Almost Got 'Im - Bat-May

[@ChannelAwesome]

What did everyone think of Almost Got 'Im? Watch more Bat-May here - bit.ly/BatMay​​​​ Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome​​​​ Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter​​​​​

[@legoking6165]

I think it's my favorite episode.

[@Mizzoulord13]

I love this episode. It's one of my favorites in the Animated Series. The whole setup is just perfect. And I love the collection of characters. Another episode that is eerily similar is The Trial. That one you get the entire rogue of Batman villains.

[@Kaiser0nem0re]

Do you know where to find full episodes? Please and thanks

[@Nazo-kage]

Something else to consider in hindsight: Killer croc is shown in the background throwing one of the patrons of the club away and stealing his chair. Considering everybody in the background of the club are cops and killer croc is actually Batman, It makes you wonder how much of that was planned, and how much of that was just Batman having to be in character?

[@TheNearsightedGamer]

Probably my favorite episode. Been waiting to hear this one talked about. The silhouette reveal was awesome.

[@christopherauzenne5023]

You know considering Batman was disguised as croc the whole episode I like to image the “threw a rock at him” story was what he considered his closest moment to death

[@Kaulso93]

In the episode "Sideshow" there is a scene in which Croc almost hits Batman with a rock...

[@legojedi626]

"It was a big rock."

[@v1de0gamr23]

I'm just now realizing that Batman threw a Gotham cop across the room just for his chair

[@Bitsy83]

@@v1de0gamr23 eh, dude knew what he signed up for

[@jonathanzobel1662]

When undercover sometimes you gotta do some crazy stuff.

[@crimsonion3052]

I love seeing all the villans just chilling and playing poker while talking about batman stories.

[@theinterspeciesreviewer7400]

Indeed we really need more episodes like it.

[@juzoinui4627]

I agree it’s great to see them just relaxing and talking Plus I say Joker almost got jim

[@okidokicreations1075]

Great episod

[@elimDBZ]

This show was ahead of its time.

[@gasjebasje99]

I wish there was still a chance there game of poker night 3 on steam, with joker as one of the opponents...

[@AnimationLife]

I find it wonderfully ironic that Batman, a character that is frequently thought of as being "incredibly downbeat", "super serious", "has no sense of humour at all", is also responsible for one of the most infamous and hilarious moments in the entire franchise! -"I threw a rock at 'im!"

[@HereForTheComments]

He's good at pretending to be Bruce Wayne, for one.

[@gageperuti5519]

*Awkward stares from the other villains* "It was a big rock."

[@TheUmbroDragon]

I also enjoyed how they drew the jokers face reacting to the rock bit. The look of someone who was just like "dude...what?"

[@tianfromthebrickworld8487]

IT WAS A BIG ROCK! 🗣🗣🤡🤣

[@Lazyguy143]

Since killer croc was batman in disguise I feel like batman was actually telling them that croc came the closest to killing him by just throwing a rock.

[@briansilva3344]

simplest ideas are sometimes the most effective.

[@22espec]

Watch the 'SIDESHOW' review. the joke just continue

[@satoshikatsumoto9007]

Alfred: Master Bruce I'm tired of hearing how close he came to killing you with a boulder.

[@biguy617]

It was a big rock.

[@inky5574]

​@@biguy617Like "Y'all's plans were too needlessly complicated. The closest anyone came to killing me was when Killer Croc nearly crushed my head with a big rock."

[@DragonslayerProd]

"And then what?" "I tried to crush him with a penny!" "..." "It was a big penny."

[@liarbility568]

Yeah, where was the awkward silence in that scene😅 I guess it was because Two-Face had enough "cents" 2 tie him up, right! (Awkward silence)... I'll c myself out.

[@Perid0tStar]

In the plan, I wonder what they were gonna do if it landed bat-side up. Like, let him go or smack him around? lol

[@Sayrden]

@@Perid0tStar I think Two-Face's line is something like "If the coin lands face down, it'll squash ya flat. If it lands face up, it'll just _break every bone in your body_ ." Which, as he says, really makes you think about the two goons it squashed and how that got past the censors. Even as a kid, I remember thinking "those guys must be dead, right?"

[@superdialga8923]

Big penny my favorite rapper

[@TiberousBSD]

Funny thing is, the one who really got closest was Harley. She had him up over a piranha tank. He even admitted that if it wasn't for Joker's ego stopping her, he was helpless. She had the perfect trap that he couldn't get out of. Just my vote.

