Alienated

"Alienated" is the third episode of the second season of Young Justice, and the 29th of the overall series. It aired on May 12, 2012.

Logline
The Team and the Justice League continue to hunt the Kroloteans that have invaded Earth—but the aliens have help from an extremely unexpected source.

Synopsis
Jaime Reyes and Karen Beecher enter Bibbo's Diner. "Bibbo Bibbowski" is watching one of G. Gordon Godfrey's televised rants against the Justice League when he sees his guests. He throws out a casual welcome, until he realizes that they're not there for anything on the menu. He bolts through a window, and runs through an alley. The two young heroes suit up and give chase. "Bibbo" is eventually cut off by the real Bibbo Bibbowski, who hits him to the ground. A Krolotean jumps out of the belly of "Bibbo", and escapes towards the sewers. Bumblebee can't stop him, though she manages to injure him. The Krolotean fires up a jet powered escape sled, covering his escape in a fiery blast. Blue Beetle argues with his armor about what he should have done—unable to track where the Krolotean has gone—while Bumblebee and Bibbo stare at him. The Krolotean escapes into Metropolis where Manta is waiting in his Manta-flyer with more Kroloteans. They submerge and depart the area.

At the Erdel Initiative in STAR Labs' Taos facility, Nightwing, Green Lantern, Captain Atom, Wonder Woman and Eduardo Dorado Sr. await the return of Zeta Squad. Beast Boy is eager to show his souvenir, but Miss Martian and Adam Strange get straight to business. M'gann reports that the Krolotean presence on Rann was stopped. The Kroloteans had settled on Rann after paying off a member of the Rannian Science Command, and a similar ship landed in New Orleans. From there they had been abducting and replacing humans, but Miss Martian isn't sure why. Adam tells them about Sardath's Zeta-Shield, and how it would aid them without disrupting the League's own Zeta system.

At Beast Boy's insistence, Miss Martian explains what else she has discovered: what happened during the missing sixteen hours. Vandal Savage sent the six League members to the planet Rimbor to go on a rampage attacking everyone in sight and loudly announce that the galaxy should beware the Justice League. The Kroloteans heard of the incident and invaded Earth in retalliation. John Stewart, who was unfamiliar with the events because Rimbor is not in his sector, vows to head to Oa to consult with the Guardians of the Universe.

At the Hall of Justice, Catherine Cobert is taking a tour group through the trophy room, showing them the League's origin and the remnants of an Appellaxian invasion. Some of the crowd discuss Godfrey's suspicions about the League but Catherine ignores them and continues.

Miss Martian and Superboy join Batman in the interrogation room. Martian Manhunter is telepathically interrogating the Krolotean that Lagoon Boy and the others captured, but so far, he has been unsuccessful. Miss Martian quickly telepathically scans the Krolotean herself. Superboy is not happy that she uses her powers to psychically torture someone. Miss Martian reports that the Kroloteans have an emergency rendezvous point inside a volcano on Malina Island.

As the Manta-flyer nears its base, it dives underwater to enter the island's port. After docking and unloading his Krolotean passengers, Manta reports to his father—Black Manta: all Kroloteans are now assembled on the island. Black Manta praises his son—Kaldur'ahm—and they initiate phase two of their plan.

As the Bio-Ship hurries over the ocean at low altitude, Batman goes over the plan with everyone. They need to learn more about the Kroloteans before handing them over to the Green Lantern Corps.

On their cue, Aquaman and Lagoon Boy jump from the ship, and make their way to the main gate under the water level. They pry them open without much effort. Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl and Batman disembark on the third drop-zone, near another entrance. They take out the guards.

The Kroloteans continue their work on their spaceship. Two of them lament how Earth could have given them so much more, but their discovery cut it short. The Krolotean that had been doubling for Bibbo remarks that he was attacked by a warrior from the Competitor. It unnerves all Kroloteans within earshot.

