Changes: Troq

Revision as of 22:51, 22 September 2016

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Troq is the 45th episode of the Teen Titans series and the 6th episode of Season 4. This episode is a special on racism.

Synopsis

The Titans meet Val Yor, an alien who is on the verge of destroying his enemies; The Locrix. The Titans volunteer to help and immediately take a liking to him, but their opinion of Val-Yor may soon change once they find out what he truly thinks of Starfire.

Plot

The Titans meet a courageous and seemingly kind other-worldly hero named Val-Yor. He greets all of them, except Starfire, saying, "I see you have a Tamaranean", as if she is some sort of animal or property. The Titans don't seem to realize how offensive he is being. After surviving an attack from an alien race known as the Locrix, Val-Yor informs the kids that these robot creatures intend to take control of Earth. When the heroes volunteer to help, Val-Yor takes the five of them into space with him in his ship.

File:Bbamazed.jpg

Beast Boy amazed with Val-Yor

He gives Robin, Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg all jobs to do, completely ignoring Starfire when she asks what task she should complete. When Val-Yor's ship is boarded by a battalion of "Crixies" (slang for Locrixes), he calls each of the kids except Starfire to come help him fight. Assuming he simply forgot about her, Starfire joins the battle. When Starfire is fighting, she is knocked into and nearly sets off the Quantum Eradicator, the device Val-Yor plans to use to destroy the Locrix. Val-Yor then shouts at Starfire to watch where she is going. When the menace is defeated and the ship secure, they all start walking back toward the control room. When she and he are alone, Starfire tries to apologize, saying she was only trying to help. Val-Yor angrily replies that he doesn't need any help from "a stupid Troq". Starfire is taken aback, although it is not yet disclosed to the viewer as to what a "Troq" is it's obviously doesn't mean anything nice.

Later, as the Titans are attending a briefing for their next mission, they all talk about how Val Yor thinks of each of them. However, Starfire is shown to be deeply upset from her encounter with Val Yor, but the Titans remain oblivious to her sadness. and instead race to the briefing while Starfire slowly walks behind them. At the briefing, Starfire keeps her distance from the others, while she is actually avoiding Val Yor. Throughout the meeting, Val Yor keeps calling her "Troq" and "Troqie". Not knowing what the word means, the Titans just assume it is a nickname, as Val-Yor had been referring to the rest of them using slick names, such as "Sunshine" (Raven), "Metal Butt", (Cyborg), "Spike" (Robin), and "Champ" (Beast Boy).

Soon, Val Yor and the others discover that the Locrix have an energy field around the planet, which makes it impossible for them to get to their home world. Val Yor then instructs Starfire to go out into to space to remove a few so the ship can get through. Robin is apprehensive and asks if it's safe for her to go. Val Yor however doesn't exactly care, stating there are only a few of them. Starfire then begins to stand up for herself and asks Val Yor why he doesn't do it himself, seeing as he is more than capable. Val Yor replies that he needs to be inside to navigate and points out that Starfire's people can withstand the hostile conditions of space, making Starfire more angry.

As Starfire is preparing, Cyborg confronts over if she really wants to do the mission, but Starfire merely reveals she wants to prove she is useful. They are soon interrupted when Val Yor calls Starfire to get moving while again calling her Troq, Cyborg becomes confused and asks her what "Troq" means. Starfire replies, "It means nothing." and heads out. Starfire begins to slowly move each of the fields away, while Val Yor and the Titans watch from the inside of the ship. Starfire is able to stop two of the fields from touching each other, but accidentally activates one and only has twenty-seconds to move it before it explodes.

Robin, seeing that Starfire is in extreme danger, decides to go and help her, but Val Yor stops him, saying it's too dangerous. Starfire then begins to move the field as far away as possible and soon it goes off. The Titans are shocked and begin to worry, but thankfully Starfire reveals herself to be alright. While the others are relieved, Val Yor looks rather upset proving he was using Starfire as cannon fodder.

