Disclaimer: I do not own DC Animated Universe or anything else you may recognize
Now I've finally reached 'Static Shock' in my DCAU rewatch, and I'm done with 3 Seasons too, leaving just the last one to do.
This is easily the most underrated show in the entire franchise. Its tone is usually lighter than other shows such as BTAS, TNBA, STAS and JL/JLU, but when it wants to get heavy, it gets really heavy, and knows how to tug on the heartstrings.
My favorite episode is 'Flashback' overall, and I think my 2nd favorite episode is 'Jimmy', and this one-shot is a follow-up to it.
Enjoy.
Dakota Union High School
Virgil Hawkins and Richie Foley walked towards the school together, the latter's leg finally healed after a few months.
"It feels so good to be on my feet again", Richie said to his friend. "Properly that is."
"We all feel good to see you back, Rich", Virgil told him. "How many signatures did you get?"
"Over 20", Richie revealed. "Did not think I'd make it to 5, but I guess people always surprise, don't they?"
"I guess they do", Virgil shrugged.
"Richie?"
Hearing the voice, both of them turned around, already knowing who it was.
Jimmy Osgood.
"Jimmy…" Richie trailed off.
The kid had received intensive psychological treatment in a juvie after his attempted shooting. It could have been worse. The only reason it wasn't worse was because all witnesses admitted the gun had gone off accidentally, and Jimmy hadn't hurt anyone on purpose.
But he had carried a gun, and that had led to someone getting hurt. Someone could have died too.
"I'm sorry", Jimmy said to him, a tear rolling down his cheek. "I didn't want to shoot you…."
"I know you didn't, Jim", Richie assured him. "But…you did want to shoot someone."
Jimmy sighed. "Yes. After all that Nick and his friends did to me…..I lost it. I just wanted it all to end. And I didn't see any other way."
"We all feel that way sometimes, Jimmy. But killing is not the answer", Virgil told him. "Bullying is bad, and what they did to you was even worse than usual. And….to some extent, it is our fault for not speaking up sooner either."
Jimmy started. "You don't need to…"
"We don't, but there is blame to go around on all ends", Richie said to the boy. "The teacher didn't do anything, but we also didn't stand up to the bullying earlier, or there was a chance we could have done something about it before. What happened to me….it was because of many things."
"I know, I wish I could take it back", Jimmy said genuinely. "I'm sorry, Richie. I will never touch a gun again now. Now I've realized…..things like these don't really last."
"Yeah, it gets better over time. Remember, a day will come when you don't have to see the faces of Nick and the others again", Virgil assured him. "But as long as we're around people like them, we will speak up now."
"Totally, and if a kid is pushed too far, we must inform an adult immediately", Richie added. "That's what all of us should do in such situations."
"You're right. I hope what happened with me does not happen again", Jimmy sighed, then looked at Richie. "Do you forgive me?"
"Yeah, I do", Richie assured him, putting an arm around the boy as they walked together. "You just got to sign my plaster."
And this is done. The subject matter in the show was quite heavy, and I'm not sure I did a very good job, but I tried.
Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with some other update.