Batman: The Animated Series, a brbtv report

Season 3

The show is renamed “The Adventures of Batman and Robin."
"Bane”

September 10, 1994

Written by Mitch Brian; directed by Kevin Altieri.

Rupert Thorne hires Bane to go after Batman, whom Bane figures is pursuing Killer Croc, freshly escaped from Arkham. Batman and Robin find Killer Croc nearly drowned and their Batmobile vandalized. Batman then researches Project Gilgamesh and the creation of the ultimate warrior and later freelance assassin — Bane. Thorne’s assistant, Candice, meanwhile, is exploring options of her own with Bane. Batman goes to her for information, then learns Robin has been kidnapped. Origin episode for Bane.

"Second Chance”

September 17, 1994

Written by Paul Dini, Michael Reaves and Gerry Conway; directed by Boyd Kirkland.

Harvey Dent is about to undergo an operation — funded by Bruce Wayne — to make his scarred side normal again, but gunmen break in and abduct him. Robin pursues the lead of Rupert Thorne but is discovered snooping around and almost tossed in the river. Batman pursues another lead, the Penguin, who is incarcerated at Stonegate, but he doesn’t get any further. Finally, the answer is found — within Harvey himself. You can see a setup here for the future Nightwing, as Robin is feeling like just “the kid in tights” with Batman.

"Riddler’s Reform”

September 24, 1994

Written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini and Randy Rogel; directed by Dan Riba.

Riddler gets out on parole, and Batman and Robin are keeping an eye on him. Charles Baxter, owner of the large Wacko Toys, licenses Riddler’s likeness and ideas for a new product line. But has the guy in green really gone legit? Batman finds new riddles in E. Nygma’s words, but they lead nowhere. The new toy line is a big hit, meanwhile, and Edward Nygma is a hit at Baxter’s society party. Batman follows another lead to the toy fair, sure that Riddler just can’t stop riddling. It’s a trap for the Caped Crusader, of course. Peter Mark Richman voices Charles Baxter, while William Katt is Zowie.

"Baby-Doll”

October 1, 1994

Written by Paul Dini; directed by Dan Riba.

Former child star Mary Louise Dahl, who has a rare disorder that prevents her body from fully developing, has been stalking her old castmates. Batman and Robin investigate, but they’re unable to prevent Mary from kidnapping the final costar. She reunites her whole TV family on the old set of the “Baby-Doll” show for the special occasion of her birthday. Robin realizes there’s still one last cast member Baby hasn’t gotten to — cousin Spunky, introduced in the show’s final season. Origin episode for Baby-Doll, and a sad and a bit twisted tale, reflecting the writing skill of Paul Dini.

"Time Out of Joint”

October 8, 1994

Written by Alan Burnett and Steve Perry; directed by Dan Riba.

At an upscale auction, an antique Louis XVI timepiece draws the interest of the Clock King. He’s found a way to make objects disappear into thin air through the research of a scientist specializing in quantum temporal theory. He uses the scientist’s device to further his grudge against Mayor Hamilton Hill. Batman and Robin arrive to find him in Hill’s office, though he manages to escape. Batman and Robin then follow leads to the base of the scientist — but they get “stuck in time.” With the help of the professor, Batman gets to speed along a la the Flash.

"Harley’s Holiday”

October 15, 1994

Written by Paul Dini; directed by Kevin Altieri.

Harley Quinn has been making great progress and is released from Arkham. She goes shopping for some new clothes. Bruce is also at the department store being outfitted, accompanied by Veronica Vreeland. All Harley’s looking for is “a fair chance to start over,” but everyone is creeped out by her. A misunderstanding puts her back in her harlequin tights, and she hijacks Veronica Vreeland’s car — with Veronica in it. General Vreeland wants to call out the Guard, but Batman and Robin have more faith in resolving this matter by other means. Harley takes Veronica over to Boxy Bennett’s, hoping for a ticket out of town. Dini does it again with great humorous touches for Harley, especially in the interplay between the rich society girl and the clown-girl misfit.

"Make ’Em Laugh”

November 5, 1994

Written by Paul Dini and Randy Rogel; directed by Boyd Kirkland.

Some nut-case “Condiment King” attacks a restaurant full of diners, wielding ketchup and mustard guns and demanding their valuables. Batman arrives to the scene, and with enough bad condiment puns to clog a mustard dispenser, the Condiment King unsuccessfully tries to escape. He’s actually a comedian gone bad. Next, it’s the “Pack Rat,” hitting a jewelry store. Come to find out, Joker has been controlling these comedians with microchips, though Batman and Robin smell the Mad Hatter, whom they visit at Arkham. All of the comedians Joker’s been targeting, by the way, just happen to be judges in a yearly Gotham stand-up comedy contest. The “Mighty Mom” with the mop is an obvious comical reference to Roseanne Barr. Her character is called “Rolling Pin” in the credits.

"Batgirl Returns”

November 12, 1994

Written by Michael Reaves and Brynne Stephens; directed by Dan Riba.

Batgirl rushes onto the scene to take down Penguin, Joker and Two-Face — and to save the thoroughly smitten Batman. Oh, wait — that was only in her dreams! In reality, though, the flame-tressed femme arranges to bump into the on-the-prowl Catwoman on a rooftop, impressing the feline friend enough to ask her later for a team-up. Catwoman wants to find out who stole a priceless jade cat art piece. Together they head into a seedy bar, then they follow the trail to the lab where Roland Daggett once tormented Selina and her cat, Isis, and where Clayface was “created.” BRBTV loves the idea of Batgirl fantasizing about kissing Batman atop the Gotham cityscape!

"Lock-Up”

November 19, 1994

Written by Paul Dini, Marty Isenberg, Robert N. Skir; directed by Dan Riba.

Lyle Bolton, the new security chief at Arkham, is sure hardcore about his job, so much so that the inmates are all intensely afraid of him. Scarecrow, Harley Quinn and the Ventriloquist and Scarface all accuse him of atrocities behind the asylum walls. Bolton loses his job, then a new vigilante appears in Gotham. Big and broad and wearing a chain across his chest, he calls himself Lock-Up. Public figures such as Commissioner Gordon begin to disappear. Batman is hot on Lock-Up’s trail, though Lock-Up thinks a team-up with the Caped Crusader is in order. His sadistic methods are not palatable for the Dark Knight. Origin episode for Lock-Up.

"Deep Freeze”

November 26, 1994

Written by Paul Dini and Bruce W. Timm; directed by Kevin Altieri.

Mr. Freeze is taken from his frozen cell by a large robot, which leads Batman and Robin to their robotics expert, Karl Rossum. It’s the eccentric theme-park mogul Grant Walker (for whom Rossum once made animatronic figures) who has kidnapped Mr. Freeze. He has a vision of an ideal future in his prototype park Oceana, and he has built Freeze a new cybernetic suit and wants to become just like him because of his anti-aging traits. He uses Freeze’s wife Nora — assumed lost in the fire but recovered by Walker’s men — as a bargaining chip. Features a rare appearance of Bat-Mite, which here is one of the flying, toy robotic devices of Karl Rossum.