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Post by FALLOUT Goldashausen #BLM on Dec 17, 2015 23:02:11 GMT -5
I was a bit arrogant with my tastes in animated TV back in High School --- I watched South Park, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and almost nothing else --- so I missed the entire run of the original Teen Titans series. Nearly a decade later, I would like to get into it. I've heard very good things about the show from friends, and it seems to match my current tastes in both animation and comic-based adaptations.
Since I've seen it referenced a few times around FAN, what's the general opinion about the original series?
I did a little bit of research and gathered that despite catering to a younger audience, the writing, subject matter, characters and voice acting are very strong (errrrr...no pun intended). Raven's a character I find sympathetic, at least on the surface. I'm interested in how her character evolves throughout the series.
I would also like to get the entire series on DVD, but $65 is out of my price range. I may wait until a Blu-ray release or until Amazon or Netflix picks it up for free streaming. Otherwise, I'll probably catch whatever episodes I can find on YouTube.
I understand "Go!" is currently airing but I'm not too crazy about getting into it from the little I've seen. The voice actors seem to really enjoy their sessions, but the overall feeling I get is that it's an entirely different series in nearly every respect.
Any suggestions on where to start or what to expect from the original series will help!
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Post by Starshine on Dec 17, 2015 23:17:36 GMT -5
It's good. It's got the right balance of comedy and serious tones to it muchlike DC's better shows.
Also you should try Young Justice. It's got a similar tone and premise to Titans. The only downside is that it was cancelled before they could really finish their story. But it's a really solid show despite that.
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Post by FALLOUT Goldashausen #BLM on Dec 17, 2015 23:21:33 GMT -5
I've heard great things about YJ as well so I'll give that a watch during or after I finish the original TT. Plus it's on Blu-ray and Khary Payton's involved. For those inexplicably random reasons, I'll definitely give it a watch.  |
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Post by BorneAgain on Dec 17, 2015 23:26:52 GMT -5
The series falls a bit into the generic superhero format and characterization in the first season, but starts to really grow in the second and get its own identity.
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Post by Long A, Short A on Dec 17, 2015 23:34:13 GMT -5
Give it a shot. Hopefully you live in a with good trade in stores, so you can get the series for a good price.
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Post by moondoggie on Dec 18, 2015 0:07:05 GMT -5
Raven = Hot
thats all you need to know
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chrom
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Post by chrom on Dec 18, 2015 7:53:40 GMT -5
It's a great series, there's some wacky comedy in there but good character development as well between the characters and when things are dangerous such as with Slade.
Don't bother touching Go, not even with a 39 and a half foot pole.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Dec 18, 2015 10:23:02 GMT -5
Believe the hype. The original series gradually develops its own mythos, adhering to the original comics at certain points and adding its own unique spin during others. They knew when to use their jokes and when to put them aside, and it gradually gets even better because of that.
I'm fairly indifferent to Go! as I realize it's a completely different kind of show, but I just don't find it funny most of the time.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Dec 18, 2015 10:28:32 GMT -5
GO! is a completely different beast. It has no real connection to the old show other than the voice actors and base character designs.
It was originally just meant to be quick 5 minute gags between commercials that somehow got it's own show.
I don't find it terrible it can be funny ... or it cna be annoying and run things into the ground that weren't particularly funny to begin with... not to mention they do occasionally try to take shots at their audience.
That said I love the original series it's right up there with the mainline DC animated universe for me.
I also second Young Justice.
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dav
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Post by dav on Dec 18, 2015 11:27:25 GMT -5
It's a bit hit and miss really. Tries to go for seriouness at times but the animation and the jump into gags is a bit of a whiplash. It also didn't help that the designated comic relief character wasn't funny. From what I recall, the action was fairly good but there are better superhero series out there.
