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"Classic Titans" is the thirty-third episode in the fourth season of Teen Titans Go!, and the one-hundred-ninetieth overall episode of the series.

Summary[]

Control Freak tries to prove his point about the classic superhero cartoons and animations by sending the Titans off to visit a previous version of Teen Titans Go! that was made in the 1960's, the 1980's and more classic old Superhero cartoons.

Plot[]

Taking a break from fighting crime, the Titans are enjoying an episode of the ridiculous yet fun "Babies VS. Dogs" at the Tower. However, their TV screen is suddenly hijacked by the technological terror, Control Freak. He's appalled by the show the Titans are watching, criticizing its oversaturated color and random humor. In Control Freak's opinion, classic superhero cartoons of the old days had far more quality, and he's determined to prove it to the squabbling Titans with a virtual machination...

The team instantly find themselves in the intro for a 1960s-style superhero cartoon, complete with dull color and limited animation. It's unclear to the Titans what exactly just happened; they've got retro appearances, a lack of bodily movement, and crazy metaphorical speech patterns. Speaking through the now old-fashioned TV, Control Freak explains that despite the low budget, the Titans are going to have to learn to appreciate this old cartoon appeal—if they want to be free. Robin decides it's in their best interest to play along, and an opportunity presents itself when laser-armed pterodactyls attack the Tower. Using a stun birdarang, the Boy Wonder drives off the dinosaurs.

Now an adventure is afoot! The Titans hop into the T-Jet and pursue the prehistoric animals toward an uncharted island. On their way, an unfamiliar voice describing the situation catches Beast Boy's attention. The voice explains that he's the Narrator… perhaps a low-budget implement for storytelling, but nonetheless necessary. Eventually, the gang arrives at the mysterious island—and thanks to Robin's highly opportune dinosaur-tracking birdarang, they find a hidden lair.

Screenshot 2018-02-17-00-04-57-1

Holy sandwiches! The Teen Titans have been captured!

Unfortunately, the Narrator's commentary gives away the Titans' stealthy entrance; a cage falls over them, and they're now prisoners of the cackling Dr. Otto von Death. The villain plans to launch a rocket that will unleash dinosaurs all over the world, wiping out humanity. When asked why he wants to do this, Otto von Death has a rather one dimensional sob story that sparks little sympathy from the Titans. Angered, he lowers the cage into a pool of sharks, much to the delight of Control Freak. Luckily, Starfire uses her starbolts to free the team!

Just as Otto von Death is about to launch his rocket, the Titans arrive to stop him. However, a gigantic T-Rex stands in their path. The Titans battle the dino, using various ineffective attacks that leave Control Freak completely unsatisfied with the action. Fortunately, Raven uses a portal to bring Baby Jack and Growler from "Babies VS Dogs" into action. The two heroes unleash an all-out assault, evoking admiration from Control Freak for their fluid, modern animation. After Otto von Death and his T-Rex are taken out, both the rocket and evil lair are destroyed.

The mission is completed, so the Titans are teleported back to the Tower, returning to their modern forms. Control Freak now has a fairer outlook on modern cartoons, but the Titans could care less—they've got a "Babies VS Dogs" marathon to watch...

Characters[]

Screenshot 2018-02-17-00-00-01-1

Control Freak reminisces on the old superhero cartoon days.

Screenshot 2018-02-17-00-00-48-1

A rather common evil laugh from Dr. Otto von Death.

Main Characters

Minor Characters

  • Narrator (debut)
  • Robot Dinosaur (debut)

Cameos

Trivia[]

  • This episode premiered a year after "Oregon Trail".
  • Starfire's New Teen Titans comic outfit was slightly modified in this episode, due to her original outfit design being far too revealing for younger viewers.
    • Her modified outfit in this episode is most likely based on her outfit from the 1984 New Teen Titans anti-drug commercial. Her original comic outfit there was also modified due to the fact the commercial was aimed at children and young teens.
  • Screenshot 2018-02-17-00-07-38-1

    Robin is flabbergasted by Control Freak's schemes.

