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"The Quest" is the second episode of season four and the overall 41st episode of the Teen Titans series.

Synopsis[]

After encountering a thief with expert fighting moves, Robin decides to improve on his martial art skills by seeking out a legendary trainer: The True Master. He travels to Asia, where he meets an old woman who helps guide him, but first Robin must go through many trials before he is ready to meet the True Master. However, unknown to Robin, he is being followed by a mysterious figure. Meanwhile, back at Titans Tower, the rest of the team find a unique way to fill the gap left by Robin's departure.

Plot[]

On a cool, clear night at an antique shop in Jump City's Chinatown, Robin surprises a malicious martial artist known as Katarou pilfering a ruby-bejeweled golden bo staff. The villain escapes by exploiting Robin's need to protect a priceless vase (while leaving the rest of the shop in ruins), but Robin is not too far behind. After exchanging pleasantries at the fact that they have both trained with the best there is in their fields, Katarou demonstrates honor in his own right by offering Robin a deal: he will surrender if Robin cannot be defeated in 3 moves. Unexpectedly, the thief gains the upper hand on Robin, and upon Robin's question where he learned to fight like that, Katarou replies, "If you want to be the best, you have to seek the True Master", before he escapes into the night with the aid of a smoke bomb.

The next day in his room, Robin packs his backpack and readies his battle gear as the other Titans arrive in to comfort him over his defeat. They soon notice Robin packing and begin to believe he is quitting the team, over what happened. However, Robin reveals to them that he is not quitting the team, but rather is embarking on an expedition. He explains that his fight with Katarou has shown him that he still has a lot to learn about martial arts. Cyborg offers to help, but Robin declines the offer stating to have already trained with the best, but it still was not sufficient, and only one person can help him overcome his dilema. Starfire then asks if he is going to seek out the "True Master" of whom the villain spoke and Robin confirms by stating that he will not be returning until he finds the master. The other Titans express their skepticism as to the reality or even alignment of the True Master, as well as Robin not knowing exactly where he's going. All he has to go on is the legend that states the True Master resides within the mountains deep in the heart of Asia and can only be located by the most serious of students. Beast Boy then decides to go with him, but Robin walks out the door, declaring that if he is to be successful, he must go alone, leaving Cyborg free to comment on how he takes things too seriously.

Quest15

Meeting Chu-Hui

Upon arriving in the village at the foot of the mountain where the Master is known to reside, he meets an old peasant woman who explains prepares him for his journey. First, she explains that he must reach the top of the mountain before night falls and warns him that the journey is a treacherous challenge that very few have ever succeeded. But that doesn't stop Robin from being next in line to accept the challenge and she has him change into a plain white gi, informing him that the True Master will only see him if he shows humility by leaving everything from his world behind, especially his weapons (the only exception being his mask). He respectfully leaves his utility belt before a statue of a terra cotta warrior believed to be the of the True Master's likeness and the old woman shows him the beginning of the path; but little does he know that he has a stealthy pursuer who pilfers his belt...

Robin in training uniform

Robin in his training uniform

Robin's path takes him to river with no bridge. Without his grapnel, he decides to just swim across before the arrival of a talking iron bear, who introduces himself as the guardian of the river and Robin's first obstacle; the only way to continue his journey to the top is by getting past him. Robin fights back but finds himself overpowered by the bear's superior fighting skills and sheer size (and weight).

Meanwhile, back at Titans Tower, Starfire is shown to be missing Robin dearly. When she passes by his room, she notices a figure. Starfire is overjoyed believing that Robin has returned, but her joy turns to glowering as Starfire discovers that it's actually Beast Boy dressed in Robin's battlesuit playing with his equipment, going as far as to call himself "Beast Boy Wonder". Starfire tells Beast Boy that it is wrong for him to be in Robin's room while he is away, but Beast Boy convinces Starfire to dress as Robin if she's going to talk like him and opens his closet, revealing Robin's entire wardrobe to be at least a dozen versions of the very uniform he lives and breathes in.

