Yeah, and that's probably something I should've made clearer - they're the worst of a pretty amazing bunch. It's like being the world's shortest giant. You're still taller than most people!
I have to say, I will always love that line, "You killed Captain Clown! You KILLED Captain Clown! Just for that....!" I thought it really captured a certain part of Joker's wacked out personality.
The Joker begging for Batman to rescue him at the end is *chef's kiss*, especially when Batman hesitates and grins for a moment, wondering what would happen if his hands "slipped" for just a second. Extremely out of character but oh so funny.
I like the line, but the delivery is terrible. I don't blame Hamill, though. He was having to overdub Tim Curry and I get the feeling Curry delivered it weird too, so Hamill had to use the same cadence. Either way, it feels off.
You know what would have been a better ending to "Christmas with the Joker"? After the pie gets thrown in Batman's face, he very deliberately wipes the pie off, walks up to the Joker and says, "Are we done now?" And Joker's like "Yeah, we're done. Merry Christmas, Batman." "Merry Christmas, Joker." And then Joker willingly goes back to Arkham. While that sounds like it's trying to be heartwarming, it adds to that sense of absolute chaotic insanity to the joker. One day, it's a relatively straightforward plot to maim some fish as an excuse to murder some bureaucrats for a laugh, and other times it's an elaborate kidnapping and terrorist plot that has no purpose beyond getting to throw a pie in Batman's face. You never know which it's going to be until it happens. But Batman's got a sense for who the Joker is and can kinda feel out what mood he's in sometimes, so he knew that if he just let Joker have his pie in the face moment, he'd be satisfied and that was better than risking the fight going on longer.
That would've been an excellent ending and feels somehow more in character with the joker, knowing how his biggest joy is just messing with Batman. Him genuinely surrendering and going back to Arkham because it's Christmas and Batman "won this round" would play so well to thier long built rivalry, that show of respect they have built up for each other and long time fans of Batman and Joker would appreciate it more and more the more they look back at it. Which has always been where these DC stories really shined, when you can go back and reflect on why they were so memorable.
What ruined that episode for me was that the Joker had a chance to very easily kill Batman with an exploding pie and he didn't take it. During the first time I watched that episode, I was so scared that something bad was going to happen with that pie. I was kind of disappointed in the Joker when nothing happened. I never want the bad guy to win, but it also ruins it for me when the bad guy does something so stupid.
"Daggit hires the worst people." He's all about minimizing the expenses and maximizing the profits. Like a lot of people who have that attitude, they tend to be good at the former, bad at the latter.
Good business leaders understand the difference between efficiency and mere low expenditure. Investing in proper tools, training, and vetting of personnel (as well as disciplinary action as needed); one accident or failure leads to a lot of losses in terms of time and resources. And of course, the kind of shady businessman who hires illegal thugs to undercut competitors is not a good leader.
Yeah and that's the only villain he ever says that to and the delivery was great (RIP Kevin Conroy). They really wanted to drive home that Bruce does not tolerate messing with children.
The Last Laugh is one of my favorites because of its silliness. Joker has got a few "so bad they're good" jokes in it. "The only things gaining now are the laughing stocks."
I agree, that and there's a few really funny parts too "Remember where we parked" and "YOU KILLED CAPTAN CLOWN!" I actually quite enjoy last laugh despite it's premise
I actually kind of like The Forgotten. Yeah, it's very on the nose, but it has some good parts too. I like Batman taking an interest in the loss of homeless people. People most Gothamites wouldn't care about and the police more than likely wouldn't have the resources to search for when Gotham is, well, Gotham. But to Batman, those people matter, and he can make a difference so he does. I also love the blues inspired score and I really like Alfred in this episode. It is cool to see him do some detective work and being good at it. While he isn't the best flyer when using the Bat-plane, those scenes are quite funny as well. "Land you bucket of bolts!" And while the villain isn't that threatening, he is memorable at least. Mor than you can say for The Prophecy guy. I also have some soft-spots for Last Laugh, The Underdwellers and Cat Scratch Fever as well. While not great episodes by any means, they have their fun bits. And the fact that they are episodes I remember seing on the Telly as a child helps. But yeah, Prophecy was boring and Basement is just... No. Doesn't work in that world. Bad characters and characterisation. Along with Critters it's my least favourite episode. It even fails in atmosphere, which, thanks to the art-style and background, almost every other episode has. Even the bad ones. But Basement just fails.
The music is absolutely the best thing about even the worst episodes. The Forgotten has a great soundtrack it’s just the rest of it that I don’t like very much
The Forgotten has a nightmare sequence with Bruce Wayne realizing he can't pay his way out of homelessness. For a kid it got me intrigued about some social issues. Plus I love when Kevin Conroy changed from his Bruce voice to his Batman voice upon regaining his memory.
Gonna hard disagree about The Forgotten. I think it's often overlooked because the villain is just some nobody, but it really is an episode that strongly builds on Bruce's character. It shows that he cares more about helping people than just the thrill of beating up bad guys (an accusation many people make about Batman). It show him going out of his way to help people. He gets involved because he cares about the homeless in a way others in the city just don't. And the part of the dream where Bruce keeps trying to give money, but more and more people keep coming until he breaks down is a perfect way to show how it really hurts Bruce that he can't help everybody, no matter how hard he tries. The amnesia plot is a gimme, that's true. If he had his memories, he' trash his way through Boss Fat-Man's operation in a second and it wouldn't be able to fill the run-time. Moreover, we wouldn't get to spend time with the people in camp, which elevates them to more than props for the story. So, it's not the best plot device ever, but it works for what it's trying to accomplish. And at least they don't have him recover his memory by being hit on the head a second time. There might have been better ways to do that, but in the framework of a 24 minute episode that has to keep action going for the kids? I'm not so sure. I wouldn't put it in the top ten, and maybe not even the top 20 episodes (I forget how many episodes are in the series overall, so I can't guess at where it would fall in the ranking), as it does have a number of failings, but it has some very important and very powerful scenes that make it worth watching.
You’re not alone in liking The Forgotten, quite a few people cite that dream sequence as being one of their favourites. I can’t really overlook the wonky animation, talking batwing, and Boss Biggis. But it’s good that we all have different tastes. It’d be really boring if we all liked exactly the same things.
@@SerumLake True. The amazing thing about this show, though, is even at it's worst, I don't remember it ever actually being bad. Just some episodes are definitely below the rest, but when you have really high quality bar set by Heart of Ice and Two-Face (part 1), well, people are creatures of contrast. Extreme high quality can make what would be decent quality in other context seem not that great.
@@SerumLake Thinking more about it, what I actually think makes the difference for me is the context. If this had been later in the show, I'd probably not be that invested in it, because by that point, they would have established the important points this episode does. What sells it for me is not just the stuff I mentioned, but that it's a very early episode, which shows how important it was to the writers that they really establish Batman's compassion right away. By the same token, I think this is why I find myself less bothered by I've Got Batman In My Basement. It's not going in my top 20 either, but I think everybody saying it's the worst might be overplaying it. There's a lot to break down there and I can defend against some of the points you make here, I think but as I recall, this episode is placed squarely in between a couple of very heavy-hitting episodes, so a light-hearted break is a good move for the moment. Though, it is a shame that the episode they introduce the Penguin is one in which he struggles to deal with some kids. I don't actually have that much of a problem with it, because it's not just the kids easily trashing the Penguin and, in the end, if Batman hadn't recovered when he had, it's pretty clear the kids would have been beaten, if not killed, but having that be the first Penguin episode is really not his best foot forward, and an introduction to a character really does need to be that. Maybe if Penguin's introductory episode had been the one where he steals a prototype military helicopter, this one wouldn't be remembered so poorly. Context makes such a huge difference to how something is received.
Yeah, I think removing the amnesia thing would ground the episode a lot better. The Amnesia means that Bruce is only experiencing the problems with trying to help the homeless in a tertiary sense, when it'd be better for him to actively show his emotions and internal conflict with his head in tact as he pretends to work among the others, really adding to Bruce's character. I think the disappointment in the Forgotten really does come from it almost being an excellent epside, but the amnesia part makes the main point of the episode feel like the B plot as it's "not Bruce" experiencing the problem.
I think you missed the point of "I've got batman in my basement" with so many adventures following the caped crusader this was a completely different POV, it's how he's seen by the civilians he protects. I'd guess a big part of the writers dislike was that it was a penguin story and you've already said how WB studio requirements on him made him not very popular
Yeah, it feels "forced". I mean the kid saying "We have to help Batman" the way he did feels like you're watching a show where the narrator or Alfred suddenly looks at the TV screen and goes "Hey, you, watching the TV, do YOU think you can help Batman?" and starts Dora the Explorering through the episode. I do genuinely like episodes where civilians have to do thier part to help the hero, but a right way to do it is to have the villains and civilians treat the situation as seriously as the actual heroes. Make the stakes higher and really make it clear that these kids had NO choice but to fight or they'd be dead. Don't knock out the hero as if this NEVER happens in like EVERY other episode. XD Robin is a child sidekick and he plays his role perfectly. You aren't constantly reminded he's effectively the "audience" being written into the show. That said, the premise is fine otherwise, but it's tone is just WAY off compared to the rest of the series which is meant to be appealing to adults and kids, not just kids.
