Mad As A Hatter - Bat-May

[@ChannelAwesome]

What did everyone think of Mad as a Hatter? Watch more Bat-May here - bit.ly/3dhEQHT Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesom

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I absolutely love Mad Hatter in the first few Seasons! He made me laugh just as hard as Mark Hamill's Joker with his delivery! Sad shame his redesigned was terrible in the last season.

[@srstriker6420]

Channel Awesome the best mad hatter ever

[@danielbryant4349]

The mad hatter was my favorite arc in Gotham. The actor was amazing. The story was creepy and disturbing in all the right ways, without going over the line. Highly recommended that you watch his arc.

[@Dr.Gold-Dry-Bowser]

Its one of my favorite episodes.

[@srstriker6420]

Dry Bowser good for you

[@keithdean9149]

In a later episode, Hatter had one of the best villain lines of the entire series, "I was willing to give you the life you want!! Just to get you out of mine."

[@251to502]

Perchance To Dream.

[@Avenger85438]

Sad thing is, this is Hatter at his most stable. From here on, his ethics and motives erode considerably.

[@MforMovesets]

Which is a character development though, kinda like Ventriloquist. Not many of the villains have that.

[@Ishtarru]

Just look at this exchange between him and DA Janet Van Dorn in the episode "Trial": Hatter: Batman forced me to do it. He was going to take her away from me. I had no choice. Janet: You could have respected her wishes and left her alone. Hatter: I'd have killed her first!

[@ChaosSepher]

@@Ishtarru Hatter: May I request that last statement be stricken from the Record? Judge Joker: Record? Is someone writing this down? Janet: *Rubs her temples*

[@vguyver2]

@@ChaosSepher "Throw a rock at him!"

[@lworthy2518]

@@vguyver2 Oh Croc!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

This show hit so many grandslam homeruns when choosing voice actors for roles.

[@MrGabeanator]

Tadicuslegion78 ikr

[@jeremykrause153]

This is probably my favorite voice actor for a villain in this show.

[@tvccreator_elysius]

Jervis is still one of my favorite Batman villains. He's sympathetic yet a dangerous threat to others. He's not physically threatening, but his technology is phenomenally ahead of its time. He wants to be loved, but his actions cause people to fear him. Roddy McDowall was the perfect voice for Jervis, and is almost always the voice I imagine for him. I love the Mad Hatter. :)

[@silverblade357]

In this context, Jervis could have marketed his tech to the Department of Defense or even just the civilian market. Like, soldiers could use the chips to overcome fatigue or trauma while artists could use them to work through creative blocks. Hell, he used them to shake his awkwardness and give himself more charisma, right? He could get another Alice or just wait for the marriage to collapse! EDIT: On that note, I'd love to see an AU where all the smarter villains never go villainous and use their brilliance for the greater good or even just legit personal profit.

[@neonnwave1]

@@silverblade357 You sort of just explained the plot point of nanomachines in Metal Gear Solid 4. They did just that and more in the game with nanomachines.

[@srstriker6420]

T. V. C. Creator yeah McDowell will be missed

[@srstriker6420]

Agustin Camejo yeah

[@neonnwave1]

@ It's 'the nice guy syndrome'. But you have the definition wrong. It's when a guy is nice to someone in the hopes of them loving him or sleeping with them, just because he has shown to be very nice. But when he is either rejected or things just don't turn in their favour (like Alice getting back together with her ex), he gets angry and becomes hostile towards their interest. A typical nice guy would have just been left sad & heartbroken and moved on with his life. Jervis isn't a nice guy. Just insane.

[@Nasser851000]

"You're entirely bonkers, but I'll tell you a secret...all the best people are."

[@natethegreat5968]

You think I’m psycho you think I’m gone

[@chrisp.9385]

"My brain is shattered You can be Alice i'll be the mad hatter"

[@theodorelau9691]

I’m peeling the skin off my face

[@l0sts0ul89]

@@theodorelau9691 the normals they make me afraid (idk)

[@kirbysuperstar5494]

Every single comment aside from mine is lyrics from the Melanie Martinez song

[@bhunt799]

As someone who has unfortunately had to cope with a crush being taken, this episode is very relatable and in my opinion, one of the best episodes of the show.

[@jeremykrause153]

Oh yes I’ve had that happen to me before too and it’s not fun. Lol

[@nunka34ify]

Happens to me all of the time. Guess that's what happens when you're the "nice guy"

[@jeremykrause153]

The thing that sucks for Mad Hatter in this episode is that he probably had a crush on Alice for as long as she had worked there and also she probably had a boyfriend as long as he knew her. So when he heard she broke up and tried to win her feeling by taking her out only to discover she had gotten back together with her boyfriend the same night had to be devastating.

