THE BAT BLOG #2: TFG1Mike’s Top 20 Favorite Batman Beyond Episodes

THE BAT BLOG!

TFG1Mike’s Top 20 Favorite Batman Beyond Episodes

Before I get this started I have to say that Batman Beyond was a shocker to me when I first saw it on TV. First of all an old Batman/Bruce Wayne… wow, and then a teenage Batman in Terry McGinnis. Overall I love the series, but there are bad episodes. The concept is great, and it brought the new generatioon Batman stories.

Some criteria I went by in making this list.

• 2 Part Episodes I consider      to be 1 Story so they’ll be listed together.
• The Direct to Video Films      are not included, they will be their own list.
• This list is made up of my      personal favorite episodes, I’m in no way saying my choices are better      than anyone elses.

First a few honorable mentions, the following just missed making the list:

Inside Peek

Future Shock

JLU Once and Future Thing Part Two: Time Warped

Epilogue

I did not include three of the crossovers in the actual countdown, because they fall out of the BB series. YES Continuity wise they are in, but they did not air during the series run. For me Inside Peek is just a fun mystery ep, because at first you have no idea how Ian is getting the scoops. Once and Future Thing Part Two is just an amazing JLU ep with the Batman Beyond twist. I fully believe that Epilogue is the true conclusion to the DCAU. However I do know that others out there think of it as a “possible” future. Now on with the countdown….

20. The Winning Edge

Brief Overview: “Slappers”, illegal steroid patches, are all the rage with Hill High School’s athletes, and Bruce suspects that one of his old enemies, Bane, may have a hand in their production.

Cast:

Written By: Rich Fogel

Directed By: Yukio Suzuki

Thoughts: I like this episode because it calls back to Bruce’s past a bit. Plus we find out the fate of Bane, truly a sad ending.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  I thought I’d start off the countdown with an episode I enjoyed the first time around when watching it, but it’s not one of my most favorite episodes.

19. Terry’s Friend Dates A Robot

Brief Overview: Howard Groote, a hopeless nerd, purchases an illegal android in the form of a beautiful girl to pose as his girlfriend. His plan soon backfires when “Cynthia”, programmed to be completely devoted to Howard, becomes dangerously possessive.

Cast:

Written By: John P. MoCann

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: This one seems to be a fun episode, yet hides a deeper emotion. All of us geeks, nerds, whatever want to be accepted, and even though this episode seems like one giant joke, it hides so deep seeded emotional pain.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  I think this one fits nicely at number 19. Is it the best Batman Beyond episode? No, but it’s not the worst. Overall when I wanna see a robot chick go nuts I watch this.

18. Payback

Brief Overview: A new vigilante who calls himself Payback begins taking revenge on the tormentors of several troubled teenagers, all of whom are in the same therapy group. When Terry goes undercover in the group to find the culprit, he begins to suspect the doctor running the sessions, but Payback’s real identity proves to be someone nobody would have expected.

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman

Directed By: Kyung-Won Lim

Thoughts: Just like Terry’s Friend Dates A Robot, Payback tugs at the heart strings. This essentially is a child neglect episode, or an episode about a child feeling like he is neglected. I love the Phantasm nod though.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Just like what came at number 19, I felt Payback would sit well in this slot. I can watch the episode every now and then.

17. Dead Man’s Hand

Brief Overview: Terry must deal with both his rejection by his girlfriend, Dana, and a group of Bruce’s old enemies, the Royal Flush Gang, who pattern themselves after playing card ranks. Things look up for Terry when he meets a girl named Melanie who seems to share his problems. This episode makes reference to Catwoman when Bruce says to Terry, “Let me tell you about a woman named Selina Kyle.”

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: Again I’m picking an episode that will have some controversy when looked at on a deeper level. I love this ep for the sheer magnetism between Ten and Terry. Yet if you really look at it, Terry is all but cheating on Dana! Someone call CHEATERS!!! In all seriousness I do like this version of The Royal Flush Gang. I thought that it was very cool.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 17 seems fitting for this choice. I do enjoy the episode, but it’s not one I find myself going back to as much as I would like.

16. Golem

Brief Overview: Willie Watt, a high school nerd who has been picked on one too many times, steals a construction robot from his father to scare his chief tormentor, Nelson Nash. But when Batman tries to stop the robot, it becomes bonded to Willie mentally, giving him more power than he ever dreamed of.

Cast:

Written By: Hillary J. Bader

Directed By: Butch Lukic

Thoughts: Wonder Watt powers activate! OK not really. I know they are working with a teenage Batman here, and that means less crime boss and mob stories, and all that. This one is unique in the fact that the nerd fights back. Granted the way he went about it was kinda messed up, but they did torment him.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  I’m not sure why I ranked this one higher than Dead Man’s Hand. I do watch that more then this, but I do feel that the underlying issues in this put it in the number 16 spot.

