Young Justice – Season 4: Phantoms, Episode 18, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!”
“Young Justice” is one of the most popular cartoons on Cartoon Network. Season four has ended, and although Legends was a bit disappointing in my opinion, “Beyond the Grip of The Gods!” finally brought Young Justice back to its roots with an amazing episode that left me excited for season five.
The “young justice: phantoms superboy death” is an overview of the 18th episode of the fourth season, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” The episode sees Superboy and Robin fighting off against an army of Phantoms.
Young Justice – Season 4: Phantoms, Episode 18, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” Young Justice – Season 4: Phantoms, Episode 18, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!”
*SPOILERS*
In more ways than one, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” kicks off Rocket’s narrative arc with a bang. The beginning shots of the episode depict a typical day in the lives of Rocket and her autistic son Amistad. Even in the heat of August, he obsesses over minutiae like the placement of his toy cats, can’t stand certain odors, and must have a certain brand of cookie and his wool hat. When she eventually takes the youngster to his father’s home, they talk about his IEP (individualized education plan for a child with special needs) and maybe a special school for him. Rocket/Raquel concludes the discussion on a bad note, informing him that she will not be able to attend Amistad’s IEP meeting. She embarks on an expedition to New Genesis with Forager and Jay Garrick in the hopes of establishing a pact. However, things aren’t quite as good in Highfather’s vast metropolis as one would imagine. When his adoptive son Orion is physically restrained or verbally rebuked, he explodes. Since the events of Outsiders, tensions between the New Gods and the bugs (Forager’s people) have become worse, not better. After the bogus Luthor has him going about rescuing people and replacing Superman, a stranger tells Conner that Lex Luthor is yet another delusion. Another Forager, a female from a separate colony of bugs, takes from the New Gods a gadget known as a ruction cell. Orion, Rocket, Flash, and the Forager we all know and love are sent to fetch it. The thieving female Forager offers him the ruction cell when Forager recognizes the insect and brings them to the hive. M’gann’s brother, M’comm, is a servant of Darkseid, who commands him to follow Lor-Zod. Conner learns that he is in the Phantom Zone and that his new companion is General Zod, a name he has never heard before.
Wow! Because so many plot strands are beginning to come together, this is the most gratifying episode in a long time. I’d been waiting for answers regarding Superboy (and confirmation that he wasn’t dead) all season, and the solution was right there in the title! I’m surprised I didn’t see this coming. This is a far different take on the Phantom Zone than I’ve seen in Superman (1978) or the DC Animated Universe, and it’s a terrific choice. Otherwise, it would have been evident from away what was going on, and one of the great attractions of the animation medium is its distinct looks. I’m very forward to see what happens with Conner and whether his hallucinations about letting go of M’gann come true. Certainly not; after all, this season started with their wedding preparations. And, whether true or not, it was Lex Luthor who recommended it. This is intriguing since M’gann has no option but to let go of Conner because he believes he is dead. What would her reaction be when she finds out he lives? After then, there are the two Zods. I believe I recall Lor-Zod from the battle on Mars; was he the one who placed Conner in this situation? Could this be part of a larger scheme to free General Zod? Is Lor his illegitimate child? Is Zod aware of Superboy’s existence? He might utilize this to his advantage in eluding capture and dealing with whatever follows.
Rocket’s youngster and his health have piqued my interest. They don’t specify the kind of autism he has, but he doesn’t seem to be high-functioning. That might very well be part of the arc’s theme, with Rocket’s (apparently stratospheric) aspirations for her kid, as well as his real talents and what he need from her. I’ve noticed some worries expressed online, most notably on Twitter. Autism is occasionally utilized as a story device to generate drama and complications for the neurotypical characters who must interact with the autistic individual, in this case Rocket. Amistad is commonly shown in a clichéd manner that is neither realistic nor useful in understanding and connecting to autistic persons. Personally, I didn’t find this episode to be problematic, and I trust the authors, especially Greg Weisman. Orion’s headaches and outbursts seem to be akin to Amistad’s autism, and Rocket’s description of him as a monster while speaking with Jay confirms my suspicions about this arc. Could Rocket develop a better understanding of her own kid by knowing more about Orion and his condition? Highmother even offers Orion assistance and counsel a number of times throughout the episode. I also enjoy how Orion isn’t defined by the fact that his biological father is Darkseid. His adoptive mother telling him how different they are is one of the episode’s highlights.
“Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” has strong technical aspects. When Rocket, Jay, and Forager enter New Genesis, the soundtrack is fantastic. When Orion’s Motherbox soothes him down, it emits a pleasant pounding sound. The animation is colorful and flowing. Rene Auberjonois, who died last year and portrayed a few minor roles in seasons 1 and 2, is honored in “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” I may simply need to rewatch Outsiders, but I had no idea Forager was a title; I mistook it for his name. I agree with Jay that having two people called Forager is confusing, and I hope the female character does not become a big role as a result. My first assumption was that they may be a pair, especially after Forager referred to her as a “competent female” while staring at her.
I have to appreciate “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” in general. Rocket isn’t one of my favorite characters, so I wasn’t expecting much from her story. However, in “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” many of the Phantoms’ plot strands come together in important ways, and the narrative is brilliantly delivered. I’m excited to see where this arc goes since it introduces interesting concepts and has wonderful character interactions.
Plot – 10
Acting (10 points)
Progress – ten
10 Production Design
ten animations
10
Outstanding
“Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” deserves a standing ovation. Rocket isn’t one of my favorite characters, so I wasn’t expecting much from her story. However, in “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” many of the Phantoms’ plot strands come together in important ways, and the narrative is brilliantly delivered. I’m excited to see where this arc goes since it introduces interesting concepts and has wonderful character interactions.
The “young justice season 4 recap” is an overview of the 18th episode in the 4th season of Young Justice. The episode, “Beyond the Grip of the Gods!” was released on January 26, 2019.
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