[@DSan-kl2yc]

That hadn't happened

[@takeshikujo2909]

@D. San Not yet anyway.

[@ScooterBond1970]

"But I've got to say, she came closer than YOU ever did... PUDDIN'." Righteous!

[@brysonstiles6737]

The reason I remember this episode as one of the best is when joker is talking about what he’s going to do with Catwoman and the Camera turns to the villains reaction and Every one has ether a horrified or a sicking face. Showing that the Joker is more twisted then all of Batman’s other villains

[@kennethjohnson7517]

Because HE is.

[@greatprofessorbias414]

Exactly! It's like they were going ' We knew he was crazy, but that's just insane!' Even Two-face was shocked back into the sane Harvey Dent there for a second, I think

[@brysonstiles6737]

@@greatprofessorbias414 yeah both sides of his face showed shock

[@Spudtron98]

The way the _entire bar_ drops into a dead silence after “I threw a rock at him!” is fantastic. It’s not just the table, literally every patron (all of whom being cops!) just put down what they were doing and stared at him.

[@ComicalRealm]

Fun fact: At the Canadian University of Victoria, you can enroll onto a course designed to explore the life of Batman. The course is called “The Science of Batman.”

[@crakatoot5480]

yeah i always figured Canadian schools didn't teach anything important

[@okidokicreations1075]

Amazing, really???? Wow

[@fireblast8972]

@@crakatoot5480 tbf, between the detective work, psychology, and criminology surrounding batman and his rogues gallery, there's plenty to analyze and learn

[@johnoneil9188]

That is a course I would totally sign up to.

[@apostolosfilippos]

@@crakatoot5480 Still more applicable than advanced math.

[@deshawnedwards6412]

You can easily make a Batman movie out of this. Just about all his enemies taking about the time where they in theirs own way almost got rid of Batman.

[@autobotproductions1244]

I’d love to see that

[@TheCyanideSmoker]

Still one of my favorite episodes. I like to think that Batman is telling an actual story that scared him. That, regardless of everyone else, Killer Croc legit almost crushed him. And it is Batman saying 'Look, that huge chunk of concrete barely missing me? Closest you ALL came.'

[@Aladelicous]

Technically, it does happen later on. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kHjQfX1tr8-Le6s

[@geekdetritus5503]

I always thought it was funny how the Joker is so dismissive of Ivy's exploding pumpkins. I believe it was right about this time Mark was also playing Hobgoblin in the Spider-Man series

[@war4nl1]

Now that's ironic

[@Thespeedrap]

Batman and Spider-Man have the best villians for sure.

[@hadoke]

I remember when I first saw this when I was a kid and my mom was sitting behind me watching it with me. The Poison Ivy segment was playing, and I vividly recall the look on my mom's face, the look of concern/disapproval the kind of look of "This is not appropriate" when a parent gives this look, you know you got a good show on your hands.

[@manuliza6420]

This comment is gold

[@liarbility568]

I hope she wasn't around when the episode where Harley says "Don't you want 2 get on your Harley and ride" was playing 😅! How did they get that past censors

[@manuliza6420]

@@liarbility568 how about when she does that dance and song for joker while inside a giant pie covered in cream. Also joker somehow resists her.

[@williamknox6648]

Well good thing about kids is they've no clue what these jokes mean. They just know they're funny

[@santos8468]

"Don't you want to rev up your Harley? Vroom, vroom!"

[@spectre111]

One of my favorite parts is how quickly Two Face catches on when he has Batman tied to the penny. "Hey, where's my coin? I could have sworn I just had- *OH NO!* "

[@Eastsid3]

Yeah it's a funny line

[@CyberDalek17]

One of the most Memorable episodes of any superhero show is the Villain episode. And this episode stands out from the others because it isn't just the usual villain team up to beat the hero, it's just a casual "get together" humanizing the villains by just having them play cards, no plans just reminiscing past encounters with Batman and I love that

[@MediaDukart]

You didn’t mention the bit with Joker mocking the exploding pumpkins!! That’s one of my favorite meta moments. Mark Hamill mocking explosive pumpkins, then going on to voice Hobgoblin in Spider-Man whose main weapons are *drumroll* exploding pumpkins!! I love it so much 😂

[@BloodwolfAssassin]

My personal headcanon is that Croc got up to take a piss during Penguin's story and Batman was waiting there for him. That's my way of keeping the whole "I Threw a Rock At Him" bit still canon to Croc

[@i_teleported_bread7404]

Either way, it's a safe bet he did it.