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wisdomwizard
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Post by wisdomwizard on Dec 18, 2015 11:29:49 GMT -5
Go is hit or miss, its not terrible but like you said it doesn't have anything to do with the original. I still love the original, so you'll be in for a treat when you watch. The first season has a rough beginning because the animation team were finding their footing. It's not terrible, but there are some weak spots you might notice in the first episode Divide and Conquer. Also, the first several episodes tend to have morals that can feel a little tacked-on or unsubtle like Beast Boy having to learn to apologize in Forces of Nature and dealing with his jealousy in Deep Six (which is a little jarring because the second episode Sisters did a much better job with envy). The series starts getting good with the ninth episode Masks in which the first season arc Slade really gets underway. You can tell that the first half of the episodes were possibly made after the pitch phase because Slade's motives are very different in his first two appearances. Thankfully, Masks does a much better job at fleshing out Slade giving the show actual stakes. Overall, the best episodes are Sisters, Nevermore, Masks, Mad Mod and the two parter Apprentice. The second season is centered around Terra who temporarily joins the Titans. I won't spoil anything, but the story arc has a very emotional ending. The second season is better than the first as other than Transformation (which isn't very good because of some gross-out moments in it and its only purpose is showing Starfire gaining eye-vision), most of the stand alone episodes are fun. Season three has an initially good story arc dealing with Cyborg and his new archenemy Brother Blood, that sadly falls apart in its ending. Deception and Wavelength are still great episodes, and Titans East Part 1 does a great job with introducing the Titans East. Without spoilers, the ending just gets a little too corny. Thankfully, this season has arguably the best standalone episodes, even better than the first two seasons. X, Bethothed, Spellbound, Revolution, The Beast Within, Can I Keep Him, and especially Haunted are tremendous at showing the characters at their best. Haunted itself is one of the absolute best episodes of the entire series. And as good as the third season was, the fourth season not only has some great stand alone episodes, but what has to be considered the best arc of the series. You say you already love Raven? Well, you're in for a special treat because the story arc this time is all about her and her father Trigon. Back in season one, Nevermore has some great foreshadowing to this season. The story is great from the beginning to the end so since I don't want to spoil anything I'll just say the story arc is a very fun thrill ride. For the side episodes, Don't Touch That Dial is my personal favorite of the whole series because of its TV centered plot, there's also The Quest, Cyborg the Barbarian, Employee of the Month, Stranded, and Overdrive. These are either very hilarious or show the characters at their best. Finally, season five is the last season. Save for only two episodes its one long story arc. I thought it was a good season overall if only behind the epic fourth season and second season, but a number of fans don't like it for whatever reason. The last season introduces Beast Boy's former team the Doom Patrol, and his old enemies the Brotherhood of Evil whom are the main antagonists of the season as they form an alliance with most of the villains the Teen Titans have faced. A lot of brand new Titans are introduced, which culminates in the finale Titans Together. The last episode Things Change is basically an epilogue. Won't give anything away, but half the fans don't like the ending because its very open-ended. That being said, the episode titled Go is chronologically the real first episodes as it shows how the Titans first got together. If I were you, I'd go ahead and watch this episode first before Divide and Conquer. Its a fun episode where the stakes really feel high and establishes the characters even better than when Teen Titans initially aired. All in all, you should enjoy it.  |
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Dec 18, 2015 11:30:00 GMT -5
It's a bit hit and miss really. Tries to go for seriouness at times but the animation and the jump into gags is a bit of a whiplash. It also didn't help that the designated comic relief character wasn't funny. From what I recall, the action was fairly good but there are better superhero series out there. LIES. The original Beast Boy (not the Go! one, he sucks) was charming and adorable. |
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dav
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Post by dav on Dec 18, 2015 11:34:42 GMT -5
It's a bit hit and miss really. Tries to go for seriouness at times but the animation and the jump into gags is a bit of a whiplash. It also didn't help that the designated comic relief character wasn't funny. From what I recall, the action was fairly good but there are better superhero series out there. LIES. The original Beast Boy (not the Go! one, he sucks) was charming and adorable. Your thoughts may vary. I just found him rather annoying for the most part. |
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Post by FALLOUT Goldashausen #BLM on Dec 18, 2015 12:17:07 GMT -5
Just wanted to pop in and say thanks for the awesome responses, everyone. Very much appreciated. I will definitely keep them in mind while watching.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Dec 18, 2015 12:17:39 GMT -5
The only thing I find funny in Go! is Raven's "Pretty Pretty Pegasus" fandom, which is a cute Tara Strong related inside joke.
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kidglov3s
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Post by kidglov3s on Dec 18, 2015 12:20:43 GMT -5
Pretend there's only four seasons, season five is totally bogus.
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Malcolm
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Post by Malcolm on Dec 18, 2015 12:23:39 GMT -5
I loved the series back was it was still on. I have season 1, 2, and 5 on DVD. Like others have said, it has the right balance of comedy, action, and seriousness(things can get pretty dark in certain episodes). The anime expressions might turn off some people(especially those used to Bruce Timm's designs), but other than that, I really like it.
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Post by A Platypus Rave on Dec 18, 2015 12:24:32 GMT -5
Pretend there's only four seasons, season five is totally bogus. They didn't expect to get renewed after the fourth season so they threw most of their best ideas they had left into the fourth season. I didn't hate the fifth season but it was definitely a step down from the fourth... though I still don't get why they ended the show with the episode they did as the second to last episode worked fine as a series finale. Also as it hasn't been mentioned besides the five seasons there was also a made for TV movie Trouble In Tokyo. |
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kidglov3s
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Post by kidglov3s on Dec 18, 2015 12:26:57 GMT -5
Pretend there's only four seasons, season five is totally bogus. They didn't expect to get renewed after the fourth season so they threw most of their best ideas they had left into the fourth season. I didn't hate the fifth season but it was definitely a step down from the fourth... though I still don't get why they ended the show with the episode they did as the second to last episode worked fine as a series finale. Also as it hasn't been mentioned besides the five seasons there was also a made for TV movie Trouble In Tokyo. Season five isn't Teen Titans, it's the AfterMASH of Teen Titans. It shouldn't be considered part of the series. |
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