Villains Reformed in Batman: The Animated Series

[@maninthetrenchcoat5603]

The way you describe Riddler's dilemma just makes me think Batman could've just prevented Riddler from turning evil by just playing a game of chess with him once a week.

[@UbinTimor]

It's kind of interesting because in the Justice League Unlimited episode, Flash and Substance, Wally implements this very strategy with the Trickster. We don't know a lot about how the Flash works solo and how he treats his rouges gallery in the DCAU, but it's apparent that he recognizes when his villains need help and is willing to work with them to reform. Batman (at least the Batman in the animated series) may recognize when his villains need help, but he would rather have them go through the process of reform by themselves rather than work with them to overcome what keeps them coming back to crime. It seems like instead of emphasizing to them that they have a problem he winds them down till they recognize that there is one, and they finally realize that they have to change. They internalize the need to change and make the choice for themselves to reform instead of doing it at the request of another/others. Flash seems to embody the support that comes from a collective group, whereas Batman embodies the idea of the individual to set the terms for their steps toward reforming. I don't think one of these lines of thinking is better than the other because they both have their advantages and disadvantages, along with the fact that they resonate differently for each person. As you said, Riddler might benefit more if Batman took Wally's type of approach to support, than how he handles him in BTAS. Edward (The Riddler) may have reformed for good if Batman worked with him by playing a game of chess or interacted with him in a way where nobody was going to be at risk of getting hurt.

[@maninthetrenchcoat5603]

@@UbinTimor I completely agree. Batman said it himself, Riddler can't resist the urge to prove himself mentally superior. I'd love an Elseworlds Story where it's Batman using different things he's learned over the years to try and reform his villains all in one fell swoop. Put Ivy in charge of environmental preservation at Wayne Tech Fund more research into curing Nora's Blood disease for Freeze and cure Clayface. Get Bane into drug rehab. Harley needs some therapy, but I think she's mostly okay right now. Give Mad Hatter a VR headset with some weird Alice in Wonderland stuff downloaded on it. That'll satisfy him. Killer Croc and Penguin just need friends and people to accept them for who they are. As previously said, play a game of chess with Riddler every week. Organize some treasure hunts as fun dates with Catwoman Lastly, chat up Hal and get Joker an Indigo Lantern ring, beings without compassion are given nothing but that with the ring.

[@redline841]

Batman isn't crippled yet, slow down.

[@redline841]

@@maninthetrenchcoat5603 Bane gets his Wreckage Brother from Wayne. No charge for him.

[@johnbarton1941]

Ironically in the comics Batman plays chess against the Penguin via computer once a week as Penguin recalls playing against the mysterious player from when he was just a young child. Right tactic for the wrong rogue.

[@Vesperitis]

Batman needs to save his villains because he's trying to save himself. The fact that he constantly fails tells you something about his character. The fact that he never gives up tells you something else.

[@cagneybillingsley2165]

the fact that he fails tells you something about the villains. batman was always sincere in accepting genuine reform

[@Brabbs]

@@JazzStation95 they did harley quin wrong in batman beyond LOL

[@seatspud]

Watching this after No Way Home gives additional perspective.

[@xhagast]

It tells you that he is INSANE.

[@GunthersLoyalSoldier1307]

That he’s stupid? Poison ivy wants to commit genocide for plants…PLANTS! Joker crippled Barbara, killed Jason, I think killed Jim’s wife and has committed many terrorist crimes that Osama Bin Laden’s head is spinning in his grave! If Batman is using his influence to put these monsters in the revolving door known as Arkham then he’s just as corrupt dirty cops in the GCPD.

[@MrOrcshaman]

Not gonna lie, the scene were after bringing Harley back to arkham, and he gives her the dress, saying he had a bad day too once, that always gets me misty eyed, both because of Bruce's tragic past, and him seeing something in harley he wishes could be reformed.

[@Spicystachegamer]

Well harley was actually the only one who did reform in the end.

[@MrOrcshaman]

@@Spicystachegamer true. We don't know what became of penguin, riddler, scarecrow or two face, but can't imagine them getting redemption. The only other I can think of is man-bat, him and his wife being restored to normal.

[@knucklejoe26]

@@MrOrcshaman If i recall, the last time we see Two face he's still in arkham presumably getting treated.

[@janedoll3237]

@@Spicystachegamer Mr. Freeze, tho 🥶

[@mesiagamer5217]

Another one I would like to bring up is the ventriloquist who straight up murders his evil alter ego Scarface to finally have his full self reformation.

[@stevenguitink5947]

I remember reading one of the Batman - Animated Series comics shorts that did a similar thing with the Scarecrow. He went straight, went back to teaching and developed a rapport with a female student. Nothing sus, but it seemed like a genuine appreciation of her intellect. Until he found she was being beaten by her boyfriend. So he donned the Scarecrow outfit and terrorized the boyfriend until Batman caught him. Even by the end, even Batman said that Jonathon was just trying to help.

[@Son0v4l1ch]

Wait, wait, wait, do you know the name of the episode?

[@stevenguitink5947]

@@Son0v4l1ch It wasn't an episode. It was from one of the comics set in the animated universe. Wholly original story. EDIT: I did some digging and its from the Batman Adventures Annual Volume 1. It's called "Study Hall:

[@redline841]

Sounds based. Why did Batman stop him?

[@stevenguitink5947]

@@redline841 Subjected the dude to fear toxin over and over and over, never stopping, never breaking stride. Endless torture.

[@LuciferVonCarstein]

The BtAS comics had another one about the Ventriloquist. A pity it wasn't made into an episode.

[@akun50]

Saddest part of Penguin's reform is that if Vicky had been honest earlier, (like after he rescued them both from those hoodlums) she could've helped navigate him into proper high society and help him get legal vengeance on those who sneered at him, letting him stay a good guy.

[@falconeshield]

Weird now no one made a web comic outta this

[@harryfleutv666]

*Veronica. Also even though I think Birds of of a Feather is a bad episode (in my opinion) I think it’s interesting that they tried humanising Penguin

[@MrChupacabra555]

Two points: The funny thing is, the Penguin was semi-redeemed, in that he is one of the few people to actually serve his time, get 'cured' of any psychosis he may have had, and exit Arkham Asylum to live a 'normal' life. That being said, his 'normal' life was just to be a regular Fencer for the gangs of Gotham, no more over the top bird themed capers to instantly draw Batman's attention ^_^ Mary Dahl (a.k.a. 'Baby Doll'), was likewise sent to Arkham, 'cured', and left to live a normal life as a hotel clerk. Unfortunately, as Joker has said, she had 'One Bad Day' and went back to her old ways (in the episode "Life is a Crock"). In short: Bruce really needs to fire every psychiatrist at Arkham and get someone competent, for a change ^_^

[@TakeTheJurny]

I love the way you talk :3

[@whichDude]

I think Gotham needs to abandon psychiatrist as a whole when it comes to criminals. Regular sane criminals were being treated by Hugo Strange. Insane criminals were being treated by Harley Quinn. Everything is setup for failure.

[@lyndseystrait1513]

@@whichDude True! XD

[@BubblesZap]

At least the Ventriloquist ACTUALLY ends the series fully sane and redeemed

[@slewone4905]

Penguin was not in Arkham. He was different from the others, in that way. Penguin isn't insane. there was a couple of other not insane member of Batman's rogue's gallery, but they were in Arkham because of unique medical needs. Remember, Penguin was in prison and was taking care of Pigeons when Batman visited him for information.

