Wednesday, August 20, 2025

The DC Animated Universe Weekly Review - Batman: The Animated Series

 Batman: The Animated Series

Episode 80

Second Chance

 


When you know your characters the writing appears to be easy and this Two-Face centric story reflects that.  Two-Face is about to undergo surgery to fix the scars on his face and make himself Harvey Dent again.  His evil split personality has been suppressed and this is that last part in curing him.  Nothing goes according to plan in the world of Gotham and before the surgery starts Dent is kidnapped by some goons. 

 

During Batman and Robin’s investigation they speak with the usual Dent hating suspects but don’t turn up any results.  Batman is able to deduce the culprit is actually Two-Face himself.  Two-Face doesn’t want Harvey Dent’s kinder personality to remerge so he created a plan to stop it.  Batman is able to capture Two-Face but he’s sent back to Arkham for more mental health before they try the surgery again.  So ultimately Two-Face wins.  There’s a glimmer of hope he’ll recover but we know it only gets worse as the DCAU evolves.  

 

A plot twist can make or break many television episodes and in this case it works.  The idea that Two-Face is plotting against his other persona is brilliant.  Two-Face’s plans to sabotage Harvey Dent are within a realm much more grounded in reality than Scarface.  Scarface wouldn’t think twice of killing the Ventriloquist even though it would kill himself in the process.  That’s one of many reasons Scarface is a complete douche in Batman’s Rouges Gallery.  Two-Face on the other hand may hate Harvey Dent but knows he cannot kill him without killing himself.  A much smarter villain who knows his limitations and works with them.  

 

Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com