The thing I love about the “Underdwellers” episode is that this is the closest I’ve ever seen BTAS Batman come to killing a villain. He even outright says that he’s “sorely tempted to do the job [himself]”. Batman of all people can really relate to these orphan kids and seeing them abused the way they were nearly tipped Batman over the edge.
As an American, I'll say "The Lion and the Unicorn" was a slow, boring episode that at least allowed a glimpse into Alfred's backstory. Too bad we have to deal with... sigh... Red Claw.
And even so, I'd rather watch British intelligence intrigue from other storylines like at least 10 James Bond flicks, the Read or Die OVAs and R.O.D the TV sequel series, and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Number 5, the forgotten, is actually one of my favorites. Although the amnesia trope is tired, I always felt this ep stood out as one of the most unique stories in btas.
I actually think the episode where bruce loses his memory while investigating the disappearing homeless, is one of the best in the show! The scene where he remembers who he is and breaks out is awesome.
I guess it does mean he'd experience it more genuinely. It definitely had an interesting premise, but you can definitely feel the "trying to appeal to kids, not to adults" elements in comparison with the heavier episodes that really took advantage of the elements they had to tell a more gripping story. It's not really "Bruce" experiencing homelessness cause he lost his memory, but I can see his restoration being epic definitely. Still, given Bruce is normally a wealthy billionare, it would be more impactful if he didn't lose his memory as he saw what was going on. Take advantage of WHO Bruce Wayne is to write a more gripping story. Good premise, EXCELLENT premise, just missed on the execution.
I will say that all of these pretty much deserve to be on this list, though some do have some redeeming qualities imo. Namely, the Forgotten felt like a good premise aside from the amnesia bit. The idea of Batman putting on a disguise to investigate the disappearances of homeless that no one else in the city probably cares about is wholesome and in character for Batman. It's unfortunate because the only reason they included the amnesia bit was probably because they needed to pad time for a whole episode.
I would say that none of them are without merit, and being the worst episode of BTAS is like being the world’s shortest Giant. Yes, they are smaller than the other giants, but they’re still much taller than everyone else!
It's technically the Forgotten with children. It brings up child abuse child labor, children that have been abandoned missing and exploited. It's a dark episode and the sewer King is such a vile person that you almost wanted Batman to break his no kill Rule and just kill him.
I think Prophecy of Doom had potential if they had modeled the villain on Deacon Blackfire from The Cult and went in a slightly darker direction. The premise of the episode is actually okay, and would have allowed them to adapt that story for an all-ages show like TAS.
The Cult had only released 2 years before BTAS was in production. It's likely if the show had come out a little later that they would have used Deacon Blackfire.
I agree with everything but The Last Laugh. I really like the episode the Joker's "I can smell ya from her! Pyew pyew" made me roar with laughter as a child.
I think the episode suffers from bad pacing, lackluster storyboarding and Mark Hamill having to overdub Tim Curry's lines always sounds off and and weird.
@@teruienages962 Huh. Weird. I think the pacing in The Last Laugh is great, and that the episode is a ton of fun. It's The Joker being completely mad, as any sane person with enough money to buy a submarine and Captain Clown and all those chemicals wouldn't use them to try to drug Gotham into laughing forever.
I didn't think the forgotten was too bad. True, the villain was rubbish, and the amnesia troupe is boring and predictable, but I liked the idea of Bruce going undercover to stop a slavering operation. The episode needed a better antagonist, and the message could have been less on the nose. The bit with Alfred was pretty funny. Underdrewellers would have been better if it was an adaptation of the Rat Catcher story from detective comics. Ratcatcher is more creepy and intimidating than Sewer King, and instead of random street children, the villain could have kidnapped the children of the people responsible for sending him to prison. For me, the terrible trio was one of the weakest episodes from TAS. The trio have always been rubbish villains, and the episode just reinforced this fact. There's not much to say about no.1. It is indeed the worst episode from TAS. It made both Batman and Penguin look terrible, especially the latter.
Yes I think The Forgotten was a good episode, the boss was a laugh, but I find the story behind kinda strong, it was cool to see Bruce going undercover as much as seeing him recovering his memories and going back as Batman to fix things up, I also enjoyed the ending where Bruce reveils his social status to his fellow prisoner and offered his help in case he needs it.
The theme song for the Forgotten has been stuck in my head for 30 years now, its one of my favorite songs in the show and I like the idea of "Batman without his tools trying to help people out of the situation. For me every series can do 1 Amnesia episode. I think its held back mostly by the villain and the animation. Oh i also quite like the bits with Alfred coming to save Batman in the Batwing.
You know, I was never a fan of the batwing or bat computer talking, but upon reflection I think it’s telling that Batman chose to gave it the voice of his best friend, Harvey Dent. Perhaps that’s why the computer stopped talking after a while, it was too painful to be reminded of what had happened to him. I know that the real world reason is that Bruce Timm hated the talking computer, so they stopped doing it, but I like to think of potential in-universe explanations for these changes.
I actually really liked I’ve Got Batman in my Basement and remember thinking it was an awesome episode when I was a kid. Now when I rewatch it I can see why people would hate it. It’s definitely the most out of character Batman episode in the entire series
I think it would be a good episode of Super Friends or The New Adventures of Batman, but, as you say, it’s so tonally different to (most of) the other episodes. I will never get over the first words to come out of the Penguin’s mouth being some goofy bird caw 😂
I think it's so funny that I've got Batman in my basement is sandwhiched between heart of ice and It's Never too late which is this fairly gritty mob drama. Like it's such tonal whiplash lmao
I'm actually partial to Catscratch, Forgotten and Underdwellers, because they don't strike me as morality plays, just spicing things up with threats a little more common than serial killers and terrorists...except for that bit about kids and guns. That's total PSA material, heh heh. I can only think of two episodes I dislike enough to call least favorite. Critters, a popular choice for this category...and the one with Calendar Girl. Would have been a great Season 1 or 2 episode, but by Season 4, her tale was an old trick. I'm not even cynical when I watch TV, I just went through the first 3 seasons to see the reveal coming.
Even though "I've Got Batman in My Basement" is a really bad episode, at least it has some charm in that it genuinely is so campy. I get why this episode made the list, but I don't consider it the worst episode ever. Even if it is, it's got some charm to it and I can at least respect that it was the product of everyone on the production team doing the best they could with a very bad script.
What about The Terrible Trio ? Bruce Timm wasn't too happy with the final results of this episode, especially the title villains and animation. And don't get me started on the part where the old man has become part of the background.
I have to say that I didn’t mind that episode as much as Bruce Timm seemed to! There are a few instances where they paint characters as part of the background (Catwoman’s Trial in Cat Scratch Fever, The Riddler’s debut in If You’re So Smart Why Aren’t You Rich) and it generally sucks! There’s only one time where I think it worked well, and that’s when they remove the bandages from Harvey Dent’s face in Two-Face Part One.
Batman in my basement is SUCH a weird episode. Just felt completely out of place when, as you said, most of the episodes don't feel like they were made for children. Glad it was #1, probably the only episode that should be skipped.
As a child I may have considered that episode a favorite of mine but watching it again in my early 20s my enjoyment was far more subdued. Just an episode to relax your brain to while watching. I remember it well because it's story was adapted into the Golden Sound Story book "Batman the Animated Series Case of the Missing Egg." That was the first B:TAS merch I was gifted as a child.
I do have to disagree with the forgotten. It’s one of my favourite episodes of BTAS because is shows Bruce Wayne actually caring about people. He’s the kind of guy that will personally go to a soup kitchen. It shows he wants to actually aid the less fortunate instead of just breaking their ribs every night.
That's totally cool, the world would be a very boring place if we all liked the same things. Out of curiosity, which episode would you swap it out for?
@@SerumLake Probably “Off Balance.” I will specify that really dislike the character of Talia and that effects my view of the episode. I am also not a fan of the League of Shadows. Both for similar reasons. Whenever they get involved in a Batman story it usually leads to “Batman, you should join the league of shadows and become the new leader with Talia as your Queen.” He says no, there is a fight, repeat the next time they want to do that story. But for the problems in this episode, it is largely the villain. There is really not much of a conflict like the other villains. Where you can see some of Batman in them and the struggle almost becomes him fighting an aspect of himself. Vertigo is a guy with a dizzy monocle that gets taken out by accident. Batman and Talia are forced to jump on the bell ropes, and the sound the bells make freaks him out and he stumbles off the tower. Never to be seen again. I love a good villain and there just was not one here. I love his design, but the character was lacking. The only thing I could connect batman to him is his reliance on gadgets, but that is a stretch.
