Batman: The Animated Series
Episode 32
Robin’s Reckoning Part 1
A two-part episode devoted to Dick Grayson’s backstory. Batman and Robin are investigating an extortion scheme. After some awesome action Batman interrogates the thugs and gets a name he knows all too well. He immediately tells Robin to stop the investigation. As the episode progresses we learn the gang leader is Tony Zucco, the guy who killed Dick Grayson’s parents. It’s brilliantly balanced between the present investigation and the flashbacks of how a young Dick Grayson had a happy childhood in the circus with his parents, lost his parents due to Zucco’s sabotage, Bruce Wayne was in the audience, relating it to his own childhood tragedy offers to take him in.
Batman makes it his mission to find Zucco to give Grayson the resolution that Bruce Wayne never received. In that quest he scares Zucco completely out of town. We see Arnold Stromwell make a return via flashbacks after first seeing his redemption story from It’s Never Too Late. Alfred reminds Batman that Dick Grayson needs a nurturer more than justice. Bruce proceeds to spend more quality time with Dick and they begin to bond. The show cements the relationship between Bruce and Dick in a way no other media had ever achieved. Two children who witnessed the loss of their parents to a meaningless crime.
In the present Robin discovers it’s Zucco, is super pissed off, and refuses to listen to Batman’s order to stand down. He drives off in a rage vowing to resolve the matter himself and end his relationship with Batman.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
