Ep 4. Aqualad

After a thrilling crossover event with the Doom Patrol, Titans comes back with an emotionally charged episode titled "Aqualad," which delves into the backstory of a character who had barely been mentioned before: Garth, also known as Aqualad.

The episode begins with a flashback to five years ago, when Dick Grayson was still Robin and Garth was the protege of Aquaman. The two young heroes found themselves in a small coastal town in California, investigating a string of disappearances that seemed to be connected to the sea. They soon discovered that a group of human smugglers were using high-tech scuba gear to abduct people and sell them into slavery. Garth and Robin were able to put a stop to the operation, but not without a cost: Garth was badly injured during the mission and had to be taken to a nearby hospital.

It's in the hospital where Garth meets Donna Troy, who's working as a nurse at the time. The two strike up a conversation and quickly hit it off, bonding over their shared experiences as proteges of superheroes. Donna tells Garth about her own mentor, Wonder Woman, and how she's trying to find her place in the world without her guidance. Garth, meanwhile, confides in Donna that he feels like he's living in Aquaman's shadow and that he wants to prove himself as a hero in his own right.

Back in the present day, the Titans are dealing with a crisis of their own: Deathstroke has taken Dick Grayson captive, and the team is struggling to figure out how to rescue their leader. They know that Deathstroke is one of the most formidable villains they've ever faced, and they're not sure how to take him down without Dick's guidance. Enter Garth, who shows up unexpectedly and offers to help.

Garth reveals that he's been tracking Deathstroke for some time, ever since the assassin killed his own father and framed Garth for the murder. Garth has been chasing Deathstroke across the globe, studying his every move and learning his weaknesses. He tells the Titans that he's devised a plan to take Deathstroke down, but that it's risky and will require all of them to work together.

The episode then jumps back and forth between the present day and the flashback to Garth and Donna's meeting. We see how the two of them grow closer over the course of Garth's hospital stay, and how Donna becomes a mentor to him in her own right. Donna teaches Garth how to fight without relying on his powers, and encourages him to step out of Aquaman's shadow and become his own hero.

As the flashback comes to a close, we see Garth and Donna sharing a tender moment on the beach, where they've gone to watch the sunset. Garth tells Donna that he feels like he's found his place in the world, and that he couldn't have done it without her help. Donna smiles and tells Garth that he's going to be a great hero someday, and that she'll always be there to support him. It's a touching scene that underscores the connection between these two characters and how much they mean to each other.

Back in the present day, the Titans put Garth's plan into action, and it's a thrilling sequence that showcases each character's strengths. We see Garth using his powers to control the water and take down Deathstroke's henchmen, while Donna and Kory take out the assassins with their martial arts skills. Even Hank, who's nursing a broken arm, gets in on the action, using his brawn and his strategic mind to help the team.

The episode ends with the Titans successfully rescuing Dick and defeating Deathstroke, but not without a cost: Garth sacrifices himself to save Donna's life, taking a fatal blow from one of Deathstroke's weapons. It's a heartbreaking moment that reminds us of the consequences that come with being a hero.

Overall, "Aqualad" is a standout episode that gives a previously overlooked character the chance to shine. Garth's story is both tragic and inspiring, and it's clear that he had a profound impact on the other characters even before he joined the team. The episode also does a great job of balancing action and emotion, with thrilling fight scenes and touching character moments that will resonate with viewers long after the episode is over.