Episode Guide: Season Five Episode

Kid Flash: Need a little luck? Jinx: Its only a myth! Who are you, anyways? Kid Flash: Kid Flash! Fastest boy alive. Jinx: Are you supposed to be a good guy or something? Kid Flash: One of the best. Jinx: Well, Aren't you going top take me to jail or something? Kid Flash: I thought I'd get to know you first.
Originally aired: December 3, 2005
Written by Rob Hoegee Directed by Ben Jones
With Titans dispatched across the globe, members of the Hive Five figure they have it made. Unfortunately their city-wide crime spree is cut short when a new hero in town spoils the fun. Handing him over to the Brotherhood of Evil may score the Hive Five points, but actually catching this lightning-fast do-gooder is much harder than it seems. Michael Rosenbaum as Kid Flash Jason Marsden as Billy Numerous Kevin Michael Richardson as Mammoth, See-More Lauren Tom as Gizmo, Jinx Hynden Walch as Madame Rouge This episode was conceived as a Teen Titans episode from the perspective of the villains; Their adversary is Kid Flash. If you notice the structure, it's very similar to a regular episode of Teen Titans, but the good guys and bad guys are reversed! This episode features a revised opening sequence with the Hive kids replacing the Titans! The Hive Kid's underground headquarters is shaped like a giant H - much like Titans Tower is a giant T. Michael Rosenbaum - the voice of Kid Flash - also provides the voice of the Flash on "Justice League." The candy bar Kid Flash steals from Mammoth is called "Lightspeed." It's not only the name of the episode - but it's also the name of the candy bar Flash becomes a spokesman for in the Justice League episode, "Eclipsed." The Hive Five membership has changed since they last appeared in MOTHER MAE-EYE. Private Hive is gone, and new members include Billy Numerous and Kyd Wykkyd. Curiously, this means the Hive Five is composed of six members! [something Kid Flash points out] Kyd Wykkyd appeared briefly in DECEPTION; This is his first full appearance. Blink and you'll miss it: When Kid Flash goes into hiding, Jinx uses her powers of bad luck to cause the garage door to rust. Story Editor/Writer Rob Hoegee on LIGHTSPEED: “Without getting into details, it’s an interesting perspective on a Teen Titans story. With emphasis on “Perspective.” Season five is in a lot of ways a departure from the way we did things previously. We’re at a point where we can take some chances and tell some different kinds of stories.” Story Editor/Writer Rob Hoegee on casting Michael Rosenbaum: "Interesting coincidence! [laughs] As we were thinking about the voice of Kid Flash,we thought, if we're going to use Kid Flash, "Wouldn't it be great if we could get Michael to do the voice?" A bolt of lightning endowed young Wally West with super-speed, enabling him to become Kid Flash, protégé to the Flash in FLASH #110 [1960]! Kid Flash was one of the founding members of the Teen Titans. The creative team hinted at the San Diego Comic Con 2005 that Kid Flash's identity under the mask would be more obvious than the mystery surrounding Robin's identity. The casting of Michael Rosenbaum created some symmetry with the Wally West Flash from Justice League. It appears that Kid Flash is indeed the Wally West character. The Wally West Flash also went through a period where he would have to sustain his metabolism by eating frequently; This is something that happens in this episode. Kid Flash eats quite a bit throughout LIGHTSPEED. Flash also went through a period where he was very flirtatious with women; This suave speedster is consistent with Kid Flash's interactions with Jinx. Kid Flash is also referred to as "The Fastest Boy Alive." In the comics, he is known as "The Fastest Man Alive" as the Flash. For more information on the comic book versions of the characters - including many images - visit titanstower.com's meeting room page. By all respects, this episode shouldn't quite work. The five main Titans are nowhere to be seen. And the long-awaited Kid Flash episode focuses a lot of its attention on the Hive kids. Despite these elements, LIGHTSPEED is one of the best episodes of the fifth season! Season five has taken some chances. The main group has been split up, and many episodes are focusing on new characters. LIGHTSPEED takes that formula as an opportunity to introduce Kid Flash and flesh out the Hive kids - particularly Jinx. Rob Hoegee writes an intriguing role for Jinx - after merely touching the surface in episodes like FINAL EXAM and DECEPTION. The relationship between Kid Flash and Jinx is well-played. It gives dimension to both characters without becoming cliché or predictable. The main conflict is not so much Hive vs. Kid Flash - as it is Kid Flash trying to reform Jinx. With that in mind, it's amusing to consider that Kid Flash could easily escape the Hive several times - yet hangs out solely for the sake of Jinx. The use of Kid Flash's super-speed is used to humorous effect. And, this collection of Hive kids elicit their own brand of humor. LIGHTSPEED is almost an anti-Titans episode: It has the humor and team interplay of the regular Titans, only these kids are robbing banks! Special credit goes out to director Ben Jones and the storyboard artists. The action sequences with Kid Flash's speed were amazing. And the showcase of his speed-antics - from whirlwinds to vibrations - was well-done. In short, this is an episode you won't want to fast-forward! Grade: A
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