    Judging by the title of this episode, most people thought this episode was going to be a crossover between Teen Titans Go! and the original Teen Titans series from 2003. After discovering that they have misinterpreted it, many were left very disappointed.
  • Although the Titans' designs are more from the 80's, the look and feel of the animation are reminiscent of the 1967 Filmation DC hero cartoons (Justice League of America, Teen Titans', etc).
    • The episode's promo for this episode shows a "title card" with the phrase "Copylike 1967, Cartoon Network" at the bottom, parodying the word "copyright".
    • To fully embrace the style of 1960s Filmation cartoons (which included mistakes), intentional errors were added: Robin talking but with Cyborg's voice; Cyborg's head cybernetics on the wrong side; jail bars popping on mid-scene; Cyborg's armor pieces switching colors with his skin tone; film cell visible; and seeing the end of Cyborg's extended neck.
  • In reality, a "New Teen Titans" cartoon was originally being considered in the 1980s, but this idea was scrapped.
  • After not airing since May 12, 2018, this episode made a return to the schedule for the first time in nearly two years on January 25, 2020.

Continuity[]

  • This is the third time the Titans' New Teen Titans comic counterparts were referenced in the series. The first time they were referenced was briefly in a comic book found by the Titans in the episode "Books," and in "Baby Hands" where the Titans were seen in a flashback, wearing costumes that appeared very similar to their New Teen Titans comic counterpart designs.
    • Starfire's New Teen Titans comic counterpart is the only one who had that specific counterpart referenced four times, since it was also referenced in "Beast Man", where Robin got a tattoo of Starfire on his stomach that looked very similar to her New Teen Titans comic design.
  • Raven is seen unhooded for the 64th time in the series.

References[]

  • The "classic" version of the Titans referenced in this episode is based on the New Teen Titans comic series from the 1980s, created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez.
  • The cartoon the Titans are watching, Babies vs Dogs, is a parody of Teen Titans Go! in many ways.
    • When Control Freak is pointing out all the flaws about Babies vs Dogs, he complains about how bright the colors were and how they only make jokes. This could be a reference to people in real life, who often complain about these things in Teen Titans Go!
    • At the end of the episode, it's made apparent that the Titans have been watching an all-day marathon of Babies vs Dogs. This could be referencing the many times that there have been all-day marathons of Teen Titans Go! on Cartoon Network, which also happens to be a major complaint of the show's critics.
  • Control Freak refers to the Titans as "philistines", a jab at their aversion to classic cartoons. The word originates from the ancient Canaanite culture often at odds with the Israelites.
  • The distorted background music during the 80's intro is a render of the 2003 Teen Titans series.

Errors[]

  • The show that the Titans are watching is called Babies vs Dogs, though only one baby and one dog are present in the program.
    • They also seem to be working as a team, not as enemies like the title suggests.
  • When Control Freak is commenting on the animation and style of the baby and the dog towards the end, he is referring to them in a plural sense ("those dogs," "those babies"). It's plausible that when the lines were recorded for the episode, the production team was planning on having more babies and dogs fighting, but only had time to make the two that appeared.
  • The following errors are presumably intentional, joking towards classic cartoon mistakes:
    • When Robin was talking, his voice sounded like Cyborg's, not Robin.
    • For a second, the bars of the cage in which the Titans were trapped disappeared.
    • When Cyborg throws a barrel at Dr. Otto von Death, his legs change color from silver to brown for a second.
    • When Robin explains that the Titans appearance, movement and speech was altered, half of his body was gone.
    • While Otto is explaining his backstory, Cyborg's body disappears.

Running Gags[]

  • Robin using various birdarangs, each time done with similar animation cycles.
  • Beast Boy transforming into a donkey.
  • The Titans complaining about their restricted movements and manner of speaking.

Transcript[]

The transcript for "Classic Titans" can be found here.