[@Center-For-I.E.D.Mismanagement]

Jervis Tetch is a cautionary tale of the consequences of being an incel. *Don't. Be. An. Incel.*

[@jordil6152]

Save yourself the hassle: 3 shots at the hoop then move on.

[@RockySamson]

"In my opinion, (The Mad Hatter) is the most underrated of the Dark Knight's foes." THAAANK YOOOUU!! His portrayal in Arkham City is a huge testament to what the Hatter is capable of when taken to an even darker extreme, as shown in the Joker's Asylum comics as well.

[@BladeBlur]

Bat May is the best thing that happened this month. I hope this becomes a yearly tradition. Thanks, Walter!

[@mrcritical6751]

I’m guessing this’ll last until Batman Beyond then they might stop making it, unless they want to cover other shows like The Batman and Batman The Brave And The Bold

[@ReveiwKing999]

Between most of the country still shut in thanks to COVID-19 and DeviantArt switching over to their stupid Eclipse format, I'm inclined to agree with you on it being the best thing to happen this month.

[@WalterCulture]

Thank you for watching!

[@tarmaque]

@@ReveiwKing999 Oh gods! I hadn't been to DA in a while, and hadn't noticed the permanent change. I hated it when they gave us the option to switch back, but now it's the only option? Bastages!

[@Nicky2414]

@@mrcritical6751 "Oh yes...I would kill for that." *Mr Freeze*

[@SAPProd]

I love that the later episode Trial actually addresses the events of this episode, pointing out that Batman only got involved after Tetch made his villainous move to kidnap Alice.

[@Mysteryof89]

"And I WOULD HAVE KILLED HER FOR IT!"

[@mrcritical6751]

That entire episode was just a middle finger response to the frequent argument of Batman creating his villains

[@SAPProd]

Mr Critical absolutely! In fact, my absolute favorite moment is when the DA-turned-defense attorney who had that very opinion of Batman changes her tune after interrogating all the witnesses. “I used to believe Batman was responsible for you people but now I see nearly everyone here would have ended up exactly the same, Batman or not. Oh, the gimmicks might be different, but you'd all be out there in some form or another that brings misery to Gotham. The truth is, you created him.” She doesn’t even realize how accurate she is in saying that.

[@maldon3659]

@@mrcritical6751 the only villain Batman created was the Joker and even that is dubious because of how Joker constantly lies about his backstory

[@mrcritical6751]

Although the Creeper episode in The New Batman Adventures seems to confirm that Batman was responsible for Joker’s creation, although he was still a ruthless monster before that night and did kill Andrea’s father

[@Marco_Onyxheart]

Those voice lines really are good. It's so subdued. Almost like a great actor pretending to be a bad actor. It's kind of unorthodox. And it's very good.

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

Also I find it kind of funny how because all the villains had to be toned down due to the show being for younger audiences, it kind of forced the characters to be more relatable and human whereas in other medium like the Arkham games, most of them are monsters with little redeemable about them.

[@Vadim_Slastihin]

I mean you can say that this is what he become in Arkham games after this show. Obsesed with Alice serial killer and probably a rapist. Here we have his origin where he's more sane.

[@shawerful5209]

​@@Vadim_Slastihinyeah in the trial episode, he litteraly said that he was gonna kill Alice if she doesnt want him

[@unikeko96]

Mad Hatter is basically an incel with violent tendencies

[@theshadow4887]

Dude, Mad Hatter was legitimately intimidating in Gotham. He was genuinely unnerving and unhinged. Show got really good after season 1, highly recommend taking another look at it.

[@ChristinaMitchellwriter]

Ditto. He was legit terrifying.

[@EduardoPinto-e5z]

I agree that the show was pretty good but they fucked it up a lot of times.

[@gameboi617]

I got to agree using the wonderland motif as the central part of this story really works I've been always interested in the wonderland way of telling stories I mean it's wacky it's crazy it's kooky it's just a way of telling a good story.

[@arthurteixeira9866]

Gotham's Mad Hatter was OP as can be, having no need for any tech to hypnotize his victims but using a mere pocket watch. Great portrayal and one of the best Gotham Villains.

[@thegreatmonacage3782]

As a watcher of Gotham, I can say that his portrayal in Gotham was one of the best.

[@DJVaughan]

I liked it, but we never saw him snap, he was just always unhinged and his sister dying just made him worse.