@@SerumLake I do agree 100 percent about the Batman in my basement episode. What a way to make one of Batman’s main rouges into a joke. BTAS is one of my favorite shows ever made and most of the worst episodes are still better than a lot of series at their best, but that one is just bad.
I feel like “I’ve got Batman in my basement” could’ve been a good story if they re-worked it. Like maybe the kids didn’t rescue Batman, but found him after he had gotten far away enough from the penguin himself. And then the kids decided to call the police and stay with Batman until the police got there despite being told to do otherwise. Then the “fight scenes” could’ve been between the cops and The Penguin, having The Penguin win. Then Batman is discovered and is about to be Unalived, but the kid gives up his hiding spot to save Batman? And then the Penguin catches the kid and is about to unalive the child, but by then Batman wakes up and the plot could resume from there like it did in the original episode just in a different setting. BUT IM JUST RAMBLING IDK-
my pick would go to bane - not because its a bad episode but because it ditches what bane is supposed to be and basically bars comic bane from being apart of the dcau
I personally like Batman in my Basement. The Forgotten and The Last Laugh. I don't think any of these episodes are honestly bad, they just don't reach the impact of the other episodes. But I will say it's honestly good to have morality plays within children's media which in spite of how adult some fans like myself are today, still is meant for children in its rating.
Lex originally lost his hair in Silver Age Superboy comics. Clark put a fire out started by 1 of aLex's experiments, & the backlash caused Lex's premature baldness. Hoping Clark does something similar in the middle or toward the end of Season 2. It's NOT Lex OR Mxy without their bald heads!
I'm the rare fan that *loathed* Mad Love, mostly because A] I was just not a fan of Harley Quinn, which meant that an episode focusing on her wasn't going to be a favorite of mine, and 2) the station that played BtaS and other DCAU shows had a strange fascination with replaying that particular episode far more often than any others.
I remember liking specific parts of "I've got Batman in my basement" as a kid - being where he sword-fights the penguin with a screwdriver and meets the kid's mom, but even back then I was disappointed that Batman couldn't even move or speak for the majority of the episode.
Dagget hires the worst people in ANIMATED Gotham. For the worst henchman possible, he'd need to look up the thus far comic book exclusive: Knute Brody. The most bumbling stooge that ever took up the job of hired goon. Fell asleep on watch for The Hatter, though, in his defense, he was playing the role of the Dormouse. He signed on with Joker and Harley, only to take a swing at Batman, who unexpectedly dodged and Knute ended up KO-ing Harley via wood plank to the face. Set Ivy's greenhouse on fire trying to toast a sandwich at her biochem lab table. Brody is widely believed not to have survived the kiss she game him for that one.
Did you catch in “The Prophet of Doom” how they musically reference Holst’s “Mars: bringer of War” when the woman is swinging around on Mars. There is another reference to “Night on Bald Mountain” in the second Man Bat episode when Batman is battling the man bat. (Trying to not spoil ending.) It sounds vaguely like “also sprach zarathustra” in the very very last shot of Fire from Olympus
What's funny is that these are some of the most memorable episodes. I love the Last Laugh because it's this great middle ground between the grounded Batman world and the reverse cartoonish world. As someone who loved watching the Adam West series in addition to TAS, Last Laugh really hit the spot for me. I also like the character designs in Cat Scratch Fever. I feel like there's something I could highlight for each episode, but that last one was lame. Someone really wanted a "kids rule" type of episode. I think what's worse is that these are the most painfully generic looking kids ever. I think that episode was simply a sacrificial goat to just move along the pipeline while other more important episodes receive more TLC.
Still would have preferred a sequel episode set in Batman Beyond that nicely redeems it, not unlike how Star Wars' Revenge of the Sith got arguably redeemed by a video game adaptation and a novelization by Matthew Stover.
In a batman group long ago on FB when it had certain features that were great, we made a board of BTAS memes on certain episodes. I Got Batman In My Basement had my favorite meme someone made. It had the image of penguin and batman fighting with it saying "The screwdriver is mightier than the umbrella sword". Always made me laugh.
I have a fan theory on The Lion and the Unicorn, and you are free to publish it if you credit me. A lot of BTAS and it’s subsequent movies and series have a lot of James Bond imput. Joker’s Wild is Diamonds Are Forever, Deep Freeze is The Spy Who Loved Me, and so on. However, while one scene is reminiscent of a Bond scene, I actually discovered BTAS did it first. The fight between Batman and Red Claw in the Batwing is very similar to the opening scene of Tomorrow Never Dies. The hero has someone in the back seat trying to murder them, missiles play a large part, and the villain is ejected. While I can’t prove anything, I feel that this was the James Bond crews nod to the animated series for all the tributes that are sewn in. What do you think? I also want to write about some hidden depths of Red Claw I think you overlook, but this is long enough already. If you ever do a video on her, I’m happy to help. I think she wasn’t given space to expand, but has a lot going on. The mine fight and Alfred vs Batwing are the best parts of The Forgotten. And no one likes the Underdwellers or Basement. The Forgotten has mixed reviews.
I think Terrible Trio fits somwhere here over some of this but hey even the worst episodes got some quallity, that tells you a lot about this show. I like Lion and the Unicorn as such a diffrent episode but yeah not well written but I like the change in local. Cat scratch fever is among the first I remember of Batman, it is a dark and sad episode for Catwoman and that splicer dude is among the creepiest in the show. The Forgotten I will call a great episode, the dream where Bruce cries surrounded by people beging him for money is heartbreaking. Even with all that money there is little you can do sometimes. Now I don´t argue this episodes are at the bottom. There are a few I would´t say are bad but less intresting.
Cat scratch fever is actually one of my favorites because of the ending. Really goes to show how compassionate Batman is and how fond of Catwoman he is.
And I also empathize with losing your cat/loved one and when you are reunited, they are completely different (when Catwoman finds out her cat in Daggots kennel).
I've really got to stick up for "The Forgotten" here, since for me it shows something about Bruce that is sorely lacking in later seasons and series: what he's willing to do for even the lowest rung of people in Gotham. Personally helping at a homeless shelter without publicity or fanfare, risking his life going undercover, caring about and inspiring the people even when his memory's lost. THAT is Batman.
I kind of liked a few of these episodes, but will admit to flaws. What almost surprises me, however, is how my absolute least favorite episode in this series didn't even make your list. "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy." It started out fine, but then the plot twist comes at the end, and it's literally one of those twists that ruin the entire story. Let me get this straight; Batman posed as this man he angered at a dinner party, who is elsewhere and never seen nor heard from again, AND THEN hires a guy from out of town to humiliate or beat Batman, JUST to bring this man to justice who wasn't even in Gotham's jurisdiction to begin with? And when did Batman start posing as the first guy? I just... I found myself loathing and despising this episode as a result of the twist, and became judgmental of fake-out-retcons and plot twists ever since.
You make a strong argument. I'm generally willing to give that episode a pass because it was an adaptation of an issue of Detective Comics, much like Moon of the Wolf, but it's clear that not everyone is willing to overlook the flaws.
Right. Adaptations are often fine, and flaws can usually be overlooked. As someone who both over-analyzes things, however, and writes stories largely as a hobby, twists like this infuriate me, because it feels like they illegitamized what I just watched or read, meaning I wasted my time and energy. It's one thing to have a weak ending, or to have it turn out the heroes or villains were so, so wrong the whole time, but it's another to have something amount to, "None of it really mattered."
I don't know, gotta love heroics when they become necessarily petty, grey-morals centered, and needing the forces of evil to be eliminated even when outside slowly obsolete concepts like "jurisdiction". Brings into mind why I also have a soft spot for Project CADMUS, TMNT 2003's Agent Bishop, Universal Century Gundam's Titans, and Ace Combat's Razgriz and Grendel Squadrons.
I personally like it when joker uses his vast resources and overly complicated schemes for mundane things like jewelry smash and grabs, it makes it feel like he really is just causing pain and suffering for the bit; his crimes don’t have to be overblown, because the joke to him is how the crime gets pulled off and all he cares about is the joke. Also The Forgotten has always been a favorite of mine, it’s an episode that really stuck with me after childhood for some reason
Your complaint about “Cat Scratch Fever” is that the character models are basic and that that the henchmen were incompetent? r/whoosh ! The henchmen were inspired! They were modeled after the Three Stooges. That not only disproves that they were just basic models, it also explains their behavior AND the funny dialogue you enjoyed.
Now that's interesting because Professor Milo was designed by Neal Adams, including that awful hair cut, and Kevin Nowlan designed Jessie and Paunch separately, labeling them as generic goons, if I remember rightly. Interestingly, the Joker also had three henchmen based on the Stooges, which seems more appropriate to me. Roland Daggett always seems to hire ineffective henchmen, see Bell and Germs in Feat of Clay, who were both neurotic messes, and the bumbling Nitro and Crocker in Appointment In Crime Alley. Daggett'd be dangerous if he had a decent team!
