Young Justice - "Insecurity"
Soooo here are my thoughts about this episode.
The whole “see you next week?” scene tells me a few things. The hesitant tone she used made me think that this isn’t a common occurrence, so basically, it’s confirmation that Green Arrow hasn’t really been taking his role as her mentor seriously until now. Second, the little smile GA gave her! I think he’s finally accepting her. Not that he didn’t, but I sort of think that his whole taking her in as his mentor was just something that worked out at that moment and he went along with it. Like, Batman comes up and says, “You’re the best fit - Roy left, so you ‘need’ a new sidekick, she looks like you, and she’s an archer. You’re her alibi.” And I’m assuming GA was just like “…Yeah, sure, I guess that sounds like a good plan” with no true investment in it. So now my question is, what prompted that change? I’m willing to bet that it has something to do with Roy having been inducted into the JLA - now he’s truly his own man, no chance of him changing his mind and becoming a sidekick again. I think that was the slap of reality, and now that Ollie’s felt it, he’s finally become aware of Artemis.
But, holy fuck, can you be any cuter and excited about catching bad guys? Ugh, my heart.
(Random note: that spider guy had a HOT voice. Like, a hero-voice, instead of a villain voice. Very odd choice of voice actor for a villain - who is he?)
Hmm... the small confrontation between Artemis and her mom was interesting. It shows, as usual, how narrow-minded Artemis can be at times, and how easy it is to sting her pride. Of course, in her mind, she's thinking now that instead of it being a merit opportunity, they just took pity on her. Again, another show of her insecurities, because she's proved herself repeatedly, and she should be aware of that by now. Also, I didn't really like Paula's voice-acting. I can understand that she was stressed and upset, but... yes, she almost sounds like she's begging Artemis to wait. I just... the Huntress/Paula in my mind is, A - a hardened villain who has gone through horrible circumstances and is not weak in any way, and B - a Vietnamese mother. From my own experiences with my mother, and those of my friends, I can't see a Vietnamese mother being that "lenient" with her children. Most Asian/Hispanic cultures have very strict parents who basically do not allow disrespect from their children. And even when they lose control, they don't show it. So I don't know if Paula's almost weak/begging tone is just a fluke, or if it's a sign of how much she has been broken down. On the other hand, maybe it just pains me to hear her like that because it reminds me of my own mother.
"I've got nothing to prove. I'm one of a kind."
Oh. My. God. The irony and weight of that statement. She’s got everythingto prove - in her mind, at least, and to a few other people *coughRoy* but on the other hand, I’m so proud of her for at least saying that out loud. I feel bad that Artemis is stuck between who she wants to be, and who everyone says she is. And I’m afraid she’s insecure enough to fall for what everyone tells her.
And yes, baby, you ARE one of a kind. Can this please be her catch-phrase? Forever and ever?
WALLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! OMG! OMG! OMG! Wow! Here is finally the maturity I've been looking for! That was amazing. And actually, I don't think it's so out of left field as I've been seeing in random comments. I think it was the perfect spot for it. Wally and Artemis may not get along perfectly, but to me it feels like one of those relationships where you sort of pretend to hate each other or quarrel more than you actually do. And it's great that he caught her statement about being a real archer, and he realized that he probably made her feel like that way back when they first became a team and he was so against her. So he probably feels responsible for that attitude of hers, and he has finally gained a deeper appreciation of people and the consequences of his words and actions towards them, and is actually taking charge of that. I'm SO PROUD OF HIM. However, yeah, I don't see that as anything romantic. This is being a good teammate, a good friend, and finally being able to talk honestly about things. The writers may be thinking that for Wally that's as sure sign that he likes her, but honestly? Yeah, those are pretty low standards for a person if they can only have honest, supportive conversation with a romantic interest. Also, his face when he said "Not to me, anyway." First time I've thought Wally was kind of hot. Mmmm.
I could not stop laughing at Artemis and Roy and Cheshire. What a messed up reunion. I love that Roy's trying to deny it - I don't know if he's denying it because they really haven't done anything (aw, there go the headcanons of clandestine meetings), and Cheshire's just calling their little skirmishes 'dates', or if he himself is in denial of his attraction. Because when I think of it, he hasn't actively sought it. Like, she's definitely the aggressor in the relationship. Of course, he probably thinks he's too good, in both senses, to be interested. But he can't help himself, and that's why he hasn't outright rejected her. The kiss looked so awkward - he had his teeth gritted! It can't have been that good. But she had that little smirk, trying to see Artemis's reaction XD That was pure gold. And man, she sounded like she was friggin undressing him with her voice. I love her voice actress.
Hmmm, so that "Leave him alone!" that Artemis said in relation to Wally. Sound familiar? Now, people harped on Wally for saying that when Artemis was being attacked - are they going to now turn around and accept Artemis saying it? I think it's a weird phrase - I mean, what are the chances that their opponent is really going to listen? But it shows protectiveness, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I think. I'm not sure how I feel about that phrase.
Wow Wally, you've come a long way "Let's stop looking for blame, and start looking for Cheshire." That must have stung a bit for Kaldur, like, why couldn't Wally have had that attitude when Kaldur was being accused about the mole secret, in the middle of a mission? But anyway, damn, they've shown HUGE changes in Wally this episode, and while I like them, I'm not 100% they were properly ... um... cultivated? Like, they seem a bit abrupt. I know he matured during "Coldhearted", but in all of these areas so much? Bit unbelievable to me.
Zatanna, you're a cheeky, cheeky girl. Your boredom is bored XD
Hahahahaha, "Artemis to Arrow, look out". I LOVE YOU MIS. (I also am amused by the fact that both Roy goes by both 'Red' and 'Arrow'.
And I already talked about my feelings about Wally's chastisement. He was sufficiently stinging about it, but didn't go into overt name-calling. That's probably the most mature, in-control anger he has shown throughout the whole show, which to a certain extent, now I find weird. If he really did like her, I'd expect him to get a little angrier, a little more upset, especially give that he tried to boost her insecurities earlier in the episode. This was, again, how I'd expect him to get angry at any of his teammates in a mature way. Also, on second thought... based on the fact that he acknowledged earlier the fact that she might feel insecure about her spot on the team, I think it's a bit harsh for him to call her out on it that way. I mean purely the "This just proves you're insecure" ... well duh. You already knew that. The correct way to address that, now that you've seen to what depths she is in fact insecure, is to convince her it's not true, and to show her that she can't put the mission at risk over it. Not berate her over being insecure - that doesn't solve the issue.
And yeah… I’m in agreement with people. Wally was just a bit… too invested in Artemis this episode? I mean, maybe he’s feeling guilty all of a sudden for the way he’s treated her and is trying to majorly make up for it?
And obviously Lawrence Crock works by demotivation or negative reinforcement or some other sort of poisonous parenting guidebook.