"How Did It Go?"

Alright all, back from my break and rejuvenated for another path in the journey of Artemis Crock. Now I'm hoping to have this season finished before 'Outsiders' premiers on DC Universe next year, but no promises. But, rest assured that the next season's blogs will come out shortly after it premiers. I may not have the entirety of the season released by the time most fans will have finished; and if you are reading this than you are likely to be a awaiting the next season with great anticipation. With the future plans update out of the way, let's recover from the five year time jump and begin with 'Salvage'.

While Artemis does not show up in 'Salvage' except for a few minutes near the end of the episode, there is much to speculate about during the scene she is in; as is the shows' specialty. The fact that Artemis and Wally were living together may or may not be a complete shock if one reads the tie-in comic which is set a few months before the timeline of 'Invasion' begins. Unlike the other arcs in that comic, the story arc through the titles cancellation is only one story. The story arc takes place in the course of a single day, which is Dick's nineteenth birthday. In an almost 'Arrow' like set up, this entire story flashes back to the five years before on the same date; which explores the Dick and Zatana's relationship slightly, but for the most part is a Conner and Clark bonding story. During the present day of the story, we get one scene where Wally and Artemis wish Dick a happy birthday through 'Skype'. The friends discuss a little bit about the fact that Wally and Artemis are not in the superhero business anymore and are dating(if one could not tell by the end of season 1).

If one does not read the comic tie-in and just go into 'Invasion' directly after season one; there is not a single mention of Wally or Artemis in the first three episodes of the season. I can understand why they made this choice not to mention where all the first seasons characters are right off the bat. Apart from the fact that it builds up a mystery about where these characters have been for the last five years and make it so that it's brought in naturally and not just an exposition dump at the beginning of the season; one would have to give the new characters time to breath and sink into their own. Whether the new members include characters that have been established before(which makes up about 80% of the team) or characters that are new the series alone(Blue Beetle is set up in the comic tie-in) there has to be time to at least establish some sort of connection between this new cast and prove their own worth before they start to catch up on all the characters from before. If anyone reading this has watched 'Glee' this would be my argument for the new cast introduced in the fourth season; for those of you aware of that series, hopefully that can get you into that specific mindset.

Before Artemis shows up in the episode, the side plot of the episode focuses on Roy and his pursuit of the "real" Roy Harper and the extremes he has taken to continue that path. Dinah, Oliver, Dick, Wally, and Jim Harper come to try to talk some sense into him and build up his own self-worth. While the intervention fails Roy returns home to find Cheshire, but that's a character blog series for another time. Wally, frustrated that he couldn't help Roy at all, collapses into a chair at the kitchen table when Artemis asks him how it went? While it's clear Wally and Artemis are still in college with the mention of Wally having a Vietnamese paper due that morning, there is no official specification to what the status of their relationship is at this point. Wally and Artemis are living together, but it's never made clear if they are married or engaged. Which that could be a valid theory, the only flaw in that is there is no sign of rings on either one of the characters, and anyone who is aware of Greg Weisman's other work 'Gargoyles', he does make a big deal about Xanatos and Fox being married; so if Wally and Artemis are married or engaged there would likely be a sign unless it is an oversight in the animation department as it makes sense why neither would be wearing rings after this episode.

After answering Artemis's question, Wally wishes her a happy Valentine's Day. Artemis is surprised that Wally remembered as it is mentioned that he has forgotten for the previous four years of their relationship. Artemis does remember as well and reveals she bought Wally's favorite food, and we just see a refridgerator full of food. Just giving the couple a few minutes to have time for a little joy in their relationship which is completely necessary because the rest of the season will not have the chance for this kind've time in this state until the end of the season.

Another topic that is left up to speculation is the reason why Wally and Artemis leave the superhero business or even how long they have been "retired". My read on both issues are as such. After clearing her family name in her eyes, while Artemis would still want to help people, there would be little reason for her to continue as that role was a place to grow for a time, but now that she has a positive male figure in her life in Wally and would want to start a family; why would she endanger the lives of her children or give the opportunity for her children to become orphans? She more than most would knowhow dangerous the world is without the extra risk. Wally could also have similar reasons as he also grew out of his womanizing, proud attitude during his time with the team. Outside of the fact that Wally had been doing this a lot longer than Artemis and may just be tired of doing it as most people have with most things after many years. As for the length of how long they have been gone. I don't think college is a good indicator as they both could likely handle that schedule if they could both handle high school schedules. Keep in mind that both did exhibit great scientific knowledge in episodes like 'Denial' and 'Homefront', so it's possible both could be going for their masters. The most we could go on is Dick's pleasant surprise that they called him on his birthday knowing there schedules and that they left. So they may have left three and a half to four years after the events of the first season as 'Invasion' begins it's season on January 1.

Alright, that is all for this first part of the second season. This has gone on much longer than I intended, it's just that there is a lot to update on this blog and (like I said before) there is a lot to talk about in just this one scene in the comic and the series. When we come back I will be tackling my personal favorite episode of the series thus far in 'Depths'. This will likely to be a two if not three part blog episode, so strap in and get ready to embark on the journey once again.