[@randallflagg3700]

Benedict Samuel was indeed incredible as *Gotham* 's Mad Hatter. You could argue that his scheme in season 3 was a tad too long, with many fans loving Jervis Tetch but feeling that his arc was stretching a bit too much... Luckily, his appearances in seasons 4 & 5 felt fresh and new, and he never felt like he overtstayed his welcome like the later parts of season 3. *Gotham* is a fantastic show, but sadly, much like the live action Batman show from the 60s, many comic book fans don't give it a chance because they feel it's too goofy or something... The live action shows "Doom Patrol" & "Legends of Tomorrow" kinda suffer from the same fate... and many fans finally gave it a shot and started to love it, but back when it was airing, it was also a common complaint with "Batman: The Brave and the Bold".

[@deanospimoniful]

McDowall killed it in this role. Another great, although different, voiceover he did was Snowball in Pinky and the Brain. His next appearance is one of my favorite episodes of the show.

[@jonathanlarsson4608]

The Mad Hatter in this show isn't sympathetic or despicable in the same way as some of the other villains. He isn't someone who has been wronged or someone scarred by some tragic circumstances (as far as we know). He is just a lonely and awkward eccentric who feels that he should be given his due, and it is when he doesn't get it, that he finally snaps and uses amoral and aggressive means to get it. While just wanting to be loved by a girl who doesn't love him back is a very human and relatable motivation, the fact that he'll try and get it by any means necessary ultimately unveils a deep-seated selfishness and narcissism, which in the end reveals what a monster he is. He is a sad monster, but a monster all the same.

[@Sloth_wolf]

"Tragic villain" or "Unstable incel with delusions of entitlement."

[@Mysteryof89]

I loved this mad hatter interpretation so much. Then I played arkham city and listened to the interview files for him and got even more creeped out

[@Goleon]

Don’t look up the comic version as he’s even more creepy.

[@angrytheclown801]

Yeah, it truly says something when this Mad Hatter is the tame version, and not because network censors.

[@ShadowAkatora]

"But I don't want to go among mad people." "oh, you can't help that. Most everyone's mad here." -Alice In Wonderland

[@MrBoyYankee]

Roddy McDowell was a national treasure. R.I.P.

[@jp3813]

4:10 My issue w/ Hatter's mind control is that depictions of it often come close to Ivy's pheromones or Scarecrow's toxin hallucinations (ex: Arkham City). They really need to get Inception-like w/ it, such as in a particular episode of this show that I won't spoil. I feel the same way about the Ventriloquist coming close to Two-Face territory. It'd be better if he has more than one puppet character.

[@jkie89]

Roddy McDowell is my favorite of all time. I love The Bookworm and literally listen to the Batman audiobook every night to fall asleep to (its soothing, fun, and I've heard it so many times). His turn as the Mad Hatter was amazing and is a constantly re-watched episode.

[@LucyLioness100]

The irony is that Roddy McDowell was more utilized on the animated show than the ‘60s show; he was practically a one-off villain as Bookworm. His reading of “Batman” is quite entertaining especially when he starts laughing after Jack Napier goes bananas

[@mleighqs]

I agree. I actually enjoy this character and the whole Alice in Wonderland theme. Also I do think the Mad Hatter is very underrated :)

[@langbo9999]

A villain who go for genius to madness with time.

[@anothergingeronthetheinternet]

My favourite moment with hatter is in trial “I’D HAVE KILLED HER FIRST oh I’d like that stricken from the record.” “Record is someone meant to be writing this down?”

[@jenniferschillig3768]

This wasn't Roddy McDowall's first involvement with Alice in Wonderland, either...he was the March Hare in the 1985 made-for-TV version.

[@paulrawsonjr.2423]

I love that version of Alice, it was a cavalcade of old celebrities, much like the 60’s Batman show. I liked Ringo as the mock turtle and Sammy Davis Jr. as the caterpillar.

[@raheemhamilton8624]

Roddy McDowall was great as the Mad Hatter

[@thenarrator8781]

Thank you so much for this one! Mad Hatter was always my favorite batman villain from his portrayal in this show. He's inspired a lot of my own story villians and it stinks that he's barely used, let alone in any portrayal close to this one.

[@Drawkcabi]

Years ago I read somewhere on the internet the line "Johnny Depp cast as The Max Hatter", for a good while I thought Max Hatter was going to be a villain in Chris Nolan's third Batman movie, eventually I learned no it was for a live action remake of Alice in Wonderland. I felt kind of disappointed.

[@srstriker6420]

Drawkcabi 😂 Max hatter

[@Drawkcabi]

@@srstriker6420 small tablet + chubby fingers = Max Hatter

[@NichtcrawlerX]

Gotham's Mad Hatter? I really liked the character, but that has more to do with the actor than the writing probably. Then again, that is Gotham in a nutshell, brilliant character portrayals, but the writing was all over the place.

