This episode is like Frank Miller directing Batman '66 TV on acid, except less violent, less campy and kind of nothing like that comparison at all. But Critters is a fantastic, underrated episode, nonetheless.
Yet, the thing fans most compare this episode to is a return to the style and tone of the reviled Adam West classic of yesteryears. The reason is, of course, the villain's premise... a genetist farmer. Apparently, this over the top. Clayface, the Lazarus pit, Etrican and Klarion, Man-bat, and Tygrus. But Farmer Brown, looking like a more twisted version of American Gothic, is not played for laughs; instead, he is excellently underplayed by Peter Breck and Peter Breck's magnificent voice.
The script is a wonderful thing in itself. Written by the East Texan who brought us the solid 10er Read My Lips from an idea by the creator of Howard the Duck, this script has great pacing, most every line works for the story, and some great set pieces (love that almost Truman Show like indoor farm).
And the lines aren't especially evocative of a sillier form of comedy. They are like the humorous, sometimes hilarious lines, in many an installment of the animated adventures of the dark knigth detective.
Before letting this review ramble on to long for an episode loathed by most likely to read it, I should give mention to the excellent technical merit of the animation, creature design, and especially the score. I wish I knew more about musical scores so I could say something charming here, but I will say, the music captures the mood perfectly. There is a certain creepiness below the surface being evoked. Now thats what I call 'purdy.'
In the end, I'll dock the score for a few too many Robin one-liners, but those aren't particularly endemic to just this episode.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
The villainous Farmer Brown creates a new breed of gigantic enhanced farm animals to wreak havoc on Gotham City.
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GUEST STAR
Peter BreckFarmer Brown
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GUEST STAR
Dina ShermanEmmylou
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GUEST STAR
Jane SingerOld Woman
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Robert Costanzo
Detective Harvey Bullock
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Bob Hastings
Commissioner Jim Gordon
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Mathew Valencia
Tim Drake / Robin
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Tara Strong
Barbara Gordon / Batgirl
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Kevin Conroy
Bruce Wayne / Batman
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (2)
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Robin: We've just been run over by a cow.
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(seeing a genetically engineered bull) Robin: Holy cow! Batgirl: You had to say it, didn't you?
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NOTES (2)
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This episode is generally reviled by fans of both the Batman comics and animated series, but considered a favorite for Bruce Timm and Paul Dini, the series' producers.
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Nightwing and Alfred are absent in this episode.
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ALLUSIONS (3)
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Robin: Holy cow! In the 1966 Batman TV series, Burt Ward's Robin, when confronted with hard to beleive situations, would exclaim "Holy _____" inserting the name of the object into the blank.
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Robin: Hey! Ferdinand! This is an allusion to the children's book "Ferdinand the Bull," whose main character is a big red bull.
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Bullock: So you survive the Joker and the rest of those freaks, only to buy it from Jed Clampett and a bunch of bugs. Jed Clampett was the head of the family on The Beverly Hillbillies, played by Buddy Ebsen.
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Season 2 Episodes
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Mystery of the Batwoman
Ep 12
Demon Reborn
Ep 11
Mad Love
Ep 10
Beware the Creeper
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Judgment Day
Ep 8
Chemistry
Ep 7
Girl's Night Out
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Legends of the Dark Knight
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Old Wounds
Ep 4
Animal Act
Ep 3
Cult of the Cat
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Critters
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