Back in Asia, Robin still struggles with his duel with the bear. However, with his own prowess and determination, he manages to capsize him into the river. The bear admits defeat and raises the bridge, allowing Robin to pass, but also warns him that once he crosses the bridge, there will be no turning back. Robin doesn't take much pride in his victory as the battle proved time-consuming but charges off anyway...with the mysterious stalker not far behind. Along the path, he also meets the old woman again, who seemed to have no problem whatsoever in getting past the bear and scolds him for his impatience. After lending his help in carrying her water buckets, she points him in the direction of a cave where his path continues. However, the inside proves to be a dead end before he is beset by a lit candle the guardian of the cave; a giant cloaked flying serpent who tells him that he is the next obstacle standing between Robin and the top of the mountain. Robin notices the snake is blind and refuses to fight him due to his unfair advantage. However, the snake extinguishes the candle and levels the playing field by rendering the cave pitch black.

Robin's fight with the flying serpent proves frustrating since he has to fight without relying on his eyes or ears. He can do nothing by strike painful blows at the cave's stalagmites. The snake himself proves to be the superior fighter and explains that in order to find him, Robin must go beyond what he sees right in front of him. In an environment with no light sources and endless echo, his opponent could be anywhere. To this end, Robin closes his eyes and concentrates patiently, filtering out the environment itself until he senses nothing but the snake. Robin grabs him by the neck and the candle ignites itself, deeming Robin's victory over the next obstacle and the snake opens a doorway out of the cave, allowing him to proceed. Robin continues his trek up the mountain, still impatient at the trials that follow (as well as the stalker).

Back at the Tower, Beast Boy and Starfire continue goofing around dressed as Robin. And before long, Cyborg joins in on the fun.

Robin climbs the mountain with his bare hands and tries to think of any easier ways up the mountain. However, once again, the old lady appears before him, informing him that there is an easy way up the hill, but also a right way. He tries to ask how far he has left to the summit, but she says nothing satisfying. Only that his own impatience will hold him back and his quest cannot be measured in feet, yards, or miles.

Back at the Tower, Raven is disturbed to find Beast Boy, Starfire, and Cyborg having the time of their lives dressed as Robin. While they agree with her that such behavior is childish at best, that doesn't make it any less fun since it's become delightfully clear that he has all the best stuff. Before too long, they actually convince Raven to follow their lead.

The Quest a

The New Robins begin to convince Raven to join them.

Robin makes it up the hill and his objective is in sight. However, he arrives at a bamboo field and is cordially greeted by an appropriately dressed leaping monkey, the guardian of the trees. Robin readies himself for battle, but the monkey shows hospitality by offering Robin some tea before they throw down. However, with his goal in sight, Robin respectfully declines, and their duel commences. This challenge is all about resourcefulness and adaptation, as Robin must best his opponent while balancing on the tips of the bamboo stalks. The duel proves infuriating since Robin is at an unfair disadvantage this time since the only difference between him and the monkey is that he lacks a tail. However, Robin quickly overcomes his disadvantage with a quick stroke of resourcefulness and adaptation by making the environment fight for him; he takes victory when he bends one of the stalks back far enough to generate enough catapult tension to swat the monkey back to ground on the other side of the field. The monkey deems Robin a worthy warrior and raises the rest of the bamboo stalks, clearing the way for him to proceed. The sun is setting, and Robin has finally reached the top of the mountain. All he must do now is climb the stairs leading straight to the True Master's sanctum at the summit. But before he can reach the top, he is intercepted by Katarou with Robin's own grapnel, declaring that his journey to find the true master is over.

