After saving the world from a catastrophic apocalypse, the “Teen Titans” face their next big threat, the Brotherhood of Evil. Not to be confused with the Brotherhood of Mutants from X-Men, they’re an evil organization led by a Brain. Not half of the duo from Pinky and the Brain. Anyway, Brain recruits past villains to wipe out our heroes and their allies
The fifth and final season officially aired in 2005 (same year V for Vendetta came out) earning positive reviews from critics. After the show ended in 2006, a follow-up TV movie, “Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo” as a swan song. I got bad news, Max will be removing Teen Titans. Why? Because WB’s been losing money flop after flop. Most notably, Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League & “Joker: Folie a Deux.”
As you may know, James Gunn’s shepherding the DC Universe. “Creature Commandos” is now streaming on Max. Mr. Gunn’s working on the highly anticipated “Superman” starring David Corenswet. It’ll be released on July 11, 2025. A live-action Teen Titans movie is in development. The roster’s based on the 2003 cartoon. Before Superman & Teen Titans come out, I wanna share my thoughts on the fifth and final season.
Today’s review contains crucial SPOILERS.
Positive & Negative Aspects
Positive: Voice Actors reprise their roles and they did an excellent job for their respective performances.
Animation has a unique blend of an American cartoon and anime series.
Action Sequences are pretty good.
Humor has some funny moments.
Several actors/actress guest star in various episodes.
- Judge Reinhold
- Wil Wheaton
- Freddy Rodriguez
- Jason Marsden
- Michael Rosenbaum
- Ashley Johnson
Chemistry with the gang serves as the main highlight.
My favorite episodes are “Calling All Titans,” Titans Together” and “For Real.”
Raven’s my favorite titan. I used to have a crush on her growing up.
Negative: Brain’s an incompetent bad guy. He never slays the gang. Brain pales in comparison to Slade/Deathstroke & Trigon. Speaking of which, Slade never shows up. Not one single episode.
Unlike her friends, Starfire doesn’t get a story arc. Season 5 follows Beast Boy.
Even though the Titans’ allies including Aqualad, Kid Flash & Speedy return, Wonder Girl has a non-speaking cameo. She’s an original founding member from the comics. Alongside Wonder Girl, her aforementioned pals are OG founders of the team. It’s like a punch in the gut for old school fans of the comics.
“Things Change” is my least favorite episode.
Episodes 53-54 – Homecoming Parts 1-2
Beast Boy receives a distress call from his former team, the Doom Patrol. He and his group go on a rescue mission.
First time I’ve heard of Doom Patrol was this two-part episode. When I was 12, I never read a single comic on the team. They later got their own live-action TV show with Brendan Fraser as Cliff Steele/Robotman.
Beast Boy’s real name is Garfield. His full name in the comics, Garfield Mark Logan.
Part 2 ends with Brain recruiting villains our heroes fought in previous seasons.
Episode 55 – Trust
Robin & Hot Spot team up to fight Madame Rouge. A shapeshifter who can stretch and mimic anybody. She’s a mixed evil female version of Plastic Man & Mystique.
Episode 56 – For Real
As our heroes are on a mission, Titans East arrive at Jump City on patrol. Suddenly, Control Freak comes face to face with Bumblebee, (not the Autobot) Speedy, Aqualad, and speedster twins, Mas y Menos in challenges made specifically for each one.
Control Freak chatting with his online friends poke fun at online communities disputing on fictional characters. It’s still relevant on social media consisting of fan theories, shipping two characters and controversial moments within the DC Extended Universe like the infamous Martha scene in Batman VS. Superman. “Why did you say that name?!”
For Real’s my favorite episode on the silly side.
Control Freak wields a double-bladed lightsaber. A callback to Season 4’s “Episode 297-494.” Cue, Chris Rock’s line from “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.” “I think George Lucas gonna sue somebody!”
Episode 57 – Snowblind
The gang arrive in Russia to battle a radioactive monster with the help of Russian superhero, Red Star.
Episode 58 – Kole
The gang stumble upon another world. They meet Kole and her caveman pal, G’narrk. They’re not alone, Dr. Light makes a return. This time he ain’t a joke like Tolietnator from “Codename: Kids Next Door.”
Dr. Light has electrical whips. Mickey Rourke’s character, Ivan Vanko also wields similar whips in “Iron Man 2.”
A running gag involving Cyborg mispronouncing G’narrk’s name.
Episode 59 – Hide and Seek
While her friends go on a mission without her, Raven’s tasked to escort three kids.
Raven brings up Season 4’s three-part episode final as a bedtime story.
Melvin’s imaginary friend, Bobby is a giant teddy bear. A possible reference to Code Lyoko’s first episode, “Teddygodzilla.”
