Warning: spoilers ahead for Titans season 4, episode 3.

Raven has lost both her soul-self and her superpowers in Titans season 4, but is this a permanent arrangement? Teagan Croft's Raven arrives in Titans season 4 at the pinnacle of her strength, having mastered her soul-self powers through season 3's Themyscira training. Unfortunately for Dick Grayson's superhero team, Raven's control would prove short-lived. Titans season 4, episode 2 concluded with the titular group battling against Franka Potente as Mother Mayhem, but as Raven fired her ethereal black tendrils toward this newly-surfaced villain, Mayhem sucked the darkness into her magic staff. Titans season 4, episode 3 then confirms Raven's soul-self is indeed gone.

Although the exact mechanics behind Mother Mayhem stealing Raven's powers remain obscured, Titans has all but confirmed that the villain's Church of Blood occult club worships Raven's father, the demonic Trigon. Rachel Roth's superpowers draw from her paternal bloodline, so if the Church of Blood possesses knowledge of Trigon and his fearsome power, it stands to reason that Mother Mayhem may know a spell that can draw out and capture the very similar power lurking within Rachel. Titans season 4's "Jinx" episode also shows Mayhem pouring her Raven-juice into a crystal, presumably for use in a Church of Blood ritual that somehow involves Trigon and requires part of his essence.

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How Raven's Powers Can Return In Titans Season 4

Titans Season 4 Raven With White Hair

Raven losing her powers serves two purposes for Titans season 4. As seen when she accompanies Beast Boy through a mysterious forest during episode 3, Raven's newfound powerlessness allows her vulnerable, human side to poke through after three seasons serving as the Titans' paranormal powerhouse. More practically, Raven losing her soul-self represents a massive blow to the Titans' combat strength. Without those black CGI clouds to rely upon, Dick Grayson's Titans will find Mother Mayhem a far more challenging villain than they might if Raven was at full-strength. Nevertheless, Raven's powers will almost certainly return before Titans season 4 is over.

Raven is so intrinsically tied to her soul-self, permanently losing that facet of her character is almost unthinkable, despite the short-term benefits mentioned above. Moreover, Titans has left a massive clue foreshadowing how Raven's powers could return directly atop her head. Following the removal of her soul-self by Mother Mayhem, Raven's hair turns a brilliant white color, potentially foreshadowing her transformation into White Raven. In DC lore, White Raven represents the pure manifestation of Raven's abilities free from Trigon's influence. By removing her soul-self, Mother Mayhem may have unwittingly unlocked an even greater source of strength for Raven.

What Will Mother Mayhem Use Raven's Powers For?

Titans season 4 Joseph Morgan Sebastian Sanger

Arguably the biggest mystery surrounding Raven losing her powers is not whether they ultimately return, but what Mother Mayhem has planned for the soul-self she stole. The Church of Blood evidently harbors big ambitions in Titans season 4, with the creepy cult already killing Lex Luthor, gathering a hefty supply of blood from innocent victims, and using a crystal to capture Raven's soul-self. Back in Titans season 4's premiere, Mayhem mentioned a mysterious "Him," which almost certainly pertains to her endgame, but this vague allusion could equally apply to two different characters.

One possibility is that the Church of Blood seeks to use the Temple of Azarath, the collected blood, and Raven's soul-self to summon Trigon back to Earth, finishing the work of Raven's mother, Angela Azarath, from Titans season 1. Another possibility is that Mother Mayhem plots to harness this great occult power in the body of young Sebastian, who plainly has no idea about his Brother Blood alter ego. Transforming Sebastian would align more neatly with DC mythology, in which Brother Blood removes Raven's forehead gem and uses her soul-self for his own despicable ends.

Titans continues Thursday on HBO Max.

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