Robin demands answers and Katarou explains that he's here for the same reason as Robin; to train with the true master. The truth is, he had only implied that he had been trained by the Master: What he really needed was to put the notion into Robin's head so that he could have Robin bypass the tests in his stead so that he may follow in his wake and claim the apprenticeship for himself. Refusing to finish what he had started, he denounces Katarou's desire to train with the True Master since he didn't work for the right to do so like Robin has. However, Katarou claims himself to be deserving of it more than him since he is the better fighter. Using the golden staff and Robin's own equipment, he casts him back and proceeds to the abode. Exhausted and disheartened, Robin lies on the ground defeated until the old woman bids him to rise, rekindling his determination by reminding him on his achievements in his journey and just because someone does things the easy way, that should not stop him from doing things the right way, especially since he is but an inch away from his goal. He engages Katarou in combat and, using his experiences from his trials with the animal guardians, defeats him with ease. But as Katarou desperately attacks Robin from behind, he is stopped by the old woman - who reveals herself to have been the True Master in person all along. Having surreptitiously followed Robin's progress, she furiously denounces Katarou as a lowly thief, cheater, and, in fact, one of the many past failures of the quest Robin was warned about initially. She denies him any more chance of ever training under her and when Katarou tries to plea to her, the Master tells her guardians the Bear and Monkey to escort him off her mountain at once. Having finally completed his quest, Robin presents the True Master with the golden staff as a gift for showing him the way. Robin asks why she never told him she was the Master all along and about the urgency of conquering the summit before sunset. She tells him it was because he never asked and because it's simply easier to see the path while the sun is still out. Robin admits that all this time there was a deeper meaning to everything she was saying when in reality, she was telling him nothing but the truth plain and simple from the start. Upon Robin's questions, the Master slyly and good-naturedly admonishes Robin's seriousness and obsession one last time, repeating Cyborg's exact words that Robin is simply a warrior who takes life far too seriously. She deems him every bit the warrior she would be happy to train and they begin.

Robins

The Robins are shocked by the return of the real Robin.

Back at the Tower, all of the Titans are now fully dressed as Robin, including Silkie. They continue to enjoy themselves, even ordering pizza. Raven then admits to everyone that the mask makes her feel cool. However, unaware to Raven, everyone is shocked as Robin has returned from training and is standing behind her. Raven soon notices and backs away, as everyone prepares for Robin to be furious with them. However, instead of being mad at the Titans for fooling around with his stuff and going through his belongings, Robin enjoys their company and the pizza. He ends the episode by confiding to them one thing: "You know, Robins, the mask makes me feel cool, too." Shocked beyond words, they all faint.

Characters[]

Main characters[]

Supporting characters[]

Villains[]

Trivia[]

  • This is the only episode that shows the interior of Robin's bedroom
  • Silkie made a cameo in this episode dressed up as Robin.
  • This is the only episode where Robin is shown barefoot.
  • This is one of the few Robin centered episodes where Slade is not around.
  • Due to their body structures, Robin's uniform does not perfectly fit on most of the Titans:
    • Beast Boy's hangs loosely because he is shorter than Robin.
    • Starfire's gets stretched, resulting in having a halter top because she is taller than Robin.
    • Cyborg's seems to be ripping apart since he is much bigger than Robin, even using two utility belts to keep his pants on.
    • Raven's tends to fit her fine, because she is the closest to Robin's height and build.
      • It is interesting to note that the "R" on Robin's shirt also fits Raven's name as well.
    • Starfire, Beast Boy and Cyborg call Robin's costume his uniform instead of "costume" in the series.
  • A question is ethics is called upon when Robin gifts the golden ruby staff to the True Master instead of returning it to the antique shop Katarou stole it from.
  • This episode is one of the very few where Beast Boy doesn’t transform at all.

Continuity[]

  • Starfire's flashbacks of Robin while he is away are from (in order) the episodes "Sisters", "Date with Destiny", and "Betrothed", which also happen to be the episodes that focus on Robin and Starfire's relationship.
  • In the "Date with Destiny" flashback, it shows Robin and Starfire dancing, but in the actual episode, it does not show it. It just says that they have a dance.
  • Starfire uses the puppet Starfire from "Switched" to act out Robin talking to her, while she was dressed as Robin.
  • This would not be the only time Raven would wear Robin's costume, as in the Teen Titans Go! issue #24 "Power Failure", when Raven ends up with Robin's powers, she wears his costume once again. Both occurrences are in some way a result of Katarou's actions. Additionally in said issue she wears shorts instead of the pants Robin usually wears, making it highly reminiscent of Robin's classic design from the comics.

