Titans Season 3, Episode 10 recap: Anarchy in Gotham City

In Titans Season 3, Episode 10, ‘Troubled Water’, Gotham’s newest superhero team become the city’s number one enemy. How are they going to get out of this one?

Last we saw of Scarecrow and Red Hood on the HBO Max show, they had successfully released some of the Scarecrow poison into Gotham’s water supply.

Within hours, thousands of Gothamites are affected. They quickly go out of control, wreaking havoc across the city and murdering one another.

At GCPD, Commissioner Barbara Gordon tries to calm her people as they await the onslaught. But they have no idea what’s about to hit them.

Titans Season 3 Episode 10 – Gotham City Limits

Newly-resurrected Donna Troy is taking a taxi to Gotham as if it was any other day. But it’s not as she finds out in Titans Season 3 Episode 10.

The taxi driver leaves Donna far away from the actual gates of Gotham. He warns her that the city is in danger right now, and not the place for a nice lady like her. That’s not going to stop Donna.

As she walks towards the city, Donna is accosted by the Amazon leader, Lydia (Valerie Buhagiar). Since Donna returned, Lydia has been suspicious—what has returned in Donna’s body?

To prove Donna is who she says she is, Lydia has devised a test. Donna is frustrated at the insinuation, even more so because Lydia always hated her.

Donna being half-human and half-Amazon was a point of contention, apparently. Donna believes this test is yet another way to belittle her.

But as Donna gets better at fighting Lydia, she learns that Lydia never really hated her. Lydia pushed Donna harder because she believed Donna could be more than just a great fighter—Donna could be a leader.

Having passed the test, Donna returns to the path to Gotham. Of course, at the very gates of the city, Donna faces more opposition. After the time she’s had, Donna has no time for this.

Donna doesn’t use too much force, but she gets her point across. Gotham, here she comes.

Titans Season 3 Episode 10 – Dead or Alive

As successfully as Scarecrow’s plan has been, Red Hood isn’t happy in Titans Season 3 Episode 10. Not much pleases the boy on a good day, and right now, Jason Todd feels like he’s not getting his way.

Despite the chaos, Jason fears that Gotham will always want Batman and the original Robin, never him.

But Scarecrow has a plan for that. He commandeers all the screens in Gotham and transmits a message.

Over footage of Nightwing and the Titans fighting villains in Gotham, Scarecrow claims that the superheroes are in fact the villains of Gotham. He even blames them for the water supply being poisoned, and implicates the GCPD.

In the Titans’ stead, Scarecrow hails a new hero for Gotham—Red Hood. Yes, even Jason is surprised.

But what’s the point of this exercise? Scarecrow calls for Gothamites to hunt Nightwing down in exchange for a massive cash reward. Nightwing is wanted, dead or alive.

The people of Gotham still need help but the Titans ask Dick Grayson to sit out this mission.

While the Titans confront the poisoned, they find themselves facing further resistance. Gotham’s citizens are now scared of the Titans and refuse their help. The Titans have no choice but to leave.

Dick meets up with Barbara to discuss options. Over a few glasses of Absinthe, Dick shares his plan—the Titans will surrender to the GCPD.

Barbara obviously doesn’t agree but Dick believes this will win back Gotham. People need to know that the Titans and GCPD are separate entities and that the Titans will do what they can to protect the city.

The Titans are similarly skeptical of Dick’s idea but eventually agree with him. Dick insists that the Titans won’t actually be locked up. They’ll make bail and continue to fight for Gotham from the shadows.

Titans Season 3, Episode 10 – Ambush at GCPD

But what the Titans don’t know in Titans Season 3 Episode 10 is that GCPD’s finest are in Red Hood’s pocket. While Barbara promises that the show of force at GCPD is really just a show, the Titans are soon attacked.

While defending themselves, Blackfire is shot. Starfire takes her sister to safety and uses her powers to heal Blackfire.

But there’s an unintended consequence to this act—Blackfire ‘steals’ her sister’s powers. Neither of them know how it happened but Starfire is immediately suspicious.

Blackfire is frustrated at yet again not being trusted by her only family. After finally coming together following years of discord, the sisters are torn apart once more.

Back at GCPD, Barbara tries to stop the chaos and save her friends, shooting the officer in charge of the ambush in the process. For this, Barbara ends up being arrested.

Beast Boy is hit by a tranquilizer dart. He manages to escape the building and collapses somewhere nearby. The next morning, Gar Logan is found by Rachel Roth/ Raven, now returned from Themyscira.

Nightwing and Superboy make their way to an abandoned control room. Conner wants to return to Wayne Manor but that’s not an option.

Jason Todd told Scarecrow about Wayne Manor and now they’ve moved in. Jonathan Crane has little appreciation for the Wayne legacy.

His first act in Wayne Manor is to take down the painting of Bruce and his parents. Not for his entertainment, of course. No, Crane hands it over to Jason and lets him run riot. Jason takes all his anger and frustration out on that painting.

Scarecrow sits back and watches his charge while he sips on Bruce’s expensive alcohol. Welcome to Crane Manor, everybody.

Final Thoughts – Titans Season 3, Episode 10 is Slow but Sets Up a Lot

I’d say Titans Season 3 Episode 10 is probably the poorest installment so far. The pacing was a bit off and the story was lackluster.

Having said that, there were some great character moments here. We’ve also got all the Titans back together in Gotham. And presumably, Tim Drake is on the mend.

We’re closing in on the finale of the season and things are heating up. I’m excited!

Titans Season 3 is streaming weekly on HBO Max.

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