WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Titans Season 3, Episode 12, "Prodigal," available now on HBO Max.
Since the two met towards the start of Titans Season 3, Conner Kent/Superboy and Komand'r/Blackfire have struck up something of a romantic relationship. And the two have a lot of similarities. Both are aliens living on Earth with complicated, abusive histories. Now, in the latest episode of Titans, "Prodigal," Superboy makes a choice in hopes of preserving his relationship with Blackfire that results in his darkest action yet.
In last week's episode of Titans, Dick Grayson/Nightwing used green kryptonite to down Superboy so as to prevent him from interfering in a fight with Jason Todd/Red Hood. "Prodigal" sees Blackfire coming to Superboy's rescue with some help from Krypto. Soon after, the two decide to essentially abandon the Titans and form their own superhero duo.
Their first mission together sees them heading to the laboratory of Dr. Kind, where Blackfire was being kept prisoner at the start of Titans Season 3. Superboy pretty much immediately grabs Dr. Kind by the collar and starts threatening to kill him. Dr. Kind, though, trades a pivotal secret for his life: He still has Blackfire's ship. He then takes them to the ship.
Starfire then shows up and reveals to Blackfire that, in reality, their parents stole the latter's powers and gave them to the former. Everything Blackfire suffered as a result of not having powers was actually manufactured by the very people who hurt her. This proves to be a game-changer for Blackfire, who decides she wants to go back to Tamaran. There's only one problem: The ship doesn't have fuel and Superboy -- who doesn't want to see her go -- is the only one who can make it.
Superboy expresses his misgivings about Blackfire leaving for Tamaran, noting that the atmosphere is toxic to Kryptonians. However, Blackfire gives him a speech about how she needs to go back to the planet and regain her rightful crown so that she might feel whole again. She says that she needs to leave immediately, otherwise she might not want to. This is enough to convince Conner, who seemingly makes the fuel.
That's when things take a dark turn. As Blackfire prepares to board her ship, something goes terribly wrong and the ship explodes, sending the two Tamaraneans and Dr. Kind flying. However, Superboy's stoic reaction to the event and refusal to stop the launch process makes clear he knew that the fuel wasn't going to work and what was about to come.
At Superboy's core is a contradiction that stems from him being the combination of Lex Luthor and Clark Kent/Superman. This has caused him to struggle with just what it means to be good. Dick's choice to incapacitate him with kryptonite clearly shook Superboy, and his desire to hold onto his relationship with Blackfire at any costs has driven him to a dark place. It's not totally clear what this will mean for Titans going forward. However, Superboy could prove the deadliest foe imaginable if not stopped.
The first 12 episodes of Titans Season 3 are available now on HBO Max. Episode 13 releases Oct. 21.
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