Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 19

A rather dower Clown Prince of Crime has entered the scene.  

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Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 18

 Time to put the Thorne situation on Ice.

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Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 17

 Every Rose has its Thorns. 

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Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 16

 What scares the Batman? 

Last time on Batman: Caped Crusader, a new agent of vengeance came to Gotham. Jim Corrigan, former police detective that tried to kill Barbara Gordon for the massive bounty on her, is put through a medical experiment in exchange for a reduced sentence. Something goes wrong during the procedure, and Corrigan dies horribly on the table as Barbara and Renee Montoya watch from the observatory. Imagine their shock when Corrigan raises again from the grave, scaring the men driving him to the morgue so bad that it causes a car crash. Corrigan shuffles off, grabbing a green hooded jacket and throwing it on. Batman chases Corrigan as he travels around Gotham, using a mysterious supernatural power to kill three men, Vinnie de Leone, Roger Marshall, and Freddy Borke. Batman called Barbara, who informs him all three men were guys that Corrigan arrested, but they got off due to insufficient evidence. Batman warns that Corrigan might be on his way to her, and Barbara prepares to face him with her gun. She meets Corrigan on her front step and, instead of shooting him, demands to know why he’s doing this. She’s not a criminal that got away, HE attacked HER, so why is he trying to kill her. Corrigan, who’d only been able to moan, “Vengeance” up to this point, instead moans, “Forgiveness, please forgive me,” before dying. Batman arrives and almost puts a hand on Barbara’s shoulder to comfort her but runs off as the cops arrive instead. At the cave, Alfred left out a tray of Christmas cookies, and Batman takes one before the credits roll. Enough recapping. Let’s get to it, shall we?

 

Ep 16: Sudden Fear

 

The episode opens with a Gotham University student screaming at the top of his lungs that he’s covered in spiders. From the way that the spider’s seemed to just appear on his body, it’s clear that he’s hallucinating even before you realize that these spiders would be big even for Tarantulas. He tries to get them off himself, but one huge spider lunges at his face. We cut away to find him dead on the ground, a look of horror on his face. A mysterious man in black watches from a distance before departing.

 

After that we move on to Barbara and Montoya meeting for breakfast. They spend a minute catching up before Barbara tells her friend that she’s having trouble finding a psychiatrist that’s good and has trial experience for her latest case. She says she misses Harleen and then apologizes for bringing her up as she knew that Montoya and Harleen were getting close. Kind of highlighting once again that this is a 40s style world, not the actual 40s. Imagine someone casually bringing up a woman dating another woman, so scandalous. Montoya says that she was going to take Harleen ice skating with regret in her voice. Barbara says that since they never found Harleen’s body, it’s a bit like she’s still out there, haunting them. Montoya looks like she’s about to say something big to Barbara but shifts to promising to find a shrink for Barbara’s case. They’re interrupted by Flass popping in, saying that they have another ‘College Crazy’ case to check out before leaving again. When Barbara prompts her, Montoya says that they’re on case number 5 of a GSU student flipping out and creaming about something that isn’t there before dying. The cops head out.

 

We cut to GU where Bruce Wayne is getting his picture taken with Provost Williams. Williams apologizes for all this extra hullaballoo, but Bruce doesn’t hand out endowments very often, so they needed to add some pomp to the occasion. Bruce tells him not to worry, as he and his father were both GU alumni, and apologizes that it took the student deaths to remind him to give back to his old college. For those who might have forgotten, yes, Bruce does have a law degree. Williams says that the deaths are making this years Greek Week a bit of a downer, but he and the school’s board are all confident that this’ll blow over. Bruce notes GCPD nearby, and Willaims says that they’ve been very helpful keeping things contained for now. The photographer, Vicki Vale, interrupts to remind them that she needs some solo shots of Bruce for the article and that they need to move to a spot with better lighting.

 

The spot turns out to be right behind Montoya as she interviews the professor of the dead student (Thomas Dalton). She asks if Dalton ever discussed his mental state. Professor Burton says that he teaches Chemistry, not psychology, and Dalton was just one of hundreds of students. He doesn’t get involved in their personal lives. Montoya asks him about his class, Esoteric Chemicals and their interactions. Burton starts the classic, “you’re not smart enough to understand my work,” speech, but Montoya cuts him off and asks that he calls her if he thinks of anything. Bruce notes the note in Burton’s hand as he walks away. Flass is interviewing some of the other students. One, Carmine, says that nobody was chasing the victim, he just started screaming and running around like he was being attacked. But he claims that one of the smart types loses it at least once a semester before running off to try to impress a girl. The other student Flass was talking to, Junior, says that Dalton was a good student and that’s about all he has to add. Bruce hears Montoya say that they need to pressure the coroner to get the toxicology report done. As they leave, Bruce politely asks Vicki for copies of his headshots. She flirtishly says that he can have whatever he wants before she gets embarrassed and runs off.

 

We then jump to Harleen Quinzell as she watches her neighbors through a window and psychoanalyses them. One guy is overeating to deal with the stress that his affair and the fact his wife knows about it is causing, one woman is dressing up her dog and being a bit weird about it, and another is slamming a door repeatedly to deal with his emotions. Harleen says that the last guy is hiding his problem well, and that hiding is something she’s become an expert at. She moves to the chair, and we get a time elapse as Harleen finds ways to waste time before her roommate comes home late that night. The roommate? Renee Montoya! Turns out that Montoya has been hiding her for a while now. She apologizes for being late and tells Harleen a little about the case. Harleen is very interested in this case, but Montoya shuts her down, saying that she can’t be involved in an ongoing investigation. Harleen is clearly getting stir crazy being locked in the apartment all day, but they’ve got few options considering Harleen was on the front page of the news every day for a month and is still a fugitive. Montoya promises to make it up to Harleen after she changes.

 

Batman drives around Gotham and asks Alfred if he noticed anything odd about the photos they got from Vicki. He says there’s nothing unusual about them besides the fact Vicki left her number, a note for Bruce to call her, and a kiss mark on all of them. Alfred asks where Batman is off to next, and he says that he’s headed for the morgue to get the toxicology report.

 

Harleen looks over the report and notices that there are five victims with identical symptoms. She realizes that this is a field test, and goes to Montoya to ask a question, but finds her lover passed out on the bed. She tucks Montoya in, kisses her forehead, and then digs out her clown suit.

 

As Harley Quinn, she enters the morgue. She pulls out one of the bodies and examines him, dead boy number three. She then pulls out one of the girls. She notes that it’s been three dead boys and two dead girls thus far. She grabs a scalpel to cut a tissue sample but is interrupted by the man in black. His mask makes him look like a huge black crow, and he demands that she keep her hands off his bodies. He asks if he scared her, she says that would take more than he’s got, and he grabs a huge knife and says they’ll have to test that theory. Before the fighting can start in earnest, Batman breaks in through a window. Both criminals run off, Scarecrow (they haven’t named him yet, but come on,) pulls out bodies from the morgue freezer to slow Batman. They burst into the hallway and Batman elects to chase Harley.

 

Back at the apartment, Montoya wakes up and apologizes to Harleen for falling asleep, only to find the apartment empty. Before she can puzzle things out, she’s interrupted by Flass. Flass tells her about the break in at the Morgue and they head out to investigate.

