A Critical Analysis of 'Young Justice' Season Rankings

Recently, I rewatched Young Justice, analyzing the three seasons to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each. It's a mixed bag, enjoyable in spots but faltering significantly in other areas. Let's delve into both the positives and negatives.

Season Highlights

The second season, in particular, received accolades for its action and character moments. Batman's campaign in Santi Prisca and his subsequent face-offs against Not-o-Man, Bane, and Deathstroke were compelling. The sequence where Bane's guns are confiscated is a standout, with Bane's emotional devastation being genuinely hilarious.

Superboy also overcomes some of his Season 1 issues, showing more maturity and respecting his frenemy relationship with Icicle Jr. Additionally, Granny Goodness having her own agenda was refreshing. This storyline breaks free from the overused 'totalitarian regime means no internal chaos' trope present in many superhero narratives.

Challenges and Critiques

Multiple plot threads detract from the season's effectiveness. The season's plotlines include:

Batman's initiation of the Black Ops team Beast Boy forming the Outsiders The Granny Goodness plot against the Light and Goode Goggles The Terra Judas Contract plot Various other plot threads involving Batman Jason Todd's resurrection, Barbara Gordon's paralyzation, and Damian Wayne's birth The leaving of the Light by the LOS Lex Luthor's Infinity Inc. Artemis' unhealthy relationship with Wally and her rushed relationship with Will The Metahuman Youth Center plot stemming from metahuman trafficking

The proliferation of these storylines results in a disjointed narrative. The pacing is off and the narrative lacks focus, muddling the quality of storytelling. Additionally, not all of these plot threads receive the attention they deserve. Characters like the New Gods and other major figures could have been better integrated into the season's plot.

Character Development

The character development in each season is uneven. Several characters particularly stand out for underdevelopment. Characters like Geo-Force, Cyborg, and Halo suffer most. Geo-Force's arc was undermined in Season 3, while other characters like Brion seem less engaged in the story.

Brion's character arc is particularly disappointing. His anger issues are downplayed, and despite showing intense love for his brother and agreeing to help him regain the throne, he doesn't experience many emotional fluctuations. This flatlining of emotional depth contrasts sharply with the character's pivotal moments in previous seasons. Similarly, Black Lightning's philosophy and attitudes towards his character make his scenes excruciatingly difficult to watch. He is essentially reduced to a one-dimensional plot device.

Conclusion

While the series is not terrible, it does not stand out as a must-rewatch. The balance of plot threads and character arcs is off, and the overall quality of the third season is notably lower compared to others. I rate 'Young Justice' at 3.5 out of 10, acknowledging that some may view it more favorably. Each season, however, delivers its unique moments, but they are overshadowed by the inconsistencies and unnecessary subplots.