@@SerumLake I’m still convinced that somewhere during that process, maybe Nowlan knowing that Milo was to be involved, maybe director Kirkland or the writers made the connection, but that Three Stooges connection was obvious to me as a kid. The voice acting and broad ineptness. It just scream Stooges to me. And of course “stooge” is another word for goon, lackey, or henchman. I never thought to look it up online, but now that I have I’m not surprised to find a number of people who also think these characters are an homage to our favorite slapstick trio.
@@wellesradio oh yeah, of course, now that you’ve pointed it out it seems pretty obvious. Somebody clearly decided to make the reference, I just don’t know who 😂
Most of weak episodes from the TAS are just okey-ish non of them seems like an insult, hell "i've got batman in my basement" is an "you get what you expect episode" i don't think is worth put that much anger to something that was meant to be comical. I think the worst episode come from the NEW adventures of batman, yes they give us Mad love and Things change, but they also give us dumb shit like the farmer with the mutants, or that awfull mr freeze episode that killed his redemption story in sub zero, in the very best from that era "over the edge" i hate it because it ended up beeing "it was all a dream" episode and i hate that, at least soemthing like "perchance to dream" play with the idea that i could be a dream, or not, focusing more in character study rather than in shock value. Here they act like its the friggin red wedding from game of thrones only to say "GOTCHA! you thought your favorite characters were going to die? but IT WAS ME, DIO!"
I liken the worst episodes of BTAS to being the world’s shortest giant. Yes, you’re shorter than the other giants, but you still tower over most people.
Considering some of the worst episodes have such flaws as "The Joker did something silly an inefficient in pursuit of getting a lot of money quickly", "The social/political message was too on the nose even if the villain himself is compelling and Batman's interaction with him is interesting", we can definitely say that even at its worst, BTAS was very good.
I'm not sure what episode it was but batman fights a ninja and when the ninja attacks batman he swats his punches away in a silly animation,me and brother couldn't stop laughing
As much as Batman in my basement stinks by general opinion, I like the way it demystifies the Batmobile. If only that part was in a better episode, it could easily be one of my favorites
Literally came here after watching the show for the first time and seeing I have batman in my basement to see if it's considered universally the worst one cause it's gotta be
This list is on point except for The Forgotten. I really like how it’s Alfred who has to track Bruce down and save him, and the scene with Bruce and the other guy suffering in the hot box has some genuine humanity to it.
Even though there are some bad or mediocre episodes in Batman: The Animated Series, I'll still enjoy this show no matter what. After all, even the most popular shows can have some off days.👍
I liken being the worst episode of BTAS to being the world’s shortest giant - sure, you’re shorter than all the other giants, but you still tower over everyone else
@@rainbowtoyfunrandomess1982 I’m saying that compared to other BTAS episodes, it’s not that good. Compared to other shows of the time it’s a lot better.
I think another part about the Underdwellers and the Forgotten that kind of hurts them is that they were released only about two weeks apart and usually aired pretty close together. Having two episodes that similar so close together doesn't really help them stand out.
I liked your top 4 worst episodes, but I can understand why they wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea. The Lion and the Unicorn was decent, but the most interesting part of the episode, where Red Claw pulls off Batman's mask, never leads to anything.
For me the most egregious thing was the setting. I get they were going for a James Bond-style adventure, but that’s not my cup of tea. I like the tragic villain stories
Good thing she probably froze to death if not drowned on the North Sea after ejecting from the Batwing. The enemy knowing the Batman's identity is tantamount to a well deserved execution against them so to keep the masquerade; something Ian Peek learned too late in Batman Beyond, cathartically speaking.
I don’t dislike the the Last Laugh. But I don’t care much for it to find it worth defending. Other than that yeah! Almost if not all these episodes are goddamn awful! Especially “I’ve got Batman in my Basement”. Worst episode ever! Number #1 worst is hands down its rightful place. The Forgotten and the Underdwellers are also an abomination! Thank you for having good tastes!
Sorry but that is pretty silly reason. You won't watch the first doll episode which features the most tragic and disturb rogue to ever appear in a Batman story, all because of her voice. The voice is the point. She is putting on an act to relive her childhood. The childhood she never got.
I think as a kid I had a DVD of BTAS which was just the Under Dwellers, the forgotten and I've got batman in my basement. I remember not liking ANY of those episodes and my opinion of the show being slightly soured because of that DVD (though I must admit that I like The Forgotten a bit more now, since as kid I just didn't like that Batman was barely fighting in the episode).
I feel like these episodes aren't too bad, I mean they're not the greatest but I wouldn't say that they're bad. I feel like they are more forgettable than anything, and that's really due to the fact that they are not that interesting expect for a few ideas, but that's probably just me.
Glad to see that “Critters” didn’t make the list. It may be a tonal disjunct to most of the series, and the humor may not land for many people, but I feel that the writer knew just what they were going for, and largely hit that mark. It’s a weird one, but it’s not boring or at odds with established characterization like some of these seven.
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I love how the "worst" episodes are Okay-ish. This series is amazing.
Yeah, and that's probably something I should've made clearer - they're the worst of a pretty amazing bunch. It's like being the world's shortest giant. You're still taller than most people!
That really Speaks Volumes how LEGENDARY this series is
Someone said: this serie is
Iike pizza, even when it's bad, it's pretty good.
Batman: The Animated Series sets a bar high enough that I can walk under it without hitting my head.
And I'm not short.
it gets ABSURDLY good after two face's arc
I have to say, I will always love that line, "You killed Captain Clown! You KILLED Captain Clown! Just for that....!" I thought it really captured a certain part of Joker's wacked out personality.
He had me at "Everyone remember where we parked!"
The Joker begging for Batman to rescue him at the end is *chef's kiss*, especially when Batman hesitates and grins for a moment, wondering what would happen if his hands "slipped" for just a second. Extremely out of character but oh so funny.
I wish I could find an excuse to yell that at someone.
I like the line, but the delivery is terrible. I don't blame Hamill, though. He was having to overdub Tim Curry and I get the feeling Curry delivered it weird too, so Hamill had to use the same cadence. Either way, it feels off.
Yes
You know what would have been a better ending to "Christmas with the Joker"?
After the pie gets thrown in Batman's face, he very deliberately wipes the pie off, walks up to the Joker and says, "Are we done now?"
And Joker's like "Yeah, we're done. Merry Christmas, Batman."
"Merry Christmas, Joker."
And then Joker willingly goes back to Arkham.
While that sounds like it's trying to be heartwarming, it adds to that sense of absolute chaotic insanity to the joker. One day, it's a relatively straightforward plot to maim some fish as an excuse to murder some bureaucrats for a laugh, and other times it's an elaborate kidnapping and terrorist plot that has no purpose beyond getting to throw a pie in Batman's face. You never know which it's going to be until it happens.
But Batman's got a sense for who the Joker is and can kinda feel out what mood he's in sometimes, so he knew that if he just let Joker have his pie in the face moment, he'd be satisfied and that was better than risking the fight going on longer.
No I agree fully as that's what I thought was going to happen! and was dissipointed when it didn't
That would've been an excellent ending and feels somehow more in character with the joker, knowing how his biggest joy is just messing with Batman. Him genuinely surrendering and going back to Arkham because it's Christmas and Batman "won this round" would play so well to thier long built rivalry, that show of respect they have built up for each other and long time fans of Batman and Joker would appreciate it more and more the more they look back at it. Which has always been where these DC stories really shined, when you can go back and reflect on why they were so memorable.
What ruined that episode for me was that the Joker had a chance to very easily kill Batman with an exploding pie and he didn't take it. During the first time I watched that episode, I was so scared that something bad was going to happen with that pie. I was kind of disappointed in the Joker when nothing happened. I never want the bad guy to win, but it also ruins it for me when the bad guy does something so stupid.
@@aicarrie1 Joker isn't stupid, he's insane. Huge difference. And it's clear Joker doesn't want to kill Batman, that would end the fun.
"Daggit hires the worst people."
He's all about minimizing the expenses and maximizing the profits. Like a lot of people who have that attitude, they tend to be good at the former, bad at the latter.
Corporatism at its worst.
Good business leaders understand the difference between efficiency and mere low expenditure. Investing in proper tools, training, and vetting of personnel (as well as disciplinary action as needed); one accident or failure leads to a lot of losses in terms of time and resources.
And of course, the kind of shady businessman who hires illegal thugs to undercut competitors is not a good leader.
I will say the Sewer King ending with Batman deadass saying he was really tempted to fucking kill him is cool.
Yeah and that's the only villain he ever says that to and the delivery was great (RIP Kevin Conroy). They really wanted to drive home that Bruce does not tolerate messing with children.
One of my all time favorite BTAS moments.
Robin:
The Last Laugh is one of my favorites because of its silliness. Joker has got a few "so bad they're good" jokes in it.
"The only things gaining now are the laughing stocks."
I agree, that and there's a few really funny parts too "Remember where we parked" and "YOU KILLED CAPTAN CLOWN!" I actually quite enjoy last laugh despite it's premise
I actually kind of like The Forgotten. Yeah, it's very on the nose, but it has some good parts too.