[@mrcritical6751]

Gotham’s tone was all over the place, it started out as a serious crime drama then suddenly turned into a dark comedy in season 2

[@UltimateGamerCC]

i honestly prefer Gotham's version of Hatter, less Alice in Wonderland but MORE Mad.

[@realJoeMavro]

As whimsical and wild a villain as he is, I would've liked him a lot more if he didn't diddle his god-damned sister.

[@JimmyBoy9878]

@@realJoeMavro I think that just adds how far from reality he is

[@jacklovejoy5290]

@@UltimateGamerCC Alice in Wonderland is a central part of his character though

[@naughtycicero1460]

Even though I never seen this show, I really love Mad Hatter in Arkham City. He talks and acts like someone who believes himself to be the Mad Hatter. His short stature also emphasizes his connection to the character. And his meetup with Batman at the tea party is incredibly chilling, especially when Jervis places a demented rabbit mask over Batman's cowl. His screaming and the visual will never leave my mind.

[@PandaMonium92827]

I rewatched this and remember getting so creeped out by the mad hatter's attraction to this woman who straight up looks and sounds like an overgrown child.....it adds to why he's a villain without promoting that kind of behavior.

[@shainewhite2781]

Roddy McDowell voices the Mad Hatter! Had no idea till I saw his filmography.

[@Bostonterrierslol]

This is another favorite of mine. I kinda wish they’d touch on Tetch again in other media. Especially with a backstory like this one

[@SkiKoala]

"Tweedle-Bane and Tweedle-Brain? If it's all the same, I'll play your game."

[@Nicky2414]

Roddy Mcdowall did an incredible job as the Mad Hatter, he truly felt like he jumped straight from Wonderland to Gotham.

[@MadHatter42]

Can’t put my finger on just why, but I’ve always really liked this episode...

[@Bostonterrierslol]

Me too bub

[@mattdamutt5681]

It's probably not a single element - perhaps it's how the episode is put together - they don't appear special on their own; but when talent combines it in a unique manner, they transform into the art you thoroughly enjoy. Honestly, many episodes of Batman are like that to me - leaving one small element out risks losing the entire quality.

[@DracoMagnius]

Who can say? Oh and a very Merry Unbirthday to you btw.

[@MadHatter42]

@@DracoMagnius A very merry unbirthday, From all of me to you! When hats are worn upon our feet, And on our heads, a shoe! But why is this one episode So perfect? Who can say? Let's turn it off, and watch again On this, our unbirthday!

[@marya5925]

@@MadHatter42 It's my unbirthday today too!

[@mr.lafitte336]

Jervis in Gotham is really great. His relation with Alice (his sister who apparently he sexual abused) is really disturbing and Alice blood sickness is what move Gotham for almost 2 season.

[@Zeeblud-Music]

Thank you someone finally said it. Hes one of my favorite batman villians, along with the ventriloquist.

[@SukoYote]

The Mad Hatter is one of my favorite Batman villains.

[@SpongicX]

This is one of my favorite episodes. I just loved the scene with the wonderland park. I wish there was one in real life.

[@rangerfanboy1710]

Wow! Roddy McDowall has had some serious history with the Batman franchise!🦇

[@ritselabuan6513]

Best known as the bookworm

[@wattsink2009]

For a while, The Mad Hatter was my favorite underrated villain in the Batman universe, and this was a good episode to introduce him! Mind control is one of my least favorite modus operandi for a villain (along with nano-bots and environmental destruction) because it has the tendency to make things too easy for the villain, and they have to have some obvious incompetence or contrived inconvenience for the hero to exploit. Also, the very nature of mind control involves temporarily turning one or several characters into helpless mindless pawns for the villain. That being said, I think they handled it well in this episode!

[@captainrex6484]

This was definitely one of my favorite episodes. Mad Hatter needs to be in a movie and he's in my top 3 favorite Batman villains. I really liked him in Gotham as well. I hope to see more of Hatter in the future

[@ThenewTchannel]

I agree. The Mad Hatter is an incredibly underrated villain, and his debut in this episode shows that he has a lot of potential

[@jacklovejoy5290]

I have always had a soft spot for the Hatter, he's such a unique character and it's a shame he isn't seen more, he didn't even really make it to the other animated shows like Brave and the Bold

[@ShawnRavenfire]

I remember the Mad Hatter from the 60 Adam West show, where his whole gimmick was stealing hats.