[@Dramono]

Either that, or it could be Batman recalling a real incident with Croc. Croc probably spend weeks setting up the whole thing, but all Batman got out of it was that the scaly mobster chugged a big rock at him.

[@ScooterBond1970]

@@Dramono To be fair, Croc could probably chug a pretty lethal rock.

[@wjzav1971]

Its actually funnier to imagine that Batman said it, showing that he can perfectly impersonate anyone, even getting the dumb moments down. But I also always assumed that the rock throwing actually happened.

[@watertommyz]

@@wjzav1971 it did happen.

[@nawf4372]

The Joker's face to "I threw a rock at him" is perfect. It's the kind of face that says "I wasn't expecting much, but I'm still disappointed".

[@edwardgaines6561]

@@nawf4372 A joyless Joker is a sad thing to see.

[@stevehagen9804]

I absolutely love that everyone is describing their story but Joker actually brings a tv to show them. Nice touch 👍

[@ThatSexyNerdReacts]

Joker was never to be one to be out done

[@bluehush4320]

I loved this episode. Killer crock : i through a rock at Him! Everyone: (Silence.) Killer crock : it was a big rock... 🤣

[@sitrepproductionsatlanta8538]

Ever think this was a nod to Andre the Giant in Princess Bride? Croc: My way is not very sportman-like.

[@feathero3]

That's my favorite part too! (Also it's "threw," as in past tense of throw. Simple mistake)

[@bluehush4320]

@@feathero3 sorry 😅

[@brucebradley2735]

D

[@Lazyguy143]

I feel like batman was actually telling them that croc came the closest to killing him.

[@alexandrefrauches132]

Something I like about this episode, as well many others "POV", "Trial" and "A bullet for Bullock" is how is able to tell a Batman story without needing to have Batman as central protagonist, the one who is the protagonist from beginning to end, choosing instead to explore him through the perpective of the other characters like, in the case of "almost got im", his villains. It's a very clever way to have Batman as the hero of the story but keep him as this "mysterious figure of the night", this legend create by those who interacts with him.

[@jamesbounds]

I love that they used new clips for flashbacks instead of using old clips form previous episodes. So this wasn't a clip show but a brand new episode for the series which I appreciated. Too many shows these days always have a clip show episode which can be a pain. This show never had a clip show which I loved.

[@feathero3]

I kind of like clip shows to sum up everything the character's have been through and learned. But I do agree it is awesome they just made original clips/stories for each character instead!

[@jlev1028]

I don't think clip shows were even a thing until the late '90s.

[@mitchfletcher2386]

@@jlev1028 Eh, the 80s did them too.

[@MusicInMe754]

Don't know if you've ever watched the NBC sitcom, Community, but that one had a clip show that was nothing but brand new, random-as-hell clips. That was the show's way of making fun of AND embracing the 'clip show' trope.

[@greatprofessorbias414]

Awesome analysis and I would like to add that since Batman was apparently Croc the whole time- HE actually started the narrative to get the Joker to spill to find out Catwoman's location. Remember Croc sets the story in motion with his statement 'You think one of us would have gotten him by now..." This implies that he actually very knowledgeable about not only his villains but also their personalities and such, because he knows that Joker is vain and likes to talk (Thumbs up if you get that reference)

[@WorldsTallestLeprechaun]

The part that makes me laugh about this is that Croc told the truth; he IS the one who came closest to killing Batman. It was the episode where Batman is escorting him to prison on a train and they’re handcuffed together. Croc makes his escape, dragging Batman with him off the train, and while Batman was knocked out, he managed to dose Croc with some kind of tranquilizer first. When Croc recovers and sees Batman next to him out-cold, he picks up a boulder and tries to smash Batman’s head, but misses because he’s seeing double because of the tranquilizer. He really is the one who came the closest because he “threw a big rock at ‘im.”

[@leibgarde6144]

Truth be told I actually thought that Doug Walker would have here a cameo as a co-narrator cause it is one of his, if not even his absolute, favorite episode(s).

