Apokolips Reveals Itself in ‘Young Justice: Outsiders’

So many juicy revelations happened in this latest set of episodes. But, be sure to catch up with the last set so you won’t get lost in the story. Basically, the Outsiders went public to thunderous applause. As we move in to the next set of episodes, there are a LOT of secrets revealed as Apokolips makes its move. The key to all this is Granny Goodness. So let’s move closer to the Anti-Life, shall we?

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We begin with ‘Quiet Conversations’ wherein Beautiful Dreamer of the Forever People makes a visit to help Vic with his Father Box transformation. In order for Vic to avoid being corrupted by the Father Box, a Mother Box is left by Dreamer, and they need to seek out Metron’s Mobius Chair to reverse the transformation. This takes Superboy to the Source Wall (yes, THE Source Wall), and back with Metron tagging along. Metron was uncooperative in helping and was more concerned in seeing Vic transformed by the Father Box. In the end, the team uses the Mobius Chair to save Vic, and the spirit of the Father Box inhabiting Vic’s cyborg body is returned to the Source Wall. The heroes of Young Justice also find out that Granny Goodness is from Apokalips as revealed by Metron before he leaves. To add, Violet goes back to Qurac to say goodbye to her relatives because she is dying, and Terra is now withholding information from Slade.

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Then in ‘Unknown Factors’, Nigthwing and Black Lightning with the Mother Box infiltrate Granny’s home on Earth only to be captured by Apokaliptan Tech in the form of Overlord. Also, remember that meta-human saved by the Outsiders last time? She’s actually Dolphin, a longstanding character in Aquaman mythos. Kaldur’ahm brings her to Poseidonis to keep her safe where we also find Kaldur’s boyfriend, Wynnde. Upon finding out that Dick was captured, Kaldur volunteers to rescue him and Jeff from Granny. Of course, Wynnde would not be left behind. The two save Dick and Jeff with the help of Vic’s Boom Tube; and also confirm that Granny is a servant of Darkseid. Finally, we see Darkseid actually makes an appearance in front of Granny. This is his first in the series on Earth. Apokolips is no longer hiding its cards, but they have yet to be revealed to the world.

In order to repair a damaged Mother Box due to its exposure to Overlord, Violet heals it. She also heals the brainwashing that was done to Jeff and Dick with their exposure in the X-Pits. Though, Dick is still incapacitated due to the experience because he is not a meta-human. As if the problems with Apokolips weren’t enough, Dr. Helga Jace is shown to having connections with The Light, particularly with the Ultra-Humanite. This connection has something to do with Violet.

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So far,so many secrets are unraveling, and the hits keep coming with one of the biggest ones is unmasked by Jefferson Pierce in ‘Antisocial Pathologies’. Jeff finds out that everything from the split of the Justice League till the formation of the Outsiders was orchestrated by Batman. He calls Bruce out for it, and Jeff is fuming mad. All this was one elaborate ruse to counter The Light’s actions. What has been happening was not of his or anyone’s choice at all. It was all orchestrated by Batman, and a select group of is proteges led byNightwing and the current Aquaman, Kaldur. Jeff leaves the heroes in disgust.

While this is all happening, Dr. Jace makes her own move. She captures Brion, Tara and Violet using a control chip.This is the same control chip we saw earlier in the season placed on teen meta-humans. She surrenders them to Granny and Ultra-Humanite. In their presence, two more secrets are revealed. One is that Dr. Jace actually engineered the transformation of Brion and Tara. Two, Violet isn’t dying and this was all a lie in order to use her as a bargaining chip for Brion and Tara. And three, probably the biggest revelation of the series: Violet is the key to the Anti-Life Equation. According to Granny, the Ghost Dimension plus Halo equals Anti-Life. The Mother Box in human form (Violet) is what is needed to activate Anti-Life using the Ghost Dimension. This is the whole premise of the season, and it gives me goose bumps that the Anti-Life Equation will be used here in full force.

The revelation of Granny surprises Ultra-Humanite, and tips the balance of power towards Darkseid and against The Light. The revelation of Dr. Jace surprises Brion, Tara and Violet. As a result, Tara understands now why she shouldn’t trust the heroes according to Slade. Good thing that Slade gave Tara another chip to override the control chip Dr. Jace used to capture all three of them. With this override chip, Tara was able to escape with Brion. She’s mad at the heroes now, and knows every dirty little secret including the machinations of Batman and the League. ‘Antisocial Pathologies’ is packed with revelations, and then there’s a kicker: there are TWO Granny Goodnesses!!!

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The universe is now set for a climactic confrontation with Apokalips, and ‘Terminus’ sets the stage pretty well. Granny plays with her new toy in taking down the Justice League who try to invade the Orphanage. The League is no match for Granny’s new weapon, the Anti-Life Equation courtesy of Violet.The Justice League is exposed to Anti-Life, and is taken down easily.

Meanwhile, Vandal Savage pays a visit to the Ousiders’ headquarters. There he offers a parlay, and gives our young heroes the location of Halo. His only request is that they reveal to her captor who sent them. With the balance of the universe at stake, Savage is not going to hand it over to Darkseid on a silver platter.

It’s nice to see the original team together (sans Wally) taking along the new Outsiders (sans Violet) on a mission to save Halo. Though we do see a bit of Wally while Dick is delirious from the Granny brainwashing (care of Miss Martian’s mind link). I’m still hoping he shows up for real from the Speed Force.

‘Terminus’ is a great cliffhanger to the three-part season ender to come. We are left with Granny seemingly taking control of both the Justice League and the members of Young Justice. Is the universe doomed? I’m not too sure. There’s something about that last chant of Halo before the heroes rise from control. Perhaps they’ve been freed already? We only have a few more days to find out. Be patient.

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We’re down to the last three episodes, and there are still a lot of story strands that need resolving. Will Tara turn against Young Justice a la ‘Judas Contract’ in the comics? Will Scandal Savage turn on Vandal Savage? Will Big Barda join the heroes, and turn against Granny just like in the comics? Why are there two Granny Goodnesses? Will Wally West return? Whatever happens…DARKSEID IS!!!

‘YOUNG JUSTICE: OUTSIDERS’ has set itself up for a climactic confrontation. With only three episodes to go in the current season, secrets have been revealed, and the fate of the universe is at the mercy of arguably the most powerful force in the universe. Battle lines have been drawn, and the heroes have their work cut out for them. This series has not disappointed with its brilliant storytelling while weaving in so many aspects of DC comic book lore. The end is coming, and Darkseid is yet to come. PREPARE THE ANTI-LIFE EQUATION!!!