Previously on Young Justice: In the midst of an alien invasion, Artemis comes out of retirement, at the request of Nightwing, to help watch over the launching of a satellite into space. Attacked by Aqualad, working for his villainous father, Black Manta, Artemis is killed and the rocket destroyed, though not by Aqualad. Admitting his personal failure, Aqualad earns his father’s trust and entrance into The Light. While the rest of the team mourn the death of Artemis, Nightwing secretly meets with Wally, Aqualad, and Artemis. Aqualad is under deep cover the whole time and Artemis’s death is faked so she can infiltrate The Light along with Aqualad.

Though ”Satisfaction” touches on the continued mourning of Artemis, the episode focuses more on the Speedy-clone storyline last seen in “Bloodlines.” The original Roy Harper is filled in on the last eight years by Oliver Queen and Roy-clone. Understandably, he’s angry, but not at his clone. He’s mad at Ollie for failing to find him, for not noticing the difference between him and his clone. Devastated, Ollie confesses to Roy-clone, in a chapel no less, that he’s failed as a mentor to both Roys and Artemis. It’s a touching moment (the best use of Alan Tudyk’s voice yet) and ties up the relationship between Green and Red Arrow nicely. Determined to make amends, Ollie and Roy-clone return to the hospital room only to find that OG Roy has disappeared. They eventually deduce that he’s out to get revenge on the man who had him kidnapped and put on ice, Lex Luthor.

“Satisfaction” is a bit of a misleading episode in that the title alone takes on different meanings. We generally substitute satisfaction for revenge or retribution, which is exactly what many of the characters in the episode show. The conversation between Cheshire and Sportsmaster in the graveyard and Mal’s desire to pummel Aqualad in retaliation for Artemis’s death very clearly point to this definition. Even OG Roy’s attack on Lex Luthor begins in this regard. Roy wants back what was taken from him, his life, and he’s ready to kill Luthor as a means of gaining that satisfaction. Like all action sequences in Young Justice, the showdown between Roy and Luthor’s robot bodyguard, Mercy, is well animated and suspenseful. Watching Roy best Mercy with only one arm is amazing and shows how adept Roy really is. Even when we think Roy has won, Luthor, the clever devil that he is, makes a case against revenge and satisfaction being one and the same. Satisfaction can be compensation for a wrong and Luthor’s the man to provide it in the form of a new weaponized arm. Thus, Arsenal is born, though we already know we can’t trust him completely.

But another definition for satisfaction can mean exactly what we think it means, being satisfied or fulfilled. The scene in the grotto emphasizes this well. What separates Young Justice from other cartoons is it’s ability to capably handle drama – not in the teen sense, though teenagers are involved. Being a superhero, or a sidekick, means paying a price. Death is always a possibility and anonymity as reward for sacrifice an inevitability. Impulse, Blue Beetle II, Robin III, and Beast Boy are all the new guys on the team and, except for Beast Boy, heirs to legacies. Some are fortunate enough to have mentors to guide them but Jaime Reyes never met the man who should have been his mentor, Ted Kord. Though the world will never know of Ted’s sacrifice, or the sacrifices of the other heroes featured in the grotto, The Justice League and Young Justice will. There is satisfaction in knowing that the legacy of heroes will carry on.

For a mid-season premier, “Satisfaction” accomplishes a lot in very little time, even with the padding scenes. The creators know the audience doesn’t need a refresher on the previous episodes or storylines, which gives them the freedom to keep on keepin’ on with the series. There’s a plan in action and I can’t wait to see how it all comes together!

DC Nation Short: The Super Best Friends Forever fight Solomon Grundy, but “Solomon Grundy no fight girls!!!”

Favorite Moment: Lex Luthor complaining about the paperwork involved in orchestrating an alien invasion. It’s the little things in life.

Other Observations:

• Ted Kord, Artemis, Jason Todd, and Tula are all featured in the grotto, which is the first time Jason has been featured in the animated cartoons and explains Nightwing’s warning to Robin in “Happy New Year.”
• Artemis’s middle name is Lian. Awww, her niece was sorta named after her!
• It’s Connor’s 6th – I mean 22nd – birthday! So who’s this Wendy girl?
• Rocket’s getting married! Might be a shock to the system when we find out who the groom is (possibly).

Predictions and Possibilities:

• Well that was interesting how they managed to bring Arsenal into the fold in a believable way! Color me intrigued. Wonder what’s going to happen when he finds out Red Arrow has a daughter.
• Hopefully that bank robbery by Captain Cold goes somewhere or that scene with the female superheroes was totally unnecessary.
• With everyone wanting revenge on Aqualad, the fallout of the deep cover and faked death is gonna be massive!

About Samantha Cross

Sam is a self-described "sponge for information" soaking up little tidbits here and there that make her the perfect partner on pub trivia night! Hailing from the beautiful Pacific Northwest, she indulges her nerdy and geeky qualities by hanging out at the local comic book shop, reading anything she can find, and voicing her opinion whether you welcome it or not. An archivist and historian, she will research any and all things and will throw down if you want to quote Monty Python, Mel Brooks, or The Simpsons!

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