Batman: The Animated Series – Episode 7 – P.O.V.

Laren Bright came to BTAS after making her name on the show A Pup Named Scooby Doo (another show I absolutely love!) and the mystery aspect definitely can be seen in the script writing of this episode. From 1993 through 1996, she’d also write for Captain Planet and the Planeteers.

Plot: A very tight plot aided by the fact that it relies on two characters we already know in Bullock (jaded against Batman) and Montoya (a female cop on the squad). The rookie helps be the middle man here, offering a unique perspective for the audience. A sting for $2 Million goes wrong, including the place set ablaze, and the cop in charge interrogates Bullock, Montoya, and Wilkes to find out what happened and who screwed the whole plan up.

In true crime mystery fashion, each telling of what happened provides some clues as truthful while slight embellishment occurs elsewhere and it’s up to the viewer to try and piece everything together much like the interrogating Hackle (John Considine). The script does a great job highlighting the head strong nature of Montoya’s character including going off to investigate Hathcock Shipping despite being suspended.

The plot kind of stagnates with the requisite fight scene involving the goons after Montoya makes the connection but it’s always fun seeing Batman fight although Montoya stealing the spotlight kind of hurts his credibility in this story as Batman’s mostly on the sidelines literally saving others. Although it’s nice to see Montoya give credit to Bullock and Wilkes, again providing insight to her character as a team player within the force.

Directing: Another really strong effort from Altieri whom is quickly making me grin when I see that he’s the director for an episode now. From the very first shot, a static which sees a cop car appear from out of nowhere, down a hill, and off into the distance I knew I was in for a fun treat with Altieri’s work. Another shot I love is the first sighting of Batman from Bullock’s vantage point where Bats looks towering and larger than life all shadowy and terrifying. Shots like that throughout the series helped justify and implant the fact that Batman was as feared from the point of view of criminals.

One thing I’ve noticed is that Altieri is very similar in feel to directors like Alfred Hitchcock in utilizing shadows to help conceal and ‘pin’ people into certain areas for framing purposes. A prime example is when the interrogating cop, Hackle, moves around behind Bullock as Bullock opens a candy bar with Altieri again using an angle from beneath to get across that the interrogator is serious business. Altieri’s best appropriation is the focal point aspect which Hitchcock would use, mainly showing and establishing shots from the point of view of the character involved and letting the audience see what they would or are seeing.

Animation: Great job especially the initial fire on the building and the way it helps illuminate the sky in an eerie reddish hue. While some long shots look a little light, the close ups are strong and I really like the little details such as Commissioner Gordon steepling his fingers and tapping them together at his desk.

The animation does a lot of great things adding to Altieri’s Hitchcockian directing style including the flashing of Wilke’s eyes in disbelief as Batman lands in between him and the car. A good example of showing his reaction while he’s telling it to Driller rather than letting the script handle it. I also love the flourish when Batman throws the spikes at the car.

Musical Score: A very solid job yet again. Brass strings really highlight the opening as Montoya and Wilkes race to the scene. A highlight is the fight scene with Bullock against the goons as the cues slightly rise (particularly in the swinging of the axe at Bullock’s head) and as the blaze starts.

Characterization: The obvious strength of most of this episode relies on the recollections of Bullock, Montoya (Ingrid Oliu), and a rookie cop names Wilkes (Robby Benson). Ingrid does a great job giving Renee a bit of a veteran’s attitude while keeping her with a bit of a temper showing she’s not just another cop on the force, much like Bullock. Ingrid’s ability to give Renee a little dimension just through her voice work helps deepen the character and also makes her more relatable to the audience.

Bullock’s story is a fantastic continuation of his reviling of Batman while lying through his teeth about what really happened along with his refusal to give Batman any credit at all.

Wilkes’ story helps do a great job showcasing Batman as a mysterious enigma from a cop’s eyes and paints Batman’s abilities as something far more mysterious and unknown in comparison to what the viewers have been used to seeing in the episodes prior to this one.

Montoya’s story helps show how close she is to Gordon’s viewpoint that Batman isn’t the menace that Bullock tries to paint him as and that she’s willing to overlook some of his shadier antics if it means keeping bad guys off the street and helping out the GCPD. I love the little hint of regret and sadness in Ingrid’s voice as she says, “He was… buried alive.”

Fun Fact 1: Ron Perlman voices Driller in this episode, one of the goons. He’d later play Slade aka Deathstroke on Teen Titans.