Ep 6. Bloodlines

As the title suggests, "Bloodlines" delves into the family ties of our favorite heroes and villains. The episode starts off with a bang as Bart Allen, aka Impulse, appears in the present day. The team is caught off guard by the young speedster and immediately suspicious of his origins. As it turns out, Bart is from the future and has traveled back in time to prevent a terrible fate from befalling his family.

The episode flashes back to the 21st century where we get a glimpse of the Allen family dynamic. Bart is the grandson of Barry Allen, aka the Flash, and Iris West-Allen. We see a teenage Bart struggling with his identity as a speedster and feeling disconnected from his family. He is particularly envious of his parents' relationship with their daughter, Dawn, who is also a hero known as the Dove.

Meanwhile, the villainous Vandal Savage is also shown in his own flashback, revealing his own family ties and giving the episode its title. We learn that Savage is thousands of years old and has had many offspring throughout history. He is shown training his son, Genghis Khan, in the art of war and imparting his knowledge of immortality. This scene provides insight into Savage's values and beliefs, as he sees himself as a teacher and believes in passing on his legacy to his progeny.

Back in the present day, Bart reveals that he hails from a timeline where a war has devastated the world and his family is at the center of it. He needs the team's help to gather certain items to prevent this catastrophic future from occurring. The team is hesitant at first, but eventually agrees to help Bart out. They split up and embark on their separate missions, with Bart accompanying Jaime Reyes, aka Blue Beetle, and Tim Drake, aka Robin, on their quest.

Throughout their mission, we see more of Bart's personality and his desire to connect with his family. He and Jaime bond over their shared experiences as young heroes struggling to find their place. At the same time, Tim is grappling with his own issues surrounding his secret identity and his family obligations. This all culminates in a tense standoff between Tim and Bart, forcing the two to confront their differences.

Back in the past, we see a pivotal moment in the Allen family's history. Barry decides to reveal his identity as the Flash to his daughter, Dawn. This moment is heartfelt and emphasizes the importance of family in the show's themes. It also sets the stage for another emotional scene later on, when Bart finally makes contact with his grandparents in the future.

The episode concludes with the team successfully acquiring all the items Bart needed to complete his mission. However, there is still a sense of unease as the implications of Bart's mission are still unclear. The episode ends on a somber note, with the team reflecting on the importance of family and the sacrifices they must make in order to protect their loved ones.

Overall, "Bloodlines" is a powerful and emotional episode that explores the family ties of our favorite heroes and villains. With a compelling plot, strong character development, and gorgeous animation, this episode exemplifies everything that makes Young Justice such a standout show.