Batman: The Animated Series
Episode 27
Mad as a Hatter
This is the first appearance of the Mad Hatter. Jervis Tetch starts out as an innocent scientist funded by Bruce Wayne’s company. He is working on mind control devices but Wayne Corporation thinks it’s a way to enhance the human brain. Tetch has a massive crush on is coworker Alice, who’s dating Billy, a total jerk. After she breaks up with her guy Jervis makes his move and has a genuine shot and sealing the deal. He gives her an entire Alice in Wonderland themed date where he’s the Mad Hatter and she’s Alice. Her much better looking boyfriend comes back into the picture and all his work at bagging the love of his life was a huge waste of time. He flips out, uses his mind control devises on everyone. He uses his mind control to have Billy dump Alice and he tries one more time to make a move but she’s all confused, Batman shows up and explains to Alice that Tetch is a creepy douche who’s causing problems.
Any chance Tetch had with Alice is completely gone now. This is totally Batman’s fault for blowing up Mad Hatter’s spot. Not everyone is a boy billionaire who’s over six feet tall. Some guys have to get creative with their game. Tetch then goes off the deep end and uses his mind control to take over Alice. He mind whammys other people to fight Batman, Batman stops them. Then he fights Tetch directly and Batman explains having Alice with no mind is pointless. Tetch agrees but it’s his only option at this point. Batman takes Tetch down and he’s sad about it. Billy and Alice end up together but the rollercoaster that is their relationship pretty much ensures it is destined for failure.
It’s a fairly amusing episode. The idea of mind controlling people with tech resurrects in the Justice League episodes with Gorilla Grod but the entire premise is different enough that a recycled plot point doesn’t matter. Mad Hatter would go on to claim Batman created him. Technically that is true. Bruce Wayne funded the research that created him. Tetch was full into Mad Hatter mode when Batman arrived and blew up his spot. Mad Hatter is not aware of the alter ego. So Tetch's logic is flawed but the conclusion is arguably correct.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