15. Lost Soul

Brief Overview: Terry must fight the Batsuit when it is taken over by the virtual soul of a dead communications tycoon, a man who has literally become a ‘ghost in the machine’. Without the aid of the suit, he must save the man’s grandson from becoming a vessel for his virtual brain.

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Butch Lukic

Thoughts: Ahh Lost Soul. There are thirteen episodes above this that are better. What I do like about this episode is Terry Vs The Batsuit, that was pretty damn awesome.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Terry Vs The Batsuit nuff said!

14. Final Cut

Brief Overview: Bruce is out of town and incommunicado when Curare returns to Neo-Gotham, hunting down the last of her former society after the failure of her last mission marked her for death. Curare’s target, the last surviving member of the League of Assassins, forces Batman to protect him from Curare’s wrath by planting a bomb equipped with a deadman switch somewhere in the city. Things only get more complicated as Max gets herself involved in an already volatile situation.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Hillary J. Bader

Story By: Hillary J. Bader and Alan Burnett

Directed By: Butch Lukic

Thoughts: Final Cut is pretty decent, I like it for the quips between Batman and Max.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 14 seems to be a good slot for this one. I do enjoy the chemistry/friendship between Terry and Max. Plus Curare is just a badass chick with a sword!!

13. Ascension

Brief Overview: As Derek Powers’ Blight persona slowly destroys what was left of his normal life, he turns to his son for help. Paxton Powers seems willing to help Batman bring his father in, but unfortunately, deception and greed run in the family.

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman

Directed By: Yukio Suzuki

Thoughts: Derek Powers’ final curtain call. I like this episode as we finally conclude the Powers/Blight stories.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 13 is a good spot for this one. As it ends one aspect of the show.

12. Zeta

Brief Overview: A holomorphic military android has been reported to have gone rogue, and Terry needs to find him before someone gets killed. But has the android really gone rogue, or has he just gained a conscience?

This episode leads into the spin-off series The Zeta Project.

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: I can’t believe I’m putting this above the nine episodes before it. I do enjoy this episode, yet the animation styles between Batman Beyond and Zeta so do not mix well.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  I have no clue!.

11. Disappearing Inque

Brief Overview: Inque is freed by a lovesick worker at the cryogenics plant where she is being held. Trapped in her mutated form, she seeks to attain the chemicals that will allow her to once again regain her human shape, and get revenge on Batman and the “mysterious old man” who aids him.

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Curt Geda

Thoughts: This Inque episode isn’t the best one, but it’s not that bad. Granted it’s focus is the lovesick guy who wants to have her power, but I do enjoy it.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Just looming outside the Top 10 is this episode. I do enjoy it, but not as much as the next nine listings.

10. A Touch of Curare

Brief Overview: A deadly assassin named Curare is sent after D.A. Sam Young, husband of Commissioner Barbara Gordon. Batman’s attempts to protect Young lead to conflicts with Gordon, and some surprising revelations about the past.

Cast:

Written By: Hillary J. Bader

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: I really enjoy this for the background of Barbara Gordon.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Breaking into the Top 10 this one definitely deserves number 10.

09. Inqueling

Brief Overview: After Inque’s latest employer betrays her and blasts her with an experimental weapon that causes her body to slowly dissolve, she is forced to turn to someone she has not seen in years: her daughter.

Cast:

Written By: Hillary j. Bader

Directed By: Butch Lukic

Thoughts: I like this episode because of the twist I was not expecting. It begins with a girl who is running through money and is up to her ears in debt. I thought at first it would be a throw away episode. Then the twist, she’s Inque’s daughter!!!

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  This is the second best Inque episode. It deserves the 9th slot on this countdown for the continuity.

08. Black Out

Brief Overview: Terry, having just started to work for Bruce Wayne, faces off against Inque, a notorious mercenary who is sabotaging FoxTeca, a company formed by Lucius Fox’s son.

Cast:

Written By: Robert Goodman

Directed By: Dan Riba

Thoughts: If you look at all of Batman Beyond, Inque really is Terry’s main rogue. I really enjoyed this episode for the rivalry between Batman and Inque

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 8 is a comfy spot for Black Out. Although there are six more that are better.

07. April Moon

Brief Overview: A bionics designer is forced to give a gang of street punks robotic implants after they kidnap his wife. To stop them, Batman needs a special verbal “kill-phrase” to shut down their implants, but can he convince the designer to give it to him?