Kaldur'ahm does a sweep of security, and finds one of the guard teams not responsive. Realizing they have been infiltrated, he dons his helmet and leaves the Manta-flyer. Lagoon Boy watches him with a periscope. Nightwing, Batgirl and Robin silently enter the elevated walkways. But Kaldur'ahm has seen them, and with his helmet, blasts straight at the periscope. He narrowly misses Aquaman and Lagoon Boy. A guard spots Robin, but Batman takes him out before he can do any harm. Nightwing and Batgirl join the fight, and they take down multiple guards. Aquaman and Lagoon Boy jump from the water to overpower their attackers. The Kroloteans have noticed the intruders, and order the Mechs into battle. As they fight the Atlanteans, a shadowy figure sneaks past everyone. At the base of the ship, he plants a bomb and primes it.

The battle still goes, and the League and the Team have the upper hand. Aquaman takes on Kaldur'ahm, but he is clipped in the shoulder by the villain's helmet beam. Kaldur'ahm notifies his Partner of the intruders, but he needn't worry. The bomb is set; he has five minutes to evacuate. Kaldur'ahm orders his troops to retreat to the Manta-flyer.

Nightwing, noticing the retreat, calls in Delta Squad. Superman, Superboy, Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl arrive in time to save Aquaman from a Mech that had snuck up behind him. They take down a large number of Mechs without much effort. Wonder Girl is excited about the fight, but Wonder Woman has to snap her back into focus. With the battle still raging, two Kroloteans still work on the computers. They download schematics, and leave silently.

Kaldur'ahm oversees the evacuation, with only three minutes left. He has to avoid Lagoon Boy, who is storming towards him, and completely misses Aquaman who had flanked him. The blow to the head knocks off his helmet. Aquaman and Lagoon Boy are shocked that their enemy really is their former friend Aqualad. He's still angry with his former mentor, but Superboy is angry too. He asks why Kaldur betrayed them, but this infuriates him even more. He blames them for the death of Tula, and draws his swords on them. Nightwing tries to argue that Aquagirl died on a mission and knew the risks, but Lagoon Boy cuts him off, not wanting to cobble with someone who betrayed his king. Kaldur points out Orin knew of his parentage, but didn't tell him. Aquaman apologizes, and expresses the desire that none should die because of his error in judgment. Kaldur rebukes him; his loyalties are set with his father. He shoots a missile at them, and though Superman can catch the blast, Kaldur has escaped.

A level lower, Nightwing and Superboy confront their old friend. Kaldur drops his weapons, but gives them a choice: arrest him, or stop the bomb. He takes down Superboy and escapes into the ocean, with two minutes on the clock.

Wonder Girl and Lagoon Boy try to stop the Manta-flyer from getting away, but Nightwing calls them off. They can't disarm the bomb; they have to evacuate. Kaldur links up with the Manta-flyer, and Batman coordinates a retreat. Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl lift out Aquaman and Lagoon Boy, the others escape on foot. Superman stays behind, trying to convince the Kroloteans about the bomb. They don't understand him, and think they've won.

In the Bio-Ship, Lagoon Boy is surpised to see two Kroloteans in the cockpit. Miss Martian and Martian Manhunter quickly revert to their normal forms, and Manhunter gives Batman the information they've downloaded. They notice, however, that Superman is still missing.

Superman tries to help the Kroloteans. He offers to carry their ship out of the base, but they won't listen, and open fire on him. The bomb has reached the end of its countdown, and blows the entire island up in a large ball of fire. The Bio-Ship can't outrun the blast, but it survives on the outer edges of the blast zone.

Superman is thrown clear of the island, and lands facedown in the water. Aquaman gets him out, and Wonder Woman tends to his wounds. He's breathing, and will be alright. But Superboy thinks he'll never be alright with the fact that he couldn't save the Kroloteans.

The Team tries to come to grips with what happened. The Kroloteans had to build a new ship with their old one destroyed and their Zeta platforms gone. Wonder Girl questions whether Aqualad was helping them, or luring them into a trap. Nightwing sheds his thought on the bomb; it was alien, but not Krolotean.

Kaldur links up with the Manta sub, and reports to his father. Black Manta is pleased, and inquires whether Aquaman died in the explosion. He's disappointed his rival survived. As a bell rings, he excuses himself, and enters another room. He meets with the Light. Vandal Savage is quite pleased with his success. Manta is officially inducted into the Light, replacing Ocean-Master.