Gallery[]

Click here to view more images from Classic Titans.
The image gallery for Classic Titans may be viewed here.

v - e - d Episode Guide

Season 1: April 23, 2013 - June 5, 2014
Legendary SandwichPie BrosDriver's EdDog HandDouble TroubleThe DateDude RelaxLaundry DayGhostboyLa Larva de AmorHey Pizza!GorillaGirl's Night OutYou're Fired!Super RobinTower PowerParasiteStarliarMeatball PartyStaff MeetingTerra-izedArtful DodgersBurger vs. BurritoMatchedColors of RavenThe Left LegBooksLazy SundayStarfire the TerriblePower MovesStaring at the FutureNo PowerSidekickCaged TigerSecond ChristmasNose MouthLegsBreakfast CheeseWafflesBe MineOppositesBirdsBrain FoodIn and OutLittle BuddiesMissingUncle JokesMás y MenosDreamsGrandma VoiceReal MagicPuppets, Whaaaaat?

Season 2: June 12, 2014 - July 30, 2015
Mr ButtMan PersonPiratesMoney GrandmaI See YouBrianNatureSalty CodgersKnowledgeSlumber PartyLove MonstersBaby HandsCaramel ApplesSandwich ThiefFriendshipVegetablesThe MaskSerious BusinessHalloweenBoys vs GirlsBody AdventureRoad TripThanksgivingThe Best RobinMouth HoleHot GarbageRobin BackwardsCrazy DaySmile BonesReal Boy AdventuresHose WaterLet's Get SeriousTamaranian VacationRocks and WaterMultiple Trick PonyTruth, Justice and What?Two Bumble Bees and a WaspOil DrumsVideo Game ReferencesCool SchoolKicking a Ball and Pretending to Be HurtHead FruitYearbook MadnessBeast ManOperation Tin ManNeanCampfire StoriesAnd the Award for Sound Design Goes to RobThe HIVE FiveThe Return of SladeMore of the SameSome of Their Parts

Season 3: July 31, 2015 - October 13, 2016
Cat's FancyLeg DayDignity of TeethCroissantSpice GameI'm the SauceHey You, Don't Forget about Me in Your MemoryAccept the Next Proposition You HearThe Fourth Wall40%, 40%, 20%Grube's FairytalesA FarceScary Figure DanceAnimals, It's Just a Word!BBBDAY!Black FridayTwo ParterThe True Meaning of ChristmasSquash & StretchGarage SaleSecret GardenThe Cruel Giggling GhoulHow 'Bout Some EffortPyramid SchemeBeast Boy's St. Patrick's Day Luck, and It's BadThe Teen Titans Go Easter Holiday ClassicBatman v Teen Titans: Dark InjusticeBottle EpisodeFinally a LessonArms Race with LegsObinrayWally TRad Dudes with Bad TudesOperation Dude RescueHistory LessonThe Art of NinjutsuThink About Your FutureTTG v PPGCoconut Cream PiePure ProteinOpen Door PolicyCrazy Desire IslandThe Titans ShowBooty ScootyWho's Laughing NowOregon TrailSnuggle TimeOh Yeah!Riding the DragonThe OverbiteThe Cape

Season 4: October 20, 2016 - June 25, 2018
Shrimps and Prime RibHalloween v ChristmasBooby Trap HouseFish WaterTV KnightTeen Titans Save ChristmasBBSFBDAY!The StreakThe Inner Beauty of a CactusMovie NightBBRAEPermanent RecordTitan Saving TimeThe Gold StandardMaster DetectiveEaster CreepsHand ZombieEmployee of the Month: ReduxThe AvogodoOranginsJinxedBrain PercentagesBL4Z3Hot Salad WaterI Saw You DanceThe Story in Your EyesPlaying Hard to GetThe Night Begins to ShineLicationLabor DayClassic TitansOnes and ZeroesCareer DayTV Knight 2Justice League's Next Top Talent Idol StarThe AcademyCostume ContestThrone of BonesDemon PromThanksgettingThe Self-Indulgent 200th Episode Spectacular!BBCYFSHIPBDAYBeast GirlFlashbackBro-PocalypseMo' Money Mo' ProblemsTV Knight 3