[@darkherculeskabuterimon7203]

It's a very interesting point with Batman villains; most of Batman's rogues gallery have complex motives and reasons for why they do what they do. Yeah, part of it is just Gotham city is a literal tumor of a place, but all of them are complex characters with motives and needs. Mr. Freeze is trying to save his wife, Poison Ivy is an eco-terrorist, Penguin was screwed out of his birthright because of his physical deformities, Harley was mentally unstable from the start, and working with the Joker just messed her up even more. They aren't just bad guys, they're also victims of society.

[@cagneybillingsley2165]

they've been dramatized to make them interesting. no one would be invested in the story of a real life 80 iq psychopath from compton. it's mundane

[@joekerr3215]

@@cagneybillingsley2165 That's not the point

[@jamespope7669]

Watch the episode of Batman the animated series called "Trial" it tells you that society isn't too blame and they are responsible for ruining their own rotten lives, they were criminals long before becoming their iconic counterpart.

[@WallKenshiro]

@@jamespope7669 though I don't fully remember the episode you're referencing, I doubt this was the case for Dr. Victor Fries.

[@frankiehernandez6232]

Harly didn't really have mental problems until she met the joker because her childhood was very lonely from not many friends to parents who neglected her so she has a problem with wanting to desperately belong to a cause or someone in her case the joker, the joker used her need to belong and used her to escape from Arkham or the batman because he always ditches her when he shows up but Harley cant leave him because he showed interest in her and he could abuse her most days but be nice on occasion and that's enough for her to stay.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I still weep for Penguin, Harvey, Harley and Ivy. Penguin wanted acceptance, Harley wanted to get back on her feet, Ivy wanted a family and Harvey felt he could never be freed. Though some of them went to great extremes to get what they wanted, some just wanted to live a normal life. Its sad really. Something that truly makes BTAS so special.

[@jamespope7669]

Poison Ivy couldn't have a family, so she cloned one instead after using a man she married. She doesn't sound reformed at all.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

@@jamespope7669 Ivy truly wants a family. Her way about it wasn't ethical( at all) but I'm sure there could've been a better way she could've worked out. Hell, I'd be happy with her and we both had some 'pod-kids'! But then the neighbors would complain...

[@AnimatedTerror]

@@jamespope7669 it’s on the same level as a person going into a hospital to kidnap a newborn because they themselves are unable to have one. It’s a crime of passion and on a certain level I can see how one would be pushed to that action… But it’s still absolutely no matter how you look at it, a crime. And passion doesn’t hold up in a courtroom.

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

Harley helped Joker brainwash and torture Tim Drake.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

@@mrrodriguezHLP Yep then fell into a ravine, was never to be seen, then, years later, reappears as an elderly woman, clearly got all that crazy outta her system and lectured her granddaughters for screwing up as she got them outta the station.

[@1GungGung]

The irony here is that Harley and Ivy, at least, did reform in the BTAS universe through the comics. We see Harley as the stern granny for the Dee Dee twins in Batman Beyond, and Ivy's skin color changed to green after that episode because we learn in a later comic that the green Ivy was one of her plant clones she made to replace her and that she was living a reformed life with Swamp Thing.

[@themerchantinblack6157]

i wonder why she is green thank for explaining why.

[@jp3813]

@@themerchantinblack6157 That's more of a retcon. The real reason is that several of the Batman characters were redesigned to fit within the Superman universe.

[@arkdraellhelldrake4079]

@@jp3813 They created story out of a retcon I guess

[@jp3813]

@@arkdraellhelldrake4079 Except the new designs are used in flashbacks that predate the old designs. Such as in "Mad Love" where Harley meets Joker for the first time.

[@arkdraellhelldrake4079]

@@jp3813 Welp, they tried to save it. Let's at least appreciate that they made an story out of a retcon

[@AgsmaJustAgsma]

Stories focused on pathos are precisely the reason why I think Batman Returns is the better of the two Tim Burton movies, and I'm glad that these themes were brought over to the animated series.

[@snsnshhhs663]

Hey! I know what pathos means! English really DID come in handy!

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

Couldn't agree more. I love the first but Batman Returns is the superior of the two and my personal favorite Batman movie.

[@KingdomHeartsBrawler]

Couldn't agree more. I love the first but Batman Returns is the superior of the two and my personal favorite Batman movie.

[@manofocean]

Never thought I'd cry over a man in a bat costume giving a dress to a loonie lady in a 90s cartoon, but that episode always gets me.

[@TheTocuba]

There's also a few of these from the new batman adventures, like joker's millions, love is a croc (for baby doll), and double talk (scarface & the ventriloquist). My favorite would actually be Meltdown from Batman Beyond. It's the most tragic as Mr. Freeze was the most genuine about wanting to reform, but was given absolutely no real opportunity to do so here.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Meltdown is one of the saddest episodes they ever did which is really saying something given how sad their stories often got.

[@Ahturos]

I wish even more shows did this. Even a goofy cartoon like Darkwing Duck had Bushroot help save the earth.

[@JonDoe42069]

I wouldn't say Scarface was reformed, but definitely Arnold.

[@TheChoujinVirus]

well wasn't it confirmed in the new batman adventures that Penguin did succeed in reforming by opening that club of his (and working with the cops)

[@jamespope7669]

@@TheChoujinVirus reformed lol Penguin pulled out a machine gun umbrella the first chance he got when no police were around.

[@freddogrosso9835]

Didn't expect crying by thinking about the Penguin and Two-Face. They sure deserve better. All of these villains can be a force of good for society, and I think Batman always expect them to be. He too, had a bad day once. Love your video and your take.

[@redline841]

Penguin getting kicked out of the elite isn't too bad. At least he isn't a pedophile ;)

[@briansilva3344]

Penguin's episode was definitely the best. and I'm glad that he did reform partly in The New Batman Adventures where he owns the Penguin Lounge.

[@manadex822]

Especially Harvey considering that Ivy was the one that made him two face in this show. (She tried to kill him)

[@briansilva3344]

@@manadex822 No, that was a good-old assassination attempt, The actual two-face episode depicts an incident involving Roland Daggert.

[@manadex822]

@@briansilva3344 ah ok it’s been a while since I watched the show

[@PoopaPapaPalpatine]

"House and Garden" is severely overlooked and an incredibly underrated episode in the BTAS canon. Even in this video essay, it misses the recognition that it is one of the most dark and tragic stories told not just with Poison Ivy but in all of BTAS. Poison Ivy's motivation for the entire story is based on the fact that she cannot have a family; children. Her very nature, her powers, allure as a seductress, her sex appeal; what are they for but to attract men with the potential for the act of procreation. She cannot follow through on that end...ever. Even if she wanted it as the episode's story tells, she legally and physically cannot have it. The only way for her to get what she wants is through the means that she has available to her: her skills as a plant genealogist and horticulturist. The lengths she goes to have a family, some semblance of normalcy to her life to set her straight, is an affront and abomination to nature and she cannot help it. Those are the only venues open to her. Batman rights the wrong of what she's doing, shattering her delusions, and in doing so has her acknowledge that she can never achieve what should be natural to her biologically, and as someone who's schtick is all about nature, it kills her to accept it. It's what makes it so heart-rending to see at the end, when she goes through her photobook and stops on the picture of her would-be family, the family of her image, her ideal. For a moment, she had it, even if it was a sick dream.

[@no1guy825]

jesus, i forgot she was infertile.