 

Batman chases Harley through an alley and corners her. He accuses her of working with the Scarecrow, but she insists that she isn’t. She says that the other guy is the one scaring people to death. Batman says that you can’t do that, but she insists that delusions can kill people if chemically induced and enhanced. She offers her help in solving the case. Batman doesn’t say a word but is clearly hesitant. Harley brings up that she is a trained psychiatrist and a mental health expert, and that she’d be a very valuable asset in this particular case. Batman relents, and just as Harley starts to gloat, he hits her with a knockout spray.

 

The spray was to transport her to the cave without her knowing where he lives. She is impressed by the scale of it but says that it points to a significant childhood trauma. She starts talking about their last encounter, where Batman points out that she tried to kill him, and Harley says, ‘Not very hard.” She reveals some of what she knows about the case, Dalton screamed about bugs that weren’t there but says that she won’t tell him how she knows. Batman, showing off his deductive skills, says that since there are only two cops on the case, and that Harley didn’t run in Flass’ circles, asks why Montoya is shielding her. Harley shouts that Montoya isn’t, all but confirms it to be the truth. Harley then says that it’s none of his business, so they’ll focus on Batman’s actual mania, catching criminals. They go over the victims, all are chemistry or molecular biology students, ranging in age from 19-25, and all died of intense delusions. We get a shot of all the students that were killed plus a few more that were in Burton’s class. Harley tells Batman her theory about this being a field test, thinking that this is about testing a drug. Batman points out that they’re all connected to Dr. Charles Burton.

 

We cut to the Greek Week celebration where Burton is seemingly trying to convince a student named Jane to do something she’s uncomfortable with. They don’t say he’s trying to convince her to have sex with him for a better grade, but it’s heavily implied. They’re interrupted by Junior and Carmine, who get the professor back off. He tells Junior that he’ll deal with him later. Junior tries to offer Jane an apple cider, but she declines, saying she’s going to go back to the sorority house and go to bed. Carmine tease Junior for his lame line and offers to explain the bird and the bees to him.

 

As Jane walks back to her dorm, she’s stalked by someone in the shadows. She thinks it’s the professor and threatens to call the police if he’s stalking her. She runs inside and tries to call Detective Flass. She is told to stay at her room while Flass is brought in. She goes to get herself a bedtime snack, but the Scarecrow sneaks in and then gasses her.

 

Batman and a knocked-out Harley race to GU. Harley wakes up, saying she could just be blindfolded, and notices the picture of Jane that Batman has. He says that she fits the pattern. Harley points out that they don’t know how the drug is being administered.

 

Jane is tripping from her gassing. She thinks the house is on fire and she’s trapped inside. Scarecrow tells her that he’s helping her, and that she’s helping him. Batman and Harley burst in, Batman fights Scarecrow while Harley examines Jane. She thinks the toxin is Alkaline based and that milk can counteract the affects, thankfully Jane got a glass before her gassing. Harley tries to grab it, but Scarecrow shouts that he’s not done yet before dosing her. Batman knocks him aside and tries to talk Harley through the hallucination.

 

Harley’s hallucination is being trapped in Montoya’s apartment alone. The room quickly shifts into a jailcell, with Montoya just outside the bars. She calls out to Montoya and begs to be let out, but Montoya just turns and walks away. The apartment turns into walls that close in and starts to crush her. Batman shakes her and tries to get her to come out of it, and Harley gets just lucid enough to ask for the milk. Unfortunately, while Batman was helping Harley, Jane’s hallucination got worse and she jumped out her window into the ‘lake’ she saw outside. It was pavement. Flass and Montoya pull up a moment later, and Montoya sees Batman and Harley flee via grappling hook.

 

Back at the Greek Week celebration, they light a huge bonfire. Batman and Harley watch from the roof. He tries to focus on the case, while Harley panics a bit about Montoya seeing her on this case. Batman makes her focus. She says that Burton has got some messed up delusions and that he’s fixated on patterns. A pattern they broke, so Batman asks the good doctor what comes next.

 

We cut to Burton who knocks on Junior’s apartment. Junior opens the door and Burton says that they need to talk about him interfering in Burton’s life.

 

Batman and Harley break into Burton’s office. There are files on the “Alkaline based phobic instigator” that’s been used and photos of the dead students with an X over their faces. Harley sees that Burton had a partner for a lot of this research… Jonathan Crane, Jr. Harley thinks that he might be the son of her own former psych professor. Batman sees that Junior is the only one left, besides Burton, so they race to his apartment. They find the room trashed and Burton dead on the mattress. The two quickly deduce what happened: Crane helped Burton develop the chemical, Burton cancelled the project for ethical reasons, Crane felt abandoned as the project was his whole identity and so he set about continuing the project. Batman realizes that Crane has three options, disappear, go out in a blaze of glory, or both. Harley tells Batman to go on his own, as she’s not a hero. She only notices that he’s gone after speaking for a few moments and says that that’s classic monomania.

 

At the Greek Week celebration, Scarecrow is hitting everyone with his toxin. He screams that they’re all idiots and fools and diagnoses their fears as he does. Carmine tries to stop him, but Scarecrow hits him in the face with the gas. He rips his mask off to scream, “Fear of never shutting the hell up!” in his face. Batman arrives to try to stop him, and Scarecrow gets him with the toxin.

 

Batman’s fear is presented as him as an old man. Scarecrow says that he wishes that he could see what scares Batman. He lies in a while room, alone, and just outside his window we see Gotham burning. Old Bruce gets up and walks to the window. He mutters no fear to himself several times before leaping out of the window. This breaks the delusion, somehow, and Batman gets up. He throws a bat-a-rang at Junior, forcing him to get a hit of his own toxin. He shouts that fear is a weapon, fear is a poison, but it is never in control. Batman in Junior’s eyes morph into a bat demon. Batman grabs him and asks what he sees before he passes out from fear.

 

We jump to the skating rink where Montoya meets Harleen. Montoya tries to tell her that they can still make things work, but Harleen says that they can’t. Keeping the secret was drowning Montoya and driving Harleen crazy. We hear sirens going off, and Harleen says goodbye, kissing her lover and saying not to wait up. The cops pull up and both Gordons get out of the car. Harleen skates over to them to turn herself in.

 

It was nice seeing Harley again. This version is one of my favorite interpretations of the character, being wholly separated from the Joker and yet still connected to her original jester look. She’s intelligent and not playing up a ditzy persona for any reason. Having her hiding out at Montoya’s apartment seems a little farfetched, but I suppose Montoya just doesn’t entertain at home very much and given her sexuality in the time period that she’s living in, I guess it makes sense that she might be a more private person out of habit rather than temperament. I like how they framed Harley’s time with Montoya as something that she clearly loves while they’re together, but the whole ‘I’m alone for like 18+ hours a day,’ has been wearing on her mind. I wish that her being held up at Montoya’s place had been a plot point before this episode, as they could have expanded on how much the isolation was wearing down Harley’s mind. I like how they utilized her to help figure out the whole game plan here, it shows off how intelligent that she is. The red herring about Burton being the killer was well done. They really sell that it might be him, right up until the name Jonathan Crane comes up. I like him as a villain, but I think that his costume design is trying a bit too hard. I mean, his mask is a giant black beak. I get they’re probably trying to invoke the look of a plague doctor and make him more of a Scare Crow rather than a Scarecrow. But come on, the actual Scarecrow looks are all iconic on their own. It’s like Eddy Nigma being the Riddler because he riddles things with bullets, they’re trying too hard (in my opinion) to take a different path to the same destination. It was interesting to see that this version of Batman’s biggest fear is seeing Gotham being destroyed and him being powerless to help it. In part, because that’s exactly what canonically happens to at least one Batman. The original DCAU Batman, also created and run by Bruce Timm that made this version, does grow into a bitter old man. He is too old and weak to be Batman anymore, he’s alone and forced to watch the city he tried to hard to defend slip back into the rotting cesspool he fought tooth and nail to drag it out of. In a way, that’s a much more believable fear for him than his fear of Bats. Shame Harley had to go to jail at the end of this, if there’s a season 3 I hope she gets to help again somehow. Next time, Riddler meets a new lady and this gal has got thorns. Have a good night and stay safe. 