[@robchuk4136]

For what it's worth, I wanted Mad Hatter in the 3rd Nolan movie ;) This character was a high-functioning delusional that I always found incredibly creepy, even compared to other Bat villains. Some comics have played up his predatory subtext on young girls to an even more unsettling degree. The Mad Hatter is an excellent villain that I wish more directors would see potential in. As for the show, phenomenal music, voice acting ("Curiouser and curiouser" is the best line reading, that other Mad Hatter/Alice actors never quite nail) and the almost toxic stalker story make this another one of my absolute favorites.

[@Thespeedrap]

I agree with you Dark Knight Rises was a total let down.Sure the direction was suitable but why Bane I don't like him there's plenty of rogues gallery that would had been perfect seriously.Lets hope Reeves bring the Burton era back again😁

If the upcoming Batman movie is successful and gets a sequel, I hope the Mad Hatter will be the main villain, and the story should get a horror route where Tech is a serial killer.

[@LucasTigy2]

i feel like he is a tragic villain for the sense that, he has the potential for being a nice guy, and he seemed to be a successful scientist, but he threw it all away for jealousy. it's a tragedy not because of what happens to him but what he does to himself

[@nadirzenith5302]

Actually, he never had a chance with Alice. He had been friendzoned from the beginning by Alice because he is not a handsome man. Billy, in contrast, was a handsome man, so from the very beginning, Alice fell in love with him due to his looks.

[@nadirzenith5302]

@Tin Watchman Yes, that is what I wrote. Alice put Jarvis in the friendzone from the beginning.

[@kyndrablankenship1758]

@@nadirzenith5302 I don't think looks had anything to do with it. I think it was more about whether or not you love someone the way they love you.

[@nadirzenith5302]

@@kyndrablankenship1758 Yes, looks was the reason why he got friendzoned. It is called hypergamy. Look it up.

[@kyndrablankenship1758]

@@nadirzenith5302 I did look it up, but I still think looks had nothing to do with it. In the beginning of the episode, Alice did say that Billy like Jervis felt that she was the only one who understood him. There's definitely an emotional connection there. And you can't convince me otherwise so don't try to.

[@julesrules7297]

A lot of cartoons have an episode paying homage to Alice in Wonderland and I really enjoyed the personal touches of it on this show. I also enjoyed the shades of grey from both Mad Hatter AND Alice herself. This so easily could've been a total creep perving on a terrified woman but Jervis having a sensitive side and a kind of devotion to Alice, who appreciated and trusted him, gave the story a strong vision and I appreciated the deviation from stereotypes. Alice wasn't too naive to me given that she knew and trusted Jervis, who only showed one side of himself to her because of his infatuation, but that's just my opinion and experience as a young woman with workplace friends who wanted to cross the line here and there a few years ago. When someone is only ever nice, polite, hardworking and interested in you, it can blind you to some red flags if you're not very experienced.

[@Bluesit32]

The ending always gets me. "Would not. Could not. Would not. Could not. Could not join the dance..."

[@joew1237]

Mad Hatter is definitely underrated

[@davidchisholm5322]

The Mad Hatter is an underrated Batman villain and needs to get proper justice on the big screen someday. I even liked David Wayne's portrayal of Mad Hatter on the '60s television series.

[@BugsyFoga]

Talk about a fan with dedication.

[@keystrix3704]

I really enjoy how so many characters have a section in Gotham City that completely fit them.

[@samrose8860]

I really liked him I'm Gotham. Some of his plans were truly terrifying. I have to say, dropping off after season one is understandable, but the show definitely rewards you for sticking with it. Super fun, violent, and just the right amount of camp.

[@withiethewither1993]

When I was a kid, I used to think the Mad Hatter was legitimately and canonically the exact same Mad Hatter from the Disney movie, and I thought he just somehow found his way from Wonderland into Gotham city.

[@masonhenderson0221]

I recommend giving Gotham another go. After season 1, they embrace the insanity of Gotham a bit more and it's a pretty fun/dark show. By the time Tetch enters the show, he fits in perfectly with the fun insanity the show brings.

[@randallflagg3700]

Even season 1 is pretty damn good, with the mobs war between Falcone and Maroni. It really has a Batman Begins/Batman Year One feeling to it. But I agree that the show really finds its footing in season 2...

[@LowellLucasJr.]

I know this line wasn't said until 'The Trial', but I love it! Mad Hatter: "I'd have killed her first! I'd like that stricken from the record." Joker: "Record? Is anyone supposed to be writing this down?"

[@nvm9040]

His two stand alone episodes are so good that makes you feel for the character and the motivations behind his schemes

[@krock90]

Roddy McDowall is such a underrated actor. His work in the Planet of the Apes films is great.