[@ALJ9000]

Stories like these are why I want to become a geneticist. Fix issues by fixing the irregular gene

[@VintageRubyFilms]

...Wow. Just...wow. To say "well spoken" would be a massive understatement. Whoever you are...I can only say...erhm..."well spoken."

[@gdhuertas07]

Wow. You’re the first person to make me feel sorry for Poison Ivy. EDIT: I should mention that I’ve always liked her, and even empathized with her, but that’s the first time I’ve read an analysis on Pamela where I felt bad for her.

[@Impalingthorn]

This is honestly one of my favorite archetypes, the "Regretful Femme Fatale". I think another good example of this comes from League of Legends (I know, I know. But if Arcane taught us anything, if League gets one thing right it's the characters). In the original lore, Ahri is a pretty typical Kitsune. She stumbled across a battlefield as a normal, literal fox, found a magician's orb, and found out that through the orb she could siphon the life essence of others to make herself more human. Even in her demi-human form, she is beautiful and beguiles men. So she leverages this to her advantage by drawing unsuspecting men into her clutches before draining them of their essence and killing them so that she can become more human. In nature, she is just a fox fulfilling its place in the food chain; Ahri is a predator and she is hunting. However, with each soul taken, she is not only looking more human, but she is acquiring human consciousness. Anger. Love. Regret. Even guilt. She starts to understand the ramifications of her own actions and how twisted it is that she is taking human life to become human herself. The guilt is so overbearing that she eventually stops, but she is still a MURDERER and has to live with that fact now; neither fully transformed nor free from human emotions plaguing her mind. That is pretty much where her story ends for the time being. Since then she has joined an Ionian faction and is trying to do the right thing, but this experience is singlehandedly what defines her character. She is a being somewhere between human and animal struggling with which half is more dominant.

[@Wraithfighter]

One interesting thing that you didn't bring up is that... the Penguin did reform a bit. Kinda. In the Red Sky season, they gave Penguin a less grotesque appearance and tuned him from a supervillain into more of a "Legitimate Businessman". Owner of a high-class establishment, semi-legitimate front for business, criminal connections out the backrooms, all that good stuff. While still a criminal, you could argue that it was Penguin doing something that Batman never did: Moderate things. He could never become part of high society, but he could still be seen as respectable. He could never go fully legit, but he could evade prison and keep the cash flowing. It felt like a point of stability, that while not fully reformed, he was as reformed as he could be, and at least his criminal actions became more moderate and, for lack of a better word, ignorable.

[@fourtimingtarantula3561]

I hope to see new BTAS with this kind of story depth. Not just shallow writing bad guy is bad because and good guy is flawless.

[@jp3813]

@@fourtimingtarantula3561 New?

[@demon-hunter1498]

This gives me an idea of a penguin where he is a in charge of the ice burge lounge while running a black market of guns and such but when batman comes down on him he helps bats, like say the guns he sold shot up a school or something and when bats talks to him he go's "yeah no fuck that, here let me look and give you names" a bad man with a good heart version

[@toganium4175]

Honestly, I can definitely see why there was never a Scarecrow villain reform story because you can’t make a man who feeds off of fear sympathetic.

[@mk_gamíng0609]

There was one in a comic short if I remember correctly He did return to being Scarecrow by the end I think.

[@tonts5329]

@@mk_gamíng0609 Yeah I think he used Fear Toxin on a scumbag who was abusing one of his students.

[@ericjohnson6120]

He did in part of a comic where Batman recounts his villains' failed reforms. He escapes Arkham, forges a new identity, and teaches at a community college. He becomes Scarecrow to take revenge on an abusive boyfriend.

[@no1guy825]

it is ultimately a power thing.....he is fascinated by fear because of its ability to cripple ANYone, regardless of advantage. Because of this fascination, he's become an expert, and so the actual scientific pursuit provides him that semblance of a normal avenue in life. But, it is merely a means...to subjugate. His childhood escapes me, but he has a little bit of bullied kid wanting revenge going on.....though he's an adult, he no doubt FEELS frail and looked down on....his research often got him shunned or expelled or dismissed....the price of being so obsessed he always takes things beyond ethical regulation and safety. To satisfy the urge and research, he needs.......disguise, extremes, money, crime, etc....

[@Haheehahohaheehoha]

What if he got into the horror entertainment business? Through film, TV shows, games, theme parks?

[@valmid5069]

*“We Live In A Society”* -Seinfeld *“Society Is To Blame”* -Batman: Animated Series

[@slewone4905]

Only a lad. Society made him.

[@Cr4z3d]

Wait, is that actually where the quote came from

[@KaiZX]

@@Cr4z3d "Y'know we're living in a SOCIETY, I expect people to act CIVILIZED!" -George Costanza, Seinfeld

[@LordEmperorBoss]

If Society is to blame, Then Everyone is to blame. If Everyone is to blame, then You are to blame. Maybe the reason villains blame society, is because they’re not strong enough to be accountable for themselves. It must always be someone else’s fault. It must always be your fault. Nasty way to think that is.

[@MammothBehemoth]

Killer Croc's sort if reform episode--SIDESHOW was something I still remember from the time I saw it in the early 90's. He found a home, he found acceptance. Circumstances just failed to favor him.

[@job489]

I still remember the moment when he finds the box of $50,000. He's about to steal it but stops looking at the pictures of everyone who helped him. For a moment, he felt guilt over taking the money. When the kid shows up, Croc puts the box back before the kid notices it. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if Batman never found him. It may have been possible for Killer Croc to live in that cottage with his new friends. However, the episode ends where Killer Croc told the kid that he was just being himself. It's as if no matter what anyone did, he can't change. The kid looks down disappointed and hurt by that.

[@kaydgaming]

My favorite ever scene with Two-Face was a robot chicken sketch where he was taking a shit, and he had to use the coin to make any of his decisions.

[@EyebrowCinema]

I do recall a similar (albeit non-comedic) bit in the Arkham Asylum comic where the doctors at Arkham try to introduce new objects with more variables for Harvey to choose with (like dice) which eventually leads to him using a deck of cards and being so helpless as to not even be able to decide to use the bathroom.

[@househeadericmd]

Omg that sounds hysterical. Is there a link for it or where can I find it please!!

[@Invidente7]

@@EyebrowCinema That's from Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum: A serious house in a serious earth.

[@amiable_monster]

@@househeadericmd Hope it's not too late: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3mumWCwga57mas

[@akulsinator7680]

My favorite JL moment is when the flash finds trickster after he escaped and instead of beating him up he talks to him kindly. Reminds him to take his meds. buys him a beer and convinces him to turn himself back in.

[@hellhound74]

Ironically that convincing was just Hey when you Finnish your drink go and turn yourself in man God me again flash *raises drink*

[@BlazorA02]

It’s truly incredible how this translated over to the next generation of Batman! Who can forget Mr. Freeze’ attempt to reform?!? Bruce was naturally skeptical but Terry was on board 120% and while external and internal forces pulled Victor back into his old ways…he recognized Terry pulling for him. Leaving his final act with Freeze paving a way for Batman to escape and choosing to finally be buried in the past believing he wouldn’t be accepted in society telling Batman and I quote: “…believe me…you’re the ONLY one who cares!!!” …tragic…

[@ETH5626]

DCAU seems to have a constant theme of once you go bad, you never go back. A lot of villains redemption arcs or happy endings either go wrong, or just straight up ignored. Ventriloquist was the only villain, who's redemption arc had a happy ending.

