TV Retrospective: Young Justice episodes 16-20

Failsafe

An alien ship over Planet Earth, Batman and the Green Lanterns intercept, the Green Lanterns  are destroyed with Batman deploying Captain Atom, Captain Marvel, Martian Manhunter and Superman to his aid but they’re quickly destroyed, Batman’s ship is blasted and the second shot destroys it as a fleet approaches earth.

Red Tornado joins the rest of the League but tells the team that if they fail, it falls to them. You know the League is 2-3 times the size of the team, just saying. Iris West-Allen reports as the alien attack Central City, Zatara and the Flash save her and head off to fight. But they’re both taken down. The Hawks are destroyed along with Black Canary and Green Arrow in Taipei. Wonder Woman and Red Tornado are the last to be claimed.

Robin brings up a map of ships’ locations, one of them has scattered from the others at the Fortress of Solitude (which Superboy did not know about) In polar stealth, Miss M disables the ship, Artemis seals the aliens inside. Superboy and Miss M disable the big gun but activate a defence system, Wolf took the shot for Superboy and is gone. They integrate the cannon into the bio-ship but more ships arrive, with them unable to fire whilst the cannon’s being incorporated. Artemis disable the ships’ propulsion but one of the cannons manages to fire upon her, Artemis is gone.

Aqualad angrily destroys the ship, Kid Flash is incredibly angry, Miss M is crying. They head to the Hall of Justice, to let them know there are still heroes to defend them. General Eiling (pronounced Ealing – because Greg was one of the contributors to the comic that introduced him) and his men are opening fire but aren’t doing well, Superboy and the others manage to help.

Aqualad intends to help the salvage alien cannons so they can fight back. Miss M finds J’onn underneath his statue, Miss M checks it’s him. J’onn cannot remember why he’s here. Wally has an idea. They find the weapon is giving off Zeta beams, the same thing they use for teleportation, so maybe the enemy is teleporting them. The aliens begin to shoot at them, hitting the bio-ship, the soldiers fall back to the zeta tube. Martian Manhunter grants them all access. But Superboy doubles back for an injured soldier. Aqualad sends Martian Manhunter ahead and takes fire, he’s gone.

The only option they have is to attack the mothership. Superboy is to create a diversion. Superboy and Miss M give a speech to try and motivate everyone. Rocket, Icon, Red Arrow, Tula, Zatanna and Garth are standing to fight. Robin doubles up his utilities. Martian Manhunter takes Miss Martian through the wall as Superboy makes with the distraction, taking up one of the weapons and firing it. Kid Flash races Robin into the base as the ships begin to deploy.

They progress but Superboy is also taken. J’onn says his mind is clear, there’s no prisoners here. Artemis really is gone, but Robin says they still need to destroy this ship. The gravity near the core is weird but J’onn and Miss M lower them. Robin sets charges with 4 minutes but the doors are locked. Miss M and J’onn are ordered to leave but Robin and Kid Flash are killed. And before the mission is declared even slightly successful another mothership begins to land. J’onn says it’s time to end this and stabs Miss M through the chest.

Everyone wakes up in the cave, this was only a training exercise. But it was a train for failure exercise, it’d grow worse for whatever they accomplish. But they knew nothing was real until Artemis died, Miss Martian’s subconscious took over and the psychic backlash made the others forget as well. Martain Manhunter went in but was overwhelmed by their emotions and forgot why he was there, once everyone except M’gann had died, he remembered his intent was to shock M’gann out of the exercise, else those that died would remain in permanent comas.

Batman remarks that they clearly underestimated Miss M’s abilities, Martian Manhunter confirms this, hers is the most powerful psychic mind he’s ever encountered, far stronger than his.

It’s a damn intense episode and whilst it was fairly obvious this wasn’t real, it still has a lasting impact, which we’ll see in the next episode.

Rating 8.5/10

Disordered

Everyone is still shaken from the exercise. Batman arrives, hoping the team would’ve rallied, but Martian Manhunter points out that trauma tends to linger, as Batman well knows.

Black Canary is acting councillor. Superboy is her first target but she really misses the point with him and he storms off. In Metropolis a boom tube opens and 4 people come through in a vehicle. Their leader asks that alien tech (alien by their standards) is masked and they scan for their tech. They’ve found what they’re looking for.

Superboy is about to head out as the Sphere transforms into a massive jet cycle. Superboy and Wolf head out on that. Batman is too late to stop him, especially since he ditched his com. Artemis is the next to speak to Black Canary. She argues it’s unnecessary since she never forgot it wasn’t real. Dinah asks about the secrets she’s keeping from the team.