[@zackleburg7429]

Mad hatter is brilliant

[@fearlessartist3457]

People should start campaign to revive this show on HBO max, BTAS is so damn good

[@Thedrumerdude-le5vn]

Hatters last line gave me goosebumps

[@80MWH]

This one stuck with me over the years as well, and I also saw some similarities to the scene with Nygma in “Batman Forever.” His design was also a nice touch, mixing in the Hatter’s features with the show’s stylings. Jervis as a character does start out seeming sympathetic, but then when he gets to the point of using his mind-control device on Alice, he definitely crosses a major line...one that it seems he’s never gonna come back from. I do like him figuring into another plot involving messing with Bruce, and even the allusion to his past when Batman is put on trial, and he gets angered on the witness stand about how Batman ruined his chance with Alice.

[@mikeshirleyforever]

The more I see Alice in this episode, the more her mannerisms remind me of Bibi Dahl from the James Bond 007 film For Your Eyes Only. I love this episode so much, a wonderful analysis and I can't fathom why The Mad Hatter hasn't been portrayed as a villain on the big screen yet. So much potential.

[@ComicTributes]

The Mad Hatter was a main villain in Gotham and I thought was well portrayed.

[@mrcritical6751]

He was very creepy and well executed despite not being comic accurate (although all the villains in Gotham weren’t comic accurate)

[@areyousureyouenteredyourna85]

For real. That show dealt like a bad fanfic written by some poser that didn't know the source material.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

@@areyousureyouenteredyourna85 they were not going for authenticity though, they created their own take on the Batman Franchise, much like Tim Burton did with the first two movies.

[@randallflagg3700]

@@UltimateGamerCC - Indeed. Plus, *Gotham* season 5 was a big homage to Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises", much like *Arrow* season 3 was an homage to Nolan's "Batman Begins". *Gotham* is one of my favorite live action "comic books show", with some incredible performances by Robin Lord Taylor (Penguin), Cory Michael Smith (Riddler), Cameron Monaghan (... let's say "Proto-Joker") and many more.

[@UltimateGamerCC]

@@randallflagg3700 i didnt know that, it's cool that Nolan got a homage like that, i wasnt as big a fan of Rises though tbh.

[@wolves2husky]

Loved this episode

[@colinmiller1130]

I think Mad Hatter isn’t popular among many fans is because at base level, he seems a lot like the Joker-but this episode definitely opposes that.

[@TheJoeschmoe777]

This was one of my favorite episodes! I agree, the Mad Hatter is seriously underrated. Also I love that his voice actor read the Batman novelization, it's so funny picturing the Hatter reading that out loud lol

[@sipioc]

“Would not...could not...join the dance.”

[@Aarzu]

This is another one of the episodes where, rewatching it and remembering it now that I understand more things about it brings to light some really interesting things. Jervis sees himself as a dogged nice guy. The guy who wants to enter into a romance with that one, specific, special girl. Buuuut she's already in a romantic relationship with another guy and it's getting more serious. I liked how, near the beginning, he considers using one of his mind control chips on Alice, but decides against because she wouldn't be her at that point. As the story progresses though, she refuses to go anywhere with him, so he uses a chip on her anyways. Batman points this out to him, but of course Jervis says it's everyone's fault but his. I'm not going to beat around the bush here, I'm seeing some "date rape" subtext in this episode. Guy wants something from a girl he likes. She can't or won't give it to him. He begins to feel entitled and eventually takes it in whatever way he can.

[@christianwright5874]

For what it’s worth, Paul Dini said in an interview that he based this version of the Mad Hatter on the perpetrator of a workplace shooting.

[@nunka34ify]

Honestly, dude should be a billionaire with his genius and be able to get any girl he wants

[@Drakin292]

Bad as he is, the hatter's last lines in this episode as he looks sadly at Alice and quotes the poem of 'The Mock Turtle' makes me tear up a little for another lost soul. "Would not... could not... would not, could not... could not join the dance..."

[@getmario64]

"Mad as a Hatter" was a unique Batman episode which it started to have Mad Hatter in the series. Rowdy McDowall was pitch perfect voice as a villian who obsesses his fan work of Alice in Wonderland and becomes a mad scientist who is using his mind control brainwash to vaporize people like he wanted to use as a fantasy world of Wonderland. The story was pretty good to have Mad Hatter who wanted to fell in love with Alice (strange for putting in a Carroll Lewis novel into a Batman series) and then trying to uses people to be play parts in the novel and just love how he created his Wonderland world of strange and surrealism in his psychotic world while Batman has to stop him nothing. To bad it could've been done while they put Batman Forever like Riddler as a crazy over the top scientist who asks too many questions instead of having Mad Hatter's own scheme. Anyways, its a underrated classic and at the end, felt sorry for this dude who wanted to fell in love, but now he controls everything to destroy Batman's life with his own mind control schemes when we get to the other episodes.