I like Batman taking an interest in the loss of homeless people. People most Gothamites wouldn't care about and the police more than likely wouldn't have the resources to search for when Gotham is, well, Gotham. But to Batman, those people matter, and he can make a difference so he does.
I also love the blues inspired score and I really like Alfred in this episode. It is cool to see him do some detective work and being good at it.
While he isn't the best flyer when using the Bat-plane, those scenes are quite funny as well.
"Land you bucket of bolts!"
And while the villain isn't that threatening, he is memorable at least. Mor than you can say for The Prophecy guy.
I also have some soft-spots for Last Laugh, The Underdwellers and Cat Scratch Fever as well. While not great episodes by any means, they have their fun bits. And the fact that they are episodes I remember seing on the Telly as a child helps.
But yeah, Prophecy was boring and Basement is just... No. Doesn't work in that world. Bad characters and characterisation. Along with Critters it's my least favourite episode.
It even fails in atmosphere, which, thanks to the art-style and background, almost every other episode has. Even the bad ones. But Basement just fails.
The music is absolutely the best thing about even the worst episodes. The Forgotten has a great soundtrack it’s just the rest of it that I don’t like very much
The Forgotten has a nightmare sequence with Bruce Wayne realizing he can't pay his way out of homelessness. For a kid it got me intrigued about some social issues. Plus I love when Kevin Conroy changed from his Bruce voice to his Batman voice upon regaining his memory.
People that our own societies don't care about.
Same. The ending was pretty dang funny, too. Some much-needed levity after the insanity that was this episode.
I still would have hoped Basement got a bigger and better distant bittersweet sequel in Batman Beyond though.
Gonna hard disagree about The Forgotten. I think it's often overlooked because the villain is just some nobody, but it really is an episode that strongly builds on Bruce's character. It shows that he cares more about helping people than just the thrill of beating up bad guys (an accusation many people make about Batman). It show him going out of his way to help people. He gets involved because he cares about the homeless in a way others in the city just don't. And the part of the dream where Bruce keeps trying to give money, but more and more people keep coming until he breaks down is a perfect way to show how it really hurts Bruce that he can't help everybody, no matter how hard he tries. The amnesia plot is a gimme, that's true. If he had his memories, he' trash his way through Boss Fat-Man's operation in a second and it wouldn't be able to fill the run-time. Moreover, we wouldn't get to spend time with the people in camp, which elevates them to more than props for the story. So, it's not the best plot device ever, but it works for what it's trying to accomplish. And at least they don't have him recover his memory by being hit on the head a second time. There might have been better ways to do that, but in the framework of a 24 minute episode that has to keep action going for the kids? I'm not so sure.
I wouldn't put it in the top ten, and maybe not even the top 20 episodes (I forget how many episodes are in the series overall, so I can't guess at where it would fall in the ranking), as it does have a number of failings, but it has some very important and very powerful scenes that make it worth watching.
You’re not alone in liking The Forgotten, quite a few people cite that dream sequence as being one of their favourites. I can’t really overlook the wonky animation, talking batwing, and Boss Biggis. But it’s good that we all have different tastes. It’d be really boring if we all liked exactly the same things.
@@SerumLake True. The amazing thing about this show, though, is even at it's worst, I don't remember it ever actually being bad. Just some episodes are definitely below the rest, but when you have really high quality bar set by Heart of Ice and Two-Face (part 1), well, people are creatures of contrast. Extreme high quality can make what would be decent quality in other context seem not that great.
@@SerumLake Thinking more about it, what I actually think makes the difference for me is the context. If this had been later in the show, I'd probably not be that invested in it, because by that point, they would have established the important points this episode does. What sells it for me is not just the stuff I mentioned, but that it's a very early episode, which shows how important it was to the writers that they really establish Batman's compassion right away.
By the same token, I think this is why I find myself less bothered by I've Got Batman In My Basement. It's not going in my top 20 either, but I think everybody saying it's the worst might be overplaying it. There's a lot to break down there and I can defend against some of the points you make here, I think but as I recall, this episode is placed squarely in between a couple of very heavy-hitting episodes, so a light-hearted break is a good move for the moment.
Though, it is a shame that the episode they introduce the Penguin is one in which he struggles to deal with some kids. I don't actually have that much of a problem with it, because it's not just the kids easily trashing the Penguin and, in the end, if Batman hadn't recovered when he had, it's pretty clear the kids would have been beaten, if not killed, but having that be the first Penguin episode is really not his best foot forward, and an introduction to a character really does need to be that. Maybe if Penguin's introductory episode had been the one where he steals a prototype military helicopter, this one wouldn't be remembered so poorly.
Context makes such a huge difference to how something is received.
The boss hog knockoff character is freaking hilarious
Yeah, I think removing the amnesia thing would ground the episode a lot better. The Amnesia means that Bruce is only experiencing the problems with trying to help the homeless in a tertiary sense, when it'd be better for him to actively show his emotions and internal conflict with his head in tact as he pretends to work among the others, really adding to Bruce's character. I think the disappointment in the Forgotten really does come from it almost being an excellent epside, but the amnesia part makes the main point of the episode feel like the B plot as it's "not Bruce" experiencing the problem.
I think you missed the point of "I've got batman in my basement" with so many adventures following the caped crusader this was a completely different POV, it's how he's seen by the civilians he protects. I'd guess a big part of the writers dislike was that it was a penguin story and you've already said how WB studio requirements on him made him not very popular
Im glad you brought this up because I think it would make a good topic for a video. I’ll add it to my list!
Thing is, this is a bad version of the “civilian POV” story. “Legends of the Dark Knight” is the good version of a child centric POV story.
Yeah, it feels "forced". I mean the kid saying "We have to help Batman" the way he did feels like you're watching a show where the narrator or Alfred suddenly looks at the TV screen and goes "Hey, you, watching the TV, do YOU think you can help Batman?" and starts Dora the Explorering through the episode. I do genuinely like episodes where civilians have to do thier part to help the hero, but a right way to do it is to have the villains and civilians treat the situation as seriously as the actual heroes. Make the stakes higher and really make it clear that these kids had NO choice but to fight or they'd be dead. Don't knock out the hero as if this NEVER happens in like EVERY other episode. XD Robin is a child sidekick and he plays his role perfectly. You aren't constantly reminded he's effectively the "audience" being written into the show.
That said, the premise is fine otherwise, but it's tone is just WAY off compared to the rest of the series which is meant to be appealing to adults and kids, not just kids.
The thing I love about the “Underdwellers” episode is that this is the closest I’ve ever seen BTAS Batman come to killing a villain. He even outright says that he’s “sorely tempted to do the job [himself]”. Batman of all people can really relate to these orphan kids and seeing them abused the way they were nearly tipped Batman over the edge.
When the worst episodes are still better then most television
You panned Captain Clown!
YOU PANNED CAPTAIN CLOWN!!!
RIP
As an American, I'll say "The Lion and the Unicorn" was a slow, boring episode that at least allowed a glimpse into Alfred's backstory. Too bad we have to deal with... sigh... Red Claw.
And even so, I'd rather watch British intelligence intrigue from other storylines like at least 10 James Bond flicks, the Read or Die OVAs and R.O.D the TV sequel series, and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
Number 5, the forgotten, is actually one of my favorites. Although the amnesia trope is tired, I always felt this ep stood out as one of the most unique stories in btas.
I actually think the episode where bruce loses his memory while investigating the disappearing homeless, is one of the best in the show! The scene where he remembers who he is and breaks out is awesome.
That’s fair enough, quite a few people feel the same way as you and that’s totally cool by me 👍
I guess it does mean he'd experience it more genuinely. It definitely had an interesting premise, but you can definitely feel the "trying to appeal to kids, not to adults" elements in comparison with the heavier episodes that really took advantage of the elements they had to tell a more gripping story. It's not really "Bruce" experiencing homelessness cause he lost his memory, but I can see his restoration being epic definitely. Still, given Bruce is normally a wealthy billionare, it would be more impactful if he didn't lose his memory as he saw what was going on. Take advantage of WHO Bruce Wayne is to write a more gripping story. Good premise, EXCELLENT premise, just missed on the execution.
I like the idea of the Sewer King, I wish Frog was hinted to be Jason, but sadly no.
That’s what I thought when I first saw the episode too
I will say that all of these pretty much deserve to be on this list, though some do have some redeeming qualities imo.
Namely, the Forgotten felt like a good premise aside from the amnesia bit. The idea of Batman putting on a disguise to investigate the disappearances of homeless that no one else in the city probably cares about is wholesome and in character for Batman. It's unfortunate because the only reason they included the amnesia bit was probably because they needed to pad time for a whole episode.
I would say that none of them are without merit, and being the worst episode of BTAS is like being the world’s shortest Giant. Yes, they are smaller than the other giants, but they’re still much taller than everyone else!
