Changes: The Quest

Revision as of 21:32, 7 March 2020

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"The Quest" is the forty-first episode in the Teen Titans series and the second episode of Season 4.

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

One night, Robin surprises a thieving martial artist named Katarou in Jump City's Chinatown stealing a golden staff. 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.

The next day in his room, Robin begins to pack a few belongings 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 his fight with Katarou has showed 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. Starfire then asks if he is going to seek out the True Master and Robin confirms having been riled by his defeat and his apparent lack of combat skill, Robin reveals he has decided to travel to Asia and seek out the True Master, of whom little is known beyond legends.

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 prepares him for his journey and shows him the beginning of the path. However, Robin has to show humility and so has to leave his weapons and costume behind; but little does he know that he has a stealthy pursuer...

Robin in training uniform — Robin in his training uniform

Robin struggles his way up the mountain, fighting his way past a talking bear, a snake and a monkey, all of them guardians set up to test his skill and determination. He also meets the old woman time and again, who seems to have no problem whatsoever in getting past the obstacles and who keeps scolding him for his impatience. In the end, Robin reaches the mountain top, but before he can enter the abode of the True Master, he is intercepted by Katarou. In fact, Katarou had only implied that he had been trained by the Master: He had attempted to reach him before but failed, so he had Robin bypass the tests in his stead so that he may follow in his wake and claim the apprenticeship for himself. Using the golden staff and Robin's equipment, he casts him back and proceeds to the abode.

Tired and angry, Robin lies on the ground until the old woman bids him to rise, rekindling his determination by reminding him on his achievements in his journey. He engages Katarou in combat and, using his experiences from his tests, defeats him. But as Katarou desperately attacks Robin from behind, he is stopped by the old woman - who is in fact the True Master in person.

Having surreptitiously followed Robin's progress, she angrily denounces Katarou as a lowly thief, cheater, and denies him any more chance of ever training under her. When Katarou tries to plea to her, the Master tells her guardians the Bear and Monkey to take him off her mountain. Upon Robin's questions, the Master slyly and good-naturedly admonishes Robin's seriousness and obsession one last time. In gratitude for her aid, Robin grants her the golden staff, and they begin training.

Meanwhile, back at Titans Tower, Starfire is shown to be missing Robin dearly, when she passes by his room, she notices a figure. Believing that Robin has returned, Starfire is overjoyed, but her happiness soon disappears as Starfire discovers "Robin" to actually be Beast Boy, dressed as him and messing with his weapons. Starfire tells Beast Boy that it's wrong for him to be in Robin's room and messing with his equipment, but Beast Boy starts to convince Starfire to dress as Robin as well.

The Quest a — The New Robins begin to convince Raven to join them.

Soon, Starfire is hooked as now both her and Beast Boy are dressed as Robin and still in his room. However, they are soon confronted by Cyborg, who appears to be mad at them for going through Robin's belongings. Instead, Cyborg is actually unhappy that they didn't invite him to join in and now Beast Boy, Starfire and Cyborg are dressed as Robin. Later, they are in the garage, playing around with Robin's R-Cycle and keep referring to each other as Robin. Raven then enters the room and admits this to be disturbing, but the others begin to convince her to join them, asking if she has ever wondered what it's like to actually be Robin.

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

A few days later, it revealed that 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 at being mad at the Titans for fooling around with his stuff and going through his belongings, Robin enjoys some pizza and admits to them: "You know, Robins, the mask makes me feel cool, too." Shocked beyond words, they all faint.

Characters

Main Characters

Supporting Characters

Villains

Katarou

Trivia

Silkie made a cameo in this episode dressed up as Robin.
This is the only episode where Robin is shown barefoot.
Due to their body structures, Robin's uniform does not perfectly fit on most of the Titans:
- Beast Boy's hangs loosely because he's shorter than Robin.
- Starfire's gets stretched, resulting in having a halter top because she's taller than Robin.
- Cyborg's seems to be ripping apart since he's much bigger than Robin, even using two utility belts to keep his pants on.
- Raven's tends to fit her fine, because she's 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 calls Robin's costume his uniform instead of "costume" in the series.

