Titans has been very hit-and-miss since arriving on DC Universe, and its move to HBO Max hasn't made the series any less divisive. While season 3 has certainly been a little more focused, some creative decisions have come under fire (including Red Hood's rushed introduction and the depiction of classic Batman villain Scarecrow).
One of the biggest shockers, however, came when Alan Ritchson's Hank Hall/Hawk was taken out by Jason Todd in the show's third episode. That was to be expected after the actor signed up for the lead role in Amazon's Jack Reacher TV series, but Hawk returned in yesterday's episode for one final farewell after saving Tim Drake and Donna Troy in the afterlife.
Stuck in purgatory, Hawk is reunited with his brother and vows to continue helping lost souls stuck there. The question is, could Ritchson ever make his return to Titans?
"Is anything ever really finished on this show or any superhero show, right? [Laughs]" the actor asked Entertainment Weekly. "I spoke with the producers and writers before leaving, and was just very humbled by how gracious they were and how open-ended they left the conversation. 'Would you ever come back if we wanted to have you back?' And I said, 'Absolutely.'"
As for what led to him leaving Titans, it sounds like it wasn't his decision, but still one he welcomed. "I think I was ready to move on and try something else and enter a more mature phase of life. And strangely I ran into it immediately in Jack Reacher, this next role, but no, I was surprised by the call. I was content with the show. I really enjoyed the character, and I enjoyed the schedule."
There had once been plans to launch a Hawk & Dove spinoff, but they fell by the wayside following the introduction of the two vigilantes in Titans. It doesn't sound like Ritchson is dissatisfied with his time in the DC Universe, but with such a big cast, certain characters have yet to receive the attention they deserve (and many fans have argued that Hawk is among them).
What did you guys think about the latest episode of Titans?