The Underdwellers is one of my favorite episodes due to it tackling a very uncommon subject matter.
It's technically the Forgotten with children.
It brings up child abuse child labor, children that have been abandoned missing and exploited. It's a dark episode and the sewer King is such a vile person that you almost wanted Batman to break his no kill Rule and just kill him.
Sound Of Freedom before Sound Of Freedom...
I think Prophecy of Doom had potential if they had modeled the villain on Deacon Blackfire from The Cult and went in a slightly darker direction. The premise of the episode is actually okay, and would have allowed them to adapt that story for an all-ages show like TAS.
Or the Mad Monk.
The Cult had only released 2 years before BTAS was in production. It's likely if the show had come out a little later that they would have used Deacon Blackfire.
I agree with everything but The Last Laugh. I really like the episode the Joker's "I can smell ya from her! Pyew pyew" made me roar with laughter as a child.
I think the episode suffers from bad pacing, lackluster storyboarding and Mark Hamill having to overdub Tim Curry's lines always sounds off and and weird.
@@teruienages962 Huh. Weird. I think the pacing in The Last Laugh is great, and that the episode is a ton of fun.
It's The Joker being completely mad, as any sane person with enough money to buy a submarine and Captain Clown and all those chemicals wouldn't use them to try to drug Gotham into laughing forever.
I didn't think the forgotten was too bad. True, the villain was rubbish, and the amnesia troupe is boring and predictable, but I liked the idea of Bruce going undercover to stop a slavering operation. The episode needed a better antagonist, and the message could have been less on the nose. The bit with Alfred was pretty funny. Underdrewellers would have been better if it was an adaptation of the Rat Catcher story from detective comics. Ratcatcher is more creepy and intimidating than Sewer King, and instead of random street children, the villain could have kidnapped the children of the people responsible for sending him to prison.
For me, the terrible trio was one of the weakest episodes from TAS. The trio have always been rubbish villains, and the episode just reinforced this fact.
There's not much to say about no.1. It is indeed the worst episode from TAS. It made both Batman and Penguin look terrible, especially the latter.
See, I don’t mind The Terrible Trio that much, but it may have made the list if I did picked the 10 worst episodes…
Yes I think The Forgotten was a good episode, the boss was a laugh, but I find the story behind kinda strong, it was cool to see Bruce going undercover as much as seeing him recovering his memories and going back as Batman to fix things up, I also enjoyed the ending where Bruce reveils his social status to his fellow prisoner and offered his help in case he needs it.
The theme song for the Forgotten has been stuck in my head for 30 years now, its one of my favorite songs in the show and I like the idea of "Batman without his tools trying to help people out of the situation. For me every series can do 1 Amnesia episode. I think its held back mostly by the villain and the animation. Oh i also quite like the bits with Alfred coming to save Batman in the Batwing.
You know, I was never a fan of the batwing or bat computer talking, but upon reflection I think it’s telling that Batman chose to gave it the voice of his best friend, Harvey Dent. Perhaps that’s why the computer stopped talking after a while, it was too painful to be reminded of what had happened to him.
I know that the real world reason is that Bruce Timm hated the talking computer, so they stopped doing it, but I like to think of potential in-universe explanations for these changes.
@@SerumLake I never even knew he gave it Harvey's voice, never noticed it...
I actually really liked I’ve Got Batman in my Basement and remember thinking it was an awesome episode when I was a kid. Now when I rewatch it I can see why people would hate it. It’s definitely the most out of character Batman episode in the entire series
I think it would be a good episode of Super Friends or The New Adventures of Batman, but, as you say, it’s so tonally different to (most of) the other episodes. I will never get over the first words to come out of the Penguin’s mouth being some goofy bird caw 😂
@@SerumLakeWhat did the Penguin say?
@@rainbowtoyfunrandomess1982 he made a bird screech sound…
@@SerumLake Are you serious?😅
Day of the Samurai is an easier pick for this than The Last Laugh
Hmm, I actually prefer the former more over "Night of the Ninja".
I think it's so funny that I've got Batman in my basement is sandwhiched between heart of ice and It's Never too late which is this fairly gritty mob drama. Like it's such tonal whiplash lmao
1:38 I've said before that Red Claw was basically a James Bond villain on a Batman show.
very true!
I'm actually partial to Catscratch, Forgotten and Underdwellers, because they don't strike me as morality plays, just spicing things up with threats a little more common than serial killers and terrorists...except for that bit about kids and guns. That's total PSA material, heh heh.
I can only think of two episodes I dislike enough to call least favorite. Critters, a popular choice for this category...and the one with Calendar Girl. Would have been a great Season 1 or 2 episode, but by Season 4, her tale was an old trick. I'm not even cynical when I watch TV, I just went through the first 3 seasons to see the reveal coming.
Even though "I've Got Batman in My Basement" is a really bad episode, at least it has some charm in that it genuinely is so campy. I get why this episode made the list, but I don't consider it the worst episode ever. Even if it is, it's got some charm to it and I can at least respect that it was the product of everyone on the production team doing the best they could with a very bad script.
What about The Terrible Trio ? Bruce Timm wasn't too happy with the final results of this episode, especially the title villains and animation. And don't get me started on the part where the old man has become part of the background.
I have to say that I didn’t mind that episode as much as Bruce Timm seemed to! There are a few instances where they paint characters as part of the background (Catwoman’s Trial in Cat Scratch Fever, The Riddler’s debut in If You’re So Smart Why Aren’t You Rich) and it generally sucks! There’s only one time where I think it worked well, and that’s when they remove the bandages from Harvey Dent’s face in Two-Face Part One.
The Forgotten is such a slept on episode what the hell
Different strokes for different folks!
My biggest grip with The Last Laugh is that it is so light on plot.
I actually really liked the episode where Bruce loses his memories. Shows you who he is deep down, without money, or Batman.
Batman in my basement is SUCH a weird episode. Just felt completely out of place when, as you said, most of the episodes don't feel like they were made for children. Glad it was #1, probably the only episode that should be skipped.
I actually liked "the Under-dweller's."
It reminds us why child labor was abolished. As is far too easy for assholes to take advantage of children.
And now asshole politicians want it back
Crazy how some of my favorites as a kid are the worst :(
The Forgotten is one of my favorites. 😂
Different strokes for different folks!
@@SerumLake I love episodes that go deep in Batman's mind.
@@alecprescott-okdisco113Like Dreams in Darkness and Perchance to Dream, for instance?
I’m just waiting for someone to come along and say that I’ve Got Batman In My Basement is their favourite episode…
As a child I may have considered that episode a favorite of mine but watching it again in my early 20s my enjoyment was far more subdued. Just an episode to relax your brain to while watching. I remember it well because it's story was adapted into the Golden Sound Story book "Batman the Animated Series Case of the Missing Egg." That was the first B:TAS merch I was gifted as a child.
Mmm, this episode managed to not be within my 9 picks of the worst animated series episodes. 100th best, outta 109.
I remember watching this with my brother for some weird reason this was our favorite mostly laugh on how weird it was
No, but "The Forgotten" is among my favorites.
@@underthepale Please tell me, you see "The Last Laugh" as the worst episode of BTAS. Or, at least the worst Joker episode.
I do have to disagree with the forgotten. It’s one of my favourite episodes of BTAS because is shows Bruce Wayne actually caring about people. He’s the kind of guy that will personally go to a soup kitchen. It shows he wants to actually aid the less fortunate instead of just breaking their ribs every night.
That's totally cool, the world would be a very boring place if we all liked the same things. Out of curiosity, which episode would you swap it out for?
@@SerumLake
Probably “Off Balance.” I will specify that really dislike the character of Talia and that effects my view of the episode. I am also not a fan of the League of Shadows. Both for similar reasons. Whenever they get involved in a Batman story it usually leads to “Batman, you should join the league of shadows and become the new leader with Talia as your Queen.” He says no, there is a fight, repeat the next time they want to do that story. But for the problems in this episode, it is largely the villain. There is really not much of a conflict like the other villains. Where you can see some of Batman in them and the struggle almost becomes him fighting an aspect of himself. Vertigo is a guy with a dizzy monocle that gets taken out by accident. Batman and Talia are forced to jump on the bell ropes, and the sound the bells make freaks him out and he stumbles off the tower. Never to be seen again. I love a good villain and there just was not one here. I love his design, but the character was lacking. The only thing I could connect batman to him is his reliance on gadgets, but that is a stretch.
@@SerumLake
I do agree 100 percent about the Batman in my basement episode. What a way to make one of Batman’s main rouges into a joke. BTAS is one of my favorite shows ever made and most of the worst episodes are still better than a lot of series at their best, but that one is just bad.
Hmh, guess Kevin Conroy working as one during 9/11 left a huge positive mark on all of us, yes?