[@Goleon]

My favorite TAS villain to the point that I bought his toy of him at a con without hesitation (was pretty cheap too, 12 bucks I think) as well as made an oc to be his Alice (that is her name and she too is obsessed with the Wonderland stories) and right hand woman ala Harley to Joker except they actually have a good healthy like relationship. She’s my favorite oc that I made cause like Tetch, she has two sides to herself that she can easily switch between and it’s best to avoid the second side of you want to live.

[@ashleytuchin7693]

I love Mad Hatter, thanks for giving him some much needed recognition. As you said, he is criminally underrated and would work great in a movie. I actually think he would have been great in one of the Burton movies, with a lot of twisted fairytale imagery (hopefully better than his actual Alice i Wonderland). As for that upcoming episode you referenced, I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about, and if so, it's one of my favourites.

[@DawnOfTheOzz]

"Would not, could not... would not, could not... oh, could not join the dance."

[@daliborjovanovic510]

I do consider Mad Hatter a tragic villain. Not to the same extent as others like Two-Face and Mr. Freeze, but this episode shows that Jervis was ultimately a very lonely, ignored, and socially awkward man who seems to have suffered from mental issues even before becoming the Mad Hatter, given his strange and eccentric mannerisms and idiosyncrasies. Maybe if he had found love or at least friends that supported and appreciated him, he could have kept his demons in check, but of course, that's not BTAS's M.O and Jervis ultimately gave in to his desperate desire for love and affection, and became a deranged supervillain. It's not hard to imagine that in a more optimistic show, a character like him might have gotten redemption and a happy ending, but here, nope, it's a big side of brutal and uncompromised reality in BTAS.

[@IsleofJaya]

Van Dorne: And yet, as I recall your case, you brainwashed and kidnapped a woman who rejected you. Mad Hatter: Batman forced me to do it. He was going to take her away from me. I had no choice. Van Dorne: You could have respected her wishes and left her alone. Mad Hatter: I'd have killed her first! Ooh. I'd like that last statement stricken from the record, please. Joker: Record? Is someone supposed to be writing this down? - Batman Season 2 Epsiode 3: The Trial

[@alexandrefrauches132]

I had a idea of how Mad Hatter could be adapt in a live action Batman movie : He could be the main villain in adaptation of "Arkham Asylum". The plot could have Jarvis as scientist working for Jeremiah Arkham, Administrative Director of Arkham Asylum, who would be trying to use Jarvis mind chips to control Arkham's inmates, forcing the villains into become "good citzens". Due to the abuse he suffers from Jeremiah, Jarvis would eventually betray his boss, and use his technology on Arkham doctors and security guards, allowing the villains to take over the Asylum. Meanwhile, Batman would have infiltrated the Asylum, investigating Jeremiah's illegal experiments, and would end up witness Jarvis betrayl. From this point, the movie would be Batman having now to defeat the Mad Hatter and also save Jeremiah from the villain and all his rogues gallery.

[@trigunlover11]

Mad as a Hatter like the Mad Hatter. He is something else, who just can't let things go. Even when his heart is broken from a girl he loves. I also love Alice in Wonderland.

[@comicboybook9009]

I love the Alice and Wonderland reference at the end when Jervis sees Alice reunite with her fiancée Jervis: Would not Batman: Could not. Would not, could not Jervis: Could not join the dance

[@Drakin292]

I think that was all Jervis talking, but yeah, that ending felt so sad for him despite all he'd done.

[@mrcritical6751]

All he wanted was companionship, and Alice was more than willing to be his friend but she didn’t see him as a romantic partner and that’s unfortunately the only way he would take her companionship

[@BlackCover95]

The shot of the Mock Turtle was a nice touch.

[@Bluesit32]

Gracious, no. Batman didn't say a word. It was all Jervis mumbling to himself. That, the music, and the crying mock turtle statue gave the episode a striking ending.

[@lunamoonstone2350]

I enjoyed the mad hatter, he is one of my favorite villains. in some ways I really wanted him to win the girl. yet sadly kidnapping and brainwashing her not the best way to go about it. still he is vastly entertaining

[@matthiasneidenberger9471]

Gotham is underrated. It’s a good show, the villains especially get good later on.

[@manuelgrothe608]

There is a difference between the Mad Hatters 1. the Jarvis Tetch as Mad Hatter is based on Alice in Wonderland 2. The other Mad Hatter dose hat robberies

[@matthewkey689]

One episode I didn't enjoy when I was younger but just love now is Perchance to Dream. That bell tower ending was just amazing.