[@MrInuhanyou123]

That's not really true. Harley eventually got clean permanently despite needing the joker to die for it to be so

[@jamespope7669]

Once you go bad? They were bad long before becoming their iconic counterparts and being bad was their true version of themselves.

[@ETH5626]

@@jamespope7669 True but what really grinds my gears is that we don't know what became of Two-Face in Batman Beyond. And please don't give me Paul Dini's piss poor Explanation since it doesn't cut it because to me he's just spouting nonsense with no proof to back it up and people are stupid enough to believe him.

[@danielalvarado3846]

@@ETH5626 what did dini say?

[@ETH5626]

​@@danielalvarado3846 Paul Dini said that Dent was cured and returned to his career in politics, moving to Los Angeles and working as a lawyer for a major motion picture studio, doing very well at that job which I refuse to see that as his canonical fate seeing as any fanfiction writer can come up with that concept idea for their own take on Two-Face that's not part of DCAU continuity.

[@DracoMagnius]

I've always loved the Villain Reform episodes, but they always made me so sad because I was really rooting for them especially Cobblepot and Harley. They both deserve better than to be the butt of a cruel joke or in Harley's case the Joker's plaything.

[@jamespope7669]

Harley was already wired wrong, Joker took advantage of her damaged mind.

[@sicksadworld765]

@@jamespope7669not in the DCAU tho

[@Brabbs]

As a person yearning to be a game dev who has ADHD, anxiety and Procrastination issues (the latter two kinda the same thing) This hits home. Trying to change for the better but it being hard as hell.

[@enderlord69]

Id recomend watching something that gets you motivated to the point where you "overcome" your procrastination for me its devlogs. Hope this advice helps!

[@alijahaskew4644]

Oh my god same!

[@00yiggdrasill00]

Shit you had to hit a little too close to home didn't you? I have Tourette's and autism, and my ability to interact and work with people is very limited outside my family. I keep wanting to help people and contribute to my society but that all takes good communication skills. Much of my efforts end in failure. I don't give up but its very hard on the emotions sometimes.

[@malif1279]

Damn it really does hit home same 😔

[@alexandrefrauches132]

Good that you brought the connection between Batman and his villains. The fact that they all failed to reform can also be seen as reflection of Bruce relationship with his alter ego. In episodes such as "perchance to dream", "I'm the night" or the movie Mask of the Phantasm, it shows that Bruce also has desire to have a normal life someday. But much like his enemies, the lost of his parents always comes back to haunted him and, in the end , to do the right thing, he has to give up his chance for happiness, with his mission and the knowloge that he is helping people being the only thing that gives him comfort. Much like the villains can't let go of his obsessions, Bruce can't never stop being Batman.

[@roguebritgravy1]

I like the variety in the reformation stories as they match the characters personality and ultimately they doom themselves as well as flesh them out beyond a criminals life. It's rare when you find something that has been done, can be done again in not only a different way but a consistently entertaining way too. I like harleys and penguins the most. But there is one villain you have missed. I remember the Ventriloquist got a reformation that seemingly stayed in season 4.

[@EyebrowCinema]

You are correct, he certainly did. I had planned to include his episode but decided I wanted to stick to the original series run, in part to keep the animation featured a consistent style.

[@roguebritgravy1]

@@EyebrowCinema ah right, yeah I get that. It does your help they renamed it to the New Batman Adventures or something. Yeah I never got why they changed the animation for season 4. It was a bit of a downgrade from the expressive, detailed and vibrant style they had before. Would you consider doing a separate video on the Ventriloquist and maybe why his reformation stayed? If not that's fine. Thank you for the reply and answering my question.

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

@@roguebritgravy1 It's not really season 4. Batman: The Animated Series had 2 seasons (the first being quite long to qualify for syndication). The New Batman Adventures was a separate series several years later from the same team, made to match the look of Superman: The Animated Series. It got one season before the network decided they wanted a show with a younger Batman to appeal to kids more, and the team made Batman Beyond.

[@vesperlord4342]

I've not seen this episodes before, but god, they sound right up my alley, I'm a sucker for characters who try desperately hard to change but ultimately struggle to break out of their self destructive cycles. Thank you for letting me know about them, these are definitely ones I'm gonna have to seek out sometime soon

[@theflickchick9850]

Batman genuinely caring for his enemies, and the empathy shown for the villains in the writing, is the main reason why BTAS is my favourite Batman adaptation. I was glued to this video the entire time, it was so great.

[@scottmcdonnell5403]

Worth noting Mask of the Phantasm is effectively Bruce's reform episode, he sees a future and a life past Batman but at the end realises he's past that and is who he is, him putting on the costume and looking up at the bat signal is triumphant but there's just as much tragedy in it as there is Selina donning her suit and watching over the city or Penguin attacking a party patron and returning to his criminal ways.

[@greendemon905]

There is another reform episode: Double Talk, with the Ventriloquist, and he actually gets a happy ending, being cured of Scarface.

[@Marshall_D_Teach_]

Yeah, he forgot to bring the only reformed villain that is not really brought to crime due to an obsession but rather a mental disorder of double personality

[@spigui500]

Your insights into one of the most important shows from my childhood are honestly astounding. I always look forward to you revisiting this show. Thanks for giving me a new lens through which to watch it

[@EyebrowCinema]

Always a fun touchstone to go back to. I love it.

[@karablack8336]

Penguin has a huge spot in my heart in general, not just this penguin. Literally all he needed was some kindness and a little guidance after he got reformed, but there's always someone that wants to mess with him. I understand being suspicious of him since he was a villain, but if there was just one kind person that got to him first, he'd be alright.

[@justinweber4977]

Penguin has always struck me as a man who wants to be a gentleman thief at worst, but can't stop himself from being a vindictive thug when left to his own devices.

[@nohateTV]

BTAS will always hold a place in my heart. It felt so earnest and tragic because it always approached Gotham and the cast not with self-seriousness but with both fun and empathy. I think part of Gotham/the Batman gallery's enduring charm is that there is always the question of whether the city/Batman/the villains are capable of changing, whether because of their internal situations or the wider world.

[@WallKenshiro]

What's also great about (cartoons and comic book) stories like this isn't only who they include, it's who they don't. Which also tells you a lot about The Batman too. The Joker, Ra's al Ghul, Clayface, and Scarecrow (amongst a few others I currently can't remember if this is the case entirely) not only go unredeemed, but by their very nature, physically and/or mentally, are irredeemable. Also, as is the total case for villains like The Joker and Ghul, not only do they not even want to be redeemed, the very idea of it, whether because they believe in nothing or believe too hard in something, seems utterly preposterous, and even often repulsive. Not only do they embrace what they do, and are, they embody it entirely. Much like Batman does.

[@GameGuy667]

Scarecrow did go straight actually. In the comics set in the animated universe, Scarecrow gives up his crime life and starts teaching psychology in a university and develops a very strong bond with a girl there. Nothing bad or sus, just a genuine bond of friendship based around psychology and how smart she was. It was fine until he learned she was being beaten by her boyfriend. Enraged, he donned the Scarecrow once more and Batman had to stop him since he wouldn't stop torturing the dude, he just sat there injecting and spraying fear toxin in and around him for quite a while, until stopped. Batman says at the end he completely believes crane wanted to help the student but didnt know how else he could being as weak as he was, so he had to rely on the stronger scarecrow to do it; But sadly, he was jailed after it.