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Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 15

 The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come is on the hunt.

Last time on Batman: Caped Crusader, Batman became the center of a cult. The cult worshipped Barbatos, the Demon Bat God, and under the orders of the Mad Monk, stole lots of treasure to offer up to their dark god. The cult accelerates after murdering a man to get their offering and are told by the Mad Monk to get the blood of Barbatos’ avatar, Batman, to summon their lord. Batman investigates the murder and the cult and learns from Linton Midnite that it’s a scam. Barbatos is a fake god that pops up every decade or so that occult grifters use to fleece people out of their money. And obviously the fake Bat God’s cult would work Batman into their mythology. The cult escalates further by kidnapping Jim Gordon and talk show host Hattie Tetch (Gordon had agreed to an interview to try to boost moral) and it’s revealed Hattie’s produce Dala Landry is part of the cult. They kidnapped the two to sacrifice to Barbatos, as they represent an ally and an enemy of the Avatar. Batman busts in and frees the captives before running down the Mad Monk. He gets Batman at gunpoint and reveals that he was indeed a grifter. Batman is able to get the gun away from him and capture the Monk. But he doesn’t get far, as Dala heard his reveal, and so stabs the Monk as a blasphemer. She sobs and calls out to Barbatos when Batman grappling hooks away. After, Hattie Tetch has warmed to Gotham PD and Jim Gordon but is still adamant that Batman is a menace that must be stopped. Really showing off her J. Jonah Jameson right there. Enough recapping. Let’s get to it, shall we?

 

Oh, and I should remind you of Jim Corrigan. He was introduced in season one and was largely a background character until the episode “Moving Target.” A hit is put out on Barbara Gordon (everyone assumes it’s on Jim because they’re always together when attacked) and he’s one three cops protecting the Gordon’s for most of the episode. That is until Batman is drawn away to fight the episode’s villain Onomatopoeia, it’s revealed he’s a corrupt cop and is going to kill Barbara for the bounty. She holds him off until her dad can arrest him.

 

Ep 15: The Spectral Hand

 

We open with Barbara at the gun range doing target practice. She remembers Corrigan threatening to kill her as she makes several head and body shots. Montoya calls out to her, but Barbara doesn’t respond right away until prompted again. She insists she’s fine despite being very obviously not fine. As shown by her sneer as she goes back to shooting.

 

The two women head out, and Montoya points out that Barbara seems… tense. Barbara reveals she’s on edge because Jim Corrigan is going to be released from prison soon. Maybe. He’s offered to be part of some medical experiment in exchange for a reduced sentence. Montoya tells her that she doesn’t have to go as a witness, but Barbara insists that she does, to look that ‘animal’ in the eyes. Montoya tells her she’s not going alone.

 

At Blackgate, Corrigan is grabbed and brought to a surgical theater for the experiment. Barbara and Montoya, along with a late arriving Bruce, are some of the few viewers. Bruce claims to be here because Dr. Peterson’s longevity experiences might be worth investing in… but we the audience knows Batman is just checking in on an old case. Montoya accuses him of only caring about money, and Bruce responds, “what else is there? Besides wine, women and the occasional song?” he heads toward a seat. Montoya and Barbara say, “I can’t stand him,” in unison. Dr. James Peterson steps up, presenting his Osiris Project. Peterson claims that this project is about reviving the recently deceased and increasing the longevity of people. He thanks Corrigan for volunteering (Barbara snidely adding “Volunteering to get his sentence reduced”) and they begin. They stop Corrigan’s heart with an injection. As he goes under, the last person he intentionally sees is Barbara in the crowd. He flatlines a few minutes later and they begin the procedure. They stick a metal headband on his head and power up some electronics. This feels very… movie Frankenstein. It seems to be going well for a minute, his heart starts beating an everything, but then the machines start going wild. Corrigan starts screaming in agony as his skin is burned and his hair goes white with the stress. He dies on the table.

 

One of the prison guards lets a colleague know that Corrigan died, and that leads to a riot as the prisoners believe that if the cops will kill a cop, they’ll kill anyone. They’re able to grab a guard, steal his keys and hold him at gunpoint. The second guard sets off the alarm as the prisoners try to escape. Bruce hears the alert and runs off to intercept. Montoya takes Barbara with her, saying that while she knows Barbara can take care of herself, the prisoners finding the police commissioners daughter is at the prison would be bad. Batman cuts off the wannabe escapees at the gate, kicks their asses, and leaves them for the cops.

 

Later, we see a pair of coroners taking Corrigan’s body. One of them says that it is hard to feel bad for Corrigan, but they both agree the way he died was nasty. As they start chatting about their Christmas and New Years plans, Corrigan opens his eyes and sits up. Seeing a corpse get up obviously freaks out the guards and they drive off the road. Alfred drives Bruce home, mentioning that maybe it’s better the experiment failed, and muses about how extending life indefinitely could be dangerous. Bruce is barely listening. Alfred suggests that maybe he should make the biscuits that Bruce liked as a child, but those were tied to memories of Bruce’s mom, so that really shuts Bruce down. They come across the scene of the accident and Bruce gets out to investigate. The coroners are both dead, but he sees a trail walking off into the distance.

 

At the police station, Gordon chews out Barbara for going to the experiment, saying that she could have been killed. Montoya excuses herself from the parent/child dispute. When alone, Barbara says that she felt relieved when she found out Corrigan died, and asks what that says about her. Gordon tells her that it means she’s human that went through something traumatic. She heads home, Gordon warning her to be careful as the storm is getting bad.

 

We cut to a bar where a drunk named Vinny de Leone is forcing the bartender to stay open and serve him drinks. Corrigan, who grabbed a green hooded jacket at some point stumbles in. He still looks like a walking corpse, and only mutters Vinny’s name and the word “Vengeance.” Vinny takes several shots at Corrigan, but he barely slows his plodding step. Once close enough, Corrigan’s eyes go black and he seems to give Vinny a heart attack. The bartender calls the cops and tells Montoya what happened, saying that Corrigan walked off with two bullets in him, and that he didn’t seem human.

 

At the Gordon house, Barbara is reviewing Corrigan’s case while listening to the radio. The host says that he’s going to be doing a dramatic reading of a Christmas Carol, which Barbara shuts off. She hears a thumping outside her window, goes to check and sees it’s just a loose shutter.

 

Corrigan finds another victim, Roger Marshall as the man is threatening to beat up his lady. Roger runs off when he gets a look at Corrigan’s corpse like face. He runs into a department store and starts throwing things over to try to slow Corrigan down. Batman hears about a break in on his police scanner and goes to investigate. Corrigan corners Roger, and tells him, “Vengeance.” Roger seems to think this is about the death of his wife, who he definitely murdered. He tries to (badly) convince Corrigan that his wife fell down the stairs, the jury acquitted him and everything. He throws a chair at Corrigan, but he bats it aside. Roger runs outside and laughs at having escaped Corrigan… right up until he’s hit by a Christmas tour bus. Batman pulls up in time to see Corrigan’s black eyes return to normal and then shuffle off. He runs after the ghoul, but once Corrigan is out of sight, he seems to vanish. Must be weird to be on the receiving end of that for once.

 

Gordon calls Barbara to let her know that he’ll be even later than normal getting home. He claims Christmas is like a Full Moon in Gotham. Gordon asks if she’s okay, and Barbara admits that she can’t get Corrigan out of her head. He reassures her that Corrigan isn’t on her, and that she should get to bed and have some of his terrible eggnog before she goes.

 

Batman hears another sight of Corrigan the zombie and heads for the Hotel Gothamite. Freddy Borke is up waiting for his mistress to show up and complaining that she’s late. He hears a noise and has his goon check it out. The goon opens the door and Corrigan is waiting on the other side. He comes in, crushes the guards windpipe and throws him at the radio, shattering it. Freddy makes a run for it, climbing up the fire escape to the top of the hotel. Batman pulls up as Freddy runs across the roof. He grappling hooks up to the roof and tries to fight Corrigan, but the undead ma barely notices him. He uses his mysterious power to trap Batman under a fallen letter from the Hotel’s sign. Freddy tries to escape Corrigan by climbing on a flag pole, but falls and ends up improbably impaling himself on the Star atop the Christmas tree the city set up. Graphic way to die. Corrigan slips away into the crowd, somehow reaching the ground as Freddy hits the star. Dude is slow when observed, but the Flash when not.

 

Barbara is still waiting up when she gets a call. She assumes its her dad, but it’s Batman. He lists off the victims: Vinny De Leone, Roger Marshall, and Freddy Borke, and asks how they’re tied to Corrigan. This is how Barbara learns Corrigan is somehow wandering around. Barbara starts to list off their crimes, but Batman cuts her off (De Leone bilked people out of insurance money, Marshall killed his wife, and Borke was deep into the drug trade), he needs to know how they tie back to Corrigan. Barbara says that he was the arresting officer in all three cases, but they were let off due to insufficient evidence. Batman realizes that Corrigan is going after people that got away from him, settling unfinished business. Barbara says that can’t be true, as the bounty was lifted, but Batman warns her to call her father. He was going to say more, but Barbara hung up on him and got her own gun ready.

 

Batman sees people fleeing from the subway station and runs in just in time to follow Corrigan onto the train. They fight again, but Corrigan’s supernatural strength is too much for Batman. He tries to choke out the zombie, but it doesn’t work and he almost loses his head. Corrigan beats Batman and then throws him out the back of the train.

 

Corrigan gets off the train and walks down Barbara’s suburban street. She opens the blinds and sees him coming. She decides she’s going to face him, to end this one way or another. She opens the door with her gun drawn. Batman is following, but his injuries have him moving slowly. Corrigan calls out Barbara’s name. She asks if he’s “ready to die again, you son of a bitch!” Corrigan pulls down his hood and just looks at her. Barbara shakes as she holds the gun on him and finally asks why. She’s not a criminal that got away, he attacked her, so why is she on his list. He then mutters “Forgiveness,” and “Please, Forgive me.” Batman comes up as Corrigan drops to the ground. Barbara says that he came all this way to ask for forgiveness and starts to tear up. Batman reaches out to maybe comfort her, but pulls back. He leaves her be as the cops and Gordon pulls up. He covers Barbara with a coat and asks if she’s alright. She says no, but that she thinks she will be.

 

Batman returns to the cave and sees Alfred left him a plate of Christmas cookies. He grabs a cookie as he walks by.

 

           This was an interesting spin on The Specter. For those that don’t know, James “Jim” Corrigan is best known as the Specter, the spirit of Vengeance. As the name implies, he’s a supernatural ghost that hunts down individuals that need to be punished. He’s a lot like Ghost Rider but without the flaming skull or motorcycle. He’s typically given near god-like power and omnipotence. This version of Corrigan seems to be a less powerful version of that. He knows where his targets are and can seemingly reach them wherever they are, and he can hit them with enough bad vibes that they die. While obviously the procedure is what triggered this short undead life, I like that the story kept it vague as to the actual mechanics. Is this some sort of latent Meta ability? Is he possessed by the Spirit of Vengeance? The episode doesn’t spell it out, and that’s for the best. I very much loved how they set up this final confrontation with Barbara. From the very start, Barbara doesn’t fit the pattern of guys Corrigan is going after. He strikes at low lives, people that escaped justice, and yet we’re all worried that he is going to go after Barbara. She was the last person he looked at in life. And while we don’t get shown what’s going through Corrigan’s head in this episode, I think the implication is there that she was as much on his mind as he was hers. The episode seems pretty vague on how dirty Corrigan was as a cope, but the implication I got was that he was supposed to be a lot like Dent. Did he cross ethical lines? Ya, probably. But it was ultimately in the pursuit of trying to do good, at least up until trying to kill Barbara. Ya don’t come back from the dead and kill three dirt bags unless you had at least a little of your integrity left is all I’m saying. I don’t have much to say about Batman himself in this one, as most of the episode was just him in pursuit of Corrigan. He’s not questioning how a zombie is walking around or anything, just running. But I liked that small moment when he almost reached out a hand to Barbara. Batman of the last season I think would have just left the moment he knew that the danger had passed. But after at least a year of growth in universe, he was willing to at least consider offering someone a bit of comfort when they needed it. That’s real growth for this ice king Batman. And that’s all I have to say about that. When we come back next month, we’ll see the return of a season one champion, Harleen Quinzel. Look forward to it. Have a good night and stay safe.

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Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 14

Batman's not the only creature stalking the night. 

Last time on Batman: Caped Crusader, Batman got a new alias. Hoping to get any new info on the mysterious man running Rupert Thorne’s business with the crime boss MIA, Batman and Alfred created the alias of Matches Malone. He enters Blackgate prison and is mad the cellmate of Mark “Dez” Desmond, the only member of the Thorne Crime Family they’d been able to arrest since Thorne’s disappearance. Which is good timing, as the Riddler had just decided to tie up the loose end that was Dez. Bruce saves Dez from four assassination attempts, which bonds the two men, and after the fourth, Bruce uses his skills to help them escape. Dez lets slip some of the info he has on the Riddler, namely his name and the fact they’d been running together for years. Riddler is there to greet them at the docks, where he quickly executes Matches’ for no real reason. Thankfully, Batman survived the shot and was able to get his gear. He interrupts the Thorne goons heist, and Riddler decides that’s the last straw. He’s sure now that Dez tipped off the cops and that’s why Batman showed up so promptly. Batman stays with Dez until he dies, the gangster realizing that Matches Malone was Batman the whole time, and what a trip it was that his best friend in the world was the Batman. The Joker watches this final interaction from a distance. Batman broods on the information that he got on the Riddler, and if it was worth allowing the Riddler to escape so that Dez didn’t die alone. Enough recapping. Let’s get to it, shall we?

 

Ep 14: Devil’s Due

 

We open on a jewelry heist. A thief cuts open a display, but before he can grab the jewels, he’s grabbed and has his arm broken by someone with a Bat silhouette. The mysterious bat beats the guy bloody before killing him with a dagger. I saw now cape in the silhouette, so it’s obviously not the REAL Batman.

 

The next day, the reporters gather to try to get pictures of this latest killing. Eel O’Brien, a sleezy photographer from last season, is up front and center trying to get pics. The cops ignore him. Gordon asks who the guy is, and Montoya says he was a two bit thief trying to work his way up to cat burglar. Whoever attacked him stole the jewels to. Gordon is a bit confused as he was called in bright and early for this case, as a murder at the site of a robbery isn’t that unusual… so Montoya opens the door to another room and we see a Bat drawn in blood. Unfortunately, Montoya timed the opening poorly, so Eel got a great shot of the bat.

 

The front-page headline is “Bat-Man Turns to Murder!” Hattie Tetch covers the story and is extremely smug about Batman’s apparent murder of a criminal. She’s very gleeful of her condemnation of Batman, and also the GCPD failing to stop him. We’re shown a scene of a mother comforting her son as Hattie describes the Bat drawn in blood with lurid detail. Shifting to Wayne Manor, Bruce is also watching Hattie’s broadcast and looking… annoyed. He’s so distracted that he doesn’t notice when Lucius tries to get his attention until Lucius is basically yelling at him. They’re having a long meeting that involves Bruce signing a lot of contracts. Bruce apologizes for being distracted but insists it’s Hattie’s fault. Lucius agrees that she’s doing her job well, forcing people to keep their eyes on her. He insists that it’s fluff, though, as Batman isn’t a killer. Bruce is surprised by that statement from Lucius, the lawyer explaining that Batman saved his life once and that gives him a pretty good indication of where Batman falls on the friend or foe scale. But Bruce needs to focus on the contracts. Hattie brings up the missing Rupert Thorne and his son Mattie and asks if the Gothamites tax dollars were somehow involved in the disappearance. She signs off and we see Gordon was also listening to the show on the radio.

 

At the station, Hattie drops her persona as some kind of refined lady and demands a drink. One of her aides brings her a glass of water, which she throws back in his face as she said a DRINK ie, liquor. She mutters about the country going to crap as another aide, Dala Landry, brings her a Manhattan, straight up. Hattie is infuriate that she’s been covering Batman for weeks but somehow the Gotham Gazette scooped her. Dala points out theirs is an evening show, so it’s hard to compete with daytime news when it happens overnight. Dala suggests Hattie focus on feel-good stories to counterbalance the Batman fear mongering to get people to watch her. She says screw that, and wants Batman on her show, and demands Dala make that impossible request happen. Dala sees a more reasonable idea in that, though, and suggests bringing Gordon on instead. Hattie loves the idea of getting to grill the commissioner and tells Dala to get on it. Dala says Hattie’s wish is her command, and Hattie retorts, “You bet your ass it is.”

 

I much prefer unfiltered Hattie to TV Hattie.

 

Late at night, we join a bat themed cult. Their meeting is within a burned-out church with a large bat demon presiding over the pulpit. The Mad Monk in charge yells at his cultists for fouling up a retrieval mission with a murderer and demands an explanation. The cultist that did the killing takes off his hood and we see he’s like 17. He says that they couldn’t risk the thief stealing the artifacts they’d been sent for, and they were able to grab it and a bunch of other valuable to use as a tribute to their Lord. The Monk compliments them, but says that the Baubles aren’t worthy of their god, Barbatos. He says that the man that interrupted their heist was a sign that Barbatos demands blood. He whips his cult into a frenzy, promising they’ll receive everything they donate back tenfold. The cultists draw knives and they all start chanting “All hail Barbatos!”

 

At GCPD, Gordon finishes a meeting with Dala and asks Montoya if there’s an update on the burglar. She says he’s a pretty standard thief, nothing unique or interesting about him besides how he died. She asks about Dala, and Gordon tells her to come into his office. He reveals that he’ll appear on Hattie’s Tea Party tomorrow night. She warns that this’ll be a hatchet job, and that Hattie only wants him on to see him squirm trying to defend Batman. Gordon says that she can say whatever she wants about Batman or him, but he wants to get her to stop slandering GCPD. He knows that it’s good for moral for the rank-and-file cops to see that the brass has their back. Besides, he’s dealt with worse. Montoya isn’t so sure, but she leaves without argument when dismissed. When seemingly alone, Gordon says aloud that he knows Hattie would prefer getting Batman on her show. He was hiding behind a filing cabinet. Batman says he didn’t kill burglar. Gordon says he knows, because Batman doesn’t kill (yet) and because at least three assailants beat the guy, and Batman works alone. He vanished partway through that, as per usual.

 

As Batman drives around town in the Batmobile, he sees a cultist chasing a homeless guy. He follows them into a park, where its revealed that this was a set up by the cult. The homeless guy was that kid, who tells Batman that he’s the Avatar, and they want his blood not his life. Batman punches the kid out and the Bat cultists rush him. Batman is obviously a better fighter, but they use their numbers and a smoke grenade to confuse him, so he’s sliced up a few times before the cultists run off. He heads to the Batcave where Alfred treats his wounds. Alfred suggests that Bruce might want to look into occult circles to figure out this cult.

 

We jump to Linton’s Books as Linton Midnite returns home with a couple. They enter the bookstore and find Batman waiting. Linton ushers the couple to his backroom, saying this is business that he’ll tie up shortly. Linton already knows about the murdered thief and the bat symbol. Batman asks about Barbatos. Linton says he needs a drink and pours himself some Burbon as he explains. Barbatos is a bat demon god that is said to sleep beneath Gotham, waiting for his followers to make a sacrifices of blood and treasure to revive him. Batman asks how to stop Barbatos, and Linton says that he can’t. Because Barbatos isn’t real. An urban legend that pops up every couple decades. Batman says a group of cultists attacked him over this myth, and Linton asks if he’s really surprised a bat worshiping cult wove him into their mythology. Linton warns that when the treasure doesn’t work to raise Barbatos, the cult will move onto blood sacrifices. Batman says that they’ve killed once already, and so Linton points out that’s something the Avatar should stop, right?

 

Gordon is brough onto Hattie’s show. He almost gets makeup put on him, but Hattie insists that Gordon’s rugged good looks need no enhancement. She offers him something to drink, even something strong, but Gordon turns it down, saying he doesn’t touch the hard stuff before an enemy engagement. Hattie insists that this is just a friendly chat and says Dala will grab him when its time.

 

The kid gives Batman’s blood to the Mad Monk, who compliments him on his good work. The kid falls to his knees and weeps, saying that he doesn’t understand. He followed the Monk for years, and yet Barbatos chose an unbeliever as his Avatar. When he knows the kid’s faith is particularly shaken, the Monk snaps his neck, sending him to Barbatos.

 

Gordon is brought towards the stage by Dala, who gives him tips on how to handle Hattie. They hear a commotion and see some cultists kidnapping Hattie. Gordon pulls his gun, but before he can do more than threaten the cultists, Dala stabs him with a tranquilizer, knocking him out. She tells her boss that they’re both coming with the cult.

 

Montoya and Flass are driving when they hear of the kidnapping. And Alfred and Batman hear it in the cave. Batman and Alfred try to figure out where the cult is based. Remembering that they sacrifice treasure to Barbatos, Batman decides to check out local burglaries to see if there’s a connection while Alfred reads up on the cases.

 

I feel like a dilapidated church would be an obvious place to check, but that’s just me.

 

Gordon and Hattie are tied to some slabs. Gordon asks if she’s alright, and Hattie says this isn’t her first scrap. She says, “East Gotham, born and raised,” to let him know how used to kidnappings she is. Dala comes in, but she’s sporting a new sexy vampire look. Ya, turns out she is pretty high in this cult. Hattie calls her an ungrateful tramp and that she’s fired. Dala says that Hattie treated her like crap for years, and she never knew why, but the religious psychosis the monk fostered makes her believe that it was all part of Barbatos’ plan. Gordon asks if this is going to be a ransom situation, but Hattie picks up that it’s a ritual murder situation. Dala explains they’ll sacrifice the blood of an ally and enemy of Barbatos’ Avatar to draw their lord to their world.

 

Alfred tells Batman that based on his research, St. Bartholomew’s church is the best location. Batman hits the pedal to the metal and races to the church.

 

At the church, they prepare the to sacrifice the two, Dala clearly taking a lot of joy from telling her boss to shut up. The Monk swears that soon Hattie will be silent forever. Batman shatters the stained glass coming in and a fight ensues. The Mad Monk declares the Avatar “fallen” and orders his cultists to kill him. Batman frees Gordon, and Gordon frees Hattie and all three kick some ass. Hattie apparently keeps a knife in her hat for such occasions. The Monk grabs a bag of treasure and runs into the catacombs, Batman on his train and Dala on Batman’s. The Monk tries to encourage Batman to leave him be, as his cultists could have killed Batman in the park. He swears if they cross paths again, he won’t be so generous. Batman sees his trail in the grime and follows the trail. He finds an open manhole cover and assumes the Monk went down, but no, he hid behind Batman and puts a gun to his skull. He thanks Batman for his help in all this, as it became a lot easier to sell people on a Bat Cult when he showed up. He makes it clear that he doesn’t believe in his own religion, something that horrifies the unseen Dala. The Monk wanted to keep Batman as like a distant figure head, but his frenzied cult got… well, frenzied. He thought that Batman would kill his cult and make it easy for him when they came for his blood, but Batman isn’t a killer. The Monk tries to shoot him, but Batman dodges and they fight. Batman kicks the gun away and grabs the Monk, who tries to bargain with Batman to get him in on the con. Batman knocks him out with a punch.

 

The cops take the cultists away as Batman brings the Monk up. Gordon, Montoya, and Hattie are waiting when he does. Gordon tells Montoya to cancel the manhunt for the Monk. Hattie demands to know where Dala is as she wants to fire Dala again. Dala shrieks “Blasphemer!” and stabs the Monk in the back. He falls on the knife, ensuring his death. Dala, lost in her delusion, asks if Batman will bring Barbatos’ terrible glory. He doesn’t say a word and instead grappling hooks away. Dala sobs as she repeats ‘All Hail Barbatos,’ to his retreating form.

 

The next night, Hattie explains what happened to her, giving all the credit for her rescue to Gordon and GCPD. Gordon, having his guest appearance, says that they should thank Batman as well, but Hattie insists that Batman inspired all this. She claims that a bunch of weak-minded fools are in Gotham like her former producer, but her viewers aren’t among them. We pull out to see a rich murdered guy watching the program, with the Joker watching over his shoulder. Hell of an ending.

 

This was a solid episode overall. The Mad Monk and his little bat cult were interesting antagonists. Organized religion is a powerful force, as shown by how devoted these guys were to get Batman’s blood. Having all these cultists going out for Batman’s blood did allow them to overwhelm Bruce despite his superior fighting skills.  I liked the fact that we found out pretty early on that it was a grift from Linton Midnite. Partially because it was just nice seeing him again, but also because it shows Batman’s growth. He went from a character that went through a lot of mental backflips to try to rationalize the Gentleman Ghost, to at least be willing to consider that a Demon bat god exists. There’s of course some doubt that lingers, like can we trust Linton Midnite who in both appearances has given off very morally grey vibes? But then the monk snaps the neck on his devoted follower, and ya, that seems pretty clear cut that he’s a phony mystic. His getting stabbed in the back was a bit of a surprise, but it was a fitting end. I liked seeing more of Hattie Tetch and getting a look of the person behind the mask of talk show host. The ‘prim and proper personality is much crasser and courser in private’ trope has been done to death, but it works with this version of Tetch. Her comment about being born and raised in East Gotham got a chuckle out of me every time I hear it. Also, her having that sharpened pin or knife or whatever in her hat for an emergency weapon was metal as hell. I’m glad that they didn’t try to soften her, reveal that she’s got strong journalistic integrity or something behind the scenes. Nah, she’s a gossip columnist with a tv show, she’s about ratings and getting big guests. Pretty cut and dry. Honestly, I feel bad for Dala. Woman is clearly treated like dirt by her boss, finds hope and comfort in a religion (albeit a weird ass cult, but we find comfort where we find it), only to find out that the monk is a charlatan and that the Avatar of her faith wants nothing to do with her. I hope they send her to some place OTHER than Arkham so she can start getting psychological help. And that last minute Joker tease was neat, but they’re getting a little repetitive. Just Joker… watching… menacingly. I know that’s what he spends a lot of this season doing as he prepares for the big finish, but I’m just saying that they could have varied his approach a little is all. But that’s my one big gripe. Anyway, ya, fun story. Next time, we’re introduced to another spirit of vengeance. See you there. Have a good night and stay safe. 

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Bluesky: @basicssuperhero.bsky.social

Viewer Log: Batman: Caped Crusader ep 13

 Bruce tests out a new look. 

Last time on Batman: Caped Crusader, Batman faced off against a rocket woman. Local business conglomerate Triad Industries has being attacked by a mysterious rocketeer who was destroying their various lab sites. The Triad tried to bill it as industrial accidents, but when Batman investigated the scene, he saw damage that was WAY too severe to be caused by an electrical fire. Bruce feigned interest in the company to try to get an interview with their chief scientist, Roxanne Sutton. Unfortunately, the Ceos of Triad, Hardwick, Lawford and Lydecker inform him that Sutton was killed the previous year in a lab accent at her home. They tell him about Ultrium, the super fuel that Sutton made for their rockets and mention how they’re moving a bar of it from one of their facilities for their upcoming test launch. The train is attacked by the Rocketeer, who is then attacked by Batman. In their fight he learns the Rocketeer is in fact Sutton herself. She escapes Batman with her rocket, and so Batman investigates her home, discovering a secret lab beneath her barn. Sutton is fixated on ruining Triad Industries and their CEOs for what they did to her work and the fact they’d attempted to kill her. Batman tries to reason with her, but she just hits the self-destruct and escapes. In the climax, Sutton rockets towards the rocket but is cut off by Batman’s prototype Batwing. They have dog fight and crash into a warehouse. Sutton convinces Batman to let her destroy her work before the Triad can ruin it further. Batman holds off Hardwick and his goons, and Sutton chases the rocket. Hardwick is smug that she won’t be able to stop it, but Sutton surprises him by ripping out the Ultrium, destroying the rocket, killing herself, and bankrupting Triad Industries in one fell swoop. Batman and Alfred burn what was left of Sutton’s work to keep it from anyone who’d misuse it, and in a closing scene we see Bruce is building the Sutton research center on the site. And in a post credit moment we see the Joker stealing the Blockbuster formula from a clearly dead Hugo Stange. Enough recapping. Let’s get to it, shall we?

 

Ep 13: Deep Cover

 

The episode opens with Riddler and his goons chasing an armored car. Partway through the chase, Eddie pops out of his car and cackles madly as he shoots up the back of the car. It crashes into a lamppost, and Eddie’s crew gets out. He walks up to the guard and asks, “When is a Pineapple not a pineapple? When it’s a grenade!” reveals the grenade, pops the pin and throws it into the car. The guards are both killed in the explosion. Eddie’s gang grabs the bags of money as Montoya, Flass and a few uniform cops pull up. A shootout ensues, but then Batman leaps in and takes out a few goons. Eddie throws another grenade, but Batman takes it out mid toss with a batarang. Eddie and his goons get into their cars and drive off. Batman flees and Gordon pulls up. Gordon dejectedly says that they’re losing the fight, and Montoya corrects him, saying Eddie is making it a war.

 

Later, we come in at Blackgate Prison as Montoya and Flass interrogate Mark “Dez” Desmond. He was Eddie’s number 2 and the guy that got injected with the Blockbuster formula. Montoya demands to know where Rupert Thorne is, and Barbara (Dez’s lawyer, shocker) tells her to make Dez an offer. Montoya asks who Riddler is, asking what his name is and if he’s taking over for Thorne. The Riddler is still a mystery man to the GCPD… somehow. I know the ability to track people was a lot harder in the 1940s era world, but come on, the dude draws attention to himself like no other. Barbara pushes for a deal, but Montoya and Flass actually agree that they won’t offer one. As Blockbuster, Dez did over a million dollars in damage and (allegedly) attacked a witness. I know that that is how you speak in a legal setting, innocent until proven guilty… but they literally ALL saw him attack Gregory. Anyway, Dez says that he wouldn’t take a deal if offered as he is no rat. Flass asks who’s side Barbara is on, and she says she’s on the Law’s side, like they’re supposed to be. Dez makes a snide comment that Flass of all people should know he’s not a rat, all but stating that Flass was on Thorne’s take until he disappeared. That pisses Flass off and he throws Dez up against a wall to threaten him. Montoya pulls him off and Barbara calls for a guard. As Dez is led away, he tells Flass to tell Thorne the next time he sees the mob boss to buy Flass a new suit.

 

Jim Gordon makes a condolence call to the wife of one of the killed cops. Batman comes in silently, as usual. Gordon tells Batman that the department needed the cop, Fuller, as he was an honest officer. He tells Batman that Riddler, the “mystery man” is who they’re after. Saying that he popped up after Thorne’s arrest and has tripled gangland murders and is the cause of a ton of other crimes going up as well. Batman says that he must be a goon making his own move, but Gordon says it’s just as likely that Thorne’s lost it and he’s burning the city down for arresting him. Mark Desmond is the only member of Rupert Thorne’s crew that they’ve been able to arrest since the new guy took over, and he’s not talking. Gordon says that Dez would rather face 20 years in prison than be known as a snitch. Batman muses that Dez needs someone to confide in. Gordon says that crosses off most of the city unless Batman knows someone… and then notices Batman slipped away. Regardless of timeline, Gordon seems to HATE that trick.

 

At Riddler’s hideout, the club Stumpers, his men are counting the take. Eddie’s goons are all chafing under Eddie’s management style, one guy saying that Eddie let one of their guys, Rocco, get gunned down. The other goon says he hates Eddie too, but Thorne put him in charge, so their hands are tied. Eddie’s girlfriend Lily overhears the goons talking about the situation and she goes to tell Eddie, who is primping in the mirror. She lets him know that Rocco’s death isn’t sitting right with the gang. Eddie calls them all whiners. Lily tries to get Eddie to just talk to them. Eddie goes to talk, and acts calmly as he asks the goon, Vic, what is on his mind. Vic knows he’s on thin ice, and calmly and unthreateningly suggests maybe they stop going so hard against the cops and maybe less of their guys get killed. Eddie says Rocco dying is better than him ending up in a cell, getting worked over by the cops and then squealing. Vic says that Rocco’s no snitch, but Eddie insists that anyone can be a snitch with the right screws. He asks Vic how you fix a leaky boat and then shoots him in the stomach when he doesn’t answer. He asks the others if they have concerns and then don’t answer. He says that he knows the cops are visiting Dez and that he needs to put a plug in that too. … Ohhh, right, because mobster slang for shooting someone is putting a plug in them. I legit didn’t get that right away. Eddie’s an asshole and a cheater, but usually his riddles follow some kind of logic.

 

We move to the Batcave. Alfred is working on some documents as Batman watches a mob movie. I assume so he can pick up on the lingo… but like, the WORST way to pick up on a subculture are watching movies about it. He’s going to do the mob equivalent of the “What’s up fellow kids!” meme. Alfred says that he’s finished with the paperwork and the pickup from stately Wayne manor to Blackgate will be in an hour. When Batman doesn’t respond, Alfred gets in front of him and quizzes Batman on his false identity. He’s from Detroid, has a rap sheet that includes Robbery, Fraud, larceny, and he’s looking for a job driving for the mob. Batman is brought into Blackgate and introduced as Dez’s new roommate. He goes by Matches Malone. Dez asks, “who cares” and tries to get back to sleep.

 

Batman’s disguise is a pencil mustache, glasses and sloppy hair. I have no idea how no one is saying, “Holy shit, is that Bruce Wayne?”

 

Matches gets lunch in the cafeteria and spies an inmate getting passed a note. It has a shiv inside and just has the name ‘Desmond’ in it. Matches marches over and bumps into the guy before he can go for Dez. The shiv is knocked away, and the guard covers it with his boot. Matches and the goon start fighting, but it’s broken up by the guards. When the captain asks what happened, Matches says, “he scuffed my shoes.” Dez laughs at that excuse and later in their cell formally introduces himself. Dez apologizes for being a jerk and Matches tells him to forget about it.

 

The next day, Matches spots for Dez as he lifts weights. Dez says that he keeps feeling like they’d met somewhere before, but Matches says that he just got into town. Dez shakes his head at getting into Blackgate so fast, but Matches says that he’d rather find trouble than let trouble find him. Case in point, the goon he punched out has grabbed some buddies who are all coming Matches and Dez’s way. They decide to make tracks. They’re followed, but Matches shuts a door and barricades it by sliding a mop into the handles. Dez compliments Matches’ intelligence and Matches says that he doesn’t take bruises that he doesn’t buy.

 

Later, in the laundry room, Matches and Dez wash uniforms. Dez says how lucky he is that Matches is his cellmate. Matches tells Dez that he’s being targeted and he’s pretty sure Dez has been marked. Dez scoffs at this, saying that anyone that comes after him has to answer to his boss. And he’s totally unaware when that bruised eyed goon comes into the room and the guard leaves. Matches says that he’s come to Gotham looking to work for whoever runs the place, talking quickly because he sees all the goons approaching with crowbars. Dez realizes what’s up about a second before it’d be too late. They fight off the goons, Dez bashing the bruised eyed man’s face in a few times before the guards arrive. They’re ordered back to their cell.

 

Dez is freaking out now that he knows he’s being targeted. He says he’s protected. Matches ask if he means by Rupert Thorne. Dez is surprised by this and asks how Matches knows about Thorne. He claims everyone in Detroit knows about Thorne. Matches suggests that he reaches out to Thorne and gets this straightened out. Matches correct him, saying it’s MR. Thorne, and you don’t reach out to him, he reaches out to you. Matches shrugs and says he needs to figure this out before someone takes him out.

 

Back at Stumpers, Eddie is having dinner with Lily when a goon comes in to ruin the mood. Eddie warns him that if his champagne goes flat, he’ll mess the goon up. Eddie is infuriated to hear that Dez is still alive, as it’s been a week since he put out the hit. The goon shrugs, saying that Dez made a friend. He grabs the goon by the necktie and slams his face into the table, shrieking that Dez doesn’t have friends, he has Eddie and that’s it. He flips his table and Lily to the ground and grabs his tommy gun. He shoots all over the place, shouting that he wants Dez dead NOW.

 

Dude is causing a LOT of damage to his property, how has no one figured out this is a mob hideout?

 

At Blackgate, Matches and Dez get into a routine. They have meals, work in the laundry, play chess and so on. Later, they’re in the yard and Dez is extremely confused. He’s never been locked up for more than a day or two, now it’s been weeks. Matches, bouncing a ball against the wall, reminds Dez he’s been marked and asks who he pissed off. He asks if Dez talked to the cops, which pisses him off. He tells Matches to drift while he thinks about things. As soon as Matches walks away, one of the other inmates attacks the guard, knocking him out and taking his gun. He tries to shoot Dez, but Matches’ throws his racket ball at him, messing up the shot. A fight breaks out, and the two fend off the other inmates, but are beaten badly by the guards. They’re ordered into the hole.

 

In solitary Dez thanks Matches for helping him. Matches says that he can thank him by getting him a gig with Thorne. Dez says that’s not that simple as Thorne wants guys with skillsets. Matches claims to have been the wheelman for a big job in Detroit two years back. He claims that his partners tried to cut him out, but he got his cut and they got their reward for trying to screw him. Dez says that Matches reminds him of a buddy, a guy he met in Juvie that he’s been running with ever since. He “Shot up so many joints, they started calling him the Riddler.” I. HATE. This. Explanation. For. The. Name! Moving on. Dez got him into Thorne’s crew and now he’s practically running the place. Matches says he needs to meet this guy, and Dez says that’s not easy from inside the joint. He’s thinking of how he can get out. Any plan he had is made moot by Matches, who disassembled his bed while they’d been talking and used some of the springs to pick the locks on their cells. They make a break for it. Matches figures out a break in the searchlight pattern at the gate and they use the bedframe bits to climb the wall. Matches makes it first, as he’s Batman fit, but Dez is slow. He almost falls but Matches catches him and they escape on a police boat. Matches says he held up his end, so Dez will meet his end, right?

 

They reach the warehouse docks and get outfitted in new suits. Dez says that Thorne runs these warehouses and keeps emergency supplies in them for when his goons need it. Ya never know when you need a new suit because the old one got bloody. Eddie pulls up and warmly welcomes Dez, saying Dez is the only one who’d do something so crazy as escape Blackgate. Dez says they need to talk to Mr. Thorne and tell him that folks aren’t following the rules. Eddie says that Thorne is still on ‘sabbatical,’ but he’ll figure things out. He asks Matches who he is. Matches makes it just a bit into his backstory before Eddie shoots him in the gut and knocks him into the bay. Eddie mocks his name, though he’s one to talk. He hands Dez his gun, saying that Dez’s timing is impeccable. They’re doing a job tonight, going to steal Lily some new jewelry, and Vic is… out. So they could use him. Dez is visibly depressed at Matches’ ‘death’ but still goes along with it. Matches survives, pulls himself from the bay and calls Alfred to bring him the car.

 

At the jewelry store, they grab necklaces and other finery. Eddie tells Lily this won’t take long. Batman breaks in and starts fighting. He takes out several goons, though Eddie’s the one that kills most of them. Eddie is infuriated when Batman knocks his gun out of his hand. He picks it back up and shouts at Dez for surviving when he tried so hard to get Dez killed. He thinks that Dez squealed, which is how Batman figured out this job was happening. Dez says he’s not a squealer, and Eddie says, “not anymore,” before shooting him in the stomach. Eddie and his crew escape. Batman stands over Dez as he dies. Dez figures out that Matches was Batman all along. He laughs, saying that he and Eddie went way back, but his best friend in the world was the God Damned Batman. Batman closes Dez’s eyes after he breaths his last. Unbeknownst to him, the Joker watches him from a distance.

 

Back at the cave, Batman informs Alfred about what he’d learned about Eddie. Edward “The Riddler” Nygma, impulsive, reckless, a chaotic personality that is sure to spread. Alfred says that he hates to admit it, but Batman’s job might be easier when Thorne returns. Batman kicks himself for hesitating to grab Eddie after Dez got shot. Alfred says that empathy is a sign of a healthy mind. Alfred leaves Batman to brood.

 

Well, that was a fun change of pace. Rather than do a lot of distance observation and occasionally getting pulled in for a fist fight, Bruce was in the thick of things more or less from minute one. Matches Malone has been Bruce’s favorite fake id when he needs to do undercover work for decades, so it was nice to see it get some limelight. I really feel bad for Dez. Sure, criminal, not a good man by any stretch of the imagination, but he at least thought Eddie had his back. The idea that Eddie wouldn’t reward his loyalty never seemed to enter his brain until Eddie started shooting him. And why would it? They’d been working together off and on for at least 15 years (depending on when they met in Juvie), he was clearly Eddie’s closest confidant on the job. But ya, in the end, he was just another boy in Eddie’s wake. I do like how this episode characterizes Eddie Nygma. Impulsive, angry, short-sighted, and overall just a terrible person to work for long term. He can’t lead by being impressive like Rubert Thorne, so he HAS to rule by terror. And he’s even bad at doing that, because even the most terrifying of bosses have to bend on occasion and spare a henchman like Dez. Ya don’t ax off loyal guys like that and stay in business long. Oh, right, and I HATE this idea that he’s the Riddler because he riddles things with Bullets. I understand downplaying his usual intelligence and love of word games and puzzles to focus on his anger and superiority complex… but that name is stupid with this context. Besides, the dude is regularly asking rhetorical questions and word games. He’s riddling verbally constantly, so why the hell do you need to use this other meaning of the word?? It’s silly! Sorry, I’m very worked up by this. Back to the episode, Eddie is a bad friend, and while Bruce was actively lying to Dez, it was nice that Bruce showed him what a real friend would be like. Even bad guys need friends. I hope he doesn’t brood on this long, though, there was no situation where Dez was going to walk away from this situation. It’s the nature of the beast. Next time, a cult comes to town. What fun for Bruce. See you there, have a good night and stay safe. 

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Bluesky: @basicssuperhero.bsky.social