On the Eastern Seaboard Superboy is intercepted by the Forever People. Motherbox alerts them that Superboy liberated it from the real thieves, leading them to embracing him as a friend and ally. 

Kaldur is saying he’s not fit for command but there aren’t many other good candidates for leadership in the team, he has to remain in command.

The Forever people introduce themselves as young New Gods from New Genesis: Vykin, Serifan, Moonrider, Dreamer and Wolf Bear. They’ve found another piece of stolen tech, underground in a construction site, right near a federal reserve. They take down the guards and head through the tunnel. Whisper Adere and Bruno ‘Ugly’ Manheim are charge. They try and take back the drill, but Intergang (yeah, Bruno and Whisper are Intergang) reveal weapons, from Apokolips

Kid Flash is the next to get counselling. He claims to be fine but Black Canary brings up his extreme reaction to Artemis’ death. 

They bring the battle into the open. The Forever people merge together into a single kinda robot form which takes out their weapons and forces Intergang to fall back, Whisper is left behind and captured. Wanting to know where they got the weapons, they interrogate whisper. They find that Desaad is providing them with weapons. They explain their origins to Superboy

Robin talks to Black Canary. He’s surprisingly open all things considered. He finally becomes leader and ends up sending everyone to their deaths. He doesn’t want to be a leader. He always expected he’d become Batman one day but he can’t replicate that drive he has to sacrifice everything for the sake of the mission and honestly, that’s a good thing. Batman never wanted Dick to become him, we’ll see that in a later episode.

They track apocalyptic tech to an airfield but they’re walking into a trap. They decide to merge again but Desaad is in the area and asks that the fatherbox be delivered, turning it into a weapon for them. Sphere morphs back in and starts rolling away. 

Miss M is next into counselling. She says she can’t use her psychic powers. Black Canary says at one point she refused to speak after an incident when her powers went wrong. Martian Manhunter would be happy to train her so she regain control and her confidence. (Oh and she turns white, to her initial horror hint hint)

Superboy is on the ropes but Sphere manages to fly onto Infinity Man’s (their merged form) head and takes control, offering it to Superboy. He takes down Intergang but Desaad escapes, promising that all will suffer, he leaves behind a bomb, which destroys the father-box and damages sphere, with motherbox’s help it begins to repair. The Forever people let Superboy keep it, knowing that they formed a bond.

Back at the cave, Batman continues analyses the sphere, saying that everything that Superboy reported warrants further investigation. Superboy finally opens up to Black Canary. He wasn’t devastated at all the loss around him. He was created to replace Superman, and getting the chance to do so left him at peace with himself, even happy. He feels really guilty for feeling that way. Black Canary tells him that admitting it was a good first step.

Sometimes an episode like this is needed after a traumatic episode, some shows overlook fallout and consequence and it’s one of the rare moments we get proper insight into some characters. By those factors, this episode ranks among the best in the season. The New Genesis stuff sets up further mysteries which sadly didn’t really go anywhere since Darkseid was clearly being saved for season 3.

Rating 8/10

Secrets

Trivia, this episode was written by Peter David, the writer of the Young Justice comic and features a hero, secret and a villain, Harm, that were almost exclusively featured in that title. 

So a museum is robbed in New York, a sword is stolen, with immense power to those whose heart is pure. He says the mythical incantation aloud. The thief, Harm, shows himself and uses the incantation to draw the sword. He takes down the cops and the curator. The heart must be pure, but it didn’t have to be pure good.

Kid Flash is dressed as a werewolf as Superboy gets the most pathetic mummy job in history. Miss M gets the full zombie look as Captain Marvel arrives… oh dear Billy. I think the Wisdom of Solomon might be taking a night off. Anyway, Artemis and Zatanna arrive and Zatanna immediately sees that M’gann and Superboy are a couple. Artemis doesn’t take it well. Yeah, thing about this, there are exactly 2 instances I know of where Artemis has expressed any affection for Superboy, one of them was in the tie-in comic. That’s not grounds for a one-way relationship.

No longer in the mood for a party, they head to New York instead. Miss M, Superboy and Kid Flash head to the school and see many dressed up as Superheroes. A cute in-joke Mal is dressed how Superboy looked in Young Justice and Karen in her bumblebee costume, hint hint hint. Marvin’s up to no good pretending aliens are invading.