[@jessedellross3245]

An iconic episode. So simple yet so epic. Ok mark is scaring the crap out of me at 10:36

[@someone_one_one]

Wtf hamill!!!

[@liarbility568]

Oh, he makes faces like that every time he voices the Joker

[@esteemedmortal5917]

I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall

[@ysetiadji]

Kinda makes you want Mark to at least make one appearance as Joker in any Batman live action movie, isn't it. Maybe a Batman Beyond movie one day, with Mark playing an old Joker.

[@lizd.8655]

This entire episode along with Joker's eulogy in "The Man Who Killed Batman" are nothing short of perfect!

[@Altor863]

“And then I... I... I threw a rock at him!”

[@lukejaffray7347]

"It was a big rock..."

[@PrimeroJinJusuke]

Killer Croc must have made really poor impression on Batman.

[@lukejaffray7347]

@@PrimeroJinJusuke Pretty sure this point in the series he only met him once, but either way out of his like 5 appearances croc doesn't exactly have a good running in gotham

[@blueraccoon1088]

Killer croc? More like killer rock. XD🐊

[@PrimeroJinJusuke]

@@lukejaffray7347 Prior to this episode, they really only met each other once. But Killer Croc was at his smartest during his debut.

[@sam-ds3nh]

"I threw a rock at him" is still one of my favorite lines in the entire series

[@jlev1028]

I always wondered what stories Scarecrow and Mad Hatter would tell if they were invited to the villains' get together.

[@liarbility568]

And can't u c the Riddler telling his almost story, using big words like Penguin was and Pengin saying "show off"

[@jlev1028]

@@liarbility568 Also, "What is Reality?" is implied to be Batman's second encounter with Riddler, considering he escaped.

[@liarbility568]

@@jlev1028 Yeah, I know about that episode and can't wait 4 the review. He probably was 2 busy trying 2 destroy all evidence about him 2 join "A simple and frivolous game of chance" -as he would probably call it- anyway. Plus Joker probably didn't invite him 😆

[@liarbility568]

What's up with the line on my comment KZbin?

[@Thespeedrap]

True they should had made a sequel to this episode they should had done it.

[@geardog24]

The fact that Killer "I Threw A Rock" Croc was allowed to sit with the more intelligent villains might have hinted that something was up.

[@TheTitandog70]

well, that true, also he might be an easy mark in poker and loses all the time and that reason they let him come back a week to a week. Croc might not be the smartest around, but he makes up for that in how vicious he is. So there like we can always get some money from him. lol

[@jlev1028]

To be fair, he was smart enough to frame Bullock.

[@christinaflibotte6446]

@@jlev1028 Or Bullock is REALLY stupid...

[@TheTitandog70]

@@jlev1028 true, in that regard, but compare to those around him at the table, He more than likely not on their level. They probably see him as a jack-up thug, and the "throw the big rock at him" quote fit perfect in how they really think about him. Dumb and Vicious

[@theinterspeciesreviewer7400]

One of my favorite episodes. I will always remember that scene where batman disguised as killer croc said "Hit em with a rock".

[@garthdavis4320]

Actually, that exact line was said in the episode Trial.

[@theinterspeciesreviewer7400]

@@garthdavis4320 yes and I know for this episode the line was "I threw a rock at him". But regardless I personally think " Hit em with a rock" is way more funnier.

[@Kickinthescience]

Is Trial another one of your favs?

[@acerumble]

It's probably been mentioned somewhere here already, but in the episode "Sideshow", Croc absolutely has Batman dead to rights, only missing with the rock because he's dazed from a fall. I imagine this is why Bruce offers it when he sees where the conversation is going, because he knows its the legit closest he's been, but won't be taken seriously by the other villains.

[@BugsyFoga]

Now here's an all time classic.

[@comicboybook9009]

9:13: One of the coolest scenes in this show, it gives that noir crime drama feel as a clown and a man with a half burnt face are standing in the middle of it

[@Regfife]

Looking at it now, I just noticed Two-Face's black and white hair are swapped.

[@Aladelicous]

I think it's funny that everyone looks down at Croc's line "I threw a rock at him", but in the episode 'Sideshow', Croc probably did come the closest to getting him when he throws a rock at an unconscious Batman. He only misses cause he was shot by a tranq and was affected by it. And it was a really big rock.

