Episode 11: Exaltations
Takes place September 8-17
Short version
As the episode title suggests, this is an episode of the SI seeking to lift his teammates and acquaintances higher, with mixed success.
Longer version
Paul talks to Kaldur about bringing Cornwall Boy onto the team, which Kaldur is tentatively open to — as well as showing him the compacted results of cleaning out the North Atlantic Gyre, which astounds Kaldur.
He studies the Garrick formula, hoping to cure Kid Flash's appetite problems. Unfortunately they don't find a solution, but Wallace decides to study alchemy in search of answers — a far cry from his former skeptical rejection of magic.
He takes John Constantine to meet Sephtian, and tests the first Spell Eater warding amulet, with great success, as well as sparring with Kaldur's friends Garth and Tula.
Far less successfully, he tries to persuade Artemis to consider more potent weaponry, and/or alchemical augmentation. When she resists the idea, this escalates into a challenge match. Artemis fails to pierce his shields with anything in her arsenal, as expected, but after taunting her with the idea of weakening his shields by flashing him, the SI later feels ashamed and seeks to apologize. He heals her mother's broken back, which has the unintended side effect of restoring her youth, and designs a powerful new type of arrow for Artemis, using Alexander Tuttle's Crumbler technology to disintegrate the target.
He soon has the opportunity to do more for her family than that. A breakout attempt at Belle Reve penitentiary leaves Cheshire/Jade in a critical condition, and due to the friendship that they have established, he feels possessive enough to be able to heal her. Despite her ingrained cynicism, she is moved by his actions.
Of note is that Paul takes charge of Thomas and Tuppence Beresford while Superboy and Miss Martian are impersonating them, and he attempts to persuade them to consider more profitable uses of their powers instead of mayhem and petty thievery. Both are resistant, especially Tuppence, but it gives them food for thought.
A Renegade interlude shows that he has become romantically involved with Jade.
Equivalent canon episode: "Terrors". The events of the canon episode are assumed to have largely taken place, but are not a focus.
- Cut Lex Luthor a Check: During the breakout attempt, Paul is babysitting the "Terror Twins", and attempts to subvert this trope by convincing them that they could make more money driving trucks than trying to rob banks. With their Super-Strength, they could do even better. They're skeptical, but they're also a captive audience.Thomas: Tha's crazy tawk, man.
Paul: You're going to get nine years to check my working. - Fountain of Youth: Paul accidentally restores Paula Nguyen to her physical prime.
- Great Escape: The criminals of Belle Reve attempt to break out but are stopped by the Team. The only one who actually escapes, the Riddler, is swiftly apprehended by OL and returned to prison.
- Innocently Insensitive: Paul's attempts to make Artemis a more effective hero come off as being dismissive of her abilities.
- Plea Bargain: Paul starts pulling strings to arrange one for Jade, including hiring Lex Luthor's preferred criminal defence lawyer and reminding the Martian Manhunter that Jade was hurt protecting M'gann.
- The Power of Friendship: Paul's ability to heal Jade from extreme frostbite is literally fueled by their relationship; when pointing his ring at her, he declares "MINE!" as it goes to work.
- Superpower Lottery: Discussed between Paul and Artemis.
- Paul also says that this is why Hal became a Lantern before Guy.Paul: (internally) Guy's smug could have powered Texas for a year when he got that confirmed. Turns out that the ring actually rated him slightly higher than Lantern Jordan due to the latter's dishonourable discharge. I told him that whole case was a nonsense, but I don't think he was listening.
- Paul also says that this is why Hal became a Lantern before Guy.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Jade risks her life to help Tuppence (M'gann) against Killer Frost.