Season 5: June 25, 2018 - April 4, 2020
The Scoop!Chicken in the CradleKaboomsTower RenovationMy Name is JoseThe Power of ShrimpsMonster SquadReal OranginsQuantum FunThe FightThe GrooverJustice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Second Greatest Team EditionHow's This for a Special? SpaaaaceBBRBDAYSlapping Butts and Celebrating for No ReasonNostalgia is Not a Substitute for an Actual StoryBusiness Ethics Wink WinkGenie PresidentTall Titan TalesI Used to Be a PeoplesThe Metric System vs FreedomThe ChaffThem Soviet BoysLittle ElvisBooty EggsTV Knight 4Lil' DimplesDon't Be an IcarusStockton, CA!What's Opera TitansForest PiratesThe BergeracSnot and TearsCampfire!What We Learned at CampCommunicate OpenlyRoyal JellyStrength of a Grown ManHad to Be ThereGirls Night InThe Great DisasterThe Viewers Decide

Season 6: October 4, 2019 - May 1, 2021
Butt AtomsTV Knight 5Witches BrewThat's What's Up!Crab ShenanigansBrobotsBrain FlipBeast Boy on a ShelfChristmas CrusadersWe're Off to Get AwardsBat ScoutsWalk AwayRecord BookMagic ManTitans Go CasualRain on Your Wedding DayEgg HuntJustice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Justice League EditionMission to Find the Lost StemsDrumsGuitarBassYou're The OneWhere Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 1Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 2Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 3Where Exactly on the Globe is Carl Sanpedro? - Part 4Ghost With the MostBucket ListTV Knight 6KryptoniteThumb WarToddler Titans…Yay!Baby MouthThe CastSuperhero FeudLucky StarsVarious Modes of TransportationCool UnclesButter WallBBRAEBDAYDon't Press PlayReal ArtJust a Little Patience...Yeah...YeahVillains in a Van Getting GelatoI Am ChairBumgorfThe MugHafo SafoZimdings

Season 7: January 8, 2021 - September 16, 2022
Justice League's Next Top Talent Idol Star: Dance Crew EditionFeed MePig in a PokeP.P.A Little Help PleaseMarv Wolfman and George PérezSpace House - Part 1Space House - Part 2Space House - Part 3Space House - Part 4Cy and BeastyT is for TitansCreative GeniusesManor and MannerismsTrans Oceanic Magical CruisePolly Ethylene and Tara PhthalateEEbowsBatman's Birthday GiftWhat a Boy WondersDoomsday PreppersFat CatsJamDCPepo the PumpkinmanBreakfastCaptain CoolA Doom Patrol ThanksgivingGlunkakakakahControl FreakA Holiday StoryThe DripStandards & PracticesBelly MathFree PerkGo!Finding AquamanWhodundidit?Sweet RevengePorch PiratesA Sticky SituationThe Perfect Pitch?Pool SeasonKyleTV Knight 7We'll Be Right BackJump City RockNatural Gas50% ChadThe Score365!

Season 8: October 7, 2022 -
Welcome to HalloweenThe Great Holiday EscapeLooking For LoveTeen Titans ActionTV Knight 8A Stickier SituationWinning a Golf Tournament Is The Solution to All Of Life's Money ProblemsAlways Be CrimefightingEaster AnnihilationThe Brain of the FamilyArthurToilet WaterPlot HolesUtility BeltOur HouseBeard HunterElasti-BotNew ChumIntroHaunted TankWarner Bros. 100th AnniversaryWishboneChristmas MagicShipCatpin Freak50% CrewFive BucksWild Card

Top of the Titans: April 27, 2018 - July 20, 2018
Raddest SongsBest Love SongsBeast Boy & Cyborg SongsDance PartyBest Rivals

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