Titans Review: 51% (Season 3 Episode 7)
Titans Season 3 Episode 7, “51%” suffers from the mid-season curse of filler episodes, offering little plot or character progression. This episode fails to leave its audience engaged.
It’s not all bad though. Despite it being a lull in the pacing of Titans‘ third season, this episode still offers some touching moments between the characters, and finally offers a more united Titans as they take down the Scarecrow’s operation.
While this episode doesn’t divulge a lot in terms of the big picture, small moments are important too and can sometimes be the most memorable parts of television in memory.
Damaris Lewis continues to be an exciting new addition to the cast, even if Titans doesn’t always know what to do with her. She feels like the odd one out, not just in character but in the framework of this season as well.
On this episode, the Titans work the gang angle to get information on Crane, but Kory blows up their source before they can get anything out of them.
The sudden execution of a gang boss’s son by said boss is enough to bring up hurtful memories between the two sisters, and it takes a heart-to-heart for them to get on the same page.
Even as they bond, I still feel uneasy watching their scenes — this Blackfire doesn’t feel like the same one implied in the first two seasons. Could this all really be resolved with a simple sisterly conversation?
Regardless, Lewis and Diop’s performances are great. It’s difficult to see their potential and emotional beats be wasted and isolated from most of the group.
The other central arc revolves around Dick and Barbara and their attempts to track down Scarecrow. It’s a point of contention between the two, which ends with a highly satisfying argument in which Barbara has the last word.
Dick and Barbara are really unique, in the way that they’re grounded and normal (for superheroes) at least. It’s refreshing to see a disabled woman in a normal relationship.
Dick doesn’t throw any insults to intentionally hurt Barbara in a way that would be ableist. The two come together and move past their argument which actually uses female stereotypes more than focusing on Barbara’s physical condition.
In fact, almost nothing seen on Titans regarding Barbara is centered on her disability, other than the way she interacts with the world.
It’s refreshing to see this type of character have arcs and emotions that aren’t related to her chair.
Even on an episode that doesn’t bring a whole lot to the table, “51%” manages to continue an example of thoughtful representation; one that shows the disabled as people and not just sources of pain or pity to further the protagonist’s emotional journey.
In typical Titans fashion, this episode keeps the “hope train” going, reminding the audience there is hope for everyone, even Jason (who is held by Crane at this point).
Gar finds Jason’s old friend, showing that even if he is the most neglected character of the show, he is the character that will never fail to come through for you. And that’s a way to end the episode.
This episode says true to the concept of the title — 51%.
What did you think of this episode of Titans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Titans airs Thursdays on HBO Max.
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Amanda Reimer
In addition to working as a freelance writer, Amanda also works with animals and stage manages various live performances. She has an invested interest in the perspective and experience of fandoms as well as anything in the science-fiction genre. She also loves spoiling her cats, Drummer and Kiki.