[@gilgameshthetreasurehunter2750]

@@GameGuy667 tragic really. Path to hell really is forged with good intentions it seems. Figuratively speaking of course

[@RaynmanPlays]

Harley steals the show whenever she's given the limelight. She really is one of the best DC characters ever made. She can so easily be great as either a villain or even a hero. Or something in between. The only ones I can blame for when her character is... lacking are the writers just not understanding her.

[@ThatConfusingFellow]

I remember a story of the riddler giving himself up because he realises that he actually has a problem, I think it had him trying to not leave a riddle after a crime and just can’t help himself. At least that’s what I remember, not sure were it’s from.

[@lg6884]

To me the saddest was The Penguin. While Harley fell back due to a mistake causing her to think society was against her, Oz was trying to be a better man and only reverted after realizing he'll always be viewed a certain way by society.

[@Mister2G]

Great video. There is one episode of the classic Batman TAS (first 3 seasons) series that you might forgot. It's "Sideshow" with Killer Croc . Maybe it's not 100% full "villain reformed" episode , but I think it fits one of those. I always loved the ending quote from that episode. "I guess that's what I was doin', being myself. "

[@leoncurtis5762]

I always liked how with the penguin you can blame capitalism for the way he is evil, however his childish view of social relationships is what makes him evil. If he put all his energy into trying to help the less fortunate, he could have actually helped someone born like him.

[@videocrowsnest5251]

This incarnation of the Penguin is quite interesting in that manner. He has a choice, like all, and yet he doesn't take it - despite him arguably having the easiest time to make said choice. If he actually turned his talents and life experience to trying to help people in less fortunate positions, I think he could actually get quite far, seeing as he is plenty intelligent and motivated in whatever he happens to be doing (currently: crime, sadly.) This would ironically also likely mean that with enough time spent at it, the Penguin would probably get his perch amid high society though his continuous efforts to aid those in less fortunate situations, also filling that certain craving if he would have it were he to turn his energy to doing productive things. - The DC animated universe Penguin is by far in my opinion one of the most sympathetic and pleasant incarnations of the character...when he isn't busy doing violent crimes, engaging in hurting others (note: he does have a body count too), and cooking up schemes, that is. He does get up to a lot of quite nasty business.

[@BestBird_1]

@@videocrowsnest5251 Apparently in batman beyond they say penguin is running a daycare,which is pretty cool

[@videocrowsnest5251]

@@BestBird_1 That does sound rather nice! Copplepot (because he aint the Penguin if he isnt a criminal mastermind) being able to rehabilitate and getting his affairs in order, then actually doing something pleasant like that. Though, I have to express curiosity at how exactly the whole thing went. I'm not sure how many daycares are big on hiring ex-convicts. Especially ones with as varied a crime record as Copplepots has, and double especially as some charges he did time for are for rather violent actions. Then again, people in the DC animated universe show a remarkable knack for not caring too much about things that would definitely cause a ruckus in real life. So with that in mind, I can believe that Copplepots somehow managed to land employment at a daycare and did such a good job he rose to run the place. Good on him! though I bet Batman deep inside was rather happy to hear that this all happened. He does care about the people he fights, after all. Though I can definitely see him keeping a close eye on Copplepots for a long while.

[@MrRAGE-md5rj]

@@videocrowsnest5251 I mean, they did elect Lex Luthor as president in a later movie.

[@mr.sleepyhead8401]

@@videocrowsnest5251 I'd imagine he start his own daycare with money he has.

[@gdaymaster8499]

I've always found an interest in villain reforming part of their story. I'd always like to think when I see the "Hero and Villain" trope is "What would happen if they swapped sides. In a DC Justice League show (I forget what the specifics were) Riddler helps the league find Batman after Joker catches him and starts leaving riddles. Riddler helps solve these and helps find Batman, and eventually fights the Joker. It's something I really enjoyed because in a sense, Riddler could be a second Batman in a sense being more of a Sherlock Holmes based character.

[@SoulStarSketchin]

I also love the fact that nearly all of Batman’s rouge gallery are really just splintered representation of himself in some way. Yet deep down he does want to root for them whenever they start to show signs of actual change

[@nj78572]

Another great analysis video. Your channel is what inspired me to be a more active viewer when I watch shows or movies. Keep up the great work!

[@tux75]

Batman The Animated Series is my definitive Batman adaptation

[@pbh81]

One wonders what the current post modern interpretation of the reform story would take. Haven't watched the series since the 90's, was always afraid it would disappoint but I do miss the animation style of the show

[@M4TCH3SM4L0N3]

It is still excellent, though I would be lying if I said it's not a little bit less deep than I remembered. That is not an indictment: they have a lot of story already to cram into the short time they have, and they do the absolute most they can in those parameters.

[@freddogrosso9835]

I think it still holds up. Mask of the Pantasm is the best Batman movie, imo.

[@mrrodriguezHLP]

When you stream them, you realize how short each episode is. You forget how many commercials they stuffed in with kid's cartoons in the 90s. You can watch almost 4 episodes per hour skipping intro and credits.

[@freddogrosso9835]

@@mrrodriguezHLP Skipping the intro!! Blasphemy!

[@fernandosegovia8806]

​​​@@M4TCH3SM4L0N3 They pack a lot of messages for the little they show though, and they also weren't coy when exploring mental illnesses in episodes like Second Chance and Baby-doll.

[@househeadericmd]

So many of his villains have complex interesting back stories that sometimes get changed a bit but still keep the general theme. I’ve always found Jonathan Crane’s back stories sad but I do believe when it comes to complete sociopaths and evil villains Joker and Scarecrow are the most psychotic. Although Poison Ivy can be quite insane herself at times. Harvey Dent’s back story along with Thomas Elliott are two of my favorites. They have such a rich story behind them and bring us two of my favorite villains of all time…. Two Face and Hush. The new Batman movie should use Hush and Two Face in the films. They fit this world perfectly as does Scarecrow.

[@indescent4246]

I have to say that this was one of the best analyzation videos that I have ever had the pleasure of watching on KZbin, it felt so long but so short at the same time. It was simply so complex and enjoyable for every second I watched. Amazing job.

[@stevepolychronopoulis]

You know, when I was a kid, turning on this series every afternoon, I always felt like I wasn't just watching cartoons, but rather viewing a higher form of art with deeper meaning. I appreciate the affirmation of that from these kind of video essays. Please, do Beavis and Butthead next, I still haven't figured out how to justify that to my adult self ;)

[@slewone4905]

That's because Bruce Timm and others didn't dumb down but looked for the best of decades of comic and try to improve it. The DCAU was shut down, because the studio wanted a show for kids, and wanted a show they can sell toys. This is what happened. They told the makers of Batman Animated series to make something for a younger audience. they didn't want to do it but then sold the studio on a future with a young batman . One in High school. They said well that's good, because kids can better relate. What happen was Batman Beyond did even more mature concepts and the studios had to fight to shut it down. Part of the reason there was a fight, was Batman beyond was popular and was making money. This is the same studio who screwed up and finally cancel Pinky and the Brain. I was excited they brought it back, and heard what some of the episode is like, and said no.

[@morden279]

I'll never forget the look of abject horror on Barman's face in "House and Garden" when he sees Ivy's "children" in the basement. The series was something else.