[@22espec]

the 'sideshoe' review is up and yes, he continue the joke

[@MollyOKami]

"It was a BIG rock." This line alone is what makes it one of my all-time favorites! 🤣

[@DevilSlayer34]

This is and will always be my favorite episode of BTAS

[@Thespeedrap]

Especially Killer Croc line about the rock that was hilarious😄

[@jinpei05]

With the advent of home recording studios and remote digital recording in the time of the pandemic, that group photo would never happen today. What serendipitous timing and a wonderful moment captured forever.

[@feathero3]

Gosh that is weird to consider, that simple things like group photos on projects are becoming more rare.

[@jinpei05]

@@feathero3 group photos are rare now because of social distancing. At least for people who value their health and people around them.

[@sustelsuk]

I love when the villains just chill out and hang out

[@kevinbre7563]

I love Batman turning off the power and Quinn saying, "Good call...help." Makes me chuckle everytime 😄

[@Propheticgamerreacts]

One of my personal favorite episodes of all time. This show will never be duplicated ever. Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, are my Batman and joker. May Kevin Conroy rest in peace.

[@milkiassamuel780]

Still my absolute favourite episode of the whole series. There is just something about seeing a bunch of homicidal, psychopathic, and deadly criminals all gather just to share a night of playing cards and recollecting past memories. So refreshing. I love this episode for so many reasons and one of them has to be the fact that this show gave us one of the best lines of the show... "I threw a rock at him! It was a *big rock* ." Simple, funny, and gets right to the point, Killer Croc/Batman knows how to tell a story.

[@ThemeParkAvenue]

This is my all-time favorite by concept alone. Just a masterpiece.

[@douglas4934]

One of the most memorable episodes

[@imransheikhinfo]

There's so much story packed into this episode it always amazes me it's only like 22 minutes long. It always feels like a good enjoyable one hour long saga.

[@manuliza6420]

Penguins face says: "how pathetic" Jokers face says: "well that wasn't funny" or “it’d be funny if it wasn’t so pathetic”. Two face face(s) says: "one half of me wants to laugh, but the other wants to slap him." Poison iviys face says: "srsly?"

[@WhiteFangofWar]

The expression on Joker's face alone makes the episode worth it.

[@manuliza6420]

You all got the joker reference?

[@brendanforester4601]

@@manuliza6420 "Oh, what the heck. I'll laugh anyway. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

[@month32]

To be fair, it was a big rock.

[@kristofgriffin384]

This is one of my favorite episodes, primarily because I always love it when villains/antagonists aren't doing anything particularly evil, but something casual instead. Having some of Batman's best villains playing poker, telling stories and just interacting with each other is a great example of that. It humanizes them and makes us relate to these characters more, even if they're clearly bad people.

[@jlev1028]

You know, it's a good thing that a KZbinr named mister custodian uploaded every clip of the episode or I wouldn't have gotten to watch "Almost Got 'Im". It is truly as great as Walter says with great timing, comedy, action, and animation.

[@samuelparchment1908]

Seeing the younger Mark Hamill as Joker, really makes it hard to think of Luke not busting out a red lightsaber and laughing maniacally.

[@joshguilds6284]

Conspiracy... I always felt that Croc's "Throw a rock at 'im" story wasn't so much a joke as Batman admitting to who he thought came closest to finishing him. In the episode Freak Show, which should be should be coming up down the line, has Croc beating Bats dead to rights and dropping a rock mere inches from his head. While Freak Show is a later episode than Almost Got 'im in production order I still think that rock is the closest anyone has ever come to offing the bat.

[@wormsign2637]

It’s Sideshow, not Freakshow.

[@joshguilds6284]

@@wormsign2637 right, I'm always bad with episode titles and the 2 names are so closely related I couldn't fully remember the right name.

[@burnzy116]

Also I still can’t believe that Two Face is Voiced by Bull from Night Court!

[@ArcaJ]

Upon a re-watch, I think Cat Woman meant something different than the villains, when she said "almost got 'im." 🤔

[@daliborjovanovic510]

Well, duh. Even at her worst, Catwoman isn't aiming to kill Batman.

