Deluge is the thirty first Episode in DC Universe Online which spotlights the return of Starro, but also brings the Atlanteans back into focus.
Summary
Starro has returned and is once again targeting the citizens of Central City. However, this time it appears to be a plot of the Atlanteans. Heroes and Villains join forces with Queen Mera and Ocean Master in an attempt to clear their name and to find the true source of this invasion.Tropes
- A Day in the Limelight: Of course Atlanteans such as Aquaman, Mera, and Ocean Master receive focus, but also The Flash and the Rogues (Most notably Mirror Master).
- Alternative Character Interpretation: In-Universe with Black Manta in regards to Aquaman. Investigations have him analyzing the actions of the King of Atlantis, openly asking if they were altruistic or for his own ego.
- Ascended Extra: Originally an event, the Starro Invasion has been revamped and added as part of the Deluge story line.
- Bittersweet Ending: Spindrift Station, the Atlantean Embassy meant to establish peace between the Atlanteans and the surface world, is all but destroyed (strongly implied to be beyond repair) and Corum Rath escapes. But the people were successfully evacuated without any casualties and Morgwar has been stopped.
- Brainwashed and Crazy: Anyone with a small Starro starfish on their face fall into this. Happens to both Flash and Aquaman most notably.
- Clear My Name: The driving force behind this plot is for Aquaman and Queen Mera (And to a lesser degree Ocean Master) to prove that they are not the ones behind the Starro invasion.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: A reoccurring theme in regards to Aquaman.
- On the Surface: At worst he's considered a tyrant that hides below the surface while at best he's seen as simply "The man who talks to fish." Aquaman admits that the even the Justice League halfheartedly defends his character. It has gotten to the point where even Mera is wondering if his attempts to bring peace between both worlds is All for Nothing. Black Manta even states that he's a man of two worlds, but loved by neither.
- In Atlantis: Aside from his Half-Breed Discrimination (To the point where Ocean Master is actually able to get followers in his bid to usurp Arthur from the throne), Mera notes that the Atlantean council considers him a Savior when necessary but a pariah otherwise. His decisions are always questioned to the point where even his choice of a queen is criticized.
- Fantastic Racism: The Atlanteans still do not have the greatest opinion of Humans, calling them "Surface Freaks." Though, the Humans are not much better with one openly stating that Aquaman and his "Mermaid" should've stayed in Atlantis.
- The only reason why Ocean Master is willingly working with Aquaman against the Deluge. While he hates Arthur and sees him as an unfit king, jealousy-aside, he likes the idea of a Ninth Tride Hadlin like Corum Rath becoming King of Atlantis even less.
- Fantastic Slur: "Hadlin." Corum Rath noted that he took pride in being one as a sign of patriotism, unaware of its true meaning: "Bottom feeders."
- Godzilla Threshold: During the fight with the Starro-Controlled Flash, a CCPD officer suggest to free the captured Rogues to aid in the fight. With a few CCPD officers and even prisoners that were earlier freed from Starro's control providing a distraction.
- Nice Job Fixing It, Villain: A minor case with Weather Wizard. After being freed, he tries to aid the New Hero/Villain against the Starr-Controlled Flash by zapping him with lightning. However, it ends up healing him.
- Old Shame: Mera sees her stint on the surface as "Aquawoman" as this. Mostly due to the lack of respect Aquaman receives from surface worlders.
- The Unfought: You do not fight Corum Rath at anytime during the episode. Instead you fight against Morgwar at the climax of the episode.