[@osmanyousif7849]

Yeah okay, maybe it's just me, but Harvey/Two Face's story arc felt like the most missed potential in the show. I think he shouldn't have been a villain yet until the middle or end of Season 3. That way, the show could build on his story more and maybe his relationship with Grace. The fact that they never even made any episodes with Grace returning and her visiting Harvey in prison felt like a lot of miss opportunity, showing that despite what Harvey's done, she really truly wants to be there for him and prove to people that he was never the monster they said he was and that his reform was possible. Plus, seeing how Harvey in episode Two-Face: Part 2 found Rupert Thorne's file with evidence showing that he's been blackmailing and bribing many people to avoid prison, the Gotham PD may be forced to take desperate measures and go to Harvey in order ask him what he's found in order to find out who's been linked to Thorne and use them to try to get a confession for a court to bring Thorne and his gang to justice. But once Thorne finds out about this, he probably will attempt to have people try to kill Harvey or maybe use Grace as a way to finish off Harvey, in order to avoid half measures. And if anything were to happen to Grace, Harvey may go full Two-Face, since he has nothing now. And not even Bruce/Batman could save him. So if I was rewriting the series for Harvey/Two-Face here's what would happen: Keep his character the way it was in On Leather Wings and Pretty Poison. But maybe add 1-2 episodes (maybe make it two-part) afterwards with Batman doing regular crime investigating, with the Gotham PD lead by Harvey showing his DA side. Harvey is trying to make some new plays to bring in some mobsters in. But during the episode, he's having a hard time making the right choice, despite Batman (as Bruce) giving him some tips on how to stop the mob, therefore Harvey decides to just pull out his coin and make a flip his choice. The episode can even be a good way to properly introduce Grace, since Harvey's still recovering for what Poison Ivy just did to him and has let his work get the best of him and not settling for once. Grace can be the only person who shows and actual true compassion and love for Harvey. Not because of his wealth and reputation, but for being Harvey. The events of Two-Face Part 1 and 2 play the same, except the episode occurs at a much later time, in order to show that the relationship between Harvey and Grace has grown over months. And maybe at the end of Two-Face Part 2, don’t have him return until S3, and replace his character with in the ones where he does appear as full villain with other supporting villains (like Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Clock King, Riddler, or any mob bosses). But in the next appearances for Harvey, here's what can happen. This episode is called Second Chance, to which Harvey's spending his time in prison/Arkham, but Bruce and Grace are visiting him. Grace is protesting for Harvey’s release to the public, but during her time when visiting Harvey, the doctors and therapists are seeing that something still is off on Harvey's personality and may not be able to hold “Big Bad Harv” in and his condition may be much more critical. Grace then tries to speak to Big Bad Harv (And here we can get more backstory to Harvey, like his abusive childhood and why he still has that coin.) and tells him try to get out of the man she loves. But of course, Big Bad Harv ain't having it, and starts to let loose his rage, Grace starting to cower against a corner as she for once actually sees what Big Bad Harv is like. When Harvey turns back though and sees what he's doing, not only does he begs for forgiveness from Grace, but they both see that Dent needs to seek proper treatment, and go with the transfer. Meanwhile though, the mobs, including boss Rupert Thorne, fear that with the public being convince to let Harvey be cured, that he will probably become more convince to taking them down, especially since Thorne's file as I mention. So they decide to find whatever it takes to get rid of Harvey for good, of course kidnapping Grace and Harvey in a desperate attempt to save her escapes from Arkham and finds the gang and during the confrontation, Grace gets killed, whether be by the mob, or even darker, by the police by accident because they were attempting to stop the fight and when Commissioner Gordon saw what was happening order to hold fire to avoid anyone getting hurt, but failed. Harvey watches as his fiancé, the love of his life, dead. And in a blinding rage, Harvey straight up murders some thugs (making this Harvey/Two-Face's first kill), and Batman fails to reach him in time to stop him. Harvey escapes and goes into hiding as the mob escapes as well to avoid suspicion. Harvey Dent is now history and Two Face is born for good. Therefore, the next episodes of the show can include Two-Face getting nurture by villains like Joker, Penguin , Killer Croc, etc. to join them, Joker even offering to help him take down the mobs, but only just because Joker wants to create chaos in the city more. There, the show can have all the rogues gallery of villains line together to attack Batman, and during one of the episodes, which will not only be the last for Two-Face, but will be this episode, except instead of it being called "Second Chance", it'll be called "No Escape", and during the climax where Batman tries to reason with Dent to let go of the coin and to stop the bombing and end up killing thousands of people, Dent tells him the best Two-Face quote, "You think I want to escape from this, THERE IS NO ESCAPE!", but Bruce reminds him of the Harvey that was good deep down but realizing there's only a few seconds before the bomb will go off Harvey forces Bruce to let him go and Harvey lands himself on the bomb to avoid a huge explosion and succeeds but ends up dead as well as not only from the bombs impact but debris from the impact crashes on him killing him. And as Batman/Bruce watches in despair as his best friend is gone, he tells Gordon what he saw Harvey do, and while the public will still see Two-Face, Batman/Bruce saw Harvey Dent. And that's the end of Harvey Dent/Two-Face's story.

[@jingbot1071]

9:09 - Untapped Trap music sample right there.

[@honesto4696]

As always, I love Dan's observations. It makes me all the more sad, knowing that J.J. "I pander to the lowest common denominator" Abrams is working with Bruce Timm and the rest of the BTAS crew, for the upcoming Caped Crusader series. He knows the why of how certain pieces of fiction worked, but has only the basest understandings as to why they ever did in the first place.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Cautiously optimistic about The Caped Crusader. Not wild about Abrams at all but if Timm is the main creative lead than I have hope.

[@honesto4696]

@@EyebrowCinema I hope you're right! But considering Timm may have a greater understanding of Batman and his world, that might run deeper than even comic creators, I can only imagine they brought Abrams in for more commercial reasons, than artistic one's.

[@honesto4696]

I just finished watching the first season of, The Caped Crusader and I actually ended up loving this a lot more than I thought I would. Some of the characters made choices that defied reason, but overall, I thought it was pretty good. So, I'm definitely looking forward to more seasons and a future video essay from Dan, on the matter.

[@LexlPurpl]

1:42 unrelated but does ivy have not one.. but 2 pictures of harley saved? i am crying

[@tyraydew5668]

Excellent video. I think the New Batman Adventures offered a couple of interesting takes on the “villain grows straight” storyline, as well. In Double Talk, we see the Ventriloquist finally overcome his alter ego, Scarface, after a great deal of tumult and hardship. Ventriloquist is never seen in the DCAU, outside of brief cameos in dream sequences and alternate universes. It’s one of the only times a Batman villain successfully reforms. Joker’s Millions strikes me as a more cynical take on the parody angle that Harley’s Holiday put forth. The episode is part black comedy, part character study. Joker is embittered, frustrated and desperate in the final season, and while he never has any intent to reform, the question of “what kind of insane circumstances make the Joker give up crime” is an interesting one that lends to sharp, bleak humor.

[@EyebrowCinema]

I had initially planned to include Double Talk actually, but decided I wanted to stick to the original series run so as to keep the animation style in the video consistent.

[@jolliwoodstudios]

I've always felt a lot of sympathy for Penguin as a character, and Birds Of A Feather only really validated it. "All i asked for, my dear, is a little compassion. That would have cost you nothing!" That line still hurts to hear every time.

[@lyndseystrait1513]

This was an insightful and interesting video! I haven't watched most of these episodes (Birds of a Feather, House and Garden, Catwalk, Riddler's Reform, Second Chance, & Harley's Holiday) and now I really want to! Neat analysis

[@Supperdude9]

This is why Batman: TAS was so good. It dared to go against the grain, it dared to experiment, it dared to be more than just another cartoon for kids. It had style, mood, and character. Brought out the humanity of the characters, as opposed to them being overly campy. I mean, you felt BAD for Mad Hatter in his introduction episode, even though he did something really bad himself. You felt for even the villains. That's how good the show was.

