Alex (aka Aldrius) writes...

Arc 4 review! (Kaldur's story, so episodes 14-18 I think)

So I LOVE this arc. I love the Atlantean lore, I love the storytelling, I love the characterization and I love the way time is used.

I've always loved this version of Kaldur and Atlantis. I like it so much that when I rewatched Justice League (and Unlimited) this year, I liked their version of Atlantis & Aquaman so much solely because of how well presented they were in *this* show. Maybe that sounds weird, but it's true.

So this story to me, more than anything despite being "Kaldur's arc" is really a story about Atlantis. Kaldur is the pivotal character, the POV character, the hero who (kind of) saves the day, but it's really a story about the fate of Atlantis, and who should rule it. It's also, forgive me for putting it this way, but it "makes up for" the sort off-handed way Ocean Master got dealt with in season 3. In a really cool way. It wasn't really necessary, but I like it.

I love the way time is used in this arc. The fact that we start before the start point of arc 3, but then we cut to a few weeks later halfway through this arc is really cool. I also really love the mystery of the Return of Ocean Master. I cannot remember what I thought at the time, I don't know if I put much thought into it, and really only a clone is what makes sense. Well, I guess there're other things that make sense, especially since the Light transplanted the real Orm's brain into a new cloned body. So I suppose the sky's the limit on what the light is capable of.

I suppose one could think it a cheat, a way to bring back a character. But firstly, Orm's death wasn't like a super impactful thing that I feel like it undermines some important emotional moment. I think it only makes the Light seem more devious, that not only would they have their enforcer behead Orm, but they'd keep his brain around to use later for their own ends. So I don't think it's a cheat.

I really do like the way the show will find new ways to use old concepts. So the Light making new clones to develop even more insidious plans than it did before.

The Orm clone was a lot of fun too, and I really liked all the scenes between him and Orin. In fact, I LOVED all the Orin scenes in this arc in general. Orin sort of working out all of his issues with his brother, through his clone and giving clone-Orm a chance to have a different fate. I also like the way the Arion stuff from arc 3 (which seemed interesting but a bit superfluous at the time) and really uses it well here. The scene with the Tiara could be seen as a bit of a cliche, ala the Nazis opening the arc of the covenant, or really any story where an arrogant mortal man abuses the power of god, but it's such a triumphant moment I really don't care.

David Kaye does a really good job making Arion and Vandall sound like different people. I really get a strong sense of who Arion was in general.

The only REAL complaint I have about the arc is the lack of Mera. And that's not because I love Mera and think she needs to be more important, but just because the storytelling and the plot are really built around Mera. And in the end while making her Queen is both logical (i.e. it makes both her father and her husband happy) and is narratively satisfying with the prophecy angle, to a degree I wish we got more of a sense of what *she* thinks is going on, but she's really just a mouth piece for a prophecy, which I find less satisfying than I would like. It didn't hurt the story or the storytelling, and certainly Mera comes across as competent and heroic through out the story; but that's my minor quibble for the episode. I would have liked to have seen more of her perspective.

Kaldur's arc, which is something I think a lot of people kind of took umbrage with; I'm honestly totally fine with. Not wowed by it, but it's fine. It's honestly not really that important to the story because ultimately as I said, it's a story about *Atlantis*. And I've never really understood what it would add for Kaldur to have some lesson, or some theme, or have some transformation. Kaldur's whole thing is that he's *steady*. He's reliable, he's a good leader, he's a good mentor, he approaches problems and situations logically. By the end of this story, he's just worn out, he's just been working too hard and everyone is telling him to take it easy.

It's fine. I think "he's just *too stoic and capable*" is kind of a weird conflict to give a character because I think it's a tough thing to make relatable or to provide some dramatic tension. Kaldur really isn't showing any signs of fraying until the story's over, when he has his break down. And that's tragic and heartbreaking, but it comes a bit late in the arc to be emotionally effective I think. Again, I don't think this detracts from the story, but it feels like the sort of thing that maybe would have been more dramatically effective at the midpoint of the story. I'm not sure. I think it might have worked better, but I also don't think it's something Kaldur needs.

I think it's totally fine that Kaldur is just consistent and reliable. Seeing a bit of humanity and weakness at the end was fine too. I really don't see the problem with any of this. Like yeah, if I was breaking the story down using Saving the Cat or something I might say it's a weak arc for your main character, but I've really never bought into the idea that the character who transforms or changes or goes through the mud has to be your *main* character necessarily. It's okay for your lead to be steady, and for *another* character to go through that dramatic transition.

In this case I think it's Atlantis at large, and to an extent Orin/Arthur who really go through that transition. And it's super effective, as I mentioned above I *love* all the Orin scenes in this arc. I love the bit where the Sharks are circling like his muscle. I loved seeing Orin as a detective. It's all just really, really cool.

I really liked the epilogue with Vandal and Dr. Fate too. This is a sort of story archetype I'm seeing more and more (at least it was a big part of Toy Story 4 of all things --...and Mad Men). Where a male character who is used to being the decider discovers that things are kind of moving on from him, that the world maybe doesn't need him to take risks and make big decisions for it. I like it a lot, and I think it's very well placed here. And very thematic too, with Orin's arc in the story. Even Kaldur's arc really.

I think that's everything, I usually forget something I wanted to mention but I think that's everything.
Alex (or Aldrius)

Anonymous writes...

Mr. Weisman,

In the current iteration of the mainstream DC Comics continuity (Prime Earth), Deadshot has two daughters, Zoe and Suchin; the former goes by the vigilante codename, Liveshot, and is an archer. As such, do both of Deadshot's daughters also exist in the Earth-16 universe?

Anonymous writes...

