"I Am the Night" Rewatch: "Robin's Reckoning" Parts 1 & 2 and "The Laughing Fish"

Batman: The Animated Series

I needed a little B: TAS break after the flaming garbage pile that was "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy." I know that every show has stinker episodes, but sometimes they can stop momentum. Luckily, these next episodes are back to the quality level we've come to expect.

"It wasn't that, Robin. It wasn't that at all. Zucco's taken so much, caused you so much pain. I couldn't stand the thought that he might... take you too."

A routine stakeout takes a dramatic turn for Batman and Robin. An interrogation turns up the name Billy Marin. Once Batman hears that, he's ready to go. Back at the Batcave, Batman decides he's going to continue the investigation on his own. Robin does some sleuthing of his own and finds out that "Billy Marin" is an alias for Tony Zucco, the man that killed his parents nine years ago. Can Batman keep Robin from crossing the uncrossable line or will the Boy Wonder finally get his revenge?

And you thought the Robin costume was bad.

Part one of "Robin's Reckoning" earned the show an Emmy award for Most Outstanding Half Hour or Less Program. That probably tells you all you need to know about this particular two-parter, but I'm going to pontificate on it anyways.

The episodes use the discovery of Marin aka Zucco as a framing device to tell the origin story of Dick Grayson. Batman's origin story is pretty ingrained in the public consciousness. Robin's is... less well-known. Writer Randy Rogel keeps the broad beats of Dick's origin the same. He performs as trapeze artists under the name "The Flying Grayson's" for Haley's Circus. Zucco shows up demanding protection money, but Haley has him thrown out, a scene that young Dick witnesses. Later, Zucco sneaks back into the circus and sabotages one of the trapeze wires. Dick thinks he sees him but says nothing and feels guilty for the death of his parents.

Worst trust exercise ever.

People make a lot of jokes about the relationship between Batman and Robin. Isn't it weird this avowed bachelor would take in this young boy then eventually dress him up in green underwear? Wonder what happens in the Batcave late at night? Implied pedophilia is hilarious! 

After watching these two episodes, I feel like it would be difficult for anyone to make those sort of jokes again. The episodes are as successful as they are because of the amount of emotional depth that they do. The scenes between Bruce and young Dick are so good. They evoke genuine emotions out of you. You feel it. I never thought I would tear up watching episodes of B: TAS, but if you can watch the heart to heart between them where Bruce tells Dick neither of them bear any responsibility for their parents' death and not get emotional, well you may be a monster.

The adult relationship between Bruce and Dick is not neglected. Dick's initial reaction to Bruce leaving him out is understandable. We've all thrown a tantrum while insisting we are a grown-up. It rings really true. Batman's reasoning for not including Robin in his search for Zucco is also incredibly powerful and unexpected.

The rest of the episode(s) have great little touches sprinkled throughout. The reveal that Zucco is Arnold Stromwell's nephew. Conroy tweaking young Bruce's voice. The small changes to Batman's costume in the past. Everything gels really well. 

It's great to see the Batman/Robin father/son dynamic really emphasized and Robin get his chance to shine.

Grade: A

"They're finny and funny and oh, so delish. They're joyful and jolly. Jokerfish!"

The people of Gotham are understandably freaked out when their fish start looking like the Joker. Batman scans the fish and finds out the toxin the Joker is using is non-toxic to humans. Joker's plan is to copyright "Jokerfish" and get a percentage of the proceeds from each fish sold. When the copyright office refuses, Joker decides to get his revenge.

Here's looking at you kid.

This might be my favorite Joker-centric episode in all of B: TAS. I've always thought that it reminded me of a Silver Age Joker comic story. In doing some background research on the episode, I realized there is a good reason for that. This story is an amalgamation of three Batman comics' story. "The Joker's Five Way Revenge" from Batman #251, "The Laughing Fish" and "Sign of the Joker" from Detective Comics #475 & 476. (Thanks Wikipedia!)

Everything works together perfectly in this episode. Joker's plan is bonkers and only makes sense to him, which is how it should be. It's never about what the Joker wants to do, it's more about how he gets Batman involved.

My favorite element of the episode has to be its humor. There are a lot of zingers delivered by the Joker and each one hits the mark. It doesn't feel forced. The lines coupled with Hamill's stellar delivery slay each time. The scene in the copyright office is a terrific example. Joker slapping the copyright office worker with the fish for daring to talk. It's so good. The commercial is a classic B: TAS scene as is Harley's hatred of fish and Joker's overall who gives a fuckness about it.

This episode is also the first time that Harvey Bullock really acquits himself well. In previous episodes, his oafishness makes you wonder why Gordon keeps him around. This episode shows why. He may get caught by the Joker, but he is able to figure out that he is holed up at the aquarium before Batman shows up.

I will say that Batman disguising the second victim as itself rubbed me the wrong way so closely after watching "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy" but I don't hold it against the episode itself.

Grade: A

Does anyone else love these episodes as I do? I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Next time Batman becomes a ninja and Catwoman gets the flu.