On the beach at the foot of Mount Justice, the six accused Leaguers and their protégés are assembled. John Stewart had convened with the Guardians, and they thought it was best if they stood trial of Rimbor. Wonder Girl wants to come with, but Wonder Woman denies her the trip. Apart from the six that are on trial, only Hawkman and Icon will join. The former to support his spouse, the latter to act as an advocate because he has experience with intergalactic trial law. Captain Atom is still hesitant about sending them into space, but John argues that it's the only way. Hal and Guy are already on Rimbor to ensure a fair trial. Superman and Martian Manhunter bid their goodbyes, and Batman thinks the most dangerous task is for those left on Earth. John gathers them all, and with his ring, he creates a vessel that carries them into space.

Title
One of the meanings of the word "alienated" is to have become hostile or unfriendly where there was previously attachment. This possibly refers to Aqualad, who blamed the Team for the death of Tula, and Aquaman for concealing his parentage, thus becoming alienated from them. It may also refer to the Kroloteans, who were alienated from the Light thanks to its new partner, or Ocean-Master, who was disgraced and alienated from the Light. Finally, it can refer to Miss Martian's wanton use of telepathy, which further alienates her from Superboy.

While not a real definition, to alienate someone could also mean the process of turning someone into an alien—something that refers to the Kroloteans abducting Earthlings and replacing them with alien fakes, in effect "turning" them into an alien.

Cast and characters
! colspan="3"| Non-speaking roles
 * Tim Curry
 * colspan="2"| G. Gordon Godfrey
 * rowspan="2"| Miguel Ferrer
 * colspan="2"| Vandal Savage
 * colspan="2" | Bibbo Bibbowski
 * rowspan="2"| Bruce Greenwood
 * colspan="2"| Batman
 * Eduardo Dorado Sr.
 * Kevin Grevioux
 * Partner
 * Logan Grove
 * colspan="2" | Beast Boy
 * Phil LaMarr
 * colspan="2" | Aquaman
 * Stephanie Lemelin
 * colspan="2"| Catherine Cobert
 * Eric Lopez
 * colspan="2"| Blue Beetle
 * Yuri Lowenthal
 * colspan="2" | Lagoon Boy
 * Jesse McCartney
 * colspan="2"| Nightwing
 * Danica McKellar
 * colspan="2"| Miss Martian
 * Masasa Moyo
 * colspan="2" | Bumblebee
 * rowspan="2"| Nolan North
 * colspan="2"| Superboy
 * colspan="2"| Superman
 * rowspan="2"| Khary Payton
 * colspan="2"| Aqualad
 * colspan="2"| Black Manta
 * Maggie Q
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Woman
 * rowspan="2"| Kevin Michael Richardson
 * colspan="2"| Green Lantern
 * colspan="2" | Martian Manhunter
 * Michael Trucco
 * colspan="2" | Adam Strange
 * Michael T. Weiss
 * colspan="2"| Captain Atom
 * Mae Whitman
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Girl
 * rowspan="2"| Nolan North
 * colspan="2"| Superboy
 * colspan="2"| Superman
 * rowspan="2"| Khary Payton
 * colspan="2"| Aqualad
 * colspan="2"| Black Manta
 * Maggie Q
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Woman
 * rowspan="2"| Kevin Michael Richardson
 * colspan="2"| Green Lantern
 * colspan="2" | Martian Manhunter
 * Michael Trucco
 * colspan="2" | Adam Strange
 * Michael T. Weiss
 * colspan="2"| Captain Atom
 * Mae Whitman
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Girl
 * Michael Trucco
 * colspan="2" | Adam Strange
 * Michael T. Weiss
 * colspan="2"| Captain Atom
 * Mae Whitman
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Girl
 * Mae Whitman
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Girl
 * colspan="2"| Wonder Girl
 * colspan="3" | Atom (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Batgirl
 * colspan="3" | Black Canary (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Brain
 * colspan="3" | Captain Marvel (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Doctor Fate (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Flash (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Green Arrow (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Hal Jordan (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Hawkman
 * colspan="3" | Hawkwoman
 * colspan="3" | Icon
 * colspan="3" | Klarion
 * colspan="3" | Lex Luthor
 * colspan="3" | Plastic Man (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Queen Bee
 * colspan="3" | Ra's al Ghul
 * colspan="3" | Red Arrow (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Red Tornado (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Robin
 * colspan="3" | Rocket
 * colspan="3" | Hawkwoman
 * colspan="3" | Icon
 * colspan="3" | Klarion
 * colspan="3" | Lex Luthor
 * colspan="3" | Plastic Man (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Queen Bee
 * colspan="3" | Ra's al Ghul
 * colspan="3" | Red Arrow (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Red Tornado (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Robin
 * colspan="3" | Rocket
 * colspan="3" | Ra's al Ghul
 * colspan="3" | Red Arrow (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Red Tornado (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Robin
 * colspan="3" | Rocket
 * colspan="3" | Red Tornado (flashback)
 * colspan="3" | Robin
 * colspan="3" | Rocket
 * colspan="3" | Rocket
 * colspan="3" | Rocket

