Gotham is haunted. Information that shocks no one.
Last time on Batman: Caped
Crusader, Batman faced off against a crazed psychiatrist. No, not the one
you’re thinking of. After running into Fletcher Demming, a former real estate
baron that gave away his fortune, thinking he’s a Pharoh, Batman’s interest was
piqued. After a short investigation, he learned that Demming and several other
millionaires that gave up their money were all patients of Dr. Harleen Quinzel.
It’s revealed that Dr. Quinzel is kidnapping ungrateful one percenters and
torturing them to give up their moneys and (it’s implied) that they’re forced
to commit suicide to cover it up. At the same time, Barbara Gordon is made
Demming’s public defender and learns he has a strong reaction to the name
Harleen Quinzel. She goes to Harleen’s office, that Batman sacked, and learns
from Harleen’s appointment book that she was Demming’s psychiatrist. She goes
to speak with another of Harleen’s patients, William Hastings, who shuts the
door in her face. She tries to break into the house and meets with Batman who
is also trying to break in. He tells her to leave but she obviously ignores
that. Hastings, who is another victim of Harleen, detects Batman’s break in and
calls Harleen about it. Harleen breaks off a date with Renee Montoya but promises
to meet her later. She meets Batman in her “playroom” with her other victims.
She uses them to fight Batman and force him into a cell. She locks him in and
gases him, telling him she doesn’t want to kill him but needs a head start and
gives him 5 minutes to escape before the house blows. Barbara finds him and tries to free him.
Harleen sees Barbara’s car outside the house and goes back for her. She tries
to free Batman to get Barbara to leave, but the house blows, and Batman’s cell
drops. The women fall into a hole, but Barbara catches Harleen. Harleen tells
her to drop her as she’s refusing to go to prison or Arkham. They both drop,
but Batman catches Barbara but Harleen drops. Batman leaves Barbara crying over
her friend’s apparent death but tells her that he’s sorry. We learn that
Harleen somehow survived, as she calls Montoya to say she’s sorry to miss their
date and asks her to look after Barbara as she’ll be out of town for a while.
Enough recap. Let’s get to it.
Ep 6: Night Ride
We open with an armored car for
Westside Charities driving through a defunct factory district. One of the
guards says that it’s a sad turn of the events, her father used to work in the
area and back in the day the factories would be running night and day. After a
big fire, now they’re just standing there empty. Her partner asks if she really
needs a paper clip, like the factories used to make. The first guard complains
that if they had a government worth a damn, they’d rebuild but instead they’re
keeping the slums. They’re suddenly attacked by a man on horseback. The man
(Toby Stephens) and horse are glowing with a blue light as he tells the guards
to “Stand and Deliver” before shooting their car with a flintlock pistol and
causing the car to crash. He offers to help the first guard to her feet after
the crash, saying the road is no place for a lady, before riding off cackling
and disappearing in a cloud of smoke, taking all the money with him.
We cut to Bruce Wayne reading the
paper as Lucias Fox gives him an update on his various investments. I’m not
sure why Bruce’s lawyer is doing this instead of an accountant, but that’s
conservation of characters for ya. The charity thief has already been dumbed
the Gentleman Ghost by the Gotham Gazette. Lucias gets annoyed with Bruce for
not paying full attention, but Bruce sums it up as he’s richer and Lucias is
too marvelous for words. Lucias asks what Bruce thinks about the Gentleman
Ghost, Bruce saying that it’s obviously a crazy person in a costume. Alfred,
when asked, quotes Hamlet ‘There are greater things in Heaven and Earth,
Horatio,” confirming he’s a ghost believer. Lucias then asks about Alfred’s
uncle. Alfred elaborates on the story of his Uncle Nigel that was convinced
he’d seen the ghost of his late wife on the moors, looking for their dog. Bruce
is a little surprised to see that Lucias and Alfred are on good terms, with
Lucias chastising Bruce by saying he was raised to treat the help like people. On
the way out, Lucias mentions that he bought a property that Bruce had been
interested in at one point for a Wayne Garden’s project. Lucias plans to turn
the area into single family units, low-income housing, a public school and
park. Lucias offers to cut Bruce in on the deal, saying that Bruce has more
than enough in his “discretionary account” that he won’t let Lucias touch.
Bruce is adamant that account is untouchable, it’s his petty cash fund.
