WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Titans Season 3, Episode 8, "Home," available now on HBO Max.
Many wondered how Superboy would fit into Season 3 of Titans and if he'd be too overpowered, making an already strong team even stronger. It did seem that way after his antics as a one-man wrecking crew brainwashed by CADMUS, but as he seeks more of his identity now that he's free, Titans changed his primary role to that of a genius scientist. Unfortunately, Titans wastes his potential in the field, especially as Gotham's on fire due to Scarecrow and Jason Todd.
Superboy's ability to read quickly and absorb science has him as the ideal engineer in the Bat-Cave, as seen when he tries to disarm the bombs Red Hood seeded out. He's basically Oracle, using tech and surveillance to scour the city and hack the authorities in ways Batman would be proud.
Still, he's needed as a soldier, but apart from when Scarecrow's lab was razed, Conner's not deployed much in the field with the rest of the family. He investigated with Blackfire and tossed a couple of Scarecrow's goons away, but one has to wonder why he's not speeding around the city or perched on rooftops using his super-hearing and x-ray vision, as he can zoom in like a camera.
This would have come in handy in this episode, as they narrow down where Jason is. Dick should have called Superboy, but instead, he trails Jason and gets smashed by a van. It leaves you wondering why isn't someone who can move at the speed of light used as a resident bodyguard, scout and enforcer. He doesn't even have an official civilian identity or a job, so it'd make sense to have Conner out on these missions.
It comes full-circle when Dick and Jason meet in Gotham's tunnels to broker a truce later on. Nightwing doesn't want anyone around, as he suspects traps. Plus, Red Hood's wired the tunnels to detect who's around, but Conner could have used his powers to lo-jack the meeting and pick up Scarecrow coming down to the meet. It's ridiculous to think Dick goes alone, which harkens back to the mistake Hawk made. Had Hawk used Conner from a distance, he'd still have backup and may have survived.
The dumbest moment, though, comes when they find Tim Drake bleeding out after being shot by Scarecrow. Conner speeds over, uses x-ray vision and the team determines he's got a few minutes to live as blood fills his lungs. Yet they opt to wait on an ambulance when Superboy could speed the kid to the hospital or bring over medics in the blink of an eye.
It's weird Titans would have him using these same powers to rescue Jason from falling from a high-rise last season or grab drinks to celebrate, while keeping Conner static and grounded as Tim possibly dies. Having him more active and mobile in these situations would honestly fit his character and give him an organic reason to be out of the key moments of battle against lesser-powered individuals. Sadly, Titans picks and chooses moments that create plot holes.
The first eight episodes of Titans Season 3 are available now on HBO Max. Episode 9 will release Sept. 23.