Mr. Weisman,

I sincerely hope that Kara and Mary will not be the only two members of the new generation of Furies. I personally think there are other female DC Comics characters we haven't seen yet on Earth-16 who might also work out as potential recruits for the Furies. However, I will refrain from making any suggestions to you just in case you've already figured it out on your own.

Anonymous writes...

Questions in regards to the Earth-16 version of Ultra-Humanite:

#1. When he was originally a male scientist, what was his original name? Also, did he have any family at that time?

#2. What was the name of the woman whom he transferred his brain into, and did that woman have any family? Also, what happened to the woman's body after Ultra-Humanite's brain was transferred into the albino gorilla, Tolifhar?

#3. Why did Ultra-Humanite come up the brain transfer process in the first place? Was it because he wanted to cheat death and live forever? Or did his original human body suffered from some kind of terminal illness in which there was no cure?

I love Shakespeare writes...

Hey Greg,
How much of old school works like hamlet have influenced your work. Also how did Pete come up with his web fluid and shoters. The Netflix reshow got me thinking ðŸ'­on this.

Anonymous writes...

did zatanna attend college?

Anonymous writes...

What kind of support did Em'ree give M'gann when she came to Earth? I'm sorry to see that we didn't see more of Em'ree and M'gann during the latter half of Phantoms? Was it a hard adjustment for Em'ree being on Earth and whatever happened to her after the wedding? Did Em'ree go back to Mars after Season 4 or did she decide to continue living on Earth and if so is she still living with M'gann and Conner or has she moved out and found a place to live in Happy Harbour?

Anonymous writes...

1. In the months when M'gann thought Conner was dead, how she did handle their anniversaries
*they got engaged
*when they first met
*getting back together
What did she do during those days and what did everyone do to help her during those rough times?

2. On the Team's 10 year anniversary, how did they spend the day? Were they altogether and if so did they do anything special to honor it, especially considering it was also the same day they met Conner and were still mourning him? It had to have been an extremely painful day for everyone. Rescuing Superboy was the Team's very first mission together. He was the reason they were altogether and the fact he was gone, really had to be extremely painful for everyone.

Pedro writes...

Is Bart Allen a person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

John Paul Gontor writes...

Hey Mr.weisman
One question and I hope it wouldn't offend you:
Why make Halo middle eastern and Muslim in Young Justice?

Hafiz writes...

Denise Boutte once in an interview referred to Lynn Stewart-Pierce as "Doctor". Does this stand true in the YJ Continuity?

Lsaya writes...

how in regards to bart s2, how much does he know whats going on/plan for?
for instance, losing the fight to nightwing and robin and did he know mal was going to be there right then?
did he know aqualad wanst really a traitor and artemis was alive?
how much was he winging of his "change the past" plan, how detailed was his knowledge prior to traveling back in time?

Hayden Philyaw writes...

Did Gar know his mother was Lesbian/Bisexual?

Anonymous writes...

Why didn't you give Conner and M'gann a reunion kiss in the last episode of season 4 after the battle ended or was their wedding kiss also serving as their reunion kiss and if so did they want that way to make it more special since it was their first kiss since being reunited together?

Anonymous writes...

In an effort to restart the investigation since the case ran cold, did the original team or justice league ever ask Miss Martian access to her memories on the days leading up to Conner's death?

Anonymous writes...

1. Who attended the lighting ceremony of Superboy's memorial hologram aboard the Watchtower aside from Dick and Kaldur?
2. When M'gann went to visit Conner's memorial for the first time, did she go by herself or did the entire original team go with her for support? Also were any members of the Justice League, Team or Outsiders also present to offer their support to Miss Martian and show their respect to Superboy?
3. Why did Bear wait to so long to offer his sympathizes for Conner's death considering how close they were?
4. What are the favourite Disney films of the original team members and why?

Anonymous writes...

Has Black Lightning taken Livewire under his wing as his protege like Static?

Anonymous writes...

Will you guys have Mgann be called Mrs Martian instead of Miss since she officially married Conner?

Anonymous writes...

How come Tye, Asami, and Arsenal never went to the Harvest Festival that was being held at the Meta-Human Youth Center during the episode "Illusion of Control”?

Katy K. writes...

Hey Greg! I have been in the Gargoyles fandom for at least a few years, and I've got a question about something almost everyone I've talked to in the fandom, including myself, believe in, and I'm curiousif it's true. Do Gargoyles purr or at least have the ability to do so?

Paul writes...

Hi Greg I'd like to ask just two questions: 1) Can Shazam shoot lightning from your hands? I've never seen him do that at any point in the series? 2) Is Superman the Physically Strongest Hero on Earth - 16? Sorry for my english, I'm from Brazil :)

Anonymous writes...

1. Why did Superboy go with Miss Martian to the Hall of Justice to interrogate the Krolotean in Alienated? What was the point of it since he didn't/couldn't really stop her from abusing her powers or what she did the alien?

2. By season 3/4, does M'gann look back in disgust over how she was in season 2? How she acted, everything she did and especially everyone she hurt? She was the WORST version of herself in season 2. How did you about her storyline in that season?

Anonymous writes...

What year did the team stop having den mothers in the cave (if they ever did)? Did they stop using den mothers when some of the older members (like Kaldur) became adults, or when the JL felt like the team could operate mostly independently?

Anonymous writes...

I'd assume the productions of both YJ and the Green Arrow short were happening simultaneously, so I wonder when Perdita was created. Is she original for YJ or Green Arrow's showcase? Has Brandon had any hand in her creation?

Anonymous writes...

Mr. Weisman,

Just for clarification, the Earth-16 versions of Hawkman and Hawkwoman do NOT have the ability to reincarnate after they die (just like their comic book counterparts); am I correct? As such, that would also mean they were also NOT members of the Earth-16 version of the Justice Society of America/All-Star Squadron?