Recap / DC Universe Online Episode 32

Teen Titans: The Judas Contract is the thirty second Episode in DC Universe Online which adapts The Judas Contract while introducing new characters such as Robin (Damien Wayne), Terra, and Jericho.

Summary

It's graduation day as Cyborg, having just recently joined the Justice League, spends his last day as a Titan. Cyborg has asked the new heroes to come to Titans Island in order to find someone to fill in the spot he would leave behind. Also, Tim Drake has also gone through a change as he has taken up a new identity: Red Robin, leaving Batman's son Damian to take up the Robin mantle. But not all is as it seems...

Calculator, fresh off of trapping Superman and Supergirl in the Phantom Zone, decides to share his newfound fortune by having the new villains aid the Fearsome Five by acting as a mole within the potential new recruits. However, they are not the only ones with plans for the Titans.

Tropes

• Apologetic Attacker: Cyborg after he is hacked by Gizmo in the Heroes side of the "Titans Targeted" alert. Averted in the Villains side as he is able to shake off the hacking and realize that the "new recruits" were in league with The Fearsome Five all along.
• The Bad Guy Wins:
  • Slade is successfully able to bring the captured Titans to H.I.V.E and complete Ravager's contract.
  • The new villains, after defeating H.I.V.E. Master, manage to trap the Titans (including Nightwing and Red Robin) in H.I.V.E.'s Mountain Base (which is collapsing) and are able to upload the data they had gathered from Titans Tower to Calculator from the Hall of Doom.
• Badass Boast: The new Robin as he decides to challenge the other two recruits to a fight.
  Robin: I am the heir to the Demon and the Dark Knight. And you will show me respect, even if I have to beat it from you.
• Breaking Speech: Prior to the fight with Terra, Robin gives one to her. Possibly as a part of his plan (See Driven to Madness).
  Robin: No one wants you, Terra. Not the Titans. Not Slade. Not even your parents.
• The Bus Came Back: After not being seen since the H.I.V.E. Moon Base Alert, the H.I.V.E. returns.
  • Bus Crash: The investigations focusing on H.I.V.E. Master implied that Zazzala was killed after he took over.
• Continuity Nod: The purpose of finding new recruits for the Titans is to fill in the spot Cyborg would leave after joining the Justice League.
• Cute Mute: Jericho, who communicates exclusively through sign language. Though he has no problems speaking while in control of another person's body.
• Do Not Call Me "Paul": Jericho has to correct his mother when she refers to him as "Joseph."
• Driven to Madness: Robin's plan to defeat Terra as he would have her use her power to a point beyond her control.
• Dude, Where's My Reward?: Terra complains that she should be getting more than a simple thank you from the tourists she saves.
• Dumb Muscle: Mammoth, much to Psimon's frustration. In the "Titans Targeted" alert, when he breaks into the Titan's den, he believes this to be Starfire's room. Psimon, who had apparently implanted a map to her room into his head in the first place, is so frustrated that he tells the villains to kick his ass as it will help with the ruse and that Mammoth deserves every bit of it.
• Et Tu, Brute?:
  • Cyborg, in the villains' version of "Titan's Targeted" spends the majority of the fight calling them out for their deception.
    • At the end of the "Titans: The Machine" raid, Nightwing has the same reaction to their betrayal.
  • Terra snaps from seeing Slade^* Actually possessed by Jericho with Robin and the other new recruits, with him disowning her as a surrogate daughter.
• The Ghost: For the second time, Shimmer is mentioned but not seen. Especially jarring as only four member of The Fearsome Five can be encountered. Not even Dr. Light appears.
  • Averted as, after two episodes of being mentioned, Damian Wayne appears as the new Robin.
• Honor Before Reason: Arguably Deathstroke's Fatal Flaw. It was mentioned that while his family was taken hostage by The Jackal, instead of giving in to his demands, Deathstroke made his move which resulted in Jericho having his throat cut and the destruction of his marriage to Adeline. When confronted, he says to Jericho that one day he'll understand.
  • It's how H.I.V.E. Master convinces Deathstroke to complete Ravager's contract.
• Insult Backfire: During their fight, Deathstroke taunts to Nightwing that he's nothing like Batman. Nightwing responds by mentioning Batman's therapy bills.
• It Amused Me: Why did Deathstroke fight (and defeat) Nightwing despite the latter not even being part of the contract? He just wanted to wipe the smug look from his face.
• It's All About Me: No matter how much he says he loves his sons Grant and Joseph, at the end of the day, Slade cares more about his honor. Even stating that a true son of his would gladly sacrifice his life for the sake of it.
• I Meant to Do That: After his defeat, Robin states that he never intended to beat the other two potential recruits. He was just testing them to see if they were fit to be on the same team as him.
• I Shall Taunt You: Terra does this to Robin when he fights the other two recruits. Robin responds by telling her she was next after he had finished with them.
• Jerkass: New recruits Terra and the new Robin are this, although...
  • Jerk with a Heart of Gold: For all of his treatment of Terra (See Breaking Speech), Robin tries to convince her to let the Titans help her. Even volunteering to get her and Slade from the fallen rubble caused by her powers at the end of the boss fight in the "H.I.V.E. Reborn" raid, despite believing that enemies deserve no quarter.
  • Jerk with a Heart of Jerk: Terra is antagonistic and confrontational. And that is even before she's revealed as the titular Judas. The "Terra Incognito" investigations shows how she really feels about the Titans.
• Jerkass Has a Point: Robin points out that the Titans can be held responsible for the Tourists' injuries on Titans Island.
• Like Father, Like Son: Speak to Robin and he'll mention studying the Teen Titans and developed plans to neutralize them if necessary. Similar to how Batman infamously did with the Justice League.
• Liquid Assets: When fighting the H.I.V.E. Master, he does this with the powers and abilities of Beast Boy, Cyborg, Donna Troy, Raven, and Starfire.
• Oh, Crap!: Starfire has this reaction when the training simulator malfunctions and starts projecting holograms of the villains instead of mooks. She has an even bigger reaction when the simulator projects a 9000 level threat: Trigon.
• Papa Wolf: One of the reasons why Deathstroke takes up Ravager's contract with the HIVE is to get revenge on the Titans for his death.
• Passing the Torch: Tim Drake passes the Robin mantle onto Damian, with himself becoming Red Robin.
• Properly Paranoid: Speak to Raven as a Villain during the introductory portion of the episode and she'll mention your aura being rigid for a hero.
• Red Oni, Blue Oni: Nightwing and Red Robin fill these roles, most notable during the "Titans: The Machine" Raid, where the former appears more passionate and hot headed (Which may or may not be due to Starfire being among the captured Titans) where the latter is more calm and levelheaded.
• Revenge: See Papa Wolf. Deathstroke's motivation is to complete Ravager's contract and avenge him.
  Deathstroke: I've taken this contract from my son, Grant. Whom you and you friends murdered and dishonored.
• Ship Tease: Filled to the brim in regards to Nightwing and Starfire with the latter referring the former as her beloved. There's also a minor case between Beast Boy and Raven from completing the "The World According to Gar" investigation.
• The Starscream: H.I.V.E. Master is revealed to be this as he had married Zazzala before ultimately betraying her and taking over H.I.V.E..
• Totally Radical: The Teen Titans fans speak in this manner.
• Was It All a Lie?: On the Heroes' side, by completing the "Terra Incognito" investigation, you receive a message from Beast Boy with shades of this in regards to Terra.