‘Titans’ Season 2 Finale ‘Nightwing’ Review: An Underwhelming Conclusion

The Titans cannot stay disbanded for too long. With two of their friends now under C.A.D.M.U.S.s’ control, the team must regroup to save their friends. Despite the risk their reunion presents, the team proceeds. When one loses her powers, the likelihood of their mission succeeding lowers. Just in time, however, one shows up and turns the tide for our heroes.

On Friday’s episode of Titans, Dick Grayson/Nightwing (Brenton Thwaites) finally faces Slade Wilson/Deathstroke (Esai Morales). Meanwhile, Donna Troy/Wonder Girl (Conor Leslie), Koriand’r/Starfire (Anna Diop), Rachel Roth/Raven (Teagan Croft), and Dawn Granger/Dove (Minka Kelly) face their brainwashed friends, Gar Logan/Beastboy (Ryan Potter) and Conner Kent/Superboy (Joshua Orpin). On the sidelines, Mercy Graves (Natalie Gumede) uses Gar and Conner for a demonstration to C.A.D.M.U.S.s’ bidders.

Nightwing v Deathstroke

DC Universe

At the beginning of the episode, Deathstroke and Nightwing immediately have the ultimate battle of the season. Rose Wilson/Ravager’s (Chelsea Zhang) arrival to the scene brings a tinge of spice to the fight sequence, although her lines are quite cheesy. Initially, the fight should only be against Nightwing and Deathstroke, but Rose has scores to settle with Slade, too. Excellent fight choreography paired with adequate cinematography made their scene arguably the best part of the episode. Also, it did not start nor finish too quickly, showing how the show invested much on one of the season’s final points.

Kryptonian-Human Mind

DC Universe

The short sub-plot about Gar and Conner’s minds stood well on its own, although it could at least have had more screentime. Rachel and Gar’s sequence calls back to a similar scene in the season’s first season. Dick and Conner, on the other hand, went a notch deeper. Although Dick’s time with Conner in his mind was quite brief, it was a meaningful experience for the character. Sure, it was not as good as Doom Patrol‘s episode about Robotman and Crazy Jane, but it did show enough of Conner’s self-discovery. Scenes depicting popular Superman references littered throughout that sequences. Dick punching through the ‘wall’ mirrored the Justice League Animated Series’ Superman Intro Sequence. Also, Dick and Conner found themselves in Smallville before Conner regained control over his body. Much of his character has a lot of room for development, especially in the third season.

Unreasonable Death

DC Universe

A Themysciran can withstand a Kryptonian’s blows. Such a statement is proven right throughout various forms of DC media. For some reason, however, Donna Troy dies due to electrocution in this episode. Killing her off the way she was is a questionable move. Having Slade somehow stab her from out of nowhere makes more sense compared to her illogical death, carrying an electric tower that fell. If the show needed an excuse to have Rachel and Donna head to Themyscira, death should not be the writer’s option. Yet again, the show does love to kill off characters in this season, much like Aqualad (Drew Van Acker) and Dr. Light (Michael Mosley). Donna and Deathstroke, however, do not seem like characters killed off permanently. Deathstroke regenerates and will likely come after them once more. Donna, on the other hand, may have a chance at coming back to life since Rachel alludes to finding a way to bring Donna back, hence her decision to head to Themyscira.

Heartbroken and Alone

DC Universe

One of the sub-plots that does not damage the finale is Hank and Dawn’s. Hank returns out of nowhere, deciding that punching Superboy in the face was a good idea. After the team deals with C.A.D.M.U.S., Dawn almost dies as she gave a little girl a stuffed toy back, were it not for Donna’s sacrifice. Thinking that Donna’s death is on her hands, Dawn blames herself. Having her reject Hank’s offer to get back together validates the scene. Dawn may still love Hank somewhere in her heart, but now was not the time for him to attempt to rekindle their relationship. Grieving the loss of Donna may take some time for her, but such a time presents hope for a future with Hank. After all, they first met in a Grief Support Group.

‘Titans’ Season 2 Finale ‘Nightwing’ Final Verdict

Titans’ Season 2 Finale presents a string of problems and leaves loopholes unanswered. Donna and Deathstroke’s deaths do not make sense and are likely temporary. Dick running around free in his Nightwing costume is also questionable, given how he escaped from prison after helping two inmates escape. Hank and Dawn, as well as Gar and Conner’s stories, remain quite stable, although they deserve much more screentime than what they have. Jason Todd/Robin (Curran Walters) and Rose will have to bring their issues to the light soon, Rachel’s time in Themyscira is something unexpected. Trouble stirs toward Kory’s way as Blackfire (Damaris Lewis) made her debut in the finale’s last few minutes. Titans has an entire season to redeem itself after this disaster of an end, but one cannot help but wish that it never has to come to this anymore.