[8.0/10] Pretty cool and creepy episode! There’s definitely something a little implausible about Robert Vance (presumably of Vance Refrigeration) being able to operate the batsuit without anyone inside. But this show and frankly this universe has always treated technology as basically magic, so I’m willing to let it slide. The same goes for Vance (or his digitized self) being able to control the whole world by jumping into the power grid or beaming himself from place to place, but it’s a fine conceit to convey the concept without a bunch of unnecessary exposition.
Still, what I liked the most about this episode are its themes. As in the season 1 finale, this episode draws a parallel between Bruce and Terry on the one hand, and an unfortunate familial relationship on the other. Both Bruce Wayne and Robert Vance were concerned about their legacy and life’s work to some degree. But for Robert Vance, that meant holding on as long as possible, beyond even his own death, and then sacrificing his grandson so that he can live again and not let anyone else take over his mission or his company.
For Bruce though, preserving that legacy means empowering the next generation, not robbing them of their lives and vigor. It means pumping them up and giving them the tools to succeed rather than trying to take over again.
Here, that means helping persuade Terry that he is Batman, even when he’s not in the suit. The episode dramatizes that idea well with Terry choosing to go out and try to defeat Vance despite his lack of a suit, using only Nightwing’s old mask and Bruce’s old utility belt. There’s a certain thrill to seeing him have to deploy the told tools to get the job done. For however cool Batman Beyond’s invisibility, or enhanced strength, or rocket packs are, there’s something even cooler about seeing Terry have to go back to basics and still be able to win the day. More than that though, he chooses to take the risk, to prove to himself, if no one else, that he’s more than just the equipment that’s been stolen from him, something that elicits a rare smile out of his mentor.
The ensuing fight is cool and full of striking images. Seeing the batsuit exposed down to its wires as a sort of bat-like Terminator is strangely unnerving. Terry spearing his way through it and it still fighting back is a visceral tableau. And the show nicely sets up the effect that magnets have on the suit, giving Terry a solid way to defeat Vance in the end (even if the HAL-like age regression plays a little corny).
There’s also a solid dose of horror here. The pale white and amorphous image of the digitized Vance, along with Stacy Keach's stern but detached delivery gives him a haunting quality. The prospect of Vance’s control allowing him to slowly drown Terry, or “delete” his grandson’s being is chilling. There is a single-mindedness to this digital villain, which makes him frightening, whether he’s engaged in fisticuffs or just spooking our hero in an elevator.
Overall, this one rolls out an intriguing (if lightly implausible) threat, packs in a worthwhile theme, and includes a dose of horror for good measure. Quality episode.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-05-14T22:54:42Z
[8.0/10] Pretty cool and creepy episode! There’s definitely something a little implausible about Robert Vance (presumably of Vance Refrigeration) being able to operate the batsuit without anyone inside. But this show and frankly this universe has always treated technology as basically magic, so I’m willing to let it slide. The same goes for Vance (or his digitized self) being able to control the whole world by jumping into the power grid or beaming himself from place to place, but it’s a fine conceit to convey the concept without a bunch of unnecessary exposition.
Still, what I liked the most about this episode are its themes. As in the season 1 finale, this episode draws a parallel between Bruce and Terry on the one hand, and an unfortunate familial relationship on the other. Both Bruce Wayne and Robert Vance were concerned about their legacy and life’s work to some degree. But for Robert Vance, that meant holding on as long as possible, beyond even his own death, and then sacrificing his grandson so that he can live again and not let anyone else take over his mission or his company.
For Bruce though, preserving that legacy means empowering the next generation, not robbing them of their lives and vigor. It means pumping them up and giving them the tools to succeed rather than trying to take over again.
Here, that means helping persuade Terry that he is Batman, even when he’s not in the suit. The episode dramatizes that idea well with Terry choosing to go out and try to defeat Vance despite his lack of a suit, using only Nightwing’s old mask and Bruce’s old utility belt. There’s a certain thrill to seeing him have to deploy the told tools to get the job done. For however cool Batman Beyond’s invisibility, or enhanced strength, or rocket packs are, there’s something even cooler about seeing Terry have to go back to basics and still be able to win the day. More than that though, he chooses to take the risk, to prove to himself, if no one else, that he’s more than just the equipment that’s been stolen from him, something that elicits a rare smile out of his mentor.
The ensuing fight is cool and full of striking images. Seeing the batsuit exposed down to its wires as a sort of bat-like Terminator is strangely unnerving. Terry spearing his way through it and it still fighting back is a visceral tableau. And the show nicely sets up the effect that magnets have on the suit, giving Terry a solid way to defeat Vance in the end (even if the HAL-like age regression plays a little corny).
There’s also a solid dose of horror here. The pale white and amorphous image of the digitized Vance, along with Stacy Keach's stern but detached delivery gives him a haunting quality. The prospect of Vance’s control allowing him to slowly drown Terry, or “delete” his grandson’s being is chilling. There is a single-mindedness to this digital villain, which makes him frightening, whether he’s engaged in fisticuffs or just spooking our hero in an elevator.
Overall, this one rolls out an intriguing (if lightly implausible) threat, packs in a worthwhile theme, and includes a dose of horror for good measure. Quality episode.