Later, as Starfire is arriving back onto the ship, Cyborg meets up to congratulates her and raises his hand for a high-five saying, "Way to go, Troqie!" but Starfire angrily tells him not to call her that. Cyborg points out that Val Yor calls her Troq all the time, but Starfire states that it's still not right. Seeing that something is wrong, Cyborg questions Starfire stating, "I thought you said it didn't mean anything!". Realizing he misunderstood her, Starfire reveals to Cyborg that Troq isn't a nickname that doesn't mean anything but a racial slur that literally means "nothing" and that whenever Val Yor calls her that he is really saying that she is worthless, a nonentity. Cyborg is shocked by the revelation that Troq is a racial slur and that Val Yor would call her that. Seeing this, Starfire explains that on other planets some believe Tamaranians to be inferior and Troq is what they are called. Cyborg, now finally understanding, also realizes why Starfire hasn't fought back: she knows if she hits him it will only confirm what Val Yor already thinks of her. Cyborg decides they must tell Robin the truth, Starfire tries to stop him, believing it's better to inform Robin later. Cyborg assures that Robin would want to know now, giving Starfire a reassuring smile.

At the control center of the ship, Robin and Val Yor are talking, where Robin reveals one of their past missions to him and is more pleased when Val Yor states Robin reminds him of himself when he was younger. However, they are shortly interrupted when Cyborg and Starfire arrive, asking to speak with Robin privately. While Val Yor is distracted by Beast Boy, Cyborg explains to Robin what Val Yor has really been calling Starfire. Robin is furious and wants Val Yor to apologize, but Starfire stops him stating the mission is more important. However, they soon realize they have arrived at the Locrix homeworld and prepare for battle.

As Yal Yor is giving the Titans their missions, Robin speaks up and asks about Starfire, but Val Yor just wants her to guard the ship. However, having finally had enough of Val Yor, Starfire stands up for herself and states that she is going with him. Val Yor argues back that he gave her an order, but Starfire states she doesn't take orders from him, revealing if her friends are going into danger, than so will she.

When they have infiltrated the planet, Starfire helps Val-Yor install the Quantum Eradicator. When things begin to go awry, however, Starfire helps a physically hurt Val-Yor to safety against his wishes. Val-Yor is saved and the Locrix are defeated.

Back on Earth at Titans Tower, Val Yor thanks the Titans for their help but the rest of the Titans all coldly point out that Starfire is the one who he should really be thanking. He reluctantly does so, saying that Starfire is "one of the good ones". The Titans still find his "compliment" offensive, Val Yor tries to make an excuse, saying it was a misunderstanding, but refusing to listen to anymore, Robin demands that Val-Yor leave Earth.

Val-Yor leaves, after letting them know he thinks that maybe Earthlings are just like the Troqs but gives a secret smile. Robin and the others apologize for letting Val-Yor treat her like that and for not doing anything about it once they discovered the truth, but Starfire says there was nothing they could've done as there are others just like Val-Yor that prejudge and mistreat others, but there are also a lot of people who don't judge others based on what they look like or where they are from and that those people are true friends.

Quotes

Cyborg: Way to go, Troqie!
Starfire: (gasps) You do not call me that!
Cyborg: But Val-Yor calls you Troq all the time.
Starfire: That does not make it right.
Cyborg: What's up? I thought you said it didn't mean anything.
Starfire: No. I said it means "nothing". When Val-Yor calls me "Troq", he is saying that I am worthless, a nothing.
Cyborg: Star...
Starfire: There are those on other planets who feel Tamaraneans are inferior. Troq is what they call us.
Cyborg: So he's calling you a terrible name. And you know that if you punch him out, it'll just confirm all the bad stuff he thinks about you?
Starfire: Yes. You know what it feels like to be judged simply because of how you look?
Cyborg: Of course I do. I'm part robot.

Robin: (After Cyborg tells him what Troq really means) Starfire, why didn't you say something? He will apologize. I'm going to make...
Starfire: No, Robin. Our mission is more important than my feelings.

Val-Yor: Well, thank you for all your help.
Robin: Don't thank us, thank Starfire.
Beast Boy: Yeah, she's the one who saved your sorry butt. (Val-Yor looks at Starfire who has a sad look on her face)
Val-Yor: Thank you, Starfire. I have to admit you're not bad for a Tr- (Stops for a second) Tamaranean. You must be one of the good ones.
Starfire: No. The fact that I rescued you does not make me any better than other Tamaraneans.
Val-Yor: Look, I'm trying to pay you a compliment.
Raven: Then why does it still sound like an insult?
Val-Yor: Spike, you understand. I didn't mean anything by it. It's just...
Robin: Val-Yor, I think it's time for you to go.
Val-Yor: I thought you earthlings were alright. I guess I was wrong. You're just like the Troqs. (turns and leaves)

Robin: I'm sorry Val-Yor treated you like that. If I'd known, I'd never would've let it happen.
Cyborg: None of us would.
Starfire: There is nothing you could've done. There will always be people who say mean words because you are different. And sometimes their minds cannot be changed. But there are many more people who do not judge others based on how they look or where they are from. Those are the people whose words truly matter.