Batman, Red Arrow, Robin, Aqualad and Red Tornado discuss the mole option. Aqualad and Robin both believe none exists. Red Arrow is less sure, he reveals Artemis is not Green Arrow’s niece, Robin knows but Batman intervenes, he’s more concerned about Superboy, who could be the mole without knowing it. Red Arrow also points out that Miss M is one of J’onn hundreds of nieces, and they first met when she stowed away on a ship 5 months ago.

Zatanna and Artemis stop by the museum but things are already cleared up there. Harm watches as they stop thieves and muggers and err… sexual predators? Harm likes what he sees and decides to show himself. Meanwhile a girl in a white cloak is watching from afar. Harm is easily a match for them, they decide to retreat, following the girl in a white cloak. They head onto the rooftops, she only seems capable of uttering the word ‘secret’ yeah, she’s secret, but she’s nothing like the secret from the comics.

Back at the party, the lights go out as more reports of alien activity get out. It’s Marvin performing a prank, Superboy spots him. 

Even hand to hand Artemis is defeated. They spot secret again and head out, Harm remarks their heading towards his home. They land on his very roof and are knocked out.

Back at the party they try and play Marvin at his home game, with Miss M disguising herself as the Looney Tunes version of martians.

Artemis awakens tied up, and sees Zatanna tied up with an arrow pointed toward her. Secret frees Zatanna and she soon sees it’s a girl’s bedroom. She uses a spell to distract Harm whilst she rescues Artemis. Artemis blows up the house with a gas oven and a flame arrow. They come across a grave, Greta Hayes, Secret. She’s an actual ghost, Zatanna asks how she died and she projects an image of Harm’s dagger

Harm comes out and reveals that yes, he killed his own sister. He loved her and that had to be cut out for him to be pure. Secret arises from the grave once again. The sword soon refuses to work for him, despite him begging that he isn’t sorry. No longer empowered, Artemis manages to takes him down and Zatanna contains him. They see out the window the nearby neon lights show 'secret', and it’s the last thing Greta saw.

It’s a fairly dark story, even for this show, but Peter David knew how to write this one. It’s interesting though he chose to focus on two character that were not part of the original Young Justice run.

But if you think that’s the only reference to the Young Justice original comic, you’d be wrong.

Rating 9/10

Misplaced

This one is based on the story that initially united the Young Justice team, there are a few differences but the main premise is the same.

Klarion finds an ideal spot for a spell, he summons Felix Faust, Wotan, the Wizard (who by all accounts is not a magician) and Blackbriar Thorn (who I’ve never heard of) and they begin chanting a spell.

At Mount Justice Miss M has brought back the equipment Batman had requested plus some materials. Zatanna has come again, but says she wishes Zatara would give her space (not subtle in foreshadowing, are you?) soon all the adults disappear

In Fawcett City, Captain Marvel’s uncle Dudley goes missing. Billy Batson soon realises that all the adults are gone. Knowing that Captain Marvel is a grown-up he elects not to change, lest he disappear too. Robin asks Zatanna to use the spell Zatara used to find the source of the sorcery that did this. Zatanna isn’t sure but Robin assures her they will find her dad and everyone. Superboy helps a kid who takes a liking to him. Miss M scares away some graffiti artists.

The gym is being used as a refugee centre, Superboy, Miss M, Kid Flash and Artemis are bringing kids there. Billy tries to access a zeta tube but he isn’t recognised. Aqualad projects a message to the world telling the older kids to step up. Billy sneaks into an airfield. Aqualad and Kid Flash discuss using the Helmet of Fate, eventually deciding against it. Zatanna eventually locates the source.

A pilot is helping Billy get to Happy Harbour but she turns 18 at midnight, as it does so she disappears. We cut back to the beginning of the episode but this time the children disappear. Adults are placed in a panic. A riot starts at Star Labs in Gotham City, the instigator backs off as the riot starts. Gordon amongst others are holding off the riots as Nygma steals something.

The League are deployed to put an end to the chaos (how ironic that in a world of only adults, violence runs rampant but in a world of children, less so) Zatara discusses with Batman about using the helmet. He’d do anything to get his daughter back but Batman remarks there are many ways to lose her.

