Batman: The Animated Series
This is it! I know a lot of you have been waiting for this episode, since it is arguably the most famous B: TAS episode. I'm pretty excited too. So, let's not waste too much time and just get right to it.
Two-Face: Poison Ivy.
Poison Ivy: It's been a long time, Harvey. You're still looking around halfway decent.
Two-Face: Half of me wants to strangle ya.
Poison Ivy: And what does the other half want?
Two-Face: To hit ya with a truck.
Poison Ivy: We used to date.
The Joker, Penguin, Killer Croc: Aaaahhh...
The Joker, Penguin, Killer Croc and Two-Face get together for a friendly poker game. When Poison Ivy joins, talk turns to their shared nemesis and how each has a story of how they almost took care of Batman for good.
This is probably the best B: TAS episode of all time. It has been lauded and analyzed and talked about and it's a bit daunting to try to find something new to say about and real talk, just between us, I probably will repeat some things that you've already heard. That is definitely not going to stop me from gushing.
Everything about this episode works. Paul Dini presents a master class in how to write a animated episode. Hell, write anything. Even as a comic story this would have been great. In fact, it is loosely based on a story that appeared in "Batman" #291-294. Every single character in the episode gets their moment to shine. In fact, they get multiple moments. Whether it is in their tale of almost getting him or during the poker game.
Dini shows time and time again that he just understands what makes these characters tick. It's full of great, quotable dialogue, but the exchange I began this post with between Harvey and Pam is probably my favorite. I love how it cheekily touches on their past romantic relationship but still feels completely in character.
Each vignette is perfect. Poison Ivy trying to kill Batman in a pumpkin patch on Halloween. The Penguin loosing killer birds on him in an Aviary of Doom. Two-Face strapping him to a giant coin and letting him flip through the air. The Joker and Harley co-opting a late night television show. It's all so wonderful and while each vignette has it's charms and inside jokes i.e. explaining where Batman got the giant Batcave penny, I think it's Penguin's and Joker's that I enjoy the most.
Penguin has been kind of underserved in B: TAS so far. His first episode was that horrible episode where he was taken down by Gotham's dumbest children. His next was a barely there appearance during the Hugo Strange episode. This episode really gives the fine feathered fink his due. It plays up the camp, but still shows how dangerous Oswald Cobblepot is. Penguin even plays up his ineptitude to trap Batman. His ploy is pure Penguin and Dini reminds audiences why Penguin is not to be laughed at or underestimated.
Joker and Harley probably do come the closest to killing the Dark Knight, which is as it should be. They strap Bats to an electric chair powered by laughter and then dose the audience with Joker gas. The ploy is great, but it's probably Catwoman's role that makes me like this vignette a little more than the others. Like Penguin, Catwoman has been underserved by the writers of B: TAS. Not since her debut episode has she shown this much agency. She saves the day and saves Batman. She may end up captured in the end, but it's a brief shining moment that makes me hopeful that soon someone will do right by her.
Dini packs the script with a ton of comedy and the voice actors knock it out of the park. Hamill kills every joke. There are a lot of jokes at Killer Croc's expense and they still make me laugh out loud. I feel like Aron Kincaid, the actor who voiced Croc, doesn't get nearly enough credit. This is an animated series so I'd be crazy not to point out the killer visuals. My favorite being when the light passes over Croc and the shadow reveals it's Batman in disguise.
The episode ends on a picture perfect note, with Catwoman once again making romantic advances on Batman only to leave her once she's distracted. Her ending purr of "Almost got him" a nice twist on the theme.
Grade: A+
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| What are you looking at? |
Everything about this episode works. Paul Dini presents a master class in how to write a animated episode. Hell, write anything. Even as a comic story this would have been great. In fact, it is loosely based on a story that appeared in "Batman" #291-294. Every single character in the episode gets their moment to shine. In fact, they get multiple moments. Whether it is in their tale of almost getting him or during the poker game.
Dini shows time and time again that he just understands what makes these characters tick. It's full of great, quotable dialogue, but the exchange I began this post with between Harvey and Pam is probably my favorite. I love how it cheekily touches on their past romantic relationship but still feels completely in character.
