Review: Young Justice: Phantoms “Kaerb Ym Traeh!”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Zatanna and the Sentinels of Magic gain unlikely allies – but will it be enough?

Our Take:
If we’re going to end the year, we might as well conclude it with a chaotic bang. Not only was it the final episode of the season’s third story arc, but it was also the finale of the season’s first half. So don’t expect it to bring every plot element to a close.
The episode means “Break My Heart” in reverse, which means there is some heartbreak to be had amid its final showdown between the Sentinels of Magic and the Child. Because of that, the episode became another fitting conclusion to an intense story arc that still leaves specific elements open for the second half. One of which happened to grow even worse as time went on.
The one element I’m mentioning was none other than Beast Boy, whose depressive state is one step closer to his breaking point. The episode showcased Beast Boy turning away his girlfriend during her visit when she tried to help him. This moment continued the show’s exploration of deeper themes amid its superhero action regarding Greg Cipes’ performance and execution. It’s too bad that we have to wait a few months to see what happens to him next.
Another element left unfinished until part two is Mary, whose powers have grown more concerning for Zatanna and the others. Angry that she’s not ready to helm Nabu’s helmet, she left the group, leaving her to embrace the power of Shazam in the post-credit scene. That plot element did leave many questions regarding her current state. Are we seeing the possibility of Mary going rouge? Hopefully, we’ll see what happens to her in the season’s second half.
As for the main plot, it’s another intense battle that showcased a bit more of the season’s teen-rated violence. The primary examples were Klarion being stabbed through the chest by a tree branch and the Child’s insides being separated from her body. While they’re nothing too disturbing or gross, they showed that the creators are still pushing the boundaries of violence thanks to the series being on HBO Max. My only issue with the episode was that the battle’s ending was pretty abrupt, with Traci cracking Flaw with her spell, causing the Child to untether. Other than that, it did a suitable job in keeping my heart racing while delivering some heartfelt moments, including Zatanna reuniting with her father, Zatara.
Overall, “Kaerb Ym Traeh!” puts yet another story arc to a close thanks to its amount of action and drama. Aside from the battle’s anti-climatic end, the finale of the season’s first half successfully ended things off on a satisfying yet inconclusive note. Yes, I said inconclusive because Beast Boy is still a depressive wreak, and Zatanna discovers Connor’s spirit while seeing what the bus driver and the children have been through during their little time-hopping adventure. So I’m guessing that the second half would focus on the heroes rescuing Connor from beyond the grave? There are a lot of unanswered questions in the finale, and I honestly hope we get some answers sooner or later when part two is released.