Billy Batson decides to shout Shazam and Captain Marvel rescues the pilot who’s falling because the plane doesn’t exist anymore. Go figure. Captain Marvel heads to the cave, they work out that there are 2 worlds, one for adults, one for children and Captain Marvel can travel between them. Both teams agree on a simultaneous attack. Klarion is the threat the team have to face. They try and attack Teekl but Klarion’s prepared this time, the cat attacks in full on tiger form. They’re on the ropes so Zatanna summons the helmet of fate

Zatara alerts Captain Marvel that the gem at the centre of the pentagram is the conduit of the sorcery the worlds would magically re-merge if they're destroyed, he turns back to Billy and alerts the team. Zatanna puts on the helmet of fate. Captain Marvel turns back, with an idea for how to retrieve the gem. Zatanna is faring poorly, the helmet is split and Nabu is losing hold but a final attack drops the shield surrounding the gem allowing Kid Flash to retrieve it from their end and throw it to Doctor Fate. Captain Marvel drills underneath the magicians and grabs the gem, throwing it to Zatara, they merge the two together and bring the worlds back.

Klarion escapes. There’s no point in taking him in, he’s chaos personified, he can’t be contained. Zatara asks that his daughter be released but Fate refuses. And as Kent is brought up, Nabu reveals his spirit has been released into the afterlife, both a happy ending for him and a curse for the team. Zatara volunteers himself instead. His body is physically stronger and better handle the strain of his power. He gives his word that he’ll put on the helmet. Well, so much for that dues ex machina.

Zatara gives his love to Zatanna before putting on the helmet. Doctor Fate takes custody of the sorcerers leaving Zatanna devastated. Kid Flash returns home and embraces his family, same with Billy and Artemis. Zatanna moves her stuff into the cave and continues to cry.

Klarion laughs. His distraction was effective. No-one will notice the piece of the starfish from Atlantis was taken from Star Labs.

This episode was brilliant, adding even further emotional weight and plot advancement to what was already a pretty heavy story.

Rating 9/10

Coldhearted

Central City, Wally wakes up. He thinks it’s a great day, his arm’s all better, it’s snowing and, of course, it’s his 16^th birthday. Iris gives him a shout-out on his news and finds out his school is closed. Above a fortress is spreading the snow.

Kid Flash zetas into the cave and the zeta network immediately shuts down due to the weather. Zatanna feels a little shut out. Wally keeps trying out on Megan and Artemis finally puts him out of his misery on that one. Batman tells them to get into polar stealth. A mission briefing is coming.

There are 5 flying ice fortresses that need to be taken down but since the Green Lanterns are off world, all hands are needed on deck. The team and the League will need to fight together. Robin and Aqualad will join Batman at the first fortress. Superboy will then join those fighting at Ice Fortress 2, Miss Martian, Artemis and Zatanna will help with 3 whilst other members of the league handle 4 and 5. Kid Flash notes he’s been left out.

A young girl is in desperate need of a heart transplant and Kid Flash is tasked with picking up the donor’s heart and running it 3000 miles. He’s crushed that he isn’t joining the league/team team-up. Everyone heads out. Kid Flash picks up the heart in Boston. He has 4 hours to deliver the heart before it’s no longer viable. Law enforcement is clearing his route.

Vandal Savage takes down a patrol in South Dakota. He hoped he’d be dealing with the Flash himself, apparently they’re due a reckoning. Kid Flash eventually regains his senses and heads off Vandal looks at a pocket watch and says his delay should suffice. Kid Flash arrives in Seattle but the Doctor says that the girl died 12 minutes ago. Kid Flash is distraught, he wasted 15 minutes fighting Savage. The Doctor picks up the heart and smiles.

Kid Flash rests until another Doctor arrives, the girl is Queen Perdita of Vlatava, Kid Flash realises he’s been conned and chases after the phony doctor. He grabs the parcel and avoids the bullets but is soon revealed that Count Vertigo is behind this, she’s Perdita’s uncle and if she died, he becomes king. He asks why he wasn’t arrested; Vertigo has diplomatic immunity. Kid Flash defeats Vertigo and eventually gets the heart. However, the news reports that Perdita had died. Kid Flash is in the hospital, with Count Vertigo, now King Vertigo gloating over his hospital bed. It’s a trap. Perdita is alive and now has evidence to prove that was committing treason. Diplomatic immunity revoked, he’s locked up in Belle Reeve, to the mockery of the inmates.

Batman and the Flash visit strange, suggesting the ice villains were responsible for the fortress, but apparently they were all in their cells.

It’s a nice episode, shame we don’t see more of the ice fortresses being attacked but the emotional core is solid and it’s nice to see Vandal Savage in a more active role.

Rating 7.5/10

Join us as we finish off season 1 with secrets taking hold, a mission that ultimately ends up pointless, Robin taking the lead on 2 missions, the introduction of a soon to be member of the team, a Justice League recruitment meeting, a return to CADMUS and the team’s toughest trial yet

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Images/clips used in this review are from Young Justice. and belong to their respective owners. All images in this review are subject to fair use