Episode #049 - I Am The Night
Original Airdate - November 9th, 1992
On the anniversary of the death of Bruce's parents, Batman accompanies
Leslie Thompkins to Crime Alley to place roses on the spot where
they were gunned down. Meanwhile, Commissioner Gordon is on stakeout to
arrest the Jazzman. Batman had promised to be there, but arrives
late to find a gun battle going on. He helps defeat the gangsters and
arrest the Jazzman, but at a high cost -- Gordon is severely
wounded.
Media by Bird Boy
Review by Robin III |
Credits
Written by Michael Reaves
Directed by Boyd Kirkland
Music Composed by Michael McCuistion
Animation Services by Sunrise
Voices
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Robert Costanzo as Detective Bullock
Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred
Marci Devon as Summer Gleeson
Brion George as Jazzman
Melissa Gilbert as Barbara Gordon
Seth Green as Wizard
Loren Lester as Robin
Dian Muldaur as Leslie Thompkins
Sal Viscuso as Monk
Carmen Zapata as Judge Vargas |
Screen Grabs
Pans
Quotes
ALFRED: Master Bruce? Are you all right, sir?
BATMAN: I'm tired, Alfred.
ALFRED: Well, I shouldn't wonder. You've taken no meals today. I can't
recall when you last slept.
BATMAN: A weary body can be dealt with, but a weary spirit, that's
something else.
BATMAN PICKS UP THE NEWSPAPER AND LOOKS AT THE HEADLINE READING:
"PENGUIN CONVICTION OVERTURNED - JUDGE RULES TECHNICALITY." BATMAN
CRUMPLES UP THE PAPER.
BATMAN: Sometimes, old friend, I wonder if I'm really doing any good out
there.
ALFRED: How can you doubt it? The lives you've saved, the criminals
you've brought to justice--
BATMAN: I've put out a few fires, yes. But the war goes on, Alfred. On
and on. . .
--
LESLIE: You seem quieter than usual tonight.
BATMAN: Every time I come here, I wonder if it should be the last time.
. . Put the past behind me. . . Try to lead a normal life.
LESLIE: Santayana says that "those who forget the past are condemned to
repeat it".
BATMAN: He also said "a fanatic is someone who redoubles his efforts
while losing sight of his goal."
--
LESLIE: Aren't you going home? It's almost 3 am.
BATMAN: "Promises to keep", Leslie. "I have promises to keep".
--
BULLOCK: Looks like the fat lady just sung, Jimmy. Hey, where's the
Commish? He should see this! Commissioner?
BULLOCK TURNS AROUND.
BULLOCK: Oh my God!
BULLOCK SEES GORDON LYING FACE DOWN ON THE SIDEWALK. BATMAN LOOKS OUT
FROM THE ALLEY AND SEES WHAT BULLOCK IS SEEING. HE GASPS AS A LOOK OF
TERROR AND SADNESS APPEARS ON HIS FACE.
--
BATMAN: I don't know if you can hear me, Jim. I'm sorry. If I hadn't
stopped in Crime Alley. .
BARBARA: Batman.
BATMAN: How is he?
BARBARA: Not good.
BATMAN: It's my fault. Should have gotten there first. Checked it out
before--
BARBARA: Don't blame yourself. You caught the man who shot him.
BATMAN: If I'd been there.
BULLOCK: You should have been there, pointy ears, them maybe Peake might
have shot the right guy. Thought you were supposed to know what was
shakin' on the streets. How come you didn't tell us this was a set-up?
BATMAN: I didn't know.
BULLOCK: Yeah? In my book, that makes you just as responsible for him
being here as the Jazzman.
BARBARA: Harvey, please! It wasn't his fault.
BATMAN LEAVES THROUGH THE WINDOW.
BULLOCK: Hey! Where you goin'!? This ain't over yet, outlaw! You hear
me!? I ain't talkin' law! I'm talkin' you and me!
--
DICK: Bruce! Stay down here much longer and you'll be growing mushrooms
in your armpits!
BATMAN: I should have been there.
DICK: You can't be everywhere!
BATMAN: I let him down.
DICK: You're being to hard on yourself.
BATMAN: He's a friend. More than a friend. Jim Gordon is the same age my
father would have been if he hadn't-- Now he's hanging by a thread. If I
had gotten there five minutes sooner.
DICK: You're only human! You do all one man can do. More than any man's
expected to do.
BATMAN: I chose this life. I used the night. I became the night. Sooner
or later, I'll go down. It might be the Joker, or Two-Face, or just some
punk who gets lucky. My decision. No regrets. But I can't let anyone
else pay for my mistakes.
DICK: Jim Gordon's a cop, Bruce. He knows the risks.
BATMAN: How long before I let someone else I care about down. Leslie,
Alfred. . . You. When all is said and done, how much good have I
accomplished? They sell T-Shirts of me! I've become a cliché. More good
for the tourist trade than the streets.
DICK: This city would fall apart without you.
BATMAN: Maybe, maybe not. When you look too long into the abyss, the
abyss looks back through you. Maybe it's time for Batman to return to
the night before anyone else gets hurt.
BATMAN TAKES OFF HIS COWL AND THROWS IT INTO ONE OF THE BATCAVE'S
CANYONS.
--
DICK: You taught me everything I know about crime fighting, Bruce, but
the most important lesson was to never give up!
--
BATMAN: No, Dick. This is my hunt.
--
GORDON: The bust. . . went down okay?
BATMAN: Yes. Get some rest now.
GORDON: Gotta keep fighting. . . never stop. . . what I try to live by.
. . Maybe if I had been younger. . . coulda been like you. . . always
wanted to be a hero. . .
BATMAN: You are a hero, Jim.
Review: This is the best
episode of Batman ever. This is better than any ending I have ever seen
or read in any Batman mythology. The dialogue is so driven and deep,
with references to poets and people of the past, it is better than
anything I have ever seen. The whole thing is a total dramatic piece,
even the ending with the slow motion scene between the Jazzman, Batman,
and Gordon. Also, Batman's referral to Gordon as being the same age as
his father shows how Batman feels towards the old Commissioner. The
scene between Batman and Gordon in the hospital after the climax is also
well done, especially Gordon's words, Batman's reply, and the fact that
Batman smiles and holds tight onto Gordon's hand.
The animation is good too, especially Batman's hulking body which fits
in this episode. It makes him look more feeble when he is sitting in the
cave at the beginning because he is tired. The whole piece is marvelous
to look at. There are also some great, grim facial expressions by
Batman, mostly when the thug lands on his parent's roses and he picks
them up from underneath the hood.
This episode cannot be surpassed. The ending is very dramatic, and the
last tiny segment between 'Wizard' and Batman and then when Batman
surveys the city could have served as the last episode of the show where
the fight finally comes to an end for now, but will continue on.
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