We cut to Harvey Dents office as he
reads an unflattering description of him in the Gotham Gazette. He yells at his
chief of staff, Gorman, saying that he thought they were getting ahead of this
current story. Gorman says he tried, but the paper is tight with Jessop and
they’re more than willing to print stories and pictures of Harvey out with his
wealthy friends. The story has cost Harvey the endorsement of two unions and
implies he’s lost a few others this week. Gorman suggests they do a press event
to show that shows he’s a man of the people. Harvey tells him to set it up and
storms off to get lunch. He enters his car and is met with Rupert Thorne. The
crime boss says that he’s there to see what he could do for Harvey’s campaign
now that he’s slipping in the polls. Harvey points out that he’s publicly
endorsed Jessop, but Thorne says that he’s “betting on red and black. Then no
matter what you come out a winner.” Basically, Thorne wants to make it so
regardless of who is Mayor of Gotham they’re in his pocket. Harvey says that’s
why he’s running, to try to save the city from corruption like Jessop and
Thorne. Thorne cuts him off, saying he has to win to do anything and as DA Dent
should be used to compromises to win. He leaves Dent’s car, saying he knows where
to call if he wants to get back in the game.
At the Batcave, Batman has figured
out something odd. Namely, that the armored car that was hit was carrying money
for charity, but the weirder thing about that is that it was one of six armored
cars on the street that night and the other five all had more money. So, it
seems like the Gentleman Ghost targeted a charity truck specifically.
We shift focus to Harvey Dent
hosting a press event on Gotham’s public transit line. He gives a fluffy speech
about how the train is like the heart of Gotham and the people that ride it are
the lifeblood of the city. He promises to make the trains cleaner, safer and
cheaper than before as mayor. His puff piece is interrupted by the Gentleman
Ghost phasing into the car and demanding all the valuables from the riders. The
people hand over their wallets and purses. Harvey tries to get him to just take
his wallet and go, but Gentleman Ghost tells Harvey that he’d never rob a man
of Dent’s station, but he’ll take everything from these people. To punctuate
his statement, he puts his pistol to a man’s face and takes his wallet. He
vanishes, and the press start writing. Gentleman Ghost leaps off the tracks and
onto the streets, only to be chased by Batman in the Batmobile. He leads Batman
on a merry chase through town, eventually losing him by phasing through an
alley wall. But not before Batman gets a look at his saddle bag and the coat of
arms on it. Also, as Gentleman Ghost vanishes, the money he stole burst into
flame and rains down on Batman.
At the cave, Batman examens the
burnt bills for clues but gets nothing. Alfred suggests it might be a real
ghost. Batman says that “The world is big enough for us. No Ghosts need apply.”
Alfred counters with “But when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever
remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth,’ and adding Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle is his favorite author too. Batman lists off what they know about
Gentleman Ghost. 1. He exclusively targets the poor and underprivileged, 2.
He’s obsessed with the 18th century by his costume, and 3. Batman knows
his coat of arms. He says that he needs answers he can’t get here.
We jump to Lucias Fox reaching the
estate, Heritage Hill, that he intends to buy. He meets with the current owner,
Russell Craddick, to work out the sale. Lucias asks about the cemetery that he
just passed, and Russel tells him that’s the family plot. He says his family
has owned the land since the Pilgrim days. He asks Lucias if they could work
out an arraignment to preserve that cemetery and Lucias seems willing to deal.
Russel hates to sell Heritage Hill, but the taxes on it are insane. As they go
inside, we see the family coat of arms, the same C on a shield that the
Gentleman Ghost wears.
Since Batman is working in a
pre-internet era by something like 40-50 years, he chose to go to the greatest
repository of knowledge at the time… the local library. One of the Librarians,
Wilma, spots Bruce and takes a moment to reminisce about how he used to come to
the library all the time with his mother. He asks about the coat of arms, and
Wilma informs him that he won’t find it in any of the books. It belonged to the
Craddick family, a founding family of Gotham. They were stricken from public
records, though, after the actions of one James Craddick during the
revolutionary war. She explains that “Gentleman Jim” Craddick was a staunch
royalist and wealthy aristocrat. Unfortunately, he had the common double whammy
issue of a severe gambling problem and lousy luck, which basically bankrupted
his house. Because of his belief in his divine right to rule, he sided with the
British during the war and became a highway man that robbed the poor to enrich
himself. He was finally captured and hung. Bruce thanks Wilma, who then gives
him her condolences for his parent’s murders. Bruce leaves and calls Lucias’
office, when he learns the Lucias is at Heritage Hill, he tells Alfred to step
on the gas and gets his ‘special’ outfit ready.