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 doesn't 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's dressed as Robin.

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 he is not walking on the poles.

Gallery

Click here to view the gallery.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Template:EpisodeInfobox/Season4
-'''''[[List_of_Teen_Titans_episodes#Season_4:_2005|Back to list of episodes]]'' '''
-'''{{Template:EpisodeInfobox/Season4
 |name = The Quest
 |image = [[File:123.jpg|250px]]
@@ Line 13: / Line 11: @@
 |directed by = Ben Jones
 |preceded by = [[Episode 257-494]]
-|followed by = [[Birthmark]]}}'''
+|followed by = [[Birthmark]]}}'''''[[List_of_Teen_Titans_episodes#Season_4:_2005|Back to list of episodes]]'''''
-'''The Quest''' is the 41st episode in the ''Teen Titans'' series and the 2nd episode of Season 4.
+"'''The Quest'''" is the forty-first episode in the ''Teen Titans'' series and the second episode of Season 4.
 ==Synopsis==
@@ Line 24: / Line 22: @@
 The next day in his room, Robin begins to pack a few belongings 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 his fight with Katarou has showed 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. Starfire then asks if he is going to seek out the True Master and Robin confirms having been riled by his defeat and his apparent lack of combat skill, Robin reveals he has decided to travel to Asia and seek out the True Master, of whom little is known beyond legends.
-[[File:035.jpg|thumb|left|146px|Meeting Chu-Hui]]
+[[File:Quest15.png|thumb|left|Meeting Chu-Hui]]
 Upon arriving in the village at the foot of the mountain where the Master is known to reside, he meets an [[Chu-hui|old peasant woman]] who prepares him for his journey and shows him the beginning of the path. However, Robin has to show humility and so has to leave his weapons and costume behind; but little does he know that he has a stealthy pursuer...
 [[File:Robin_in_training_uniform.jpg|thumb|137px|Robin in his training uniform]]
-Robin struggles his way up the mountain, fighting his way past [[Chu-hui's Guardians|a bear, a snake and a monkey]], all of them guardians set up to test his skill and determination. He also meets the old woman time and again, who seems to have no problem whatsoever in getting past the obstacles and who keeps scolding him for his impatience. In the end, Robin reaches the mountain top, but before he can enter the abode of the True Master, he is intercepted by Katarou. In fact, Katarou had only ''implied'' that he had been trained by the Master: He had attempted to reach him before but failed, so he had Robin bypass the tests in his stead so that he may follow in his wake and claim the apprenticeship for himself. Using the golden staff and Robin's equipment, he casts him back and proceeds to the abode.
+Robin struggles his way up the mountain, fighting his way past [[Chu-hui's Guardians|a talking bear, a snake and a monkey]], all of them guardians set up to test his skill and determination. He also meets the old woman time and again, who seems to have no problem whatsoever in getting past the obstacles and who keeps scolding him for his impatience. In the end, Robin reaches the mountain top, but before he can enter the abode of the True Master, he is intercepted by Katarou. In fact, Katarou had only ''implied'' that he had been trained by the Master: He had attempted to reach him before but failed, so he had Robin bypass the tests in his stead so that he may follow in his wake and claim the apprenticeship for himself. Using the golden staff and Robin's equipment, he casts him back and proceeds to the abode.
 Tired and angry, Robin lies on the ground until the old woman bids him to rise, rekindling his determination by reminding him on his achievements in his journey. He engages Katarou in combat and, using his experiences from his tests, defeats him. But as Katarou desperately attacks Robin from behind, he is stopped by the old woman - who is in fact the True Master in person.
-Having surreptitiously followed Robin's progress, she denounces Katarou as a thief and cheater and denies him any more chance of ever training under her. Upon Robin's questions, the Master slyly and good-naturedly admonishes Robin's seriousness and obsession one last time. In gratitude for her aid, Robin grants her the golden staff, and they begin training.
+Having surreptitiously followed Robin's progress, she angrily denounces Katarou as a lowly thief, cheater, and denies him any more chance of ever training under her. When Katarou tries to plea to her, the Master tells her guardians the Bear and Monkey to take him off her mountain. Upon Robin's questions, the Master slyly and good-naturedly admonishes Robin's seriousness and obsession one last time. In gratitude for her aid, Robin grants her the golden staff, and they begin training.
 Meanwhile, back at Titans Tower, Starfire is shown to be missing Robin dearly, when she passes by his room, she notices a figure. Believing that Robin has returned, Starfire is overjoyed, but her happiness soon disappears as Starfire discovers "Robin" to actually be Beast Boy, dressed as him and messing with his weapons. Starfire tells Beast Boy that it's wrong for him to be in Robin's room and messing with his equipment, but Beast Boy starts to convince Starfire to dress as Robin as well.
 [[File:The_Quest_a.jpg|thumb|150px|The New Robins begin to convince Raven to join them.]]
-Soon, Starfire is hooked as now both her and Beast Boy are dressed as Robin and still in his room. However, they are soon confronted by Cyborg, who appears to be mad at them for going through Robin's belongings. Instead, Cyborg is actually unhappy that they didn't invite him to join in and now Beast Boy, Starfire and Cyborg are dressed as Robin. Later, they are in the garage, playing around with Robin's R-Cycle and keep referring to each other as Robin. Raven the enters the room and admits this rather to be disturbing, but the others begin to convince her to join them, asking if she has ever wondered what it's like to actually be Robin.