[@primusfan87]

“Maybe we’d have a place for each other without Gotham, maybe without masks” sounds pretty funny in these times

[@DSan-kl2yc]

"maybe with masks" sounds kinky

[@ThenewTchannel]

This episode is downright hysterical sometimes. The villains play off of each other so well, and the bit with Croc's story still gets me

[@Spiqaro]

This is something they should do with the Suicide Squad movies: Have a scene where the bad guys get together and have an "Almost Got 'Im" moment. They could talk about (while the movie shows us) how they were caught or beaten by their respective superhero while trying to kill that hero. It would help to flesh out the villain's personality and superpowers while giving us an amazing action sequence and solidifying both them as villains and tying them to their superhero which would help with the world building of the DC Cinematic Universe.

[@liveac3694]

If I'm not misstaken there actually is an episode were Croc tries to throw a big rock at Batman.

[@xxsilentreatmentxx]

Yes the great episode 'Sideshow', he nearly pulverizes Batman's head with a rock while he's on the ground passed out.

[@df7461]

9:12 oh yeah, you and what army? LOL, that’s a good army

[@retronova_official]

Undeniably my absolute favorite episode.

[@gonzalezmichael89]

i was very fortunate to watch this episode when i was a kid and still a favorite

[@timothywilcox1539]

"They got to be dead." Well, they were referred to as 'The Two-Ton Gang', so maybe they had some superhuman durability in their back-pocket? Yeah, they must be dead, but still, that bounce was epic. Ten points.

[@goonking420]

Best episode right here!

[@ReimuandCirno]

I love this episode! It was great to watch the major villains interact in a casual setting and hear their banter. The reveal was fantastic too. Easily one of the best episodes.

[@Harri927]

This is by far my favorite episode in the whole series.

[@tacg99]

This is my all time favorite episode of this series. I loved it as an 11 year old back in the 90s and I still love it as a 40 year old man. It's just so cool seeing all the villains interacting with each other and the twist is still so cool. Killer Croc's line of "I threw a rock at him" still gets me every time. Another underrated line in the episode is when The Penguin is starting his rant Joker says "Smaller words Penguin we're losing Croc" The camera cut to the look on Croc's face is priceless.

[@Zorro3k6]

Hands down one of my favorite episodes. And it deserves the praise that it gets. One thing I love about it, that I don't see anyone mention really, was Batman tells a joke. Knowing the big twist at the end makes one of the flash back stories even more funny for me. I love it.

[@TheStubbzy]

No doubt about it. This is my all time favorite Batman TAS episode. There's just so much to love about it.

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

As a kid I remember re-enacting this entire episode with action figures

[@esteemedmortal5917]

A childhood well spent!

[@brevonsflicksgames7450]

@@esteemedmortal5917 damn right

[@TheNearsightedGamer]

FINALLY!! I've been waiting for this episode since last year's Bat May. So glad to hear it talked about. Love love love this episode.

[@otakon17]

Man, I LOVED this episode even as a kid. I couldn't put my finger on it back then though. But the animation, the banter, the mood were all perfect.

[@ianloren-dc7bv]

Pamela: "Me and Harvey used to DATE" Everyone else: "Ahhhh"

[@Firestata84]

