The Season 4 trailer for Titans has indicated many arcs will be colliding in what promises to be yet another action-packed chapter. Lex Luthor is into the occult, partnering with the vicious Mother Mayhem and the Church of Blood to cause havoc in Metropolis. In addition, Gar, rocking his comics-accurate costume, seems to be suffering mental damage, while Superboy may finally be giving in to Lex's offer to partner up.
However, there are a couple of quick snapshots of the Titans in battle that left fans stunned over a key return. It seems like a sword-toting Deathstroke is back, intent on slicing up Dick, Conner and the rest of the crew. But this time, unique creative twists could shape the Terminator as way more powerful than before.
Deathstroke Could Be Resurrected Supernaturally on Titans
At the end of Season 2, Slade's kids -- Jericho and Rose -- helped Nightwing and Co. end Slade Wilson's reign of terror. Rose, as Ravager, put a blade through her dad, making up for trying to infiltrate and destroy the team. Since then, Slade's only been mentioned briefly, leaving many to believe he was indeed put to bed. But the way he's back in the trailer, rocking his iconic helmet and costume, thirsty for blood, it feels like Slade is resuming his old vendetta.
But, how could this happen? One option is that Lex and the Church used their magical power to bring him back. Seeing as the Church worships Trigon, they can easily gain access to a dark means of revival, using someone familiar with the Titans as their hound of war. This could grant Slade unique powers and a healing factor, per the books, making him even deadlier. There's also the option that they found out about a Lazarus Pit; a concept used to resurrect Dick in Season 3. Lex and Mother Mayhem may have known about another pool, reviving Slade and keeping him on ice until just the right moment.
Titans Can Twist the Deathstroke Mantle in a Dark Way
While there's no announcement that Esai Morales will reprise his role as Slade, the show could be throwing fans a curveball regarding who is under the mask. Many assume it's Slade, but seeing as the Titans have so many villains lurking in the shadows, someone else could have sent another agent in Slade's gear, just to mess with Dick given their connection and bloody war.
A major curveball could be that it is Jason Todd in the suit. He went off, seeking absolution for the crimes he enacted as Red Hood, but he could have been kidnapped, brainwashed and turned into a new Deathstroke. With Dick fighting ninjas in the trailer, it might be that Talia al Ghul and the League of Assassins are eyeing Gotham, remixing how they used Jason after reviving him in the books.
By turning Bruce's son into this perversion, it'd signal their intent to have a symbol of the Bat-family break the heroes. This would tie into Bruce's mistakes having repercussions, Jason (who was also revived via a Pit in Season 3) seemingly having no way out, and create an avenue for Rose and Jericho to return down the line. Ultimately, it'd shape another bombshell on a series that loves misdirection, and play into Jason's rage, forging a warped Deathstroke that the Titans might have a harder time putting down as he knows them all inside out.
Titans Season 4 will premiere Nov. 3 on HBO Max.