Young Justice Episode 17 – Review

By: Andrew R. Robinson (writer)

The Story: Someone call the doctor, because this Black Canary’s a total quack!

The Review: If I took away one lesson from both my years as a teenager and my years teaching them, it’s that kids of that age tend to resist and resent counseling the most, yet they stand most to profit from it.  By the time you’ve reached adulthood, you’ll have (hopefully) realized that whatever issues you’re going through, you’re far from the first, and ninety-five percent of the time, it’ll work out alright in the end.  Teens don’t have that kind of helpful perspective.

And no one is better equipped to lend that perspective to YJ after last episode’s fiasco than Black Canary.  While a respected Leaguer, she doesn’t have an iconic aura that can turn people skittish around her, and so comes off very inclusive and approachable.  Her advice is practical, sensitive, salty, and wise; she never oversteps her bounds or coddles her charges.  As someone who’s done similar work with teens, I approve nearly all her responses to the team’s worries.

For example, when Aqualad expresses his feeling of inadequacy as leader and tries to resign, Canary does absolutely the right thing by asking him who he feels should replace him.  Also appropriate is her telling Miss Martian to stop feeling sorry and start amping up her training so her overwhelming powers become a non-issue.  Less convincing is her calling out of Wally and Artemis’ feelings for each other, which feels less like analysis and more like matchmaking.

One of the more revelatory sessions lies with Robin, who, contrary to his eagerness to lead in early episodes, talks about how rattled and disturbed he felt in that very role last episode.  As Batman’s protégé, he learned the art of leadership from the very best, and he certainly did right by his mentor when push came to shove.  But he also learned he has no intention of emulating his mentor’s tactical coldness, making this his first step to his future as Nightwing.