Mmmm, finally! As many other BTAS fans, I love this episode! If not my absolute favorite, then certainly one of the leading candidates. Granted, there are some great episodes focused on one specific villain - but here we have them all together and the episode is masterclass despite the amount of characters - it's hard to fill this much personality in a short episode. I did listen to Walter and rewatched it before writing this - well spended 20 mins! Even without an overall story, it would have been a nice episode with just some of Batman's most famous opponents chilling, playing cards and giving us 4 short stories that gives us some more perspective on who they are and how they think. It really comes off as a real conversation between 4 villains with a common bat-problem, that they discuss and analyze about. Instead of seeing Batman from his, the police, the normal people or us the viewers perspective, we see Batman from THEIR perspective. And they are fearful of him (have a hard time even saying his name), with one obvious exception - but they are also top-tier villains. They aren't going to stop commiting crimes just because of him. The stories themselves are not anything special, but the way they present it and discuss Batman are really interesting. Usually they never get this much time in the spotlight to think, to analyze, to interact with things and each other, to have a personality, to do things apart from fighting Batman and committing crimes. We learn that Penguin is a very smart individual who has basically figured out Batman's trauma to a T (and that the Joker cheats) while Two-face theory (as well as basically everything he do during the episode - two guns, the cards he keeps at poker etc) shows his mental issues - he is really stuck in his split personality and can't really see beyond it. Everything is in 2s for him. We also learn that due to his villain transformation he doesn't care about revenge on Ivy (he WANTS to, but clearly has done nothing), but the dislike is very much there. And of course Penguin's gentlemanly facade forces him to accept Ivy at the table - he wants to believe that he is sophisticated (and in some ways he is, as shown in Birds of a Feather). All these things make the episode "come to life" in a way a fight scene never can. Let's talk about the stories. We learn that at heart Ivy is playing on her femininity as a scantily dressed vamp with long legs - she might be strong, but she comes off as quite unsure of herself. Her story (and her character in this episode) is the least interesting and she has been closer to kill Batman than this - but I think Timm and Co wanted to reduce her strength a peg or two (since she in earlier episodes came off as almost unbeatable) and that she chooses this one, well I think we are supposed to understand that she is not really that intelligent. Two-face story on the other hand DO come off as a close one (I, like Walter, was certainly holding this one as visually the most impressive with a strong memory from it as a kid) and it is an impressive try from him, since he has very much been the third wheel to Joker and Penguin so far. I never was (or is) a fan of him - like Riddler he comes off as a D-lister with a tiring shtick and should not really be a threat to Batman (or anyone in the bat-family tbh). Here however he brings his A-game and I think Timm and Co wanted us to boost him, to show us that he is capable. Finally, the Penguin has a trap that does take Batman's abilities in consideration and even manages to wound him. It is a decent attempt, but what impresses the most is the Penguins preparations and manipulation of Batman rather than the execution itself. Penguin has so far been horribly misused and this episode as well as the next one really put the writers on the right track with the character. The Joker is also giving things away in his story (and is the set-up to a really great finish and a good way to close the episode and let the viewers understand what is going on). One thing that is more clear is that Joker is much better at controlling what the others get to see with his tv - another case of "never, EVER trust the Joker". But he also comes off as far more ruthless than the others - not because his plan is better, but because he is willing to hurt those next to Batman as well. His story is both impressive and normal for him - since he is always close to killing Batman, but as we all know - he doesn't really want to kill him, he just wants to have "fun". The Joker might be smiling and clownish, but he is far, far more dangerous and skilled than the other villains around that table and this episode cements that idea. The rescue of Catwoman (again, how many times has she been rescued so far?) is thankfully getting a short workover - that part, while necessary, is very clearly not as exciting as what we have seen and it's a bit sad to realize that Catwoman worked the best in BTAS like this - when she wasn't an active part of the episode apart from some short action-packed scenes. They really failed hard on making Catwoman work as a character, but in this episode she works (especially with her ending line tying it all together). It is also an episode that presents a good mystery from start to finish. Figuring out that Batman is Croc is hard, but not impossible (I failed as a kid, as I think most did). We KNOW Croc is smart, so we as viewers should understand that something is wrong when his story is that he hit Batman with a rock or that Batman is a robot - but I also think the writers (or if we want to go meta - Batman) played it safe here by choosing a villain who is less known than the others. In retrospect you realize that Batman is playing it safe and gives away as little information as he can, in order to not tip them off - and the villains fall for it, because they have no reason to suspect it since they (again, not a famous villain) probably don´t know him that well. But at the same time, it is Croc driving the conversation and asking the questions that should make the villains and us suspect something, but it is done so subtly. So while at the same time Timm and Cokeeps it realistic, they are giving the viewers the chance to figure out the reveal first. And we get to see Batman really showing his intelligence, being one step ahead all the time (both in the nightclub and in the individual stories apart from Joker´s) and ending the episode with a logical and satisfying conclusion. Masterclass storytelling in other words. And the animation also delivers. I think that this might be one of the better animations in the series - with clear colour differences in each story and especially a fantastic silhouette shot when Batman reveals himself (and I love the jazz music!). And the dialogue and the banter between all characters are more or less fantastic - with many great one-liners between them. It is not really much more to say, this is one of the strongest episodes in BTAS. And I think most people agree. Verdict: 5 out of 5 bats (and a nominee for Best BTAS episode).

[@darkcat282]

Personal favorite episode. Re-Watch it every chance I get.

[@MaveriKat]

This, in my most humble opinion, is the truly best episode of "Batman: The Animated Series". It had great animation, a great cast, a wonderful succession of stories in a neat framing device, a genuinely surprising twist, and hands down, the best humor in the entire series. Whenever I think back to Batman, this episode is one of the first things to jump to mind.