I feel like “I’ve got Batman in my basement” could’ve been a good story if they re-worked it. Like maybe the kids didn’t rescue Batman, but found him after he had gotten far away enough from the penguin himself. And then the kids decided to call the police and stay with Batman until the police got there despite being told to do otherwise. Then the “fight scenes” could’ve been between the cops and The Penguin, having The Penguin win. Then Batman is discovered and is about to be Unalived, but the kid gives up his hiding spot to save Batman? And then the Penguin catches the kid and is about to unalive the child, but by then Batman wakes up and the plot could resume from there like it did in the original episode just in a different setting.
BUT IM JUST RAMBLING IDK-
my pick would go to bane - not because its a bad episode but because it ditches what bane is supposed to be and basically bars comic bane from being apart of the dcau
If the "Junior Detectives" were named Tim and Stephanie I'd give it at least a little credit.
I didnt like the forgotten as a kid, not at all, but seeing it as an adult ive changed my mind
The dream sequence is gorgeous
I personally like Batman in my Basement. The Forgotten and The Last Laugh. I don't think any of these episodes are honestly bad, they just don't reach the impact of the other episodes. But I will say it's honestly good to have morality plays within children's media which in spite of how adult some fans like myself are today, still is meant for children in its rating.
Lex originally lost his hair in Silver Age Superboy comics. Clark put a fire out started by 1 of aLex's experiments, & the backlash caused Lex's premature baldness. Hoping Clark does something similar in the middle or toward the end of Season 2.
It's NOT Lex OR Mxy without their bald heads!
I'm glad they didn't waste Red Claw, and brought her back.
I'm the rare fan that *loathed* Mad Love, mostly because A] I was just not a fan of Harley Quinn, which meant that an episode focusing on her wasn't going to be a favorite of mine, and 2) the station that played BtaS and other DCAU shows had a strange fascination with replaying that particular episode far more often than any others.
You're not a fan of Harley Quinn?
Most of these episodes aren't *bad* but yeah, still the worst ones.
I remember liking specific parts of "I've got Batman in my basement" as a kid - being where he sword-fights the penguin with a screwdriver and meets the kid's mom, but even back then I was disappointed that Batman couldn't even move or speak for the majority of the episode.
In fairness to The Forgotten, it also had some good scenes with Alfred. Him flying the Batplane and arguing with it to land was always hilarious.
According to Bruce Timm, “The Terrible Trio” episode is considered the worst episode in the DC Animated Universe.
Dagget hires the worst people in ANIMATED Gotham. For the worst henchman possible, he'd need to look up the thus far comic book exclusive: Knute Brody. The most bumbling stooge that ever took up the job of hired goon.
Fell asleep on watch for The Hatter, though, in his defense, he was playing the role of the Dormouse. He signed on with Joker and Harley, only to take a swing at Batman, who unexpectedly dodged and Knute ended up KO-ing Harley via wood plank to the face. Set Ivy's greenhouse on fire trying to toast a sandwich at her biochem lab table. Brody is widely believed not to have survived the kiss she game him for that one.
I have the entire series as part of a blu-ray set i watched all the episodes and still managed to enjoy myself watching all of them ❤👍
The only one I actively avoid is I've Got Batman In My Basement, but I can see how other people might have fun with it.
After all batman is still batman 😎 👌
@@aaronatkinson177True!
you forgot to play penguins WWWWWAAAAAAAAAA upon mention i've got batman in my basement
Did you catch in “The Prophet of Doom” how they musically reference Holst’s “Mars: bringer of War” when the woman is swinging around on Mars. There is another reference to “Night on Bald Mountain” in the second Man Bat episode when Batman is battling the man bat. (Trying to not spoil ending.)
It sounds vaguely like “also sprach zarathustra” in the very very last shot of Fire from Olympus
What about Moon of the Wolf. That episode is pretty TERRIBLE
It’d definitely be in the bottom 10, but it was saved from this list by virtue of being an adaptation of a comic by Denny O’Neil and Neil Adams.
"I've Got Batman in My Basement" has BIG "Junior Ghostbusters" energy. If you know, you know.
What's funny is that these are some of the most memorable episodes. I love the Last Laugh because it's this great middle ground between the grounded Batman world and the reverse cartoonish world. As someone who loved watching the Adam West series in addition to TAS, Last Laugh really hit the spot for me. I also like the character designs in Cat Scratch Fever. I feel like there's something I could highlight for each episode, but that last one was lame. Someone really wanted a "kids rule" type of episode. I think what's worse is that these are the most painfully generic looking kids ever. I think that episode was simply a sacrificial goat to just move along the pipeline while other more important episodes receive more TLC.
Still would have preferred a sequel episode set in Batman Beyond that nicely redeems it, not unlike how Star Wars' Revenge of the Sith got arguably redeemed by a video game adaptation and a novelization by Matthew Stover.
In a batman group long ago on FB when it had certain features that were great, we made a board of BTAS memes on certain episodes. I Got Batman In My Basement had my favorite meme someone made. It had the image of penguin and batman fighting with it saying "The screwdriver is mightier than the umbrella sword". Always made me laugh.
7:50 as a kid I genuinely took this to heart and held onto that message forever, I also found sewer king super creepy and don't hate the idea of him.
The one with the Mayor's kid is worse that Batman in the basement
Not even the penguin liked your number one, considering he went out of his way to distort his voice so he wouldnt be associated with it
Wow.😂
The Last Laugh is the 4th worst? That's criminal, but to each their own
If it’s a crime then send me to jail, your honour! 😂
I have a fan theory on The Lion and the Unicorn, and you are free to publish it if you credit me.
A lot of BTAS and it’s subsequent movies and series have a lot of James Bond imput. Joker’s Wild is Diamonds Are Forever, Deep Freeze is The Spy Who Loved Me, and so on. However, while one scene is reminiscent of a Bond scene, I actually discovered BTAS did it first. The fight between Batman and Red Claw in the Batwing is very similar to the opening scene of Tomorrow Never Dies. The hero has someone in the back seat trying to murder them, missiles play a large part, and the villain is ejected. While I can’t prove anything, I feel that this was the James Bond crews nod to the animated series for all the tributes that are sewn in. What do you think?
I also want to write about some hidden depths of Red Claw I think you overlook, but this is long enough already. If you ever do a video on her, I’m happy to help. I think she wasn’t given space to expand, but has a lot going on.
The mine fight and Alfred vs Batwing are the best parts of The Forgotten. And no one likes the Underdwellers or Basement. The Forgotten has mixed reviews.
I think Terrible Trio fits somwhere here over some of this but hey even the worst episodes got some quallity, that tells you a lot about this show. I like Lion and the Unicorn as such a diffrent episode but yeah not well written but I like the change in local. Cat scratch fever is among the first I remember of Batman, it is a dark and sad episode for Catwoman and that splicer dude is among the creepiest in the show. The Forgotten I will call a great episode, the dream where Bruce cries surrounded by people beging him for money is heartbreaking. Even with all that money there is little you can do sometimes.
Now I don´t argue this episodes are at the bottom. There are a few I would´t say are bad but less intresting.
Cat scratch fever is actually one of my favorites because of the ending. Really goes to show how compassionate Batman is and how fond of Catwoman he is.
And I also empathize with losing your cat/loved one and when you are reunited, they are completely different (when Catwoman finds out her cat in Daggots kennel).
The Lion and the Unicorn was Amazing. No Batman fan or Englishman would ever say it was bad
I am both and I have! 😂
One thing I like about the idea of Sewer King is how over the top Dickensian he is. The sort of villain that is easy to root against.
I'll say this about these top worst episodes. Even The worst Batman The Animated series episodes are good to watch.
I've really got to stick up for "The Forgotten" here, since for me it shows something about Bruce that is sorely lacking in later seasons and series: what he's willing to do for even the lowest rung of people in Gotham. Personally helping at a homeless shelter without publicity or fanfare, risking his life going undercover, caring about and inspiring the people even when his memory's lost. THAT is Batman.
I kind of liked a few of these episodes, but will admit to flaws. What almost surprises me, however, is how my absolute least favorite episode in this series didn't even make your list. "The Cape and Cowl Conspiracy." It started out fine, but then the plot twist comes at the end, and it's literally one of those twists that ruin the entire story. Let me get this straight; Batman posed as this man he angered at a dinner party, who is elsewhere and never seen nor heard from again, AND THEN hires a guy from out of town to humiliate or beat Batman, JUST to bring this man to justice who wasn't even in Gotham's jurisdiction to begin with? And when did Batman start posing as the first guy? I just... I found myself loathing and despising this episode as a result of the twist, and became judgmental of fake-out-retcons and plot twists ever since.
You make a strong argument. I'm generally willing to give that episode a pass because it was an adaptation of an issue of Detective Comics, much like Moon of the Wolf, but it's clear that not everyone is willing to overlook the flaws.
Right. Adaptations are often fine, and flaws can usually be overlooked. As someone who both over-analyzes things, however, and writes stories largely as a hobby, twists like this infuriate me, because it feels like they illegitamized what I just watched or read, meaning I wasted my time and energy. It's one thing to have a weak ending, or to have it turn out the heroes or villains were so, so wrong the whole time, but it's another to have something amount to, "None of it really mattered."
