‘Titans’ Season 2, Episode 3 ‘Ghosts’ Review: Unpleasant Circumstances

After surviving surgical strikes against them, the Titans regroup to plan their next move. A mixture of good and bad emotions rush over the Original Team Members as they return to Titans Tower. Meanwhile, the Recruits deal with personal dilemmas. While individual struggles and responsibilities brush over them, their enemies draw closer.

On Friday’s episode of Titans, the Original Team Members, led by Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) plan to capture Dr. Light (Michael Mosley). As Rachel Roth/Raven (Teagan Croft) struggles to control her demonic side, Jason Todd/Robin (Curran Walters) anxiously awaits action. Elsewhere, Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Esai Morales) carefully plans his approach.

Uncontrollable

During a training session, Rachel scares the living daylights out of Jason. As seen in the previous episode, her demonic side slowly tries to break free. It is as if it wishes to consume her and annihilate the world. Thankfully, Rachel finds comfort in sharing what little she wanted with Rose Wilson (Chelsea Zhang). Like her, Rose also dealt with a similar issue: evil asshole father. Despite Rose’s short time with them, Rachel felt more comfortable with her than with Jason. Still, this was not enough, since Rachel seeks comfort from people who knew her well. Luckily, Koriand’r/Starfire (Anna Diop) comes to her aid by answering her call and heading to the Tower at once.

It is great to see Rose reach out to the team members. Her actions imply that she is staying for good, given her friendly approach towards everyone. Rachel, on the other hand, needs a different kind of training. Her powers are of mystical origin, so she needs a little more than blindfolded wooden sword fighting with her friends. Starfire’s arrival will do much to alleviate her emotional pain for sure. Still, handling her demonic abilities will be a challenge. Also, given the Titans’ current situation, Rachel may have to learn to deal with her issues on the battlefield itself.

Training (Continued)

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Much like us, Jason, Gar Logan/Beastboy (Ryan Potter), and [probably] Rose is itching for some action. The sight of the old Titans heading out made Jason suit up, but Dick dismissed his eagerness instead. As expected, this sparks conflict between the Bat-sons. Rose, on the other hand, presumably felt bored, so she decided to spar with Dick as an uninvited partner. Indeed, the tower seems to be shrinking for the young, willing, and dangerously skilled new Titans.

The character development in this episode makes up for the lack of action. Alongside Rachel’s demon issues, we have Jason’s attitude. Bruce Wayne/Batman (Iain Glenn) sent Jason to Dick to have further training, but it does not seem to be working. Jason grows cockier by the minute. Meanwhile, Rose is obviously after blood. Dick cannot keep her in the tower for too long. Sooner or later, Dick has to let the new members have field experience. Their enemies are far too formidable to face given their current lineup.

Dreaded Homecoming

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Memories, both good and bad, return to Donna Troy/Wonder Girl (Conor Leslie), Dawn Granger/Dove (Minka Kelly), and Hank Hall/Hawk (Alan Ritchson). Their return to their former headquarters happens prematurely; a result of Dr. Light’s surgical strikes. Also, they do not wish to remain there, either. All they are after is Dr. Light’s capture. Unfortunately, this poorly set goal becomes their downfall. Despite being a physical team, the group lacked coordination. As a result, Dr. Light took the chance to escape.

The result of their first team-up years after disbandment is a disaster. None of them had the proper briefing nor the right state of mind before the battle. Regardless of whatever equipment they used to track Dr. Light, he still slipped through their fingers. Before they decided to go after the criminal, they should have had a proper discussion about their mission. With the right morale and the appropriate equipment, the team may be able to accomplish a future task effectively.

Overzealous

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Jason’s bloodlust got the better of him this time. After the fiasco with Dick, he decided to try to make up for his actions. A reasonable thought, perhaps, but it ultimately serves his selfish purposes. Once Jason manages to coerce Gar into helping him, they set out to find Dr. Light. It did not matter if Gar insisted on sticking to their plan; Jason only cared for his motives. In a cruel twist of fate, as Dr. Light lay in defeat, Deathstroke decided to reveal himself. Gar could do nothing but look at the blood trail left after Jason’s encounter. Now, this renders his, Deathstroke, and Dr. Light’s whereabouts unknown.

The final events of the episode are a result of Jason’s (again) brash decision making. His resistance to Dick’s method of discipline is just as strong as his manipulative skills. Being a skilled hand-to-hand combatant may be enough to subdue Dr. Light, but not Deathstroke. The killer’s daughter found herself outmatched, so someone with the likes of Jason may survive but is unlikely to emerge victoriously. Still, this entire ordeal hints at a redemption arc likely leading to yet another character change.

‘Titans’ Season 2, Episode 3 ‘Ghosts’ Final Verdict

This chapter of Titans banked on further developing the characters. Both antagonists and protagonists have their fair share of screentime as we finally see Dr. Light in his suit, as well as Deathstroke,  being Deathstroke. However, Kory’s sub-plot here felt more like it fit better in the previous season. Everything about the episode went flawlessly. Dick is teasing his transition to Nightwing that may happen sooner than we think, while Hawk and Dawn hint at returning to the crime-fighting scene.

Titans continues Friday, September 27th with ‘Aqualad’ at the DC Streaming Service.