[@Eszra]

Pamela's reform episode broke my heart and made her my favorite female villain. Sadly she was completely rewritten after that and no longer had the same edge. The real Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley or Poison Ivy, was an intelligent woman with a deep passion for plant life and nature in general. At some point her passion went to far as she became livid at the destruction of a rare rose, thus she set out to kill Harvey Dent. From then on she wanted revenge on Batman and anyone that harmed nature, both corrupt and good. She became determined to right the wrongs of progress that ruined nature. But along the way she became less of her self. Stealing things that at one time she might have been able to get a hold of and use for good. She then had her reform episode that of course wasn't the best way to go about reform. Making a fake family by kidnapping a man and making him her husband isn't the best, but you can tell that at the end it's what she wanted more then anything. But once she was rewritten she became someone else. The real Ivy would never buy or steal anything that wasn't natural. She was a Vegan because she didn't want to hurt animals, but never showed any signs of wanting to help them directly. She became just another criminal. Sadly I have no love for any Poison Ivy other then the original that appeared in Batman:The animated Series and The Adventures of Batman & Robin.

[@debrachambers1304]

The villain reform episodes are oddly cynical for a kids show. It feels fatalistic, there's something inside these people that won't let up, even if they want it to. Just like there's something in Bruce that won't let him stop being Batman.

[@davidhill2020]

You forgot "Sideshow" where Killer Croc quits crime and joins the circus.

[@lazyquahog9385]

Honestly, it needed to be brought up. Croc found a group of people who saw him as a man and not some monster or criminal. But the amount of money they had was too much for him to resist.

[@sonictitan1239]

What I also love about these episodes, is that it shows you WHY these people are villains (more anti-hero in Catwoman’s case but still) Penguin is not a villain just because of his own motives, he’s a villain because the people around him treated him like dirt, and he just wanted to get back at those people. Riddler has a addiction to pride that he can’t overcome. And Harley… Harley is the saddest of all, just because if you watch Mad Love and then Harley’s Holiday, you see just HOW MUCH DAMAGE Joker has done to her mind. To the point where she has such paranoia and so many trust issues, that the mere SIGHT of a police officer coming towards her is enough to freak her out to the point of relapsing. These are fantastic episodes on top of a already fantastic series. Thanks for these videos, I see you have one on the Fly which is one of my favorite horror movies so your definitely getting a sub, have a good one! 👍🏾

[@HenryMidfields]

I don't think i've seen these episodes, but I loved how Dr Freeze was humanized in the Sub-Zero movie. And Barbara as Batgirl was awesome too! I need to revisit these series!

[@MrInuhanyou123]

Of all of these, Harley, Harvey dent, and freeze were the main ones I felt really bad for. freeze in particular went clean multiple times just to die pitiably in Batman beyond due to a circumstance that wasn't even his. Harley is my favorite DC character thanks to the DCAU, so im really glad in the end thanks to jokers death she was able to move on find happiness and live a real good life into old age. And now she is generally seen as neutral or good in general like Catwoman, which I really appreciate for what was once just intended to be a one off joker henchwoman.

[@grantharrell2139]

There was one villain that was able to reform in the ventriloquist but that was due to him getting rid of his dominate personality aka scarface. Kind of surprised that mad hatter, scarecrow, and a few others weren't given reform episodes, but i suppose scarecrow enjoyed the fear he caused too much and mad hatter was far too obsessed with control. The saddest episode listed here to me was two-face, he tried so hard to overcome his issues and was so close only to fall back on the coin. I think the dark knight returns showed best what would have become of two face if he had been physically healed.

[@andrewparker1622]

It's hard to reform Scarecrow. In the TAS he's just a terrible person

[@grantharrell2139]

@@andrewparker1622 I always thought in TAS he was quite sane. Vengeful and petty, but still sane. He always wanted a large pay day. Most of his schemes were ways to get Gotham to pay him in the same regards as a bomber.

[@millaray9912]

Scarecrow *did* get a reform story, but in the comic tie-in to TAS. So it’s canon to the show, just not an episode. It starts with Crane basically questioning where his life is going. He realizes that eventually he will be too old “to dance with the Bat” and he also misses the quiet life of academia sometimes. So he breaks out, forages a new identity, and becomes a professor at a small college for a while. He forms a bond with an intelligent student, who later tearfully confides in him that a guy did something terrible to her. Many people believe he date raped her, though others think he was an abusive boyfriend. Either way, it enrages Crane and he attacks the guy. It turns out that Batman has been watching all along and then moves to stop Crane from killing the guy before taking him back to Arkham. Even Batman notes that Crane was trying to help but went about it the wrong way.

[@DwRockett]

6:43 the first “we live in a society” moment?!?!

[@EyebrowCinema]

History in the making.

[@freddogrosso9835]

You thought it was the Joker, but no! It was the Penguin!

[@motor4X4kombat]

joker: this guy does everything i do penguin: but better

[@TheAzulmagia]

Well, the episode Double Talk ends with the Ventriloquist reforming and getting rid of Scarface for good. Even better, that episode happened during the period where Batman was at his most cynical.

[@christinepearson4972]

Note that the dc comics batman character of the joker did not get a reform episode for himself but Victor freeze did kinda get one in the batman beyond series when he got a new body

[@jamesmurphy9630]

It would've been nice to mention the Scarface reform episode from TNBA even if it's technically a different show just because he seems he has actually overcome his Scarface personality by the end

[@CdrChaos]

I loved how close Harley got to getting a normal life again. One mistake is all that it took to push her over the edge again.

[@mechengr1731]

It wasnt even a mistake, it was just a misunderstanding She didn't know about security tags, the guard was just trying to remove it for her

[@pastapirate]

To be fair to Batman, the fact that The Riddler is still wearing the suit AND mask after being "reformed" is a little suspicious

[@BF_Brix]

This video made me sub. Very good summary of these episodes, of which I've never even heard of prior, haha.

[@EyebrowCinema]

Thank you, kindly. And I'm pleased to meet you :)

[@Unownshipper]

What a magnificent essay. I love these episodes, but never connected them as a whole group. It makes for a really insightful look into Batman, his adversaries, and the series as a whole. Well done.

[@thenight1647]

The penguin and Harley episode situations always felt almost frustrating to me because of how much they we're trying to change but then some obstacle flips the switch making them turn back to crime, the penguin just wanted to feel accepted yet he got made fun of and treated as a joke and Harley is such a damaged person to where she can't be the same person she was before she was manipulated and is so fearful she doesn't think straight which led to the inevitable part of a just a minor inconvenience with the dress tag turned big over fear of the cops. overall this is why I love batman's rogues gallery because most of them are just tragic broken individuals who just turned to crime as their only way of feeling power over themselves.

[@ThatGuy14001]

Damn dude you did a good job with the writing and execution had me tearing up 👏🏼 bravo to you :,)

[@ChrisArias-Burgos]

It makes you feel bad for harley quinn when considering how she was dragged into insanity by joker.

[@LowellLucasJr.]

Love this video! Sadly Harley probably was the only one to truly reform compared to everyone else...she even got to see her granddaughters in Return of the Joker!

[@jamespope7669]

Harley Quinn's first day as a free woman, she beat a security guard/kidnapped a general's daughter/used and betrayed a gangster. All of that cause of a dress she actually paid for 😂

[@LowellLucasJr.]

