Titans TV Series Introduces Jason Todd's Robin

CBR

Bro, We Already Love Titans' Jason Todd More Than the Comics Version

By Kevin Melrose

Published Nov 9, 2018

Jason Todd, the new Robin, makes a splash in his introduction on DC Universe's Titans. After less than 30 seconds, we already love him and his smirk.

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the fifth episode of Titans, “Together,” streaming now on DC Universe.

In a Titans episode packed with sex, brutal fight scenes, implied nudity and, yes, exploding heads, somehow Jason Todd still manages to steal the show, despite receiving fewer than 30 seconds of screen time. But with the bone-crunching punches, a smart-ass smirk and shameless use of "bro," how could the new Robin do anything less?

The focus of "Together," as the episode's title might suggest, is the birth of the Titans, as Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites) determines that their best chance of surviving the relentless Nuclear Family is to work as a team. Of course, that's easier said than done, considering Kory (Anna Diop) doesn't remember who she is, Rachel (Teagan Croft) is terrified of what's lurking inside of her, and Dick is reluctant to reveal his identity as Robin. And Garfield (Ryan Potter)? Well, he's frequently nude.

Unfortunately, they have little time to practice, as their hideout -- a rundown, isolated motel -- doesn't remain secret for long, and the nascent Titans are forced into a brutal showdown with the Nuclear Family, back to full strength with a replacement Dad (listed in the credits as Stepdad). Through teamwork, the Titans subdue their single-minded pursuers, and Dick races to Chicago to confront their breakfast-loving handler. But there, the young vigilante doesn't find any answers, only a Dr. Adamson (Reed Birney, credited as "The Messenger") resigned to his fate.

With his identity and location exposed, Adamson activates the explosives in the head of each member of the Nuclear Family, and counts down to the arrival of a wetworks team to his apartment to eliminate the meddlesome Dick Grayson. Alas, the assassination squad is as punctual as it is effective, overwhelming Dick -- at least until the timely arrival of another Boy Wonder.

After taking out at least five armed killers with impressive efficiency, Jason Todd (Curran Walters) smirks at the bloodied former partner of Batman and says, "Wow. Dick Grayson, in the flesh. Nice to meet ya, bro! I'm the new Robin."

We'll have to wait until the next episode, the appropriately titled "Jason Todd," to discern whether there's any sincerity behind those words and smug look. We're betting, and hoping, there's not, because we already have one Robin who's painfully forthright; we desperately want the other to be, well, a dick (lowercase "D"). And so far, Walters' Jason Todd appears to fit that role just fine.

Obviously, there are greater implications to Jason's arrival than mere entertainment value, as a year after the disappearance from Gotham of the original Robin, the Dark Knight has already recruited and trained another child soldier. It's the very thing Dick fears about training Rachel and Garfield. "Part of me feels bad for turning them into weapons," he confides to Kory. "Once you learn to see the world that way, you can't unsee it. Not ever."

And now Dick is confronted with another weapon, wearing his costume, not to mention a grin that's just begging to be smacked.

Now streaming on DC Universe, Titans stars Brenton Thwaites as Robin, Anna Diop as Starfire, Teagan Croft as Raven and Ryan Potter as Beast Boy, with Curran Walters guest-starring as Jason Todd.