Cultural References[]

Rfirstobin

The original cover of Detective Comics #38

  • The "Robin calling Robin" part may be a spoof of the Monty Python "Bruces" sketch.
  • The monkey guardian has a red Chinese character for "wood" (木) on his chest and another on his back.
  • Robin mentions he trained with the best - a possible reference to Batman.
  • Beast Boy, dressed up as Robin, popping through a paper-covered hoop, is a spoof on Robin the Boy Wonder's first comic appearance on the cover of Detective Comics issue #38 (1940).
    • In addition, it also says "the sensational character find of 1965," a reference to Beast Boy's first appearance in The Doom Patrol #99 (Nov. 1965).

Goofs[]

  • After Robin leaves his bedroom while the four Titans watch him leave and Cyborg says, "That guy takes himself way too seriously", his left ear is human instead of metal.
  • When Beast Boy was riding on the R-Cycle pretending to be Robin and catching criminals, and as Cyborg was making engine noises, his left ear is human instead of metal.
    • Also, the circuitry on the top right side of his head is not the same color as his skin.
  • While Cyborg was going to take a turn on the R-Cycle, his red glowing eye (while wearing one of Robin's masks) was white and it turned back to normal for a quick second.
  • At the end of the episode, there is what appears to be a pepperoni pizza on the table. Starfire asks Beast Boy if he wants another piece of the cheese pizza, and Beast Boy takes the slice even though he is a vegetarian.
    • It is possible that Beast Boy is simply role-playing with the other Titans and would not actually eat the pizza.
  • The pizza shown towards the end of the episode was cut into 10 slices, however in the subsequent shots it was changed to 8 slices.
  • After Robin defeats the monkey, he is shown walking away, but not on the poles.

Quotes[]

Katarou: NO!! (He has recovered the staff he stole to set this chain of events rolling, and he gets ready to cave Robin's skull in with it.) The True Master must train me! (As the weapon whistles toward its mark, Chu-hui's cane swings up to block it. Pan to her, on the receiving end of one totally bewildered stare, then pull back to frame all three. Katarou, equally confounded, just stands there while she uses her staff to strip his away and catch it in her free hand. She then gets in his face.) [Animation goof: When the camera pulls back, her cane has shifted to rest over Katarou's staff, rather than below it as would be needed to block the overhead lash.]
Chu-hui: You did not make it up the mountain on your own skills! (She nudges Robin's belt free and chucks it and the stolen staff back to him.) You tried before on your own, but could not make it! You are a thief and a cheater! The True Master will not train you! Not now, not ever! (She walks o.c.)
Katarou: But...
Chu-hui: (from o.c.) Take him off my mountain! (Out of nowhere, the GOTR and GOTT slide up and escort him forcibly away. Now Chu-hui, the True Master, as evidenced from those five words, approaches Robin with a thoroughly satisfied smile.)
Robin: (bows and holds his staff out to her) Consider this a gift for showing me the way. (She takes it.) You're the True Master, but, why didn't you tell me?
Chu-hui: (walking toward the temple) You never asked.
Robin: So why was it so important that I get to the top before sunset?
Chu-hui: It is much easier to see the path when it's not dark.
Robin: All this time, I thought there was some deep meaning to everything you were saying. (His own staff is tossed to him; cut to her, holding the one Katarou stole rather than her own.)
Chu-hui: Ah, young warrior. You take things much too seriously. (Pull back; they face off.) Robin: (bowing) I am ready to train with you, True Master. (He takes his stance.)
Chu-hui: I believe you are.

Gallery[]

Titans GO
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Transcript[]

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Click here to view the episode transcript.

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