"I Am the Night" Re-watch: "Joker's Millions" & "Growing Pains"

 The New Batman Adventures

You know you're in for a treat when you are getting ready to watch a Paul Dini Joker focused episode of TNBA and this is the first one of this new season. So let's get right to it.

Poison Ivy: "You're pathetic, you know that?"

Harley Quinn: "Come on, Red. So Mr. J. was a little stressed about money. Now that he's loaded, Puddin'll buy my way out, too."

Poison Ivy: "Oh yeah, right, sure thing, Harl."

[shows Harley the newspaper front page.]

Harley Quinn: [reading headline] "Joker seeks new henchgirl?"

[exterior shot of Arkham]

Harley Quinn: "I'LL KILL HIM!"

Joker and Harley are having a cash flow problem that ends up landing Harley back in Arkham. Imagine Joker's surprise when his old nemesis, King Barlowe, kicks the bucket and leaves the Clown Prince of Crime his entire fortune totaling $250 million dollars. It turns out that money can buy you legitimacy but what will Joker do when the other shoe drops?

Golfing sucks.

This is basically a comedic episode of TNBA and it totally works. The main reason it does work is because of Paul Dini. Dini has such a firm grasp of these characters that he can write an episode like this and it really pops, even there isn't a ton of action in it, especially when you compare it to other episodes of B: TAS and TNBA. 

The episode is immediately very fun and charming when you see the episode title pop up on a giant computer screen. Batman is chasing Joker and Harley through a tech expo that is prominently featuring DVD as the next big thing. That is both entertaining and super depressing for this reviewer, but I digress. I can't say that I've ever really put much thought into how much money it takes to run a criminal enterprise. Sure, Batman does it, but he's a billionaire. So, it is pretty comical watching the mishaps that Joker and Harley go through trying to escape Batman. Running out of gas in the middle of the street and having only enough cash for one ejector seat are great gags.

We get our first appearance of Penguin's club, the Iceberg Lounge, in this episode. We get our first look at TNBA's version of Oswald and it's a toot. It's more in line with his classic look. The mullet is gone. He's a bit taller. The monocle, top hate and tuxedo. It's definitely one of the more successful looks. I got a chuckle when Penguin threw some shade at Barbara for name dropping her dad.

This episode is pretty great from beginning. There isn't a huge conflict, but it's full of great sight gags and bits. It's known for a meta moment when Paul Dini inserts himself into the episode. Yep, that is the writer crammed into Harley's costume when Joker is auditioning new henchgirls. Excellent.

If I have one minor complaint, it's that Joker doesn't once suspect that this might be a ruse, even though it's pretty clear that it is one. You'd think Joker would be a little suspicious, but nope.

All in all though, the best episode of TNBA so far.

Grade: A

Commissioner James Gordon: [regarding a wanted suspect] "Look at those eyes. How does someone get a face like that?"

Robin: "Luck."

Commissioner James Gordon: [he and Batman look at Robin.] "What?"

Robin: "Sorry, I was thinking about a girl."

Commissioner James Gordon: "Teenagers. Glad my Barbara's past her wild years."

[Batman turns to Gordon and raises an eyebrow.]

On a routine patrol, Robin rescues a girl from a biker gang. She runs off before he can get more information about her, but he's a smitten kitten. Robin runs into her again as she's being pursued by the suspect in a series of violent robberies. Naming the girl Annie since she doesn't remember her own name, Robin attempts to help her. But when Clayface gets involved, could the new Boy Wonder be in over his head?

Child abuse.

This episode shines a spotlight on the new Robin, Tim Drake. I like that this episode doesn't shy away from Robin's age and naivety. Robin wants to be treated like an adult and while it's true that he's had it rougher than maybe other kids his age, he is most definitely still a teenager. Look at the chosen quote that begins this recap. Gordon and Batman are having a discussion about a dangerous criminal that the Dynamic Duo are going to have to try to take down and Robin is daydreaming about a girl he has spent five minutes with. It's not surprising that Batman has a tracker in Robin's utility belt so he's not super upset or worried when Robin goes running off without him.

One thing about this that rings a little false is Alfred's reaction to Robin's very teenage assertions that he is indeed a grown up. First, he just lets Tim jump out of the backseat of Bruce Wayne's limo dressed as Robin in broad daylight. You're telling me that there is nothing that Alfred can do to stop him? I am not buying it. Then, when it's revealed that Batman is tracking Robin, Alfred comments, "You really do treat him like a child." Duh. And usually Alfred would be hardcore advocating for that. It feels out of character for Alfred to be siding with Tim on this one.

There is a lot of great action in this one from the opening with Robin and the bikers, to the chase through the parking garage and the sewers and the climax. Clayface being the villain works because I don't think it's too obvious leading up to the big reveal. The animators do some really cool effects with Clayface, specifically with the brick wall at the end of the fist. The way that it's not a solid wall, but more like individual bricks embedded in his clay is a pretty awesome visual.

A detriment to this episode is Annie herself. She is not given enough character for the reveal that she is actually part of Clayface to have a real dramatic impact. She is never more than just a means to an end to teach Robin a lesson and that really is to the detriment of the episode of itself.

Grade: B

Next time, Baby Doll and Killer Croc make their TNBA debuts and we are introduced to a "classic" Batman villain.

As always, I want to hear what you diehard Batfans feel and think. Let me know in the comments.