Batman Beyond

When I classify this episode as 'painful to watch', I do not mean that in a bad way. Simply, learning the fate of these characters was painful. The idea that Ra's has sunk so low as to sacrifice his precious daughter, simply chilling... At the same time, it was beyond cool to see Terry AKA the new guy finally getting to see Bruce in all his glory. It was also nice to have the 'Robin' reference just for us die hard fans who live for that sort of thing. Overall, this episode was simply one of those that stays with you long after it ended...

Before the serious and important stuff this episode has to offer, one must at least mention the Batman Musical featured at the beginning of the episode. A lot of fun, for those who can take a joke, anyway. Bruce feels embarrassed by this and seeing what he has become sets the tone of the episode.



As Bruce Wayne has grown older and gotten out of shape, he starts missing his years as the Batman and all the persons he cared about but lost. That is when Talia, one of his former love interests comes back, looking as young as ever thanks to the Lazarus Pits, offering him a chance to relieve his youth, if he wants. Bruce ultimately agrees, and becomes a little younger, but soon discovers Talia has other plans for him. The revelation that Ra's has sacrificed his own daughter so he could live again through her, was handled well. Talia/Ra's was, in one word, disturbing. Or as Terry would say, "Creepy". Though you must admit Bruce had the best lines in this episode. From his reaction to the Batman Musical at the beginning of the episode ("It's schw-arbage.") to his mocking of Talia/Ra's ("You hit like a girl") to my personal favorite, once again about Talia/Ra's ("She kissed me!").



This episode offers a lot of fun, action and a fitting end to one of Batman's most powerful enemies, Ra's al Ghul.

This is my favorate episode of the entire show. What's interesting about it is the fact this truely is Bruce Wayne/Batman's episode. You really feel sad for him from begining to end.



Though I'll admit I do have minor quibs. Like I wish this was a two parter, it's just it would of been so cool seeing Bruce don the old Bat costume and fight along side with Terry in Gotham just for old times sake, it would of been seeing old and new crime fighting methods at work, the fact this didn't happen I thought was a lost opportunity. I also didn't like how Bruce came to his reconderation so fast, I felt there needed to be a deeper emotional context to that. And also I didn't like what Ras said when he said that tire that blew out and the gang was a set up by him, I just don't buy that it's too far fetched. And the whole thing with Barbra and Bruce dating once when we see a picture, I still can't swallow or feel comfortable with, like Ron and Hermime it doesn't work.



Other than those things everything else works. In a way this episode is kinda like the movie "Bubba Ho Tep". Bruce's dillema is the same as Elvis in that film, both of them use to have a place in the world and life was ahead of them, but as they've gotten older they now realize how much time has truely passed them and long to feel young and themselves one more time. The way the episode starts is strange where we see a really lousy musical on Batman, I'll admit it was surreal seeing it, it was so bad it was good I couldn't help but laugh and groan at the same time. But in a way that musical is sort of metaphor on the gold age of the Batman comic book series, as Bruce/Batman sees it and walks away I can see a sadness on his face because it makes him away that those times in his past are gone and there may'be no place for him in the present. And we even see him look at those photos of his past loves, I can't help but feel that he really did want to settle down somewhere along the line but failed. I'll admit it was great seeing both Terry and Bruce fight together in one moment, it was both old and future Batman side by side and you even heard a remix of the "Batman the Animated Series" theme song and it was just great. That twist with Raz Al Ghoul was I'll admit creepy and kinda sick, when I discovered this and it made me lose respect for the supervillain. Like in "Bubba Ho Tep" with both Elvis and the Mummy, both have a contrast parallel as well. Both use to be kings and both are on the brink of death, but Elivis choses to face it with dignity while the Mummy prolongs it giving him extra time but still remaining undead. Both Bruce and Ras have that same parallel contrast both were also kings in the past as well from not just the empires they aquaried but also what they did in the name of good, and both are now current at the brink of death. But as we see Bruce faces it with dignity, living out the last remander of his life however he can. Ras Al Ghoul has also been on the brink of death but whenever it has came close to coming he choose to prolong it which so lead him to commit a grave sin by murdering his daughter all to give himself more life which has reduced Ras to a mere paricite. The ending I'll admit was haunting and gave me a very sad feeling. Bruce sees the last photo of his last love of his life, Talia and he says "Rest in peace beloved." then turns it off and walks away. It's very sad because she was his last link to the past, and there was a possibility of having a second shot at life with her but it was too late, she is now in the past. When the past is gone it's gone forever, all we can do is remember.

the batman musical made me laugh!!!!!! it was funny and especially when Gordon and Batman sang. Bruce was embarrased by it



The also had the return of Ras Al Ghul, whom had sacrificed Talia to live again. Man this guy could never die until then and Bruce thinks he should have died longo ago. When Terry tried to rescue him, he said what ever is in there died years ago. it was funny when Bruce said you hit like a girl when Ras slapped him and saying anything to hold off the grim reaper another few seconds. Oh man, Bruce was disgusted and very angry at Ras.