Continuity

 * This episode takes place right after the events of "Earthlings", with Zeta Squad reporting on events that occurred on Rann.
 * Miss Martian explains what happened in the sixteen hours from "Auld Acquaintance", with accompanying visuals from the same episode.
 * Miss Martian again aggressively interrogates a Krolotean, resulting in a vegetative state as seen in "Earthlings".
 * The Kroloteans discuss Lobo's presence, from "Happy New Year".
 * Nightwing invokes Maneuver Seven with Batgirl, a combination move shown in "Revelation" and "Humanity".
 * This episode shows a marked improvement of Superboy and Superman's relationship, which came to a turning point in "Auld Acquaintance".

Trivia

 * Other than the shells of the Appellaxian invaders, the Hall of Justice trophy room also houses many items recognizable from the comics:
 * Costumes of Guardian, Firebrand, Wildcat, Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Red Torpedo, Flash (Jay Garrick) and Sandman.
 * the disassembled Amazo.
 * Amos Fortune's Wheel of Misfortune from Justice League of America #6.
 * The Star Diamond from Justice League of America #4.
 * Kanjar Ro's Slave Ship of Space from Justice League of America #3.
 * The Green Bell of Uthool, the Silver Wheel of Nyorlath and the Red Jar of Calythos from Justice League of America #10.
 * The Key's Key Gun from Justice League of America #41.
 * Libra's scale staff from Justice League of America #111.
 * The Gamma Gong from Justice League of America #4.
 * Doctor Light's light-projector from Justice League of America #12.


 * Wonder Woman mentions Icon has experience with intergalactic tribunals. In the comics, he defended Earth in front of the Terminian court, who considered the planet so uncivilized it warranted destruction.
 * Superman calls Superboy "Kon-El". This is also Conner's (pre-new 52) adoptive Kryptonian name in the comics. In the New 52, Kon-El is no longer a Kryptonian name of honor for Superboy, but rather an insult towards clones, translating into "an abomination in the House of El".
 * The order in which the members of the Light are presented on-screen corresponds to the descending order of their induction: L-7, L-6, L-4, L-3, L-2 and L-1. L-5 is absent due to his ousting.

Goofs

 * The number of stars on Wonder Woman's briefs varies throughout the episode.
 * When the Team is evacuating the island, Wonder Woman picks up Lagoon Boy and Wonder Girl picks up Aquaman. When they reach the Bio-Ship, Wonder Woman carries Aquaman and Wonder Girl carries Lagoon Boy.

Cultural references

 * Catherine Cobert refers to the Justice League as "Earth's mightiest heroes", a phrase frequently used for the Avengers.

Unanswered questions

 * How did the Kroloteans plan to profit from Earthlings?
 * Who is the "Competitor"?
 * Who is the agent of the "Competitor" that the Kroloteans refer to?
 * How and when did Tula die?
 * How did Nightwing find out that Aqualad had started working with Black Manta?
 * When did Tula join the Team?
 * How did Aqualad find out that Black Manta was his father?
 * What happened to Ocean-Master?
 * Why is Icon familiar with intergalatic trial law?