's been plaguing him for years and even that attack he directly causes himself. This show does a really good job conveying aspects of PTSD and trauma in a really intuitive way. You get a sense for what Robin's feeling, even if you don't have the words for it.

[00:25:21]>> Brings back memories, doesn't it?

[00:25:24]>> All I remember is how much I hated you.

[00:25:26]>> What I remember is that you couldn't defeat me.

[00:25:30]>> Also, for as much as I adore Terra's arc in season 2, it does feel like it kind of interrupted the show cuz a lot of the episodes in this season are specifically tying back to those from the first. This feels like it's trying to explore the emotional fallout of him becoming Slade's apprentice more than pretty much any other episode so far.

[00:25:47]>> I've stopped you before.

[00:25:49]>> Robin, if you've stopped me, then why am I still here?

[00:25:54]>> That really is what it all boils down to, isn't it? Robin can't feel safe. He can't feel like he's actually free of this man. Which means it is going to be incredibly devastating when they actually do bring this man back.

[00:26:04]>> How can you save a city, Robin, when you can't save yourself?

[00:26:10]Something about the way Slade fights feels so real. A lot of the show is very stylized. The action is fun. It's snappy. Hands and feet energy blasts are going everywhere. But whenever there's a duel with this dude, it is slow, methodical, and you feel every punch.

[00:26:35]See, I literally saw him get [ __ ] smacked by a monster earlier. Only now does it feel like he's really getting beaten up.

[00:26:40]>> Robin's locator signal. He's nearby.

[00:26:44]>> Very nearby.

[00:26:48]>> Oh, this is going to be a horrifying sight to see.

[00:26:57]>> Since what is raed to vibe?

[00:26:59]>> I respect they didn't play it fully for last, though. It is meant to be sad.

[00:27:02]You're meant to be a little perturbed.

[00:27:03]Honestly, I appreciate the restraint.

[00:27:05]>> He's cloaking himself. That's why you couldn't see him.

[00:27:08]>> But if I could not see him, why could you?

[00:27:11]>> He hates me and he wants me to look insane. So, he designed a suit that was invisible to everything except specifically the cones in my eyes.

[00:27:18]What's weird about that?

[00:27:20]>> There are no generators. There is no slade.

[00:27:23]>> I KNOW WHAT I SAW.

[00:27:25]>> SEE, HE'S THE voice of reason. I wouldn't go so far to say he's the dad of the team, but he's definitely got some Spencer Shay vibes.

[00:27:30]>> I have to stop him. I'm the only one who can and I'll take down anyone who gets in my way.

[00:27:42]>> Oh my heart. Oh god. Starfire, you did the right thing. But God does it break me.

[00:27:47]>> Alone again, rather.

[00:27:52]>> As long as I'm around, >> you are never alone.

[00:27:56]>> It's called haunting the narrative.

[00:27:58]Also, now I am starting to doubt myself a little bit because if Robin's fully wrong at this point, it is just depressing. I feel like he needs to win.

[00:28:07]He needs to be right. But the themes would hit a lot harder if he wasn't.

[00:28:10]>> Robin would not do these things. He would not threaten his friends. He would not shout at me or >> her grabbing her arm where he grabbed her. This is such a dark episode. What the hell? I should have enjoyed the amiebas in the tube when I had the chance.

[00:28:24]>> His heart rate is off the charts. Blood pressure, neuro kinetics. Most people can't survive this kind of stress.

[00:28:32]>> Robin, >> the hell is going on? Is this all going to be a dream? There's like two sides of my brain fighting right now. One going off all the information this episode is giving me and the other going off of how a cartoon works.

[00:28:44]>> But where is Robin?

[00:28:46]>> There's four jumping into immediate action like that is rad as hell. Even he knows to stop digging around when his friends are on the line. Robin's activated the quarantine protocol. Nothing can get in or out.

[00:29:00]>> We shall see about that.

[00:29:03]>> Star, I admire the approach. Do think you're probably someone Cyborg considered specifically, >> though. Of course, he made sure to build an out for himself.

[00:29:15]>> What are you doing finding Robin? Aar metos.

[00:29:24]Robin, I'm here to help you.

[00:29:26]>> Whoa, this is a thing you can do. What is an empath? It was like somebody who felt sad when someone else's ice cream fell off the cone. Is it just telepathy?

[00:29:34]These don't feel like emotions.

[00:29:35]>> You have to trust me. Slade isn't here.

[00:29:38]He's not in the tower.

[00:29:40]>> No.

[00:29:40]>> What is that? It's the Batcave. Oh, we're doing a full little brain tour.

[00:29:45]This is him swearing in as Robin. Is that a thing he did in the comics? What book you do that on? The Bible seems like not the right answer.

[00:29:52]>> He's here. He's real. I've seen him.

[00:29:55]>> Then let me see him through your eyes.

[00:29:58]>> Right. The Flying Grayson's. Fun fact, the reason Tim Drake becomes Robin in the first place is because he's obsessed with the Graysons. And it's how he's able to recognize Dick as Nightwing, leading to him trying to recruit him and end up getting recruited himself. We're just going back further and further.

[00:30:19]See, Robin, there's no one here.

[00:30:22]There never was >> Slade.

[00:30:28]>> You saw him?

[00:30:31]>> I don't know if he's real or not.

[00:30:33]>> Me neither, man. This is a trip of an episode. I came in thinking I had all the answers and y'all threw away the rule book.

[00:30:39]>> He's real to Robin and that's all that matters. Robin truly believes he's fighting Slade and Slade is winning.

[00:30:46]>> No. Okay. Yes. I'm back on it's a metaphor for trauma and a damn good one at that and one that actually does manage to convey how it can cause literal harm.

[00:31:02]>> Actually, is it even a metaphor at this point or just a representation of >> I can feel him. He's not going to make it.

[00:31:09]>> Then let us end this battle now.

[00:31:14]>> They're so cute, man. All of them.

[00:31:16]They're such good friends. I remember when we had to have whole episodes about them learning to like each other. God, we've come a long way.

[00:31:24]>> I won't stop. Not now. Not ever. I am the thing that keeps you up at night.

[00:31:30]The evil that haunts every dark corner of your mind.

[00:31:33]>> You know, it's at times like these. I remember that this boy is meant to be a teenager. I think if you watch this as a kid, it's scary cuz like that's a super villain. But if you watch as an adult, it's scary because that's a child. Only in my mind.

[00:31:46]Only in the dark. My friends are right.

[00:31:50]You aren't real.

[00:31:52]>> I'm real enough to finish you.

[00:31:54]>> Lights out, Slade.

[00:31:56]>> I love that the solution is he has to reason it out. Recognize that he is in control, though he still relies on an external factor to help him. Not just accept that everything's good, actually, and he's not in any danger, but look at why the thing is affecting him, and try and figure out a way to cope. Just truly beautiful stuff. Looks like Slade pulled off one last trick. His mask contained a chemical reagent that infiltrated your central nervous system.

[00:32:18]>> There's the metaphor part. I knew it was too much for a kids cartoon to say that Robin legitimately has this much baggage. But you know what? Write any fun excuse you want down. This is one of the best explorations of the true price of an archeneemy relationship I've ever seen.

[00:32:31]>> Okay, he's better. Now, what about me?

[00:32:35]I'm dying over here.

[00:32:36]>> I'm sorry. Robin was dealing with the demons of his past in reckoning with his position as a child hero. You have leukemia. We'll get to you.

[00:32:44]>> The reagent in Slade's mask didn't trigger itself. There was a signal.

[00:32:48]Somebody triggered it from outside the tower.

[00:32:52]>> This is a little have your cake and eat it too of you. But all right. Again, this episode slaps so hard I'm willing to accept pretty much anything now.

[00:33:04]All right. All right. Well, I don't know if I can still say this series is banger after banger. Don't know if it was obvious, but I didn't really care for the virus episode. Not because it was a play on Fantastic Voyage. I just think they didn't do enough with it, especially for a show bursting with so much creativity, but Haunted might be one of my favorites so far. It packs an emotional punch rivaled only by Terara's arc in the last season finale, and it shows just how much the team has come together and overcome. Next episode will mark the halfway point of this series.

[00:33:29]And if this is the kind of story they're now interested in telling, I cannot wait to see what's in store. But as always, if you liked this episode, make sure to leave a comment down below. And if you didn't lie.