This is part 2: If you missed part 1, check it out here. I decided to re-watch all of Batman The Animated Series. However, this time I am going to review each episode as I watch them. This will be an ongoing feature and I will review five episodes at a time (this time I did six because one was a two-parter). I’m going in order of production dates through seasons 1-4; the order on the DVDs. BTAS always had an A-Team and B-Team for animation; normally they would give the better scripts to the A-Team, so when I mention it, keep that in mind. It took them time to figure out the tone and great storytelling the show is known for so the first couple episodes were a tad rough. Therefore the reviews for these first couple episodes will probably be low.
The rating scale will go like this: 5 Bats – Amazing; a must watch, 4 Bats – Great episode, 3 Bats – Fun, but flawed, 2 Bats – Some bad story telling; nostalgia may save it. 1 Bat – Skip this episode! Even nostalgia won’t save it. With that out of the way all I can say is “And here we go!”
Episode 6: The Underdwellers
This is one of those “take it or leave it” episodes. It’s not that the writing is bad, it’s just overall super forgettable. A bunch of hobo kids work for a crazy eye patch guy with giant crocodiles. On second thought, it flat out sucks, skip it. 1/5 Bats
Episode 7: P.O.V
Damn, now this is a great episode. This should have won an award for writing. Maybe it did? This episode really sets up BTAS as something unique, fresh and groundbreaking. This kind of writing could be held up with any adult show playing past 7pm. it’s that good. This episode established Montoya and Bullock, two of the greatest BTAS characters plus their relationships with Batman…Montoya digs him, Bullock, not so much. Bullock’s P.O.V of the story with his voiceover really was a nice touch and also actually funny. This episode set up Batman’s relationship with Gotham City Police and also sets up the urban legend nature of The Batman. It’s funny though: while On Leather Wings had the SWAT team scene, this episode had the cop talking about how Batman was not human as we, the audience, watch what really happened. “He pointed and the man fell.” Really, he just threw a batarang. (Two scenes straight from Frank Miller’s Year One). So it was intresting years later for Bruce Timm to adapt Year One when he really had already adapted a lot from it into his Batman show. 5/5 Bats
Episode 8: The Forgotten
Bruce Wayne forgets who he is while investigating disappearing hobos. The worst part of this episode is its disgusting fat slob villain which is almost kind of offensive. Alfred driving the Bat Jet is also really goofy. But, I like Bruce’s heat-induced nightmare scene with his parents. 2/5 Bats
Episode 10:Episode: 9: Be A Clown
This episode deserves much lower rating than I’m going to give it, but Mark Hamill is just so good in it. Basically, Major Hill’s annoying kid runs away and unknowingly becomes the apprentice to The Joker. I do love some of the funny dialogue The Joker has with the kid. The end fight on the roller coaster is great. Still, not the Batman and Joker relationship we know and love, but a good start. Batman smiling and giving the kid a thumbs up lowers it a whole bat though. 3/5 Bats Or 4/5 Bats if Batman smiling and giving a thumbs up is your thing.
Episode 11: Two-Face Part 1
I think this is by far the best episode so far. The writing, acting, and animation are just killer. Making Harvey Dent already have a split personality makes sense (heck, it works more even then him turning into Two-Face in The Dark Knight) and really, for a kids’ show, focuses a lot on character and themes normally not explored in most adult shows. Rupert Throne and Sexpot Assistant Candice are also introduced and sets up the mob versus the freaks. We come into this world right when the rise of the super villians are happening, and the mob is old news. 5/5 Bats
Episode 12: Two-Face Part 2
Not as good as animation as Part One, but still great. The music makes this episode also the first really sad episode. You feel for Harvey Dent and his fiance and for a moment, you think he may be redeemable but because of her betrayal (damn you, Sexpot Assistant Candice), Two-Face views her as bad as the rest. I love the cheesy ending with Gordon and Batman as he flips the coin into the fountain. Bruce’s friend is no more. 5/5 Bats
Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think in the comments below. I’ll be back soon with another installment of Matt on The Bat 🙂