This episode introduces several key elements that will resurface later on in the Batman animated universe (as well as the rest of the DC Animated Universe), the most important being the introduction of Talia, a skilled and ruthless beautiful woman and potential love interest for Bruce Wayne/Batman (she does find out his true identity in this episode) who rarely can be trusted (as she demonstrates towards the end of the episode), and the Society of Shadows (or Assassins), lead by Ra's al Ghul, who only has a small cameo at the end of the episode, foreshadowing the events to come.
To be honest, the first time I watched this episode I was not familiar with or even heard about Ra's (Batman: TAS was one of the first super hero shows I watched that also got me into comics (DC Comics that is, as the 90's FOX X-Men animated series is the one responsible for my love of Marvel Comics), so I had no idea who he was or what he is able to do, but one thing was certain: he would appear again as Batman's enemy and he will be big trouble. His small appearance here creates a great cliffhanger and a turning point in Batman's career. As a bonus, David Warner does a great job at voicing Ra's (although briefly), and you can tell he's more dangerous than he looks.
The main villain used in this episode (probably mainly to conceal Ra's true leading position and to allow Batman and Talia to "work" together) is a character called Count Vertigo, who if I'm not mistaking is primarily a foe of Green Arrow in the comics. He seems interesting enough, able to provide an occasional threat to Batman, and it would have been nice to see him again after this episode's climax. Although clearly not set in the same continuity, he does appear as a villain in an episode of The Batman, where Batman teams up with Green Arrow to stop him, is worth mentioning.
Among other memorable or interesting things to note about this episode, Batman's first encounter with the Shadow warriors, the chemistry between Batman and Talia, Batman's "trick" to counter Vertigo's powers and the homage to Alfred Hitchcock's movie Vertigo come to mind.
Overall this is a good episode; even though many people consider it only a filler episode and it's real purpose was only to introduce us to Talia and Ra's, this episode gives us a coherent story and doesn't disappoint.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
Batman gets aid from a mysterious woman named Talia while tracking Vertigo an international crime leader who has just stolen a powerful sonic weapon.
-
GUEST STAR
Michael YorkVertigo
-
GUEST STAR
Chick VenneraTwitch
-
GUEST STAR
Helen SlaterTalia
-
Efrem Zimbalist Jr.
Alfred Pennyworth
-
Kevin Conroy
Bruce Wayne / Batman
-
Bob Hastings
Commissioner Jim Gordon
Watch Online
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
TRIVIA (3)
ADD TRIVIA-
Talia is the first person to unmask Batman.
-
Several moments in the episode, the bat-emblem doesn't have a bat on it, It's just a yellow circle.
-
When the Shadow Agent cuts off Batman's utilities belt, it disappears for one frame.
-
-
QUOTES (3)
ADD QUOTES-
Ra's Al Ghul: So even in defeat, the detective manages to achieve some small measure of victory. As you said, detective..."This is not over"
-
Batman: I don't do helpless.
-
Talia: (to a rat) Filthy creature! Batman: (waking up) I've been called worse.
-
-
NOTES (4)
ADD NOTES-
This episode is episode 22 on the Batman: The Animated Series Volume 2 DVD.
-
Alfred was polishing the giant penny from "Almost Got 'Im."
-
This marks Michael York's first vocal performance in Bruce Timm's animated universe. He would later do the voice of Darkseid's agent, Kanto, in the Superman episode "Tools of the Trade" and the god Ares in the Justice League Unlimited episode "Hawk and Dove."
-
The first apperance of Ra's Al Ghul and Talia on the series.
-
-
ALLUSIONS (1)
ADD ALLUSIONS-
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo As the villain in this episode is named Vertigo, the episode gives nods to Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 movie Vertigo (e.g., the climax occurs in a bell tower and its protagonist race up stairs fixtured along the four walls ascending in a circular, spiraling manner).
-
-
Arrow
05/20/122
-
DC Animated Original Movies
03/31/1288
-
New Batman Show Confirmed For 2013
03/13/1218
-
DC Comics Discussion Thread: The Return of Bruce Wayne and Brightest Day
01/15/12345
-
The Dark Knight Rises Trailer
01/15/128
-
The Lion and the Unicorn
S 3 : Ep 15
Aired 9/15/95 (22:00)
-
A Bullet For Bullock
S 3 : Ep 14
Aired 9/14/95 (22:00)
-
Catwalk
S 3 : Ep 13
Aired 9/13/95 (22:00)
-
Showdown
S 3 : Ep 12
Aired 9/12/95 (22:00)
Related Shows
-
-
-
tv
The Batman -
-
Season 1 Episodes
See AllEp 60
Fire From Olympus
Ep 59
Read My Lips
Ep 58
The Demon's Quest (2)
Ep 57
The Demon's Quest (1)
Ep 56
See No Evil
Ep 55
Day of the Samurai
Ep 54
Blind as a Bat
Ep 53
Robin's Reckoning (2)
Ep 52
Birds of a Feather
Ep 51
Robin's Reckoning (1)
Ep 50
Zatanna
Ep 49
The Man Who Killed Batman
Ep 48
The Mechanic
Ep 47
Harley and Ivy
Ep 46
The Laughing Fish
Ep 45
What is Reality?
Ep 44
Off Balance
Ep 43
His Silicon Soul
Ep 42
Joker's Wild
Ep 41
If You're So Smart, Why Ar...
Ep 40
Heart of Steel (2)
Ep 39
Heart of Steel (1)
Ep 38
Christmas With the Joker
Ep 37
Terror in the Sky
Ep 36
Moon of the Wolf
Ep 35
Almost Got 'Im
more
-
beowulf579 EDITOR
User Score: 410
-
TvTome_Murdok
User Score: 1804
-
boechsner
User Score: 651
-
shatterdaymorn
User Score: 494
-
X-Inator
User Score: 295
-
Mafeu
User Score: 148
-
SabotFox
User Score: 145
-
Beast_Wars_Fan
User Score: 134
-
maritimer00
User Score: 105
-
Antiyonder
User Score: 105
More
Less