[@talariswatts-el6174]

This is also one of my favorite episodes. The show's take on THE Hatter is the best. The Gotham's take on the character was really good too. I love the whole mind control weapon, it makes him really dangerous. They got the perfect person to do his voice too. I don't think he's a forgotten villian it's just that Batman has so many great villians it's hard for everyone to get their due.

[@adamgrunther1367]

Gotham’s version of the Mad Hatter was actually incredible. The actor managed to portray him in a way that was really unsettling.

[@mrcritical6751]

Something the Arkham games were lacking in how they portrayed him, in that he just was creepy 24/7 and looked like a homeless man wearing whatever clothes he could steal from a charity show

[@MiyuSawai]

In "Mad as a Hatter" Alice's boyfriend, Billy, breaks up with her, NOT vice versa.

[@Merit2397]

It's so strange to me that some Batman villains stand out better in this show than in other incarnations. Case in point, while I don't know of any great Mad Hatter stories from the comics that fans talk about, I can think of three terrific episodes of his in BTAS and "Mad As A Hatter" is no exception. Roddy McDowall makes Jervis Tech feel sympathetic and naive yet equally threating. Making his version of the Mad Hatter a fun addition to Batman's Rouges Gallery. 🎩🦇

[@wdcain1]

I wish Joel Shuemacher used Mad Hatter in a film. With his flair for visuals would make an amazing movie.

[@mrcritical6751]

Wouldn’t be surprised if he originally wrote Batman Forever to be about Mad Hatter but then WB ordered him to use Riddler instead

[@kasrasadrehashemi174]

@@mrcritical6751 yes it feels that way with the mind control box.Also I think there was a joke in the film where they made a reference to the hatter.

[@nickdorenkamp959]

I'm not surprised that the mad hatter is one of Batman's villains because when you take a look at the entire rogue gallery of Batman villains he fits right in.

[@TheFrugalVideoGamer]

"Fun" fact - Dini got the inspiration for Tetch's motivations from an actual office shooting in Silicon Valley - www.animationarena.com/batman_the_animated_series.html "You look at somebody like the Mad Hatter, who basically is an ugly guy who lives in this dream world and who fantasizes about a pretty co-worker. I based [the Mad Hatter's first episode, "Mad as a Hatter"] on a really tragic story that happened in Silicon Valley about five years ago, about this guy who was a brilliant but shy computer designer and had a fixation on a woman, and he shot everybody in the office. With the Hatter, I made somebody who is technologically brilliant, but who lives in this dream world and was probably ridiculed as a kid; everybody used to call him names because he looked geeky and looked like the Mad Hatter. He actually had a poster of the Mad Hatter up. He liked Alice in Wonderland. When he came up with a way of controlling people, suddenly, they were able to do his will, and he loved it, and he was able to bring his fantasies of Wonderland and living happily ever after to life. But the main reason he did it was he was in love with somebody, and he didn't want to use that power to control her because he knew that he'd lose her, but ultimately, he had to. That drove him over the edge and drove him crazy, so there's an element of sorrow to that character - unrequited love taken to the nth degree."

[@rebajoe]

If The Batman 2 were to have Mad Hatter be in it, who would be the best person to be cast as Mad Hatter and how would he be portrayed in context of the movie?

[@disneyvillainsfan1666]

I was first introduced to The Mad Hatter, in The Lego Batman video games and The 60s show. I really hope he does appear in that upcoming The Batman movie. Same with Firefly to be honest.

[@mikechicago6200]

"Curiouser and Curiouser"!

[@ChrisMacPresents]

I love how Sean Gordon Murphy's White Knight comic series is a continuation of TAS, and I love how Jervis is utilized alongside Neo-Joker

[@TheGuardDuck]

Shocked nobody is making "nice guy" references. This guy kinda fits. Although really, it's probably better to not drag such concepts into Batman.

[@colbystearns5238]

I just watched this episode, and I was just thinking about how the Mad Hatter is apparently a "nice guy" here.

[@OkamiCurse]

Yeah, no. The comics version of the hatter, is creepy and disturbing as all hell. The reason Alice acts like a child in this episode, despite being so old…..is because they had to tone down the Hatter himself. In the comics, Jarvis is a Pedophile.

[@m.lanzoni9306]

Facts about this episode Doug didn't cover in the video: -This was actually the very first time The Mad Hatter got a real origin story of how he became a villain. Comics before the BTAS didn't care of Jervis and he was kind of a forgotten Batman foe. It was until The New 52 comic book "Mad", twenty one years after this episode, where Jervis received a proper comic book origin.