1x13 Alpha Male

[7.7/10] Poor Aqualad. I like the story of this one because it takes the fallout from the mole situation seriously in terms of character. Robin and Wally make great points early on. The whole reason they started this group was because they were tired of having secrets kept from them. That makes Kaldur holding the info about a potential mole close to the vest seem like a betrayal to them. Superboy is in a real possessive phase over M’gaan and so angrily blames Aqualad for what happened with the Red Tornado sibs. And Artemis is willing to fan the flames of disdain for Kaldur since she’s probably the mole herself and wants to cast suspicion off of her.

My sympathies lie with Kaldur, but what I appreciate is that the reactions here make sense based on what we know (or suspect) about the characters. Once Robin and Wally hear Aqualad’s explanation -- about not wanting to destabilize the team over potentially false intel but having to take it seriously as leader -- they accept it. And once Conner’s appropriately chastened, he seems to accept Kaldur again too. They earn that transition and resolidifying the team.

At the same time, the episode puts the focus on Aqualad, and the struggle of doing what you feel is right, but alienating (no pun intended) your friends and teammates in the process. The lesson about Kaldur aiming to be an empathetic and understanding leader, but also needing to know when to take charge when the situation calls for it, is a good lesson for him. Him following Batman’s example on that front, and telling the rest of the Junior Justice League that whatever their issues, they need to work as a team for now and can replace him after the mission need be, is a compelling argument.

The setting and premise carry their weight too. I like how the broader arc of the season is coalescing here. After witnessing the combo venom/blockbuster serum, and power-controlling collars used previously, we see both tested on wild animals, showing how The Light’s mysterious plans are progressing. The design and animation work here is top notch, with gruesome yet winsome designs for the afflicted animals, and some strong choreography and fluidity behind the heroes’ skirmish with their zoological foes.

Plus hey, I watched the Teen Titans animated series before starting Young Justice, so I get a kick out of seeing Monsieur Mala and The Brain once again. The Brain is much more creepy here, adding an eeriness that belies the inherent ridiculousness of the character. I’ll confess that Captain Marvel seems a little pointless in the episode. He delivers the lesson to Kaldur which has value. And there’s merits in exploring how someone who looks like an adult but is really a kid would respond to the teenage hero collective. But that's something “Alpha Male” saves for another day. Still, it’s a “get” to have Rob Lowe in the role. Good casting.

The only other point to touch on the Superboy/M’gaan story. It’s nice to see M’gaan drawing the line between dating someone and owning them. Conner treating her like a full-fledged teammate fully capable of acting and deciding for herself is an important thing to address. At the same time, you can sympathize with Conner, who’s experiencing his first relationship, and is understandably (if overly) attached to one of the first people to really show kindness to him after all he’s been through. (Though it’d be nice if he showed the same appreciation to Kaldur.)
There’s something ridiculous but fun and appropriately comic book-y about Conner earning the loyalty of a wolf by fighting with it. As the rest of the team points out, I don’t know that the team needs more pets, but you gotta keep selling toys and accessories I guess.

Overall, another quality episode, which touches on legitimate character conflicts for Aqualad and Superboy, and finds a cool story through which to dramatize the ideas at play.