[@brendancrowley3859]

Almost Got 'Im is my favorite episode of all time. I read the book constantly in second grade but I didn't know what that they made an actual episode of the same material from the book. A classic for sure and can't get enough of it.

[@hansomewarlord]

I didn't know Paul Williams from phantom of the paradise voiced the penguin. Because he played Swan the villain in the movie.

[@roningt7175]

Without a doubt one of my top five episodes from the animated series. Fantastic episode.

[@robchuk4136]

Kid me: "Aviary?" Show: "Big bird cage." I'm a fan of Penguin's story, which is just so him. It's also good at low key being more dangerous than it appears (I was very concerned when Batman got clawed! Battle damage is a tell tale sign a cartoon isn't messing around!) Top 3 Episodes Ever for me. It's perfect storytelling in a half hour. Great characterization, dynamics, stakes, twists, iconic imagery, and a chef's kiss of a final line.

[@Kujakuseki01]

Loved this one as a kid, and the ending twist blew me away.

[@replayarcade7354]

Its amazing how each episode felt like mini movies.. quality was through the roofs

[@worldofthought8352]

The episode is also on youtube and it's certainly worth a watch, it's one of the series well planned and executed storytelling.

[@hotarushinpei4966]

"Not the robot theory again." Soooooo...how many episodes until you get to His Silicon Soul?

[@WhiteFangofWar]

'Well he COULD be...'

[@liarbility568]

Right!?

[@disneyvillainsfan1666]

Two-Face: Half of me wants to strangle you. Poison Ivy: And what does the other half want? Two-Face: To hit you with a truck! Poison Ivy: We used to date. I love this part.

[@hidochung7833]

This episode is really amazing and appreciated that you share the same thought Walter. Also best almost got'em tale is jokers but runner up is two faces tale.

[@tyranitararmaldo]

That picture of Mark Hamill is TERRIFYING. I love it! An absolute crime that he never got to play him in a live-action film.

[@artfire28]

This is why I love Friday primetime in Philippines. I remember Batman TAS like it was yesterday and this episode stood out the most.

[@Obliviousralph]

This episode is right up there with Adam West when it comes to why I love Batman. When I was eleven this episode blew my mind. Still a great watch.

[@TidalShadow]

I would argue that this episode is the quintessential piece of Batman media. To someone who has never experienced Batman before, it establishes everything you need to know. For Batman, you see him as a character who outsmarts his enemies first and out-punches them second. You see his relationship to many of his enemies and the fear and mythology around the Batman persona. You also get an extremely good idea of Batman's relationship to the police and to Catwoman. This is not my favorite episode of Batman TAS, but I think it's the most important.

[@justingarrett1675]

This is one of my absolute favorite episodes of Batman

[@TheImaginator972]

I have watch this classic episode and it's still is one of the great BTAS episode fo all time.

[@carbumb4229]

I always thought it was funny because killer crock was the closest to killing batman with a rock. Don't remember if it happened yet but the episode when crock finds himself in a circus, batman is out cold and crock throws a rock at him but misses because he was dizzy. Even a few inches would have done crushed an arm or leg.

[@BanditOfBandwidth]

Probably my favorite Batman TAS episode. It's just so amusing to see the batman villains hang out together when they're not busy scheming and being stopped by Batman.

[@BYERE]

This is one of my favourite episodes of the series

[@kfures3469]

I love when Batman sets that trap. So perfect

[@briansilva3344]

The fact that Killer Croc shared the rock story, has to be the closest anyone actually got to killing Batman, since he's the one sharing it. Why wouldn't he be honest?

[@randomplotbunny]

One of my absolute favorite episodes!

[@WhiteFangofWar]

I'm of two minds whether to consider this or Trial to be my all-time favorite, but it earns its position. This is really one of the first examples of 'villain camaraderie' in the mythos, showing that even if the rogues all have different motives and plans, they've all accepted that label of 'rogue' and the fact that love them or hate them, these other 'freaks' are now their peers. And of course, some of them are even able to develop new friendships with each other later on.

[@ThayneGill]

This is one of the first episode in the animated series I ever saw as a kid when the show aired on the hub network and as such it left a big impact on me I recommend this to anybody on the highest degree.

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

One of my top favorite episodes. "I threw a rock at him" kills me so much 🤣🤣🤣🤣