Each vignette is perfect. Poison Ivy trying to kill Batman in a pumpkin patch on Halloween. The Penguin loosing killer birds on him in an Aviary of Doom. Two-Face strapping him to a giant coin and letting him flip through the air. The Joker and Harley co-opting a late night television show. It's all so wonderful and while each vignette has it's charms and inside jokes i.e. explaining where Batman got the giant Batcave penny, I think it's Penguin's and Joker's that I enjoy the most.
Penguin has been kind of underserved in B: TAS so far. His first episode was that horrible episode where he was taken down by Gotham's dumbest children. His next was a barely there appearance during the Hugo Strange episode. This episode really gives the fine feathered fink his due. It plays up the camp, but still shows how dangerous Oswald Cobblepot is. Penguin even plays up his ineptitude to trap Batman. His ploy is pure Penguin and Dini reminds audiences why Penguin is not to be laughed at or underestimated.
Joker and Harley probably do come the closest to killing the Dark Knight, which is as it should be. They strap Bats to an electric chair powered by laughter and then dose the audience with Joker gas. The ploy is great, but it's probably Catwoman's role that makes me like this vignette a little more than the others. Like Penguin, Catwoman has been underserved by the writers of B: TAS. Not since her debut episode has she shown this much agency. She saves the day and saves Batman. She may end up captured in the end, but it's a brief shining moment that makes me hopeful that soon someone will do right by her.
Dini packs the script with a ton of comedy and the voice actors knock it out of the park. Hamill kills every joke. There are a lot of jokes at Killer Croc's expense and they still make me laugh out loud. I feel like Aron Kincaid, the actor who voiced Croc, doesn't get nearly enough credit. This is an animated series so I'd be crazy not to point out the killer visuals. My favorite being when the light passes over Croc and the shadow reveals it's Batman in disguise.
The episode ends on a picture perfect note, with Catwoman once again making romantic advances on Batman only to leave her once she's distracted. Her ending purr of "Almost got him" a nice twist on the theme.
Grade: A+
Veronica Vreeland: "Oswald, I really was growing fond of you..."
The Penguin: "I suppose what they say is true: society is to blame. High society."
It seems like the same old story at first. Penguin robs a museum. Batman captures him. Once Penguin is released he is determined to go straight, but only after he goes to visit his compatriots of crime and finds the place they used to gather abandoned. Batman threatening him probably contributes to his desire as well. Unbeknownst to Oswald, socialite Veronica Vreeland and her toady, Pierce are looking for a way to spice up her next party and what better way then inviting an uncouth criminal. Veronica decides to try to "befriend" Oswald to get him there. What could go wrong?
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| The Odd Couple |
Remember a few paragraphs ago, when I mentioned how B: TAS hadn't done great by Penguin so far? Well, it's nice to have an episode that does.
Chuck Menville and Brynne Stephens do a great job of really tapping into the tragedy and pathos at the center of Oswald Cobblepot. Here is a man who should be Bruce Wayne's equal. Born into a wealthy family, but due to a genetic quirk is reviled by high society. You get the feeling that part of the reason Penguin turned to crime was both to be accepted by someone and also stick it to the people who rejected him. Yet at the same time still yearns to be a part of that world. It's not a huge surprise that Penguin is so easily manipulated by the beautiful Veronica Vreeland.
Within a few moments of meeting Penguin, she can see that he is delusional and is able to use that delusion to her advantage. It's sort of heartbreaking and tragic to watch Penguin in this episode. At the restaurant, believing he is impressing her or in the alley where he attempts to rescue her from miscreants much to Batman's chagrin.
Bruce Wayne continues to be the only decent wealthy person in Gotham City. He learns of Veronica's plan and strongly urges her not to follow through with it. Of course, she does. Of course, Penguin finds out and then all bets are off.
There are some great homages to "Batman Returns" in this episode. The plot to make Oswald a respectable member of society is much like Max Schreck's. Penguin using a trap door sewer grate to capture Pierce. And we can't forget the debut of the rubber ducky vehicle.
It's so nice to see Penguin finally get his due and I think we all feel a little bad for him when the police are carting him away at the end. Even Batman.
Grade: A
I'm sure you all have comments on "Almost Got 'Im" and I'd love to hear them. What do you love about this episode? Do you think it's the greatest the show has to offer? Please let me know.
Next time, Riddler returns to prove how smart he is and the Jazzman almost gets Batman to hang up his cape and cowl.
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