@@jamespope7669 yep! It was an awesome episode full of wacky hijinx and fun! All topped off with car chases and poppa WITH A TANK!

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

I like the way half of these plot threads were followed up on in Batman and Robin. Penguin successfully reforms as far as the public is concerned and opens up his own big band/Sinatra style night club that feeds into the obsession Gotham's corrupt and detached wealthy class has with costumed criminals, while also being a front for his comparably tame organized crime ring. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy basically get married. Offering each other what they failed to find in their stand alone reform episodes. Then you have Riddler and Two-Face who don't change at all.

[@i.r.raharjo8706]

Don't forget that Freeze is "redeemed" in Sub-Zero, exiled himself in the arctic, finally happy Nora is saved with the help of Wayne enterprises. Only to be brought back in TNBA as a dying head

[@RealHyperHedgehog]

My favorite villain reformed episode is Double Talk. Because it actually has the villain change for the better. I like the other episodes a lot too.

[@Spudtron98]

Arnold Wesker, the Ventriloquist, actually _did_ successfully, and permanently, reform, after a brief relapse brought on by Scarface's old goons intentionally causing a mental break to bring him back. Arnold managed to suppress Scarface's personality for good by choosing to destroy the puppet himself. Every other time Scarface had 'died', it had been at the hands of someone else, and the personality remained in Arnold's head, waiting for a new puppet to be expressed through. But this time? He was gone _for good._ I'm sure that Bruce was absolutely elated that the Ventriloquist was permanently reformed. See, a lot of the Rogues Gallery may be suffering from various mental illnesses, but most of them are also just plain _assholes._ Arnold Wesker is not one of them. He was as much a victim of Scarface as anyone else.

[@howardkoslov1702]

Let’s not forget the wonderful short B:TAS comic “Study Hall” which displayed the Scarecrow making an attempt at normalcy, only to relapse in a horrifically sad way. Good intentions horrible execution.

[@NevanSlone]

Can’t believe you didn’t mention Mr.Scarface and the ventriloquist. Arnold is a man who literally wants to go straight but his other side won’t let him.

[@movieswithshannon]

thank you for handling this kindly It would have been so easy to shade either side, but you kept it balanced and I applaud that!

[@darkranger116]

This video convinced me that Big Mask is actually one of the purest inspired forms of not just Batman, but everything Batman ever stood for against the contrast of his villians.

[@zomfragger]

Of all of Batman's villains only two have been truly reformed. The penguin as while he does some shady business deals he runs a high end lounge that both serves as a legitimate source of income and prestige he also helps Batman as an informant on the other villians. Harley only truly reforms after the Joker dies as he is the source of her problems. In most stories involving Jokers death Harley without her pudin fades into obscurity unless a Kryptoian dictator is involved, then she becomes batman ally and second in command for the resistance.

[@slavkotonkovic6216]

I actually always hated that batman accepts Harley as accomplice and partner in injustice. So we have insane woman that helped in genocide and destroying psyche of batmans best friend and he is just like "ya sure welcome aboard"

[@lilbill1078]

This is crazy because I’ve been rewatching the whole show for the past two days

[@I_dont_think_therefore...]

Hey, the Riddler, the Penguin, Catwoman, and Reform! I see a lot of similarities with the new movie

[@mystica_spiral1332]

What I loved about these episodes is to see hero and villain having a real talk at the end. No traps, no weapons, no hostages, no good or evil, just people sharing a real moment, even being kind to each other sometimes. Hah! Like Basketball players in opposite teams meeting at the bar. That's what make characters the most important detail they can have... Being human.

[@soylent_brown4456]

There's a reason why this Rogues Gallery is of the criminally _insane._ They all have some psychological damage or severe obsession.

[@jackster9775]

Riddler was literally burning his costume and quitting being the riddler when Batman took him in in Riddler’s Reform.

[@jackster9775]

Like seriously all the riddler wanted was payback over his boss, over commissioner Gordon, and over Batman.

[@biddygames]

Harley and Penguin are the two that I feel the most for they didn’t deserve to be shoved down the villain path at the end of their reform arc

[@GothamKnight-hsw4vx526430]

What a wonderful video essay! You nailed it right on the head, such a great grasp on the themes of the show and characters. And really well written to, was a complete joy to watch though also sad. I really feel for these unfortunate souls, Batman's rogues gallery and himself are amazing and this helps explain why. You definitely have my sub, this was an amazing video for an amazing show!

[@curtiskennedy5996]

One of the better stories of a reformed villian was with Mr. Freeze in Batman Beyond

[@LegendMkr7]

The origins of alot of villains in the animated series are sad and relatable also. The mad hatter was bullied by his co-workers, baby doll couldn't live a normal life, and of course Mr. Freeze. I watched this as a kid and even then I remember sometimes wanting the villains to win.

[@jamespope7669]

What was great about "Heart of Ice" was Mr Freeze was the main protagonist of that episode.

[@SCP01986]

There was one villain who did get redeemed - Arnold Wesker, who controlled Scarface. He was doing well and Bruce Wayne hired him so he could earn an honest living but his old thug partners wanted Scarface back and deliberately triggered Arnold into having a relapse with the help of a midget to convince him that Scarface was real. Batman helped Wesker overcome his delusion and choose to put Scarface down once and for all, and that the Ventriloquist really started recovering.

[@NaterTot]

Here for Dan talking about Batman ANY DAY of the week!

[@uniqueangel5]

The Ventriloquist (Arnold Wesker) reforms in "Double Talk", even when Scarface reappears. This episode also shows how Batman as Bruce Wayne really does want to help the villains.

[@Cozy-000]

I remember watching Justice league action and seeing an episode where Batman is captured by the Joker and Wonder woman and Green Arrow have to save him. And in a strange twist they get help from The Riddler who has reformed and uses his love of riddles and puzzles to become a Private detective. What better use of ones mind and love of puzzles than to solve mysteries. Riddler helps out of two things its his new job and he's mad at Joker for stealing his bit of riddles. And at the end joker tests Nygma on whether he can help himself on solving riddles testing to see if he's really become better. And it he kinda does. He can't help but prove he knows the answer but if he does Batman dies. But he is able to solve the riddle and save batman by buying enough time for WW and GA to save batman. It's one of my favorite episodes because it shows that it is possible for these people to change its just if they desire to and use their obsession for good

[@dragon202920]

I look up to batman a lot and these episodes mean a lot to me. I never had someone to 'look up to' characters like batman are the stand in. I went through a lot of trauma, stuff I am currently recovering from and its a process but I've worked hard and come a long way. I am in the mental health field. I have a tender place for teens since thats when my shit happened. I do my best to give them what I didn't have. For others just continuing to give them resources and cheering them on and doing what I can to help, I know what its like. I've been yelled at, cursed at, treated poorly, etc. I still remain patient. I know they are mostly just confused and hurting. I think of these episodes I think of batman. Some people loose their way but they can find it again. In a way me helping heals me as well. I think about Batman a lot now a days.

[@voidishprattles4319]

I know other superheroes also will try and be sympathetic to their villains, but Batman was always the first time i saw it. I always enjoyed this kind of dynamic where the villains are complicated enough to be empathized with. Having "Le bad guy who's bad" is fun but having a story where you can see yourself as both the hero and the villain can make the conflict truly gripping, because part of you doesn't want either to win or lose, so waiting and seeing what the conclusion is to this conflict in the eyes of the writers is imo the highest form of character conflict. Not only does a conflict need to make logical sense but it also needs to make emotional sense too.