Episode 59’s title is named after a children’s game. Coincidentally, Robert De Niro & Dakota Fanning were in a movie titled, “Hide and Seek.”
Episode 60 – Lightspeed
This episode focuses on supervillain group, The H.I.V.E. Five. They encounter Kid Flash.
Michael Rosenbaum provides the voice of Kid Flash. In the comics, his real name’s Wally West. Mr. Rosenbaum also voiced him in as an older version taking over Barry Allen’s red suit in Justice League. This one’s not tied with Teen Titans. Don’t forget Mr. Rosenbaum played Lex Luthor in “Smallville.”
Jinx attempts to capture Kid Flash. In the hopes of joining the Brotherhood of Evil.
Episode 61 – Revved Up
Fast: Ding Dong Daddy steals Robin’s personal keepsake. In order to get it back, he must win a race.
This episode pays homage to “Wacky Racers.”
Red X partakes in the race. He seeks Robin’s briefcase.
Slow: Previous villains partake in the race. Two problems they don’t utter a single line. Ding Dong Daddy, Red X & Gizmo are the only ones with dialogue. They never got an awesome moment. Red X easily beats ’em all minus Ding Dong Daddy.
Episode 62 – Go!
Set before Season 1, a prequel goes back in time on how our heroes formed the Teen Titans. Still a better origin story than the 2005 version of “Fantastic Four.”
Although not mentioned, Batman’s alluded via swarm of bats.
Starfire has the ability to instantly learn a new language by kissing someone on the lips. She kissed Robin.
Robin tells Beast Boy to stop calling him sir. “Peanuts” reference every time Marcie calls Peppermint Patty sir.
Episodes 63-64 – Calling All Titans and Titans Together
Now aware of the gang gaining old and new friends, Brain knows their locations launching a full attack worldwide.
When Starfire gives Argent a communicator, the latter says, “This come in black?” “Batman Begins” reference. “Does it come in black?”
Following Kid Flash’s advice, Jinx turns good. I think Cyborg & Jinx make a good couple.
All heroes band together for one epic battle. Which predates the final battle with everybody in “Avengers: Endgame.” Every single hero has their own awesome moment. To me, I think this two-part episode’s the grand finale. Arguably my favorite episode in Season 5. A darn shame we could’ve gotten a follow up series like “Justice League Unlimited,” but with every single Teen Titan.
Episode 65 – Things Change
Defeat: Like I said, the final episode’s my least favorite. Here’s why.
- Terra’s so-called return felt like a slap in the face. There’s no further explanation on how she came back from the dead. To paraphrase Poe Dameron’s horrendous quote from “The Rise of Skywalker.” “Somehow, Terra returned.”
- Slade’s never mentioned. He’s still at large. Last time we saw him, he was in Season 4’s finale.
- At first, Slade returns. Turns out it’s just a robot clone. A punch in the gut.
- The last shot ended on a cliffhanger. Has zero connection to Trouble in Tokyo.
- High schoolers didn’t react to Beast Boy in person.
- This episode didn’t make me cry. Not one single tear.
Not a con, a video store closes. Nowadays streaming services like Netflix caused Blockbuster and video stores to go out of business.
Final Verdicts By Season
- Season 1: B, FOR BRAVERY!
- Season 2: B, FOR BEAST MODE!
- Season 3: B, FOR BIGGER AND BETTER!
- Season 4: A-
- Season 5: C, FOR CRUD!
- Trouble in Tokyo: B, FOR BOO-YAH!
Series Overall: B, FOR BREATHTAKING!
Even though Season 5 ended Teen Titans on a whimper, I enjoyed episodes 53-64. The last episode doesn’t mean I immediately resent the series. I gotta give Cartoon Network credit for introducing me to Teen Titans. Especially my all-time favorite titan, Raven. She was my childhood crush growing up. I still see her as a three-dimensional superhero. Raven’s ranked as one of my Top 5 Superheroes.
- Batman
- Wolverine
- Raven
- Rocket Raccoon
- Deadpool
I’m glad I grew up watching OG Raven, not the obnoxious gassy version from “Teen Titans Go!” Someday, when I have kids, I wanna introduce them to the OG Teen Titans cartoon. If you have kids, nieces, nephews or grandkids, buy all five seasons of OG Teen Titans on digital or DVD/Blu-Ray. I hope James Gunn’s DC Universe will take Teen Titans seriously. My dream is to see Raven on the big screen. “Teen Titans Go to the Movies” doesn’t count. Only time will tell if a newcomer portrays Raven.
Which member of the Teen Titans is your favorite? Please leave a comment.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 