At the mansion, Lucias and Russell
are midway through the paperwork when Lucias asks about the portrait of
Gentleman Jim. Russell explains that he’s a three- or four-times Great-Uncle
that built the house but ruined the family name for centuries due to his
treachery during the war. This calls up Gentleman Ghost, as I guess he was
listening, as he rips himself free of his portrait. He’s disgusted his
descendant is selling their land to common filth. He doesn’t say it, but
I have to imagine the fact Lucias is Black doesn’t help the situation either.
Lucias puts up his dukes, saying to watch who he’s calling names, but Craddick
uses his ghost powers to throw furniture around and announces that Lucias dies
first. Batman bursts in and calls him James Craddick, though he’s still sure
that the Gentleman Ghost is a sham. He throws a bolo at Gentleman Ghost, but it
passes through him, but his fist is very solid when he punches Batman. He tells
Lucias and Russell run. They do and Lucias telling Russell the first thing he’s
going to do is tear the house down. Russell tells him to do it asap. As they
fight, Batman punches at Gentleman Ghost’s head but his hand passes through and
freezes. Gentleman Ghost says that Batman fights like a well-bred man, so he’ll
spare him, but he won’t be as forgiving if they meet a third time. He floats
into the fireplace and vanishes in a flash of blue flame.
Meanwhile, Harvey leaves his
office. He’s getting mobbed by reporters asking if he did just let Gentleman
Ghost rob people while he stood there. In his car he tells his driver to remind
him to fire Gorman.
At the Batcave, Alfred uses some
hot water to thaw out Batman’s frozen hand. When he tries to explain to Alfred
how hot the water should be to avoid nerve damage in his hand, Alfred cuts him
off by saying he’s treated every injury Bruce has ever had from scraped knees
to gun shot wounds. Batman thaws his hand and asks, hypothetically speaking, if
Craddick is a real ghost, how do they stop him. Alfred has a suggestion of
someone right here in Gotham. Batman heads over to Linton’s Books and heads in
back to speak with Linton Midnite (Cedric Yarbough), the proprietor. Linton
knows who he is and why he’s there. Linton points out that Batman doesn’t know
how to catch a ghost and Batman admits that before today he didn’t think they
were real. Midnite says that he appreciates a man willing to broaden his
horizons. Batman asks why a ghost is stealing money while Midnite gets a book.
Midnite explains that while each ghost is unique, they’re all echoes of their
former selves. Basically, Craddick’s ghost doesn’t need money, he’s just doing
what Craddick did in life. He gives Batman a book to exorcise him, telling
Batman he needs two things: The deed to Heritage Hill and the blood of a
nobleman. The deed to destroy what Craddick believes is his tie to Gotham, and
the blood of a nobleman to feed the old magic. He warns Batman that the magic
will fight him back and find weaknesses he didn’t know he had. He also gives
Batman a glass beaker, saying it’s a boon for a boon, that he’ll return it when
he’s done, and tells Batman he’ll know when to use it.
Batman as Bruce is able to get his
hands on the deed easily, saying that city hall won’t miss a
two-hundred-year-old document. Alfred says that he’s glad Bruce is putting
those lockpicks he got him for his 12th birthday to good use. Batman
then asks where he’s going to get noble blood in 1940-50s America, when Alfred
reveals that the Pennyworths trace their line to the Duke of Devonshire. Batman
says that Alfred never told him that, and Alfred counters by saying he never
asked. Batman warns him that the ritual could be dangerous, and Alfred says he
doesn’t scare easily.
