[8.0/10] This is another episode of Batman Beyond that feels as much like a Twilight Zone episode as it does a superhero story. There’s something about the guy who starts a parasocial relationship with an inky villain frozen in a block of ice, only to realize things aren’t so hunky dory once she breaks out, that feels very akin to the “Be careful what you wish for” vibe of that classic series.
Which is to say that I was particularly compelled by the relationship between Inque and Aaron here. They’re both interesting characters with a conflicting agenda. Aaron plays, as William H. Macy so often seems to, someone who’s been knocked back by life and almost emasculated. He’s been embarrassed by his superiors and has no one to talk to but a veritable statue come to life.
Inque, on the other hand, is smart and forceful and knows how to get what she wants. I’ve complained before about the fact that all female DCAU villains have to be sexpots for some reason, but I actually like it here. It makes sense that, given what she’s heard and seen from Aaron, Inque would use her feminine wiles to manipulate him into doing what she wanted. The innuendos and discussions of a “reward” are clear but tasteful. And the way she knocks Aaron back and tells him not to ever touch her that way again shows an assertiveness to the whole thing that shows Inque as someone in control.
Between the two of them, there’s a really interesting villain dynamic. Inque is weakened and so needs some help, in addition to wanting revenge. Aaron is not only enthralled with the heretofore silent object of his affections, but also wants power so he doesn't have to be downtrodden any longer. The places where their interests align and conflict makes for a particularly engaging dynamic.
It’s also a good episode for Terry and Bruce. I appreciate the dichotomy of how Terry is most concerned about protecting the Batcave and, by extension, his mentor, while Bruce is most concerned with “knowing thy enemy” and figuring out how to defeat Inque, especially after Mr. Freeze’s gun is destroyed (a nice touch of continuity). Bruce walking Terry through some detective work is a nice way to show Terry growing into the role and the pair’s divergent thoughts on what to prioritize.
At the same time, there’s something very cool and very telling about Bruce getting back in action when Terry’s in danger. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cheer a little when he initiated chekov’s exosuit and the old B:TAS theme played while he did battle with Inque. But apart from the fanservice, it’s a nice way to show where Bruce’s ultimate priorities are, which dovetails nicely with Inque’s quest for revenge.
As with the last encounter, Inque is an animator’s dream villain. The show does tons of cool stuff with her, whether it’s her posing as a policeman’s cape, or transforming into some sort of insect-like form and chasing a rocket-powered Terry through a factory, or just her casual, fluid attacks. Each takes advantage of her unique powers. By the same token, the design team does a great job of selling the body horror of Aaron’s half-transformation and the distortion of his body after Inque gives him half a dose of what changed her.
That’s the first of many reversals in the episode’s endgame. Aaron ends up being part of what fells Inque as the two fluidic baddies merge and tussle and inadvertently free Terry. The episode nicely sets up the impending rain storm which makes it possible for Terry to open up the ceiling and let it fall on the aquaphobic Inque and wash her away (replete with a fun deluded/diluted pun from Bruce!). And in the end, Aaron finds himself on the other side of his one-way relationship with Inque, having now become the changed human being-turned-voiceless object of affection for a projecting caretaker.
Overall, it’s one of the cooler and more psychologically complex outings the show has done so far, mixing up oddly sympathetic characters and lived-in dynamics with a setup so strange and snakebitten that it can’t help but compel. A neat one for sure.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-05-09T20:14:44Z
[8.0/10] This is another episode of Batman Beyond that feels as much like a Twilight Zone episode as it does a superhero story. There’s something about the guy who starts a parasocial relationship with an inky villain frozen in a block of ice, only to realize things aren’t so hunky dory once she breaks out, that feels very akin to the “Be careful what you wish for” vibe of that classic series.
Which is to say that I was particularly compelled by the relationship between Inque and Aaron here. They’re both interesting characters with a conflicting agenda. Aaron plays, as William H. Macy so often seems to, someone who’s been knocked back by life and almost emasculated. He’s been embarrassed by his superiors and has no one to talk to but a veritable statue come to life.
Inque, on the other hand, is smart and forceful and knows how to get what she wants. I’ve complained before about the fact that all female DCAU villains have to be sexpots for some reason, but I actually like it here. It makes sense that, given what she’s heard and seen from Aaron, Inque would use her feminine wiles to manipulate him into doing what she wanted. The innuendos and discussions of a “reward” are clear but tasteful. And the way she knocks Aaron back and tells him not to ever touch her that way again shows an assertiveness to the whole thing that shows Inque as someone in control.
Between the two of them, there’s a really interesting villain dynamic. Inque is weakened and so needs some help, in addition to wanting revenge. Aaron is not only enthralled with the heretofore silent object of his affections, but also wants power so he doesn't have to be downtrodden any longer. The places where their interests align and conflict makes for a particularly engaging dynamic.
It’s also a good episode for Terry and Bruce. I appreciate the dichotomy of how Terry is most concerned about protecting the Batcave and, by extension, his mentor, while Bruce is most concerned with “knowing thy enemy” and figuring out how to defeat Inque, especially after Mr. Freeze’s gun is destroyed (a nice touch of continuity). Bruce walking Terry through some detective work is a nice way to show Terry growing into the role and the pair’s divergent thoughts on what to prioritize.
At the same time, there’s something very cool and very telling about Bruce getting back in action when Terry’s in danger. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t cheer a little when he initiated chekov’s exosuit and the old B:TAS theme played while he did battle with Inque. But apart from the fanservice, it’s a nice way to show where Bruce’s ultimate priorities are, which dovetails nicely with Inque’s quest for revenge.
As with the last encounter, Inque is an animator’s dream villain. The show does tons of cool stuff with her, whether it’s her posing as a policeman’s cape, or transforming into some sort of insect-like form and chasing a rocket-powered Terry through a factory, or just her casual, fluid attacks. Each takes advantage of her unique powers. By the same token, the design team does a great job of selling the body horror of Aaron’s half-transformation and the distortion of his body after Inque gives him half a dose of what changed her.
That’s the first of many reversals in the episode’s endgame. Aaron ends up being part of what fells Inque as the two fluidic baddies merge and tussle and inadvertently free Terry. The episode nicely sets up the impending rain storm which makes it possible for Terry to open up the ceiling and let it fall on the aquaphobic Inque and wash her away (replete with a fun deluded/diluted pun from Bruce!). And in the end, Aaron finds himself on the other side of his one-way relationship with Inque, having now become the changed human being-turned-voiceless object of affection for a projecting caretaker.
Overall, it’s one of the cooler and more psychologically complex outings the show has done so far, mixing up oddly sympathetic characters and lived-in dynamics with a setup so strange and snakebitten that it can’t help but compel. A neat one for sure.