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Butch Lukic

Thoughts: This is a one shot plot, but I really enjoy it. I have no idea why, it’s just a great story.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  This comes in at number 7 because I can watch this one at anytime.

06. Countdown

Brief Overview: Zeta returns to Neo-Gotham City to look for his creator, but falls into the clutches of Mad Stan, who turns him into a walking time-bomb. Batman and Ro must track Zeta down before time runs out.

Cast:

Written By: Rich Fogel and Paul Dini

Directed By: Kyung-Won Lim

Thoughts: MAD STAN! That’s all that needs to be said

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked: MAD STAN! That’s all that needs to be said

05. Shriek

Brief Overview: Derek Powers hires Shriek, a former sound engineer-turned-supervillain, as part of an elaborate scheme to run Bruce Wayne out of his shared control over Wayne-Powers.

Cast:

Written By: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Curt Geda

Thoughts: The sound design of this episode alone ranks it top ten. The effects and animation are all well done.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  This episode only has four better in my opinion.

04. The Eggbaby

Brief Overview: Terry is forced to take a computer-simulated “baby” with him everywhere—even as Batman—in order to make the grade in Family Studies. Meanwhile, a family of jewel theives are plying their trade around Neo-Gotham, stealing priceless rubies.

Cast:

Written By: Hillary J. Bader

Directed By: James Tucker

Thoughts: This episode is just plain fun! Most of us as kids went through Health Class or whatever and had a eggbaby or sack of flower, or whatever. I absolutely love the situations Batman gets into, and has to save the baby.

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 4 it is for this one, because I can watch it at anytime when I need a laugh.

03. The Call Parts I and II

Brief Overview:

Part I: Superman drafts Batman into the Justice League when he suspects there is a traitor among them.

Part II: To get to the bottom of the problem facing the Justice League, Batman must face off against his own teammates—including Superman himself.

Cast:

Teleplay By: Stan Berkowitz

Story By: Paul Dini and Alan Burnett

Directed By: Directors Name Here

Thoughts: Terry joins the JLU! I freakin love this episode. One of the beast team ups/crossovers! Just amazing!!!!

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  Number 3 was the only place I could put The Call.

02. Rebirth Parts I and II

Brief Overview:

Part I: Bruce Wayne, the original Batman, retires due to failing health when his rescue of a kidnapped woman nearly goes wrong and he must resort to almost using a gun – the ultimate sin in his eyes. Twenty years later, Terrence “Terry” McGinnis discovers the Batman’s identity after the aging Bruce Wayne helps him fight off a gang of Jokerz (street punks enamored of the original Clown Prince of Crime). After Terry’s father is murdered, Terry seeks Bruce’s help to avenge him.

Part II: Terry steals the Batsuit to pursue his father’s killer, a professional bodyguard named Mister Fixx (George Takei) whose employer Derek Powers (Sherman Howard), the current CEO of Wayne-Powers, is secretly using the company’s resources to develop a biological weapon. Bruce Wayne, discovering the theft, deactivates the suit, but when seeing the now-helpless Terry being punched out reactivates it so he can continue pursuing Fixx, and in the end Wayne appears at Terry’s house to hire him as a “special consultant.”

Cast:

Written By:

Part I: Alan Burnett and Paul Dini

Part II: Stan Berkowitz

Directed By: Curt Geda

Thoughts: When I first found Batman Beyond I was like WHOA WHAT THE HELL… then I said down and watched Rebirth. I was blown away. The DCAU continues on!!!!!

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  There’s only one better than this… can you guess what that might be??

SUPERSTITIOUS COWARDLY LOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

01. Out Of The Past

Brief Overview: Bruce Wayne’s former love Talia al Ghul returns, to offer Bruce the chance to be eternally young. But this gift comes with a price Bruce has no intention of paying at all: the resurrection of Ra’s al Ghul, Talia’s father and one of Bruce’s most dangerous enemies.

Cast:

Written By: Paul Dini

Directed By: James Tucker

Thoughts: There has to be a pause before writing about this episode……..For the simple fact of WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENS in the episode. For those of you that have seen it you know what I’m talking about. For those readers that haven’t seen it you will be in shock and awe. I love this episode for the continuity, and for the Bruce Terry Team up that was great. Especially in this series, seeing Bruce be at his prime again!!

 Why It’s Ranked Where It’s Ranked:  For me this was the only episode that could have been number 1. Granted I could have put Rebirth here, but this one to me says more overall about the Bat in the DCAU.

Final Thoughts: To close out this countdown of my 20 favorite Batman Beyond episodes I will say that overall the series is very well done. Sure there are a number of bad conceptual ideas in certain episodes, but in the end this was a nice continuation of the Batman mythos in the DC Animated Universe.