Episode 47: Stranded
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"So - you are now prepared to explain why I am neither a girl nor your friend?
- Starfire to Robin
Originally aired: June 11, 2005
Written by Melody Fox
Directed by Alex Soto


An exciting battle on a distant space station ends with a tremendous explosion that blows the T-Ship apart -- and sends the Titans flying off in five different directions to crashland on a Strange alien world. Will our five shipwrecked heroes ever be able to get back together and find their way home?


Dee Bradley Baker as Space Monster


Blink and you'll miss it: While Beast Boy is attempting to rebuild Cyborg, Silkie is seen amid the flying tools and gadgets.
While rebuilding Cyborg, Beast Boy shape shifts into a Wookie, the same race as Chewbacca from the "Star Wars" movies
The rebuilt Cyborg with Beast Boy in a suit on his shoulder? That's an homage to the Japanese animated opus, "Giant Robo."
Starfire's powers being linked to her emotions was established in season one's episode, SWITCHED.


In the comic book series, Starfire immediately was attracted to Robin, but he kept her at arms' length. Denying his emotions for some time, he finally admited his feelings when Starfire was injured during a space adventure in NEW TEEN TITANS #23-25 [1982]. After that, Robin and Starfire began a serious relationship that lasted years. They broke up after a disastrous wedding attempt in NEW TITANS #100 [1993].

Regarding feelings and relationships, Robin says to Starfire, "I'm not very good with that." In that respect, Robin takes after his mentor, Batman; In the comics, Starfire was often hurt when Robin would become emotionally withdrawn or distant.

Beast Boy declares, "You were my best friend," when he believes Cyborg was gone after the ship crashed. In the comics, Beast Boy and Cyborg were [and still are] best friends.

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


Some of the better Teen Titans episodes mix comedy with personal growth. And that's exactly what we get in STRANDED.
 
The board artists seemed to have a blast in outer space. There's some inventive visuals at work here - especially in the interplay between Beast Boy and Cyborg.  I'm surprised the series hasn't mined their friendship more; In the comics, they became best buds because of their differences. We really haven't seen them interact as friends much since NEVERMORE. I hope we see more of the Cy/BB team because it's comedy gold. The Raven sequences were also effective, because they played against our expectations of Raven's character.
 
But the stars of STRANDED are undoubtedly Robin and Starfire. At last, the idea of their relationship takes center stage. This being a kid's show, their relationship isn't going to be developed overly; Still, it was nice to see their feelings for each other acknowledged and dealt with. And, the show handles it with a deft touch. Once again, the voice acting propels a good script into something even stronger. Hynden Walch and  Scott Menville did a great job with Robin and Star's complicated relationship. A nice character piece doubling as a comedy piece. Grade: B+




EPISODE SCREEN CAPS
provided by John The Artist