I agree with pretty much everything you’re saying. The animation wasn’t too good either, now that I think about it
I don't know, gotta love heroics when they become necessarily petty, grey-morals centered, and needing the forces of evil to be eliminated even when outside slowly obsolete concepts like "jurisdiction". Brings into mind why I also have a soft spot for Project CADMUS, TMNT 2003's Agent Bishop, Universal Century Gundam's Titans, and Ace Combat's Razgriz and Grendel Squadrons.
Last laugh is a great episode. I’d have to rewatch the entire series and see if it’s on the lower end
I personally like it when joker uses his vast resources and overly complicated schemes for mundane things like jewelry smash and grabs, it makes it feel like he really is just causing pain and suffering for the bit; his crimes don’t have to be overblown, because the joke to him is how the crime gets pulled off and all he cares about is the joke. Also The Forgotten has always been a favorite of mine, it’s an episode that really stuck with me after childhood for some reason
I like The Last Laugh, and The Forgotten. The rest of the list I'm in full agreement with you, especially your number one.
That’s totally cool, we all have our different preferences!
Your complaint about “Cat Scratch Fever” is that the character models are basic and that that the henchmen were incompetent? r/whoosh !
The henchmen were inspired! They were modeled after the Three Stooges. That not only disproves that they were just basic models, it also explains their behavior AND the funny dialogue you enjoyed.
Now that's interesting because Professor Milo was designed by Neal Adams, including that awful hair cut, and Kevin Nowlan designed Jessie and Paunch separately, labeling them as generic goons, if I remember rightly. Interestingly, the Joker also had three henchmen based on the Stooges, which seems more appropriate to me.
Roland Daggett always seems to hire ineffective henchmen, see Bell and Germs in Feat of Clay, who were both neurotic messes, and the bumbling Nitro and Crocker in Appointment In Crime Alley. Daggett'd be dangerous if he had a decent team!
@@SerumLake I’m still convinced that somewhere during that process, maybe Nowlan knowing that Milo was to be involved, maybe director Kirkland or the writers made the connection, but that Three Stooges connection was obvious to me as a kid. The voice acting and broad ineptness. It just scream Stooges to me. And of course “stooge” is another word for goon, lackey, or henchman. I never thought to look it up online, but now that I have I’m not surprised to find a number of people who also think these characters are an homage to our favorite slapstick trio.
@@wellesradio oh yeah, of course, now that you’ve pointed it out it seems pretty obvious. Somebody clearly decided to make the reference, I just don’t know who 😂
Unpopular opinion but I have watched the forgotten more than any other episode. I don’t even know why I enjoy it so much
Most of weak episodes from the TAS are just okey-ish non of them seems like an insult, hell "i've got batman in my basement" is an "you get what you expect episode" i don't think is worth put that much anger to something that was meant to be comical. I think the worst episode come from the NEW adventures of batman, yes they give us Mad love and Things change, but they also give us dumb shit like the farmer with the mutants, or that awfull mr freeze episode that killed his redemption story in sub zero, in the very best from that era "over the edge" i hate it because it ended up beeing "it was all a dream" episode and i hate that, at least soemthing like "perchance to dream" play with the idea that i could be a dream, or not, focusing more in character study rather than in shock value. Here they act like its the friggin red wedding from game of thrones only to say "GOTCHA! you thought your favorite characters were going to die? but IT WAS ME, DIO!"
I liken the worst episodes of BTAS to being the world’s shortest giant. Yes, you’re shorter than the other giants, but you still tower over most people.
Considering some of the worst episodes have such flaws as "The Joker did something silly an inefficient in pursuit of getting a lot of money quickly", "The social/political message was too on the nose even if the villain himself is compelling and Batman's interaction with him is interesting", we can definitely say that even at its worst, BTAS was very good.
I'm not sure what episode it was but batman fights a ninja and when the ninja attacks batman he swats his punches away in a silly animation,me and brother couldn't stop laughing
It’s from Day of the Samurai, and I love that scene! It makes a perfect GIF 😂
As much as Batman in my basement stinks by general opinion, I like the way it demystifies the Batmobile. If only that part was in a better episode, it could easily be one of my favorites
You kill Captain Clovn!!!! 🤡
I would too after what it did to Batman...😡
Just for that Batman 😠
@@Joe_Kerr_9797 Trash in the head.
Despite not being the best episode, the “my family” flashback sequence is one of the best scenes in BtAS imo
Literally came here after watching the show for the first time and seeing I have batman in my basement to see if it's considered universally the worst one cause it's gotta be
This list is on point except for The Forgotten. I really like how it’s Alfred who has to track Bruce down and save him, and the scene with Bruce and the other guy suffering in the hot box has some genuine humanity to it.
I'm just starting the video, but if one of them is the Gray Ghost episode, I'm hunting you down. Fair warning.
Phew!
Even though there are some bad or mediocre episodes in Batman: The Animated Series, I'll still enjoy this show no matter what. After all, even the most popular shows can have some off days.👍
I liken being the worst episode of BTAS to being the world’s shortest giant - sure, you’re shorter than all the other giants, but you still tower over everyone else
@@SerumLake Wait really? You really think so also what do you mean by that?
@@rainbowtoyfunrandomess1982 I’m saying that compared to other BTAS episodes, it’s not that good. Compared to other shows of the time it’s a lot better.
@@SerumLake Oh I see. Well I still enjoy the show no matter what plus I think your content is pretty cool so keep up with the good work.👍
I think another part about the Underdwellers and the Forgotten that kind of hurts them is that they were released only about two weeks apart and usually aired pretty close together. Having two episodes that similar so close together doesn't really help them stand out.
Someone out there has to think Red Claw is an OK villain. I don’t, but someone has to.
I forgot “Batman in my basement” existed until you mentioned it lol probably bc Batman is unconscious for half the episode
My ONLY argument about your number 5 is... "I claim this land for Spain." 🤣🤣 That line cracks me up every time
I liked your top 4 worst episodes, but I can understand why they wouldn't be everybody's cup of tea.
The Lion and the Unicorn was decent, but the most interesting part of the episode, where Red Claw pulls off Batman's mask, never leads to anything.
For me the most egregious thing was the setting. I get they were going for a James Bond-style adventure, but that’s not my cup of tea. I like the tragic villain stories
Good thing she probably froze to death if not drowned on the North Sea after ejecting from the Batwing. The enemy knowing the Batman's identity is tantamount to a well deserved execution against them so to keep the masquerade; something Ian Peek learned too late in Batman Beyond, cathartically speaking.
5:16 I loved this episode as a kid.
In my personal opinion id take The Last Laugh over Christmas With The Joker any day
For me I love every episode. These are just not great, but entertaining of how ridiculous they are and you wonder how or why were these made.
I'd swap The Forgotten out for Moon of the Wolf personally.
Moon of the wolf would be on my bottom 10, I think. It only skirts by because it’s an adaptation of an issue of Batman drawn by Neal Adams.
how come nobody likes moon of the wolf?! and don't say "because he fights a werewolf", because that's stupid.
I don’t dislike the the Last Laugh. But I don’t care much for it to find it worth defending. Other than that yeah! Almost if not all these episodes are goddamn awful! Especially “I’ve got Batman in my Basement”. Worst episode ever! Number #1 worst is hands down its rightful place. The Forgotten and the Underdwellers are also an abomination! Thank you for having good tastes!
For me, it’s the Baby Doll episodes. I just can’t handle that much dialogue in her register, regardless of the themes
Now that is a controversial take!
@@SerumLake I think your video is more “objective”, haha. I totally agree about the worst episode. I’m just sensitive to high pitched dialogue
Sorry but that is pretty silly reason. You won't watch the first doll episode which features the most tragic and disturb rogue to ever appear in a Batman story, all because of her voice. The voice is the point. She is putting on an act to relive her childhood. The childhood she never got.
@@zemox2534 I’ll watch them, I just don’t like the sound.
@@empatheticrambo4890Hey! What's wrong with the Baby Doll episode?
I think as a kid I had a DVD of BTAS which was just the Under Dwellers, the forgotten and I've got batman in my basement. I remember not liking ANY of those episodes and my opinion of the show being slightly soured because of that DVD (though I must admit that I like The Forgotten a bit more now, since as kid I just didn't like that Batman was barely fighting in the episode).
I feel like these episodes aren't too bad, I mean they're not the greatest but I wouldn't say that they're bad. I feel like they are more forgettable than anything, and that's really due to the fact that they are not that interesting expect for a few ideas, but that's probably just me.
Glad to see that “Critters” didn’t make the list. It may be a tonal disjunct to most of the series, and the humor may not land for many people, but I feel that the writer knew just what they were going for, and largely hit that mark. It’s a weird one, but it’s not boring or at odds with established characterization like some of these seven.
I like #5 because it is one of the few episodes where we see Batman use a disguise.
Children and guns don't mix, ever! However, sending them out to fight criminally insane killers is cool.