[8.0/10] This magic arc is my favorite one from season 4 thus far. It has an epic scope, a personal bent, and a thematic heft, all of which work better and more harmoniously than what the season has offered to date.
My favorite part is Nobu’s test of “the children” to make them prove their worth to be able to fight in the battle. I’ll admit, they’ve been the part of this arc I’ve been the most resistant to, if only because they felt more like props than characters. We, or at least I, didn’t know anything about them, and it felt like this show’s worst regular indulgence -- throwing at stories and arcs that require you to already know the characters from past stories in comics/TV/film, without establishing who they are and why we should care.
But this episode does both. Seeing Thirteen confront her insecurities in the form of creepy marionettes, only to resolve to continue fighting despite them, is heartening. Watching Khalid reconcile his different identities, talents, and faith, despite the imagery sense hat he’s drowning in his different responsibilities and facets of self, is inspiring. And Mary recalling why she stopped staying “Shazam!” and chose to live her life rather than the life of “Sergeant” explains her unique challenges and shows her unassuming strength. The details are a little rushed, but the impressionistic style of Nobu’s challenges makes up for it, and both the characters, and the audience’s appreciation for them, comes out stronger on the other end.
We also get another chapter in the continuing saga of Beast Boy’s descent, as his Outsiders teammates are more and more aware of his struggles and how they’re hindering the rest of his life. I’m ready for someone to intervene (M’gaan?), and I’m curious how far things will go before that happens. We’ve reached the point where it’s become hard to watch given how sad Garfield’s situation is, which shows what the writers are doing is working.
Last but not least, I appreciate getting the backstory to Nobu and the acts of the Lords of Order on Earth, in our latest “Why are you telling me something I already know?” fable. (Though I’ll confess, I’m still a little confused as to how the supposedly immortal Aryan died during what happened in Atlantis. The backstory on how Klarion brought Vandal Savage a starro to help him control his people in ancient Babylon, with his son Nobu becoming Earth’s localized lord of order in the aftermath, continues to provide a historical scope to this story. The explanation that the Lords of Order believe tying their champion to mankind would help them understand the concerns of humanity is a compelling one, and the evolution of Aryan with their diadem to Earth champions with Nobu’s helmet makes some intuitive sense.
I’ll admit, the effort to tie it to Zatarra’s faith isn’t as clean or clear as the one with Khalid. But I like how Nobu’s own epiphany follows those of the children. Zatara getting through to his captor, explaining that despite the name, it cannot all be left up to fate, but rather requires cooperation and deliberate effort, is a good message to land on, even as it seems a touch too late when Klarion appears to be obliterated before Dr. Fate can grant him sanctuary.
All-in-all, another good installment in this arc, and one that leaves me hopeful as to how things will wrap up in part four with even more magical figures brought into the fold.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2022-08-21T19:36:51Z
[8.0/10] This magic arc is my favorite one from season 4 thus far. It has an epic scope, a personal bent, and a thematic heft, all of which work better and more harmoniously than what the season has offered to date.
My favorite part is Nobu’s test of “the children” to make them prove their worth to be able to fight in the battle. I’ll admit, they’ve been the part of this arc I’ve been the most resistant to, if only because they felt more like props than characters. We, or at least I, didn’t know anything about them, and it felt like this show’s worst regular indulgence -- throwing at stories and arcs that require you to already know the characters from past stories in comics/TV/film, without establishing who they are and why we should care.
But this episode does both. Seeing Thirteen confront her insecurities in the form of creepy marionettes, only to resolve to continue fighting despite them, is heartening. Watching Khalid reconcile his different identities, talents, and faith, despite the imagery sense hat he’s drowning in his different responsibilities and facets of self, is inspiring. And Mary recalling why she stopped staying “Shazam!” and chose to live her life rather than the life of “Sergeant” explains her unique challenges and shows her unassuming strength. The details are a little rushed, but the impressionistic style of Nobu’s challenges makes up for it, and both the characters, and the audience’s appreciation for them, comes out stronger on the other end.
We also get another chapter in the continuing saga of Beast Boy’s descent, as his Outsiders teammates are more and more aware of his struggles and how they’re hindering the rest of his life. I’m ready for someone to intervene (M’gaan?), and I’m curious how far things will go before that happens. We’ve reached the point where it’s become hard to watch given how sad Garfield’s situation is, which shows what the writers are doing is working.
Last but not least, I appreciate getting the backstory to Nobu and the acts of the Lords of Order on Earth, in our latest “Why are you telling me something I already know?” fable. (Though I’ll confess, I’m still a little confused as to how the supposedly immortal Aryan died during what happened in Atlantis. The backstory on how Klarion brought Vandal Savage a starro to help him control his people in ancient Babylon, with his son Nobu becoming Earth’s localized lord of order in the aftermath, continues to provide a historical scope to this story. The explanation that the Lords of Order believe tying their champion to mankind would help them understand the concerns of humanity is a compelling one, and the evolution of Aryan with their diadem to Earth champions with Nobu’s helmet makes some intuitive sense.
I’ll admit, the effort to tie it to Zatarra’s faith isn’t as clean or clear as the one with Khalid. But I like how Nobu’s own epiphany follows those of the children. Zatara getting through to his captor, explaining that despite the name, it cannot all be left up to fate, but rather requires cooperation and deliberate effort, is a good message to land on, even as it seems a touch too late when Klarion appears to be obliterated before Dr. Fate can grant him sanctuary.
All-in-all, another good installment in this arc, and one that leaves me hopeful as to how things will wrap up in part four with even more magical figures brought into the fold.