+Soon, Starfire is hooked as now both her and Beast Boy are dressed as Robin and still in his room. However, they are soon confronted by Cyborg, who appears to be mad at them for going through Robin's belongings. Instead, Cyborg is actually unhappy that they didn't invite him to join in and now Beast Boy, Starfire and Cyborg are dressed as Robin. Later, they are in the garage, playing around with Robin's R-Cycle and keep referring to each other as Robin. Raven then enters the room and admits this to be disturbing, but the others begin to convince her to join them, asking if she has ever wondered what it's like to actually be Robin.
-[[File:Robins.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The Robins are shocked by the return of the real Robin.]]A few days later, it revealed that all of the Titans are now fully dressed as Robin, including Silkie. They continue to enjoy themseleves, 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 at being mad at the Titans for fooling around with stuff and going through his belongings, Robin enjoys some pizza and admits to them: "You know, Robins, the mask makes me feel cool, too."
+[[File:Robins.jpg|thumb|left|150px|The Robins are shocked by the return of the real Robin.]]
+A few days later, it revealed that 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 at being mad at the Titans for fooling around with his stuff and going through his belongings, Robin enjoys some pizza and admits to them: "You know, Robins, the mask makes me feel cool, too." Shocked beyond words, they all faint.
+== Characters ==
+=== Main Characters ===
+*[[Robin]]
+*[[Chu-hui]]
+**[[Chu-hui's Guardians]]
+=== Supporting Characters ===
+*[[Starfire]]
+*[[Cyborg]]
+*[[Beast Boy]]
+*[[Raven]]
+=== Villains ===
+*[[Katarou]]
 ==Trivia==
-[[File:Rfirstobin.jpg|thumb|120px|The original cover of Detective Comics #38]]
 *Silkie made a cameo in this episode dressed up as Robin.
-*Each of the Titans dressed up like Robin but in different ways:
+*This is the only episode where Robin is shown barefoot.
+*Due to their body structures, Robin's uniform does not perfectly fit on most of the Titans:
 **Beast Boy's hangs loosely because he's shorter than Robin.
 **Starfire's gets stretched, resulting in having a halter top because she's taller than Robin.
 **Cyborg's seems to be ripping apart since he's much bigger than Robin, even using two utility belts to keep his pants on.
 **Raven's tends to fit her fine, because she's 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 calls Robin's costume his uniform instead of "costume" in the series.
 ===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.
+*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 doesn't show it. It just says that they have a dance.
+*In the "[[Date with Destiny]]" flashback, it shows Robin and Starfire dancing, but in the actual episode, it doesn't 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's dressed as Robin.
-===References===
+===Cultural References===
+[[File:Rfirstobin.jpg|thumb|120px|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" or "tree" on his chest and another on his back.
+*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).
+**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).
-===Mistakes===
+===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.
-*After Robin defeats the monkey, he is shown walking away but he is not walking on the poles.
+**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 he is not walking on the poles.
-==Quotes==
-*'''Beast Boy:''' Call me ... Beast Boy Wonder!
-----
-*'''Cyborg:''' ''(Seriously.)'' I can't believe you two would barge into Robin's room when he's gone, dress up in his uniform and pretend to be Robin! ''(Starfire and Beast Boy shaking, then Cyborg complains.)'' - ''WITHOUT'' ME!!
-----
-*'''Monkey: '''I am the Guardian of the Trees.<br />'''Robin:''' ''(Sighs wearily.)'' And if I want to get up the mountain, I must first defeat you.<br />'''Monkey: '''How did you know I was going to say that? Do you know what I am going to say next?<br />'''Robin: '''No.<br />'''Monkey: '''Me, neither.
-----
-*'''Starfire''': ''Robin calling Robin.''<br />'''Beast Boy''': Robin here, over.<br />'''Starfire''': Not you Robin, the other Robin!<br />'''Cyborg''': What's up, Robin?
-----
-*'''Monkey: '''Monkey see, Monkey doo! Monkey just made a fool of you! Hee hee hee!!
-----
-*'''Starfire:''' [''Talking to her puppet of herself as if she were Robin.''] Why Starfire, your hair looks especially shiny today. [''Talking as puppet.''] Thank you Robin. I rinsed, lathered, and repeated!
-----
-*'''Katarou''': RAH!!! The true master must train me!! ''[Chu-hui blocks his blow]''
-*'''Chu-hui''': You did not make it up the mountain on your own skills! You tried before on your own, but could not make it! You are a thief and a cheater! A true master will not train you! Not now, not ever!
-*'''Katarou''': But...
-*'''Chu-hui''': Take him off my mountain! ''[Monkey and Bear grabs Katarou and takes him away]''
-----
-*'''Raven: '''You know Robins, I have to admit, the mask makes me feel... cool.<br />'''Robin:''' Huh? Pizza! Sweet! You know, Robins, the mask makes me feel cool too.
 ==Gallery==
+{{Gallery}}
-<gallery>
+==See also==
-Rvon.jpg|Raven as Robin.
+[[The Quest (Transcript)]]
-</gallery>
+{{Episodes}}
 [[Category:Episodes]]
 [[Category:Season 4 Episodes]]
 [[Category:Episodes focusing on Robin]]
 [[Category:Episodes referring Batman]]
+[[Category:Episodes directed by Ben Jones]]
+[[Category:Episodes written by Amy Wolfram]]