They head to the Craddick cemetery
and Batman begins the ritual to release Craddick’s spirit. Alfred pours his blood
onto the deed and Batman tries to burn it, but Craddock arrives, blowing it
from his hand and attacking Batman. Batman, thinking quickly, distracts
Craddock by saying modern (1940s-50s) Gotham must disgust him. Craddock
pontificates about how back in his day the lower classes knew their place while
beating on Batman, completely forgetting about the portly Brit running behind
him trying to get the deed. Alfred tries to burn it but can’t get his lighter
to work. Finally, he gets a spark, and the document begins to burn. Craddock
bursts into flame too, burning away into ash, but his smoky ash dives at
Batman. Alfred jumps in the way and is forced to consume Craddock’s ash, and is
possessed by him. He tries to attack Batman, saying that Alfred is fighting him
and trying to keep Craddock from a specific secret in his mind. Alfred reclaims
control and tells Batman to kill him, but Batman tells him he’d never do that.
Craddock gets control back and pins Batman to the ground. Batman sees the deed
and fires a flare from his flare gun at it, burning it and releasing Alfred
from Craddick’s control. He traps Craddick in the vial. Batman checks on
Alfred, who is hurt but fine. Batman calls him a fool, but he’s clearly
fighting back tears as he says he can’t do this job without him. Batman sees
Midnite arrive on one of the hills. He hands Craddock’s vial over to Midnite.
Midnite greets Craddock in the vial, saying it’s been a while. Craddock starts
screaming, begging Batman that he’ll do anything so long as Batman doesn’t hand
him over. He asks Midnite what he’ll do with Craddock and Midnite tells him
that he doesn’t want to know. He leaves, saying it was a pleasure doing
business with him.
The next day, Gorman tells Dent that
after the train incident that his biggest donors have taken back their pledges,
he’s dropped 15 points in the polls and he’s basically out of money. Harvey
throws a snow globe at his campaign poster, smashing it and cracking the glass.
He tells Gorman to get out, and once alone calls up Thorne.
Gotta say, was not expecting to see
Gentleman Ghost to appear in this series. If that name is new to you, don’t
worry, he’s technically not a Batman villain and he’s only appeared in one
series. Gentleman Ghost is what I’d label as a merc villain, being a baddy that
runs into a lot of different heroes depending on the story. But he’s started
out as a Hawkman and Hawkwoman villain, having fought them in the past and his
own ghostly status was a curse that kept him as a spirit until the two bird
heroes pass on as well. He was a prominent recurring villain in Batman: The
Brave and the Bold, fighting Batman on several occasions. He works as a
Batman villain, obviously, as he’s just supernatural enough to make the very
logical Batman having to expand his mind to battle him. He’s
essentially just a man that cannot die and phases through objects, in the same
way that Batman is just a man with detective and ninja skills. I will say
getting Toby Stephens to play both modern and revolutionary era Craddick was
the right choice. I’m a fan of when the same actor plays both a modern
character and one of their ancestors, it both shows off an actors range and
adds a certain bit of realism to the role. We’ve all seen photos of ancestors
from a few generations back and been weirded out how similar they can in looks
to someone you know. My Great Grandfather Wesley Lockwood passed away before my
father was born but my older brother is his spitting image. That sort of thing.
Batman getting help from Midnite was an interesting choice. In most situations
where Batman needs help fighting a magic or otherworldly foes he tends to get
assists from guys like Jason Blood/Etrigan, Zatanna, John Constantine or maybe
Dr. Fate. Linton Midnite aka Papa Midnite is a Haitian Vodou priest and is
usually an enemy/rival to John Constantine. I’ve no idea what he’s going to do
with Jim Craddock’s ghostly essence but judging from his pleas for mercy it’s
not going to be fun for him. I liked that Batman is finally softening to
Alfred. From episode one, Bruce has been very cold with Alfred while in
private, only referring to him as Pennyworth, very much acting like he’s the
employer and Alfred is his employee. But learning about some of Alfred’s family
history, being reminded how long Alfred has been tending to him, and nearly
dying trying to protect him seems to be reminding Bruce that Alfred Pennyworth
is at minimum the closest ally that he has in the world. It’s a far cry from
the level of respect Alfred deserves, but Bruce is young and in my opinion
still harboring an ever so slight resentful feeling towards Alfred for not
being there to protect his family. They’ll warm up eventually. It’s sad to see
Harvey bucking to Rupert Thorne. The situation with Gentleman Ghost was so far
beyond his control, but it murdered his public image, and unfortunately
organized crime gets in bed with politicians far, far too easily. This version
of Dent is no saint, but it definitely looks like that call cost him something
as he made it. We’ll see how this develops. Good night, everyone.
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Twitter: @BasicsSuperhero
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