The World's Finest Presents
Episode #030 - Perchance to Dream
Original Airdate - October 19th, 1992

Bruce Wayne wakes up to find his dearest wish has come true: his parents are not dead, and he is not and has never been Batman. Not only that, but he's engaged to Selina Kyle. At first he's ecstatic, but a number of clues force him to the conclusion that somehow this is all an elaborate charade. His quest to find the truth eventually pits Bruce against Batman in a surreal battle atop a church tower. 

Media by Borg4of3
Review by Robin III
Credits
Story by Laren Bright, Michael Reaves
Teleplay by Joe R. Lansdale
Directed by Boyd Kirkland
Music Composed by Shirley Walker
Animation by Dong Yang Animation Co., LTD.

Voices
Kevin Conroy as Batman, Thomas Wayne (Uncredited)
Bob Hastings as Commissioner Gordon
Efrem Zimbalist Jr. as Alfred
Adrienne Barbeau as Catwoman, Martha Wayne (Uncredited)
Brian Cummings as Reporter
Roddy McDowall as Mad Hatter
Diana Muldaur as Dr. Leslie Thompson

Screen Grabs







Pans


Quotes
ALFRED: Good morning, Master Bruce! Rise and shine sir!
BRUCE: I'm lucky to be awake at all. I fell under that trap like an amateur.
ALFRED: Trap, sir?
BRUCE: How'd I get back here? Robin?
ALFRED: Robin, sir? A young lady? But, I thought you and Miss Selina were-- Pardon me, sir. None of my business.
BRUCE: If this is a joke, Alfred, it's not funny.
ALFRED: If it's a joke sir, it's surely on me.
--
BRUCE TRIES TO OPEN THE CLOCK ENTRANCE TO THE BATCAVE.
BRUCE: What?
ALFRED: A problem, sir?
BRUCE (frustrated): It's not here!
ALFRED: What's 'not here', sir?
BRUCE (angry): You know what I'm talking about! The entrance to the Batcave! Why is it sealed up!?
ALFRED: Batcave!? I'm sorry, I--
BRUCE (sarcastically): That's right, Alfred. The Batcave. It's a big hole in the ground with a big car in it that's all black, remember?
THOMAS (off screen): Son, you sound upset.
BRUCE TURNS AROUND TO SEE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER.
BRUCE: No! No, it's impossible! It can't be you! It can't be!
--
BRUCE: Alfred, will you do me a favor? It's an odd favor. . . Would you tell me about my life? Just humor me, please.
--
SELINA: What's wrong?
BRUCE: I feel as if I'm someone else. . . It's crazy, but I know I'm--
SELINA: Batman!
BRUCE TURNS IN SHOCK AND LOOKS AT SELINA. SELINA IS LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW. BRUCE WHIPS AROUND AND STARES IN ASTONISHMENT AS HE SEES BATMAN SWING PAST THE WINDOW.
--
BATMAN GRABS A THUG BE THE COLLAR.
SELINA: Isn't he fantastic?
BRUCE: Actually-- Yeah!
--
ALFRED IS DUSTING THE GRANDFATHER CLOCK.
BRUCE: Have you found that entrance to the Batcave yet, Alfred?
ALFRED: Uh-- I'm afraid not, sir. . .
BRUCE: Good! 'Cause if you did, then we'd both be nuts!
--
OFFICER: Stop!
THE COPS WATCH BRUCE AS HE SCALES THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING AND DISAPPEARS OVER THE ROOFTOP.
OFFICER: The guy moves like Batman!
--
BRUCE WALKS TO THE RAILING OF THE BELL TOWER AND YELLS OUT INTO THE NIGHT.
BRUCE: Here I am! I've been waiting for you! You did this to me!
BRUCE WAITS AS THE LIGHTNING FLASHES AND THE THUNDER BOOMS. THEN, A BAT SHAPE COMES OUT OF THE CLOUDS AND UP TO THE CATHEDRAL. BRUCE MOVES BACK AND BATMAN LANDS ON THE BALCONY.
--
BATMAN: You're not well, Mr. Wayne. You need professional help.
BRUCE: Liar! You know what's going on!
--
HATTER: "Are you the dreamer or merely part of someone's dream?"
--
HATTER: Do you want to spend the rest of your dream life in Arkham?
OFFICER: Open up, Mr. Wayne!
BRUCE: You're wrong! There is a way out!
HATTER: N-- N-- Now wait just a minute! You don't want to do anything foolish! This isn't any ordinary dream! What if you're wrong?
BRUCE: Then I'll see you in your nightmares!
--
GORDON EXAMINES THE MAD HATTER'S HELMET.
GORDON: Something for the lab boys to play with. Any idea what it is?
BATMAN: Yes, the stuff that dreams are made of.
 

Review: A definitive Batman episode that should not have tried to be re-made into Over The Edge. While this episode is not as greatly appreciated as Over The Edge, Perchance To Dream did come first so Over The Edge is just a recycled idea. This episode is classic though.

The Mad Hatter being behind the deal is a lot less predictable than the Scarecrow in Over The Edge as well since he wasn't in the episode before the surprise. Also, this episode wasn't ruined by the gossip surrounding the newer version.

This episode was wonderfully told, with the viewer stumped with what exactly was going on for quite some time. Also, the solution to the problem with dream reading and dream deaths is accurate, so you learn something in the process. Also, the episode did not rely on fighting to keep the story moving. There was one or two scenes, but they were quite short.

The animation was not great, but not horrible either. Again, nothing to bash or praise. It is a shame for such a great episode the animation is a bit lacking.

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