Batman: The Animated Series

It's Batman doing "Abres Los Ojos" (translation "Open Your Eyes") which was a sci-fi film of course about a man that finds out slowly but surely how unreal reality seems; in fact this episode is uncanily formated the same way as that film.



We are just as amazed at this alternative reality as Bruce, from the fact that his parients are still alive and he is engaged to Selena Kyle. Batman getting married to Catwoman never thought I would see that in a million years (well actually I have in a far back issue of the Batman comic series but that was also an alternate reality story so that doesn't count.). But most of all the fact that there is no Batman.



This episode is insightful more into Bruce psyche because we see that even though conciously he wants to be Batman subcounciously he wishes to be Bruce Wayne more. It's a common delema all superheroes (even some supervillan) I've known in the mythology have the desire for normalcy or an ideal existance. This was in "Spider Man 2", "Superman 2", even a little of the anime show "Pritty Solider Sailor Moon"; I know wild analogies but watch them and it does make sense. Sure, I would love to play the superhero role but I don't think I would want to do it 24.7 nor am I entirely sure I would want to do it the rest of my life.

This give the episode a slight emotional weight because we see that Bruce despite how fantasitic things seem he wants to believe it and so to we because we know what his old life holds and it's pritty dark and lonely place to be.



The Mad Hatter was indeed at his best in this episode (an of course it was his last) what I really like were his motives where really weren't harmful it wasn't for money or even controling people but genuine which was to help people, make things better for them despite a corrupt means to do it. However what really made him stand out was the interaction at the bell tower, he was really hitting home on Batman's secret desires. But the Mad Hatter always learns the hard way a foundation built on lies can not stand.



But this episode has one thing that held it back for me from giving it a complete 10 as much as I wanted to. I don't feel Bruce really explored enough of this dream world which would of added more to the emotional factor. There just wan't enough interaction time between his parients and Selena. I think the fault would mainly have to be in episode time limit, the fundamental trouble with episodes is the minamum amount of time only so much ground is covered and with this episode I felt more could of and should of been done; if anything this should of been a two parter but oh well.



The ending like Batman in the moment made me feel a little empty and sad. Because we know even though Bruce/Batman could obtain or acheive that ideal life if he want to as long as he's Batman that life is nothing but a dream.

Somewhat unoriginal because of the fact that many shows air this type of episode, but it was great because of the confusion and the suspense of everything. I was extremely confused by much of the events in the episode, but it was definitely worth watching. I grew up watching batman, and I recently decided to re-watch the episodes. This type of story makes me so glad I did, because of all the excitement that goes on in the lives of both Bruce Wayne and Batman. Also, the drama in stories of the villains and the way they act. The Mad Hatter is one of my favorite characters, and I'm glad he was behind everything in this episode. The final line by the Mad Hatter is a great addition to the episode and really made for a good conclusion.

Bruce is trapped in a dream world, courtesy of the Mad Hatter!! His parents didn´t die, he is not Batman and he´s getting married to Selina Kyle.



Great dialogue thru all the episode. We really symphatize with the Mad Hatter towards the end. Batman is really pissed off after finding out the true, but, however, the Mad Hatter could not know why.



Truly smart episode, excellent writting. The only thing detracting from a perfect score is that it feels rushed sometimes, as we don´t get to see Bruce getting acquainted with his new life.

If asked which "Batman: The Animated Series" episode is my favorite, I would unhesitatingly say "Perchance to Dream." It never ceases to amaze me how well this show is written, voice acted, and animated. Cinematography in an animated series has never been as profound as it is in “Batman.” The episode itself gives great insight into the Batman character. Though at first hesitant to accept a reality in which his parents are alive and one in which he’s not Batman, he eventually does accept this reality. In the conclusion of the episode, there is a tense climax that occurs in an atmosphere of rain, darkness, and lightning. A really intriguing premise with a great conclusion. A must see episode for any fan of the series.

I actually think it was this episode that made the Mad Hatter one of my favourite Batman villains (but he still ranks below Joker and Scarecrow).



This episode revolves around the Mad Hatter getting his revenge on Batman by creating a mental utopia for the Dark Knight, keeping him out of the Hatter's life.



What I really liked about this episode was Bruce's reactions to the Dream World. He knows it isn't real but his parents are alive and he has everything he could ask for. Should he stay in this perfect paradise or find a way out? And why does he blame Batman for his insanity?



All in all, a great episode. But I want a dream machine.

This episode was superb! In Justice League Unlimited they had "For the Man Who Has Everything", a poor knockoff of this episode. The Mad Hatter sends out bait and Batman follows it. From there they knock him out and activate Mad Hatter's dream machine. From there Bruce is in Wayne Manor when he runs to Alfred to warn him that the Mad Hatter is loose, but Alfred has no clue what he's talking about. Then his parents come in. Later he finds out that he is going to marry Selina Kyle a.k.a Catwoman. He sees Batman stop a robbery when he is walking with Selina. Bruce knows something's wrong, and that this can't be real. He sees old time friend Leslie Thompkins and she tells him that he thinks his life has no meaning and compares him to Batman. Bruce then goes along with the facade and goes back home. He tries to read the newspaper, but the words don't make any sense. He goes crazy and runs away to find Batman. Bruce ends up having the police after him, he outruns them two times and then leaps over the wall to the cementary using a custom made grappling hook. He runs up the bell tower and Batman meets him there. Bruce claims that Batman is behind this and fights him. Eventually Bruce unmasks Batman and finds him to be no other than the Mad Hatter. After explaining his theory on how that this was all a dream. Mad Hatter claims there is no way out. Bruce commits suicide and he wakes up as Batman back in Mad Hatter's lair. The bad guys get busted the end... A personal favorite of mine and a classic of the series.