Ep 1. Princes All

The highly anticipated third season of Young Justice kicks off with the episode "Princes All," which picks up right where the season two finale left off. The original members of the titular team have reunited to form a new group called the Outsiders, and they waste no time jumping into their latest mission.

The episode opens with the Outsiders infiltrating a heavily guarded metahuman trafficking operation in the heart of Markovia, a fictional European country in the DC universe. The sleek and sophisticated Nightwing, now leading the team, directs them with precision as they each use their unique abilities to fight their way through countless guards. Superboy's sheer strength is on full display, as he tosses soldiers like rag dolls and shrugs off assault rifles like they're mosquito bites. Tigress, newly equipped with high-tech gadgets, swings and flips with agility that puts even her fellow acrobats to shame. Geo-Force unleashes his earth-bending powers to crumble walls and send enemies flying. Finally, Brion (Geo-Force's real name)'s royal birthright comes into play as he uses his diplomatic status to negotiate with the Markovian prince himself, who has some valuable intel on the metahuman trade.

It's all in a day's work for the team, but there's a sense that they're not just doing this to stop a common enemy. As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that each member of the Outsiders is dealing with personal issues and struggles that have brought them together under Nightwing's leadership. Halo, a mysterious girl with a glowing aura and no memory of her past, struggles to reconcile her new identity with her old life as a human. Brion is haunted by the recent death of his family and seeks revenge against their killer. And Nightwing himself is grappling with his own demons, including a recent break-up with his girlfriend Oracle and the responsibility of leading a team that includes his youngest sister, Artemis.

As the team wraps up their mission in Markovia, they receive a call from Oracle, who informs them of a new threat: metahuman children are going missing all over the world, and no one knows why. It's up to the Outsiders to investigate and put an end to this sinister plot. Along the way, they'll encounter new allies and foes, revisit old wounds, and test the limits of their own powers and loyalties.

"Princes All" serves as a strong foundation for the rest of the season, setting up the overarching plot and introducing new characters and themes while still staying true to the show's original tone and style. The animation is as stunning and fluid as ever, showcasing the team's acrobatics and fight choreography with cinematic flair. The voice acting is top-notch, with the returning cast delivering nuanced performances that deepen our understanding of their characters' inner lives. And the writing strikes a balance between humor, drama, and action, keeping the pacing brisk and engaging.

Fans of the previous seasons will find plenty to love in "Princes All," from the witty banter between characters to the nods to previous events and interactions. But the episode also welcomes new viewers with open arms, introducing the Outsiders and their mission in a way that's both accessible and exciting. It's clear that the creators have put in a lot of effort to make this season a satisfying continuation of the show's legacy, and if this first episode is any indication, they've succeeded.