Batman: The Animated Series
Episode 57 & 58
Shadow of the Bat: Part 1 & 2
After countless episodes we finally get Batgirl and her origin story is amazing. The two-part episode plays out like film and it’s a great follow-up to Mask of the Phantasm. Barbara Gordon’s father Commissioner James Gordon is framed for crimes he didn’t commit. During a rally of public support for him she dresses up as Batman to excite the crowd. Antics ensue and she’s forced stop a crime and it’s revealed she’s a female bat-fake who the media calls Batgirl.
As the story progresses we learn Two Face is behind the frame with the help of Gil Mason, Barbara’s love interest (who we just met in this episode) is the working for Two Face (making his betrayal a surprise of no one). Batman is a side character in his own adventure. The climax has Batgirl, on a boat, having a very personal standoff against Gil Mason. He discovers she’s Barbara during the fight, she defeats him, turns him over for justice.
It’s not a plot hole but certainly a wasted plot device that he never turns her in or rats out her identity as the years go on. It’s laid on thick in the episodes that he’s in love with her. But if he loved her so much, why would he frame her dad? Mason’s motivations didn’t make sense. He wanted to be commissioner or mayor but if he married the boss’s daughter that would be the better route to go.
Otherwise her introduction to the series is great. Anyone who watched the prior episodes were just waiting for this moment. The show had to make it epic and they didn’t disappoint.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
