Episode 56: For Real
<< previous episode
"This stinks. Nobody knows who we are."
- Speedy
Originally aired: October 15, 2005
Written by Melody Fox
Directed by Michael Chang


Control Freak returns to Titan Tower with “The Ultimate Titans Challenge”, a series of events designed specifically to challenge the Teen Titans. But what happens to Control Freak’s big plan when he finds himself facing not the “real” Titans – but the Titans East?


Wil Wheaton as Aqualad
Mike Erwin as Speedy
T'Keyah Keymáh as Bumblebee
Freddy Rodriguez as Mas Y Menos
Dee Bradley Baker as Silkie, Le Blanc
Alexander Polinsky as Control Freak


Titans East last appeared in TITANS EAST [part two].
Control Freak last appeared in EPISODE 257-494. He makes note of this - and is wearing a prisoner ID number that matches the episode number.
Control Freak's team roll call descriptions are taken right from the splash pages of the comic book series from the 1980s: "Robin: Teen Wonder! Raven: Mistress of Magic! Beast Boy: Shape-Shifter Supreme! Cyborg: Half-Man, Half-Robot! Starfire: Alien Powerhouse!"
Mas Y Menos still carry a crush for Starfire - as seen in TITANS EAST [part two].
Titans East is eating from the same Taco joint as in TITANS EAST [part one].
Andre Le Blanc tries to rob the Bank of Pérez - a nod to the co-creator of the New Teen Titans, artist George Pérez.
Character designer Derrick Wyatt can be spotted fleeing from the Bank of Pérez.
Control Freak names his mechanical shark "Glen" - after series producer Glen Murakami.
In prison, Punk Rocket - from THE LOST EPISODE - can be seen behind Andre Le Blanc.
Control Freak talks to Titans fans over the internet - which parodies fandom and many fan message board personalities: The Know-It-All Who Could Have Written It Better, The Fangirl Shipper, and the Kid Who Adds Superfluous Agreeable Post.
The message board fan with the beard also appears briefly in EPISODE 257-494; He's dressed up as the female character from "Clash of the Planets."
Control Freak's double light saber is a reference to "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace."
Control Freak's lightsaber dance is a take-off on "The Star Wars Kid." The Star Wars Kid is a 15-year-old from Quebec who was goofing off at a school video studio and recorded himself fighting a mock battle with a golf ball retriever lightsaber in 2002. His performance was later downloaded by over 15 million Internet users across the world.
The background of the internet chat looked like the matrix from "The Matrix" trilogy.
Control Freak's Ultimate Challenge logo looks like the logo for the reality TV program, "Survivor."
As Control Freak is taken away with the muzzle and stretcher, it's a reference to Hannibal Lechter from "Silence of the Lambs."


Producer David Slack had mentioned previously: "So then I said the sentence I may regret for the rest of my life. I said, "OK, but only if they just speak Spanish." [laughs]. It was a really fun idea but ended up being difficult to do. I don't know that we'd want to do a whole episode with them.... but we got a little bilingual in the show." The difficulty in translating Spanish may explain Control Freak's Spanish translator in this episode.


French thief Andre Le Blanc has only made one appearance in the original comic book series way back TEEN TITANS #18 in 1968. The self-styled "world's greatest jewel thief," arrogant Andre Le Blanc made the international most wanted list. Le Blanc often clashed with the Russian super-hero Lenoid Kovar - who was later known as Red Star. Le Blanc delighted in evading capture by the young hero.

People continue to mistake Speedy for Robin - a joke also noted in WINNER TAKE ALL. In the 1960s, Green Arrow and his sidekick Speedy had much in common with Batman & Robin. Green Arrow had an Arrowcave, and Arrowmobile and an array of gadget arrows. Green Arrow was a millionaire in his alter ego, and adopted a young orphan, Roy Harper [Speedy]. In the 1970's, Green Arrow and Speedy were developed to stand on their own - with unique personalities. And the Batman/Robin similarities have become something of a running joke.

Control Freak's team roll call descriptions are taken right from the splash pages of the comic book series from the 1980s: "Robin: Teen Wonder! Raven: Mistress of Magic! Beast Boy: Shape-Shifter Supreme! Cyborg: Half-Man, Half-Robot! Starfire: Alien Powerhouse!"

Speedy and Aqualad rib each other while eating pizza; This is very similar to their comic book relationship.

Titans West - the original Titans auxilary team - was often treated as second-rate. It's similar to the greeting Titans East receives in this episode.

Control Freak declares, "Robin doesn't deserve Starfire;" Another reference to Robin and Starfire's comic book romance.

For more information on the comic book versions of the characters - including many images - visit titanstower.com's meeting room page.


Now THIS is a Titans East episode! It was unfortunate that in their debut, Titans East was duped and rescued by the Titans proper. This episode almost acknowledges that misstep; Here, the Titans East are regarded as second-rate Titans. Amusing - especially considering the poor reputation of the comic-book Titans West team. Titans auxilary teams just get no respect.

Here, the Titans East members all get their moments to shine - to great effect. And using Control Freak - as a second rate villain - nicely mirrors the plight of Titans East. Beyond that, this episode is a great blend of humor, action and drama. It's also got some inventive super-deformed bits - sorely missed so far in the fifth season.

Control Freak returns for a third outing. What more can be said about Control Freak? He's a fantastically funny bad guy who represents the dark side of fandom. The thought that he worships yet hates the Titans makes him all the more pathetic yet funny. And the internet fans - well, someone has been reading the message boards. The wannabe-writer. The shippers. The 'me-too's'. LOL indeed.

At last, a Titans East episode that does them justice. A solidly enjoyable episode. Grade: A-

EPISODE SCREEN CAPS
provided by John The Artist