Val-Yor: Raven, Beast Boy, man the blasters!
Beast Boy: Cool!
Raven: (glaring at Beast Boy) Can I get to blast whoever I want?

Val-Yor: Guard the ship, Troq.
Starfire: No! I am going with you!
Val-Yor: I gave you an order!
Starfire: I don't take orders from you! If my friends go into danger, so do I. Besides, my people can withstand hostile conditions.

Starfire: (while rescuing Val-Yor) Take my hand!!!
Val-Yor: Keep your filthy hands off me, Troq!!
Starfire: You may not value my life, but I still value yours! (pulls Val-Yor out)

Starfire: I wish to apologize. I didn't mean to endanger you ship. I was only trying to help.
Val-Yor: I don't need any help from a stupid Troq. (Starfire gasps in shock upon being called that)

Beast Boy:(With puppy eyes) So, do you think I could fly this baby sometime?
Val-Yor:(Has an 'uhhh' look on his face)

@@ Line 23: / Line 23: @@
 The Titans meet a courageous and seemingly kind other-worldly hero named [[Val-Yor]]. He greets all of them, except [[Starfire]], saying, "I see you have a Tamaranean", as if she is some sort of animal or property. The Titans don't seem to realize how offensive he is being. After surviving an attack from an alien race known as the [[Locrix]], Val-Yor informs the kids that these robot creatures intend to take control of Earth. When the heroes volunteer to help, Val-Yor takes the five of them into space with him in his ship.
 [[File:Bbamazed.jpg|thumb|left|Beast Boy amazed with Val-Yor]]
-He gives [[Robin]], [[Beast Boy]], [[Raven]] and [[Cyborg]] all jobs to do, completely ignoring Starfire when she asks what task ''she'' should complete. When Val-Yor's ship is boarded by a battalion of "Crixies" (slang for Locrixes), he calls each of the kids except Starfire to come help him fight. Assuming he simply forgot about her, Starfire joins the battle. When Starfire is fighting, she is knocked into and nearly sets off the Quantum Eradicator, the device Val-Yor plans to use to destroy the Locrix. Val-Yor then shouts at Starfire to watch where she is going. When the menace is defeated and the ship secure, they all start walking back toward the control room. When she and he are alone, Starfire tries to apologize, saying she was only trying to help. Val-Yor angrily replies that he doesn't need any help from "a stupid Troq". Starfire is taken aback, although it is not yet disclosed to the viewer as to what a "Troq" is.
+He gives [[Robin]], [[Beast Boy]], [[Raven]] and [[Cyborg]] all jobs to do, completely ignoring Starfire when she asks what task ''she'' should complete. When Val-Yor's ship is boarded by a battalion of "Crixies" (slang for Locrixes), he calls each of the kids except Starfire to come help him fight. Assuming he simply forgot about her, Starfire joins the battle. When Starfire is fighting, she is knocked into and nearly sets off the Quantum Eradicator, the device Val-Yor plans to use to destroy the Locrix. Val-Yor then shouts at Starfire to watch where she is going. When the menace is defeated and the ship secure, they all start walking back toward the control room. When she and he are alone, Starfire tries to apologize, saying she was only trying to help. Val-Yor angrily replies that he doesn't need any help from "a stupid Troq". Starfire is taken aback, although it is not yet disclosed to the viewer as to what a "Troq" is it's obviously doesn't mean anything nice.
 Later, as the Titans are attending a briefing for their next mission, they all talk about how Val Yor thinks of each of them. However, Starfire is shown to be deeply upset from her encounter with Val Yor, but the Titans remain oblivious to her sadness. and instead race to the briefing while Starfire slowly walks behind them. At the briefing, Starfire keeps her distance from the others, while she is actually avoiding Val Yor. Throughout the meeting, Val Yor keeps calling her "Troq" and "Troqie". Not knowing what the word means, the Titans just assume it is a nickname, as Val-Yor had been referring to the rest of ''them'' using slick names, such as "Sunshine" (Raven), "Metal Butt", (Cyborg), "Spike" (Robin), and "Champ" (Beast Boy).