Episodes
Season 1
Divide and Conquer • Sisters • Final Exam • Forces of Nature • The Sum of His Parts • Nevermore • Switched • Deep Six • Masks • Mad Mod • Car Trouble • Apprentice - Part 1 • Apprentice - Part 2
Season 2
How Long is Forever? • Every Dog Has His Day • Terra • Only Human • Fear Itself • Date with Destiny • Transformation • Titan Rising • Winner Take All • Betrayal • Fractured • Aftershock - Part 1 • Aftershock - Part 2
Season 3
Deception • X • Betrothed • Crash • Haunted • Spellbound • Revolution • Wavelength • The Beast Within • Can I Keep Him? • Bunny Raven... or ...How to Make A Titananimal Disappear • Titans East - Part 1 • Titans East - Part 2
Season 4
Episode 257-494 • The Quest • Birthmark • Cyborg the Barbarian • Employee of the Month • Troq • The Prophecy • Stranded • Overdrive • Mother Mae-Eye • The End - Part 1 • The End - Part 2 • The End - Part 3
Season 5
Homecoming - Part 1 • Homecoming - Part 2 • Trust • For Real • Snowblind • Kole • Hide and Seek • Lightspeed • Revved Up • Go! • Calling All Titans! • Titans Together • Things Change
Specials
The Lost Episode • Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo • Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans