Honestly Melanie and Max were both way better love interests than Dana unfortunately. It's really not Dana's fault, she just wasn't part of the storyline for most of the series.
6:45 “I made a lot of salads to pay for this”. That statement hits really hard. Bailing Jack out aside, anyone struggling to make ends meet can relate to that one line of dialogue. Hard, honest, monotonous, boring work… to pay for _______.
@@dreads3682 2016 editorial initiative from DC that revitalized the universe after New 52, but it didn't last long as in 2018 the editor at the time, Dan Dio changed the plans and DC comics has been suffering ever since
@@DSan-kl2yc I mean, it's a multiverse, or whatever DC calls that after multiple reality shattering crisis. And sometimes you gotta give the fans what they want.
Mel/Terry made sense where Catwoman/Batman doesn’t. Bruce’s whole identity is drawn in black and white, right and wrong. Aside from his no kill rule, Bruce would have created an immovable moral line at criminality - one Catwoman clearly crosses. Altruism vs selfish indulgence. The whole “she’s as dangerous as he” fits better to Mel/Terry’s dynamic, as does the figuring out of their individual moral lines.
Batman wants to save everyone. It's one of the reasons he never let's his villains die. He hopes they can change, no matter what. Selina is the one who has always shown an ability to change.
@@Spark-bw3ph True. Bruce is attracted to the person his love interests could be... but unfortunately that's exactly why his relationships are so rocky and mostly doomed. He keeps hoping that Talia just needs to sever her loyalty to her father and keeps hoping that Selina can fix her thrill-seeking and settle down... but neither of them is able to do that and so Bruce is left forever waiting, forever hurting... in a way that he's probably musing fits him well, given that he himself could never stop and settle down either, since the mission had always priority. I do wonder however what had happened in the DCAU if he was more receptive to Wonder Woman's advances. Like Selina and Talia, Diana was attracted to his resolve and strength of character as Batman, someone he was able to be his true self towards. His main difference to Terry after all is that Batman is his true personality and he has a tenuous grasp on just being Bruce Wayne, what with him mostly being a persona he acts to protect his work as Batman. This exactly the reason why he only ever seems to show interest in villains, given that those are already part of his true life. However, Diana also is and she is a capable ally instead of an on-off opponent. Technically this could have worked out... which is I fear exactly why he reflexively pushed her away in the show... Terry on the other hand was first and foremost Terry, far more in tune with his civilian self and able to see a space for relationships outside of being Batman. That's why he never needed the "Dating Catwoman" trope as he's not awkwardly hitting on people while in costume. His relationships are all Terry's relationships, never Batman's.
I know a lot of people liked Terry and Melanie pairing up, which is why in my spare time, I started writing a Batman Beyond story (at this point, it's pretty much fanfiction) where the two do end up together. It would essentially be a script for a hypothetical Batman Beyond movie.
Something I thought of when watching this that really hits home. Everyone knew that one person growing up that was really a good person that was caught in an unwinnable situation for one reason or another, and despite best efforts, didn't make it out or didn't right away. Those are some of the hardest moments for me to watch on film, because it instantly takes me back to those people.
I had some small crushes on Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and practically every attractive woman or girl in the media I watched as a preteen. Nothing huge, or too serious, just thinking the mild flirting between Batman (my favorite) and WW is something I want to do, the heartbreak of Hawkgirl, that kiss with Cheetah, or how cute that Pink Lantern girl was. But Melanie was different. I think I really self inserted myself as Terry's Batman, and Melanie was finally a villain character who wasn't so bad. She was a loner, had controlling parents, was so unsure of her place in this world... she was relatable. And man, did I want them to end up together.
I'm still shocked by just how adult these shows were. Not in a crude way, but more in their maturity, subject matter, voice acting, dialogue, etc. I try explaining this to people I think would love the classic DCAU but they just can't get past the perception. They aren't kids shows adults can enjoy, I really believe they're just terrific shows. That opening scene, if you just heard the audio you wouldn't think kid's show. Two people discussing the state of their romantic relationship, Ten's femme fetale and sensual delivery, the allegory of the shackles of familial tradition and falling for someone who doesn't "fit in", etc. Hell this entire episode of the show I understand and even relate more to that story as an adult than I did as a kid. And this goes for many episodes of all of Timm Bruce's series. The only things that make it "for kids" is that it's animated and it isn't uncensored (and some episodes did feel more kid centric). But even those aspects really shouldn't define who media is for.
honestly I at this point haven't watched any of these shows but the passion with which you push out these tales woven to describe the intricacies of the storytelling and medium as a whole has really brightened my days and led me to watching several of these things myself! so uhh thanks and hope ya see this
She really is the Selena to Terry but she actually wants to get out of the life instead of being addicted to it. I really love a Batman beyond continuation even though we know he ends up with Daina. I honestly thought you would do a sad Supergirl video on DCAU Kara.
Darwyn Cooke was actually working on one before he died. He did Justice League: The New Frontier and the Batman Beyond short for the 75th anniversary, which actually netted him the job of making the continuation series. Unfortunately he died in 2016 and there's been no word since.
so glad you touched on Melanie, one of my favorite beyond storylines. as a teenager I always wished I found a Melanie... wish they did more with her fr
You call Melanie's story a tragedy. But the way you describe it, her journey almost seems more like a hero's journey. Her ordinary world was the crime family. Her call to adventure was meeting Terry. She had refusals. An ordeal when she realized that she was more of a pawn than a daughter. Her seizing the sword was walking away from the life. And her true resurrection was getting Jack out on bail, so they can have ordinary, honest lives. Not with the man she was attracted to, but a life of integrity away from the gang as a sister. That's not tragedy. That's a triumph.
Melanie/Ten was among the biggest tragic characters ever written. Personally, they should've done more for her, like make her join his crime fighting. Bruce could've given her a new name and moniker. Granted it would've meant learning that Terry and Batman were one in the same, adding to the tragedy. Her and Max were among the best additions to Terry's group of allies.
I like the story that she got out of everything. She only donned the suit because her family forced her to be a thief, and only put it back on to save them. She has no interest in being a thief or fighting people, she just wants a place to belong, and she managed to build that in the end.
DC brought her back in the Batman Beyond rebirth run and made them an official couple. Even had her join the team for awhile. The run as a whole is pretty special if you’ve got the chance to read it
I don’t know if Melanie is the better love interest, but she was the better character to me. I’m looking forward to your essay on The Batman. It would be fun to also see you work with Batman: the Brave and the Bold and Beware the Batman too down the line.
I really hope we get to see more of her in the future somehow. She is such an interesting character; I love a good story of people breaking away from their controlling parents.
Dana was given the short end of the stick in Batman Beyond. Think about it. She never got an episode in the entire series that focused on her the same way Melanie did. It’s the same with Black Cat in Spider-Man TAS. She had more emotional episodes in the show and then she could also keep up with Spider-Man, not just Peter Parker. People are going to like her more. But when you go into the comics, we see Mary Jane is NO slouch. She can fend for herself, is very smart, and even teams up with Black Cat recently. Dana just never got this kind of character building. She just came off as a girl who wants to move forward, but Terry had to choose Batman over her. At least Dana and Melanie were similar in that regard. It was Batman that kept their relationship from moving forward.
Dana is basically Terry's innocence. Since it seems like they were together since middle school. He keeps her close enough because of how he became Batman. She roots him to the past, it's why he never made a pass at Max eventhough she found out about him and bruce. Or why he did gave up on Melanie. Dana was his ideal of purity the one thing that really wasn't touched by Gotham
The thing is, you can't be innocent/naive in Gotham. One episode showing Terry put boxing gloves on her so she could defend herself would have been great.
Melanie's quote "I have all the time in the world" just stuck with me as a kid im in a situation in life that gives me nothing but free time so it hits with me heavy since I was a kid
I think Melanie and Terry work well together because Melanie can understand the reality that Terry faces after he becomes Batman, because she does/did occupy a piece of that same reality. While Dana is from that time before Terry was Batman so to her he's just grown distant and no matter how hard she tries there'll always be an invisible wall between them. That's not to say though that Terry and Dana don't/won't work as a couple. I think it just explains why Melanie feels like a natural fit from a viewer's perspective
One aspect of Batman beyond I love is how one of the main themes is that of family and legacy. Blight, Inque, The Royal Flush Gang and their respective children compliant this theme. One shown though Bruce and Terry. As Bruce takes on the mantle of Terrys father figure and mentor. We see how the notion of legacy can affect those around us. Even King felt he was living in the shadow of his Father in-law. Thinking that he would never live up to his expectations. There is also a sense of tragedy about how each of these villain families end up. Blight is betrayed by the son he wished he never had. Inque is betrayed by the daughter she deeply cared about, but for her own safety, never interacted with her. Then we have the Royal Flush Gang which collapses upon itself. The case study of Inque interesting as well. As her daughter was the only person she believed she could trust. And we do see her try to build a relationship with her. And yet that ends in betrayal. The only person you could trust, family, attempts to kill you for money.
I always really enjoyed the episodes that Melanie was in. She always seemed like the perfect fit for Terry. And even though she wasn’t in the run for too long I also really loved DC bringing her back in Terry’s Rebirth storyline and making them an official couple for most of that run. She should definitely be the leading lady for him going forward
I just wanted to say. My Gf has never been a big Comic Cartoon fan. Seeing them as just the OG comic serials of old. Aka an Overpowered White guy saves the day, and everything fine. But you’ve have repeatedly shown me the inner depths of the shows I’ve loved since childhood, and given me plenty of episodes to show her Why I love these cartoons, even today. So thanks again man.
I really miss cartoons like this. Watching this show as a kid was kind of terrifying, but I remember there were a lot of great character and teaching moments. Same with shows like Avatar The Last Airbender. They were shows that you would make you think, make you cry, make you a little bit more mature when you felt you understood them. And they were fun too. So many shows these days are just knock-offs of Spongebob or Ed, Edd, and Eddy. Funny but brainless. I know it's harder to make shows like this, but it was so worth it.
I just finished binging through all of Batman Beyond so I’m glad you did this video. It’s nice that her character was one of the few that we actually get closure on, even if it is bittersweet.
I was literally just watching a clip of melanie and and Terry and was thinking 'man, I wonder if there's an analysis or something about their relationship.' Prayers answered two weeks ago and didn't even know it
I was a little surprised in the end when she got Jack out of jail and he immediately agreed to doing menial work for a living. Something about his personality made me thing he'd be the stuck-up pretentious type who'd be "too good" for that sort of thing. But instead, he's actually learned his lesson while in jail and wants to live a better life even if it's by lesser means.
The problem with Dana was due to how she was portrayed, she was rarely happy with Terry, or too comfortable, it didn't feel like a relationship. Max always had his back, even if it was platonic. Ten, she was just into Terry, and that felt... Natural and 'real'.
God I love your videos, man When i watch stuff that I like, J knw that I like it, i know that it s good, but I can t quite put my finger on why, and i don t notice all these little intricacies, but you do, amd you articulate them so well that it reveals previously unthought of layers of the content at hand, u re awesome!
Just noticed at 6:52 the name of the restaurant is Deckard's Kitchen. Pretty sure that's a nod to Blade Runner. Every time I re-watch Batman Beyond, I always see these extra little details they added in that make me appreciate the show even more.
What i'd have loved to see was when Melanie asked Batman if Terry had received her note, Batman (Terry) would take out those white triangles of his mask, showing her his crystal eyes, the eyes only Terry McGinnis have.
At least they put in the effort to make Melanie and Terry's love believable from the get go. Not like with Bruce and Selina, who started an intense make out session the second time they met. The way the writers developed the romance after that was fine, but the way they rushed the beginning of the relationship to begin with has to be one of my biggest criticisms of BTAS.
In many ways Batman Beyond was accurate in its portrayal of the future. Not the flying cars or neon streets. But how kids of the future will more likely have dysfunctional families, surrounded by gang life, and constantly in fear of their enviroment. The writers did an excellent job with this show and it was a shame it never lasted as long as the Batman the Animated show before it. Out of all the things that deserve a reboot; this has to be my top choice. Though, today's writers would seriously blunder if they tried...
Terry deserved more catwomen so to speak. I always wanted to see more of Terry later in his life to see if Bruce’s molding turned him more or less into him.
Melanie and Terry wouldn’t last very long. Melanie was only around Terry out of a need to be free from her family ties. She liked the idea of somebody her family rejected because it was different. Terry was innocent and she wasn’t. She basically made Terry an idol who could purify her, when the reality was, and she knows it, she corrupted him. She SAW how he and Dana were experiencing difficulties admitted she saw them…yet she seduces him anyway. When she was with Terry, she was only thinking about NOT being in the Royal Flush Gang. She wasn’t thinking about actually having a life with Terry, who Terry truly is, his life goals, none of that. He was a passing fling that she could go to whenever her life was tough. THAT is actually more of a sign of an abusive relationship, because if Terry began to desire more, or if he desired change, she would respond aggressively because he would be reminding her of her parents: the ones who always tried to “control her.” Melanie doesn’t even love Terry. She just has a giant unmet need in her life and Terry was her escape. What happens when she grows up and gets over this unmet need? Terry becomes of no use to her anymore, and she would call it “I fell out of love with him,” when the reality was, she never truly loved him in the first place. Dana actually cares about Terry, and is willing to go through the problems a normal relationship DOES go through. She even accepts his role as Batman later in the series and waits for him to propose to her. She stays loyal no matter what. In the long run, a woman who is willing to give loyalty and honor trumps a fine looking fling that won’t last. Terry really lucked out by NOT getting together with Melanie 😂
I think once she was out of the gang, however, there'd be a very different dynamic that could have been fun to explore. I think finding out he's Batman would have been a pivotal moment in their lives. Does she see him as the man that repeatedly jailed her, or does she fully understand the dual identity and nightmare she subjected him to with her crimes? I think given where her arc leads, she's far more likely to sympathize. I don't think Dana ever found out he was Batman, which leaves Epilogue in a weird place. I think with Melanie that future happiness could be moved up 10 to 15 years for Terry
@@Deaganus I think she wouldn't understand the dual identity at all. She would be more angry for lying to him because she was lied to by her family. Being together with him wouldn't give her that innocence that she longed for. As for Dana, she did find out about him being Batman because in Epilogue, she knows he is Batman already (They are still dating 16 years later) and even though he constantly warns her of danger, she still refuses to be disloyal to him.
I agree I don’t really ship them because it just doesn’t seem like they would last long and she needed like you said an escape and that means no actual genuine connection
Honestly Melanie and Max were both way better love interests than Dana unfortunately. It's really not Dana's fault, she just wasn't part of the storyline for most of the series.
Max was pretty cute with him.
Honestly I would argue max is better as Terry's confidant than love interest. It's an issue of being to similar.
@@mesiagamer5217 I think Max took over for Bruce's place when he got older since she was already his "Oracle"
@@Nightman221k agreed.
@@Nightman221k agreed
Melanie not ending up with Terry is the most depressing thing. God dammit.
You’re so righr
@@DettiqueenTerry and Melanie got together in the comics
@@reaganthai9529which comic was it?
@@reaganthai9529 didn't stay together.
My friend please let's not take the lords name in vain
6:45 “I made a lot of salads to pay for this”.
That statement hits really hard. Bailing Jack out aside, anyone struggling to make ends meet can relate to that one line of dialogue. Hard, honest, monotonous, boring work… to pay for _______.
I'm so glad that the Rebirth run of Batman Beyond had Terry with Melanie. It's a better pairing than Daina by miles.
For real they are meant for each other.
Rebirth run?
@@dreads3682 2016 editorial initiative from DC that revitalized the universe after New 52, but it didn't last long as in 2018 the editor at the time, Dan Dio changed the plans and DC comics has been suffering ever since
Now that's fanfiction. And lazy.
@@DSan-kl2yc I mean, it's a multiverse, or whatever DC calls that after multiple reality shattering crisis.
And sometimes you gotta give the fans what they want.
Mel/Terry made sense where Catwoman/Batman doesn’t. Bruce’s whole identity is drawn in black and white, right and wrong. Aside from his no kill rule, Bruce would have created an immovable moral line at criminality - one Catwoman clearly crosses. Altruism vs selfish indulgence. The whole “she’s as dangerous as he” fits better to Mel/Terry’s dynamic, as does the figuring out of their individual moral lines.
Batman wants to save everyone. It's one of the reasons he never let's his villains die. He hopes they can change, no matter what. Selina is the one who has always shown an ability to change.
@@Spark-bw3ph True. Bruce is attracted to the person his love interests could be... but unfortunately that's exactly why his relationships are so rocky and mostly doomed. He keeps hoping that Talia just needs to sever her loyalty to her father and keeps hoping that Selina can fix her thrill-seeking and settle down... but neither of them is able to do that and so Bruce is left forever waiting, forever hurting... in a way that he's probably musing fits him well, given that he himself could never stop and settle down either, since the mission had always priority.
I do wonder however what had happened in the DCAU if he was more receptive to Wonder Woman's advances. Like Selina and Talia, Diana was attracted to his resolve and strength of character as Batman, someone he was able to be his true self towards. His main difference to Terry after all is that Batman is his true personality and he has a tenuous grasp on just being Bruce Wayne, what with him mostly being a persona he acts to protect his work as Batman. This exactly the reason why he only ever seems to show interest in villains, given that those are already part of his true life. However, Diana also is and she is a capable ally instead of an on-off opponent. Technically this could have worked out... which is I fear exactly why he reflexively pushed her away in the show...
Terry on the other hand was first and foremost Terry, far more in tune with his civilian self and able to see a space for relationships outside of being Batman. That's why he never needed the "Dating Catwoman" trope as he's not awkwardly hitting on people while in costume. His relationships are all Terry's relationships, never Batman's.
I'm
Bruce and Andrea Beaumont is a better fit than Bruce and Selina. These are fax.
I know a lot of people liked Terry and Melanie pairing up, which is why in my spare time, I started writing a Batman Beyond story (at this point, it's pretty much fanfiction) where the two do end up together. It would essentially be a script for a hypothetical Batman Beyond movie.
I prefer Terry with Melanie. Fight me.
I refuse to fight you, you are right
Why would I
No, I will fight with you.
@@lordgiacomos2551 here comes a new challenger
Choosing Isabelle
Something I thought of when watching this that really hits home. Everyone knew that one person growing up that was really a good person that was caught in an unwinnable situation for one reason or another, and despite best efforts, didn't make it out or didn't right away. Those are some of the hardest moments for me to watch on film, because it instantly takes me back to those people.
I can say i related melanie
And that's exactly why we so desperately want to watch them succeed. Life is often unfair but, it never feels more unfair than with those people
Yeah it feels like that
I had some small crushes on Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and practically every attractive woman or girl in the media I watched as a preteen. Nothing huge, or too serious, just thinking the mild flirting between Batman (my favorite) and WW is something I want to do, the heartbreak of Hawkgirl, that kiss with Cheetah, or how cute that Pink Lantern girl was. But Melanie was different. I think I really self inserted myself as Terry's Batman, and Melanie was finally a villain character who wasn't so bad. She was a loner, had controlling parents, was so unsure of her place in this world... she was relatable. And man, did I want them to end up together.
Damn that's straight
I agree
I'm still shocked by just how adult these shows were. Not in a crude way, but more in their maturity, subject matter, voice acting, dialogue, etc.
I try explaining this to people I think would love the classic DCAU but they just can't get past the perception. They aren't kids shows adults can enjoy, I really believe they're just terrific shows.
That opening scene, if you just heard the audio you wouldn't think kid's show. Two people discussing the state of their romantic relationship, Ten's femme fetale and sensual delivery, the allegory of the shackles of familial tradition and falling for someone who doesn't "fit in", etc.
Hell this entire episode of the show I understand and even relate more to that story as an adult than I did as a kid. And this goes for many episodes of all of Timm Bruce's series.
The only things that make it "for kids" is that it's animated and it isn't uncensored (and some episodes did feel more kid centric). But even those aspects really shouldn't define who media is for.
Seeing Jack and Ten as happy siblings finally free literally makes me cry. Glad they didn't have Ten all alone.
also kinda cool to see villains having a legit redemption and not just falling back in to crime.
@pforgottonsoul yeah BTAS had a million redemption episodes none of em stuck. This is touching.
Honestly I'm glad terry went through this finding someone that was able to get him centered in a way and find his own path Forward.
honestly I at this point haven't watched any of these shows but the passion with which you push out these tales woven to describe the intricacies of the storytelling and medium as a whole has really brightened my days and led me to watching several of these things myself! so uhh thanks and hope ya see this
She really is the Selena to Terry but she actually wants to get out of the life instead of being addicted to it.
I really love a Batman beyond continuation even though we know he ends up with Daina.
I honestly thought you would do a sad Supergirl video on DCAU Kara.
Well Bruce would have to be recast.. it be hard to do without Kevin Conroy
@@Bowiiihowdy I know
Does Selena want to get out of the life? I feel like she could but just doesn't want to.
There's comics that further the storyline with 10 Batman Beyond comics before the 2016 one
Darwyn Cooke was actually working on one before he died. He did Justice League: The New Frontier and the Batman Beyond short for the 75th anniversary, which actually netted him the job of making the continuation series. Unfortunately he died in 2016 and there's been no word since.
so glad you touched on Melanie, one of my favorite beyond storylines. as a teenager I always wished I found a Melanie... wish they did more with her fr
Basically in Spider-Man terms, Dana was Terry’s MJ/Gwen. Melanie was a more emo Black Cat, including the blonde hair.
Would put Gwen with Ten really in terms of personality depending on the adaption
Wow its really nice to see Melanie get any type of attention, thx for the video.
You call Melanie's story a tragedy. But the way you describe it, her journey almost seems more like a hero's journey.
Her ordinary world was the crime family. Her call to adventure was meeting Terry. She had refusals. An ordeal when she realized that she was more of a pawn than a daughter. Her seizing the sword was walking away from the life. And her true resurrection was getting Jack out on bail, so they can have ordinary, honest lives. Not with the man she was attracted to, but a life of integrity away from the gang as a sister.
That's not tragedy. That's a triumph.
Well she did end up as batgirl at the Batman Beyond 2, comic book continuation to the tv-series :D And That's amazing, love that character!
@@Sorexino That's cool, I'll have to check that out.
There element of tragedy considering how alone she is.
@@Sorexinothose are a parallel universe. I'm 90% sure about it
God I was hoping You'd do another episode on Batman Beyond. One of the best versions of Bruce and Terry is a worthy successor to the Cowl.
Melanie/Ten was among the biggest tragic characters ever written. Personally, they should've done more for her, like make her join his crime fighting. Bruce could've given her a new name and moniker. Granted it would've meant learning that Terry and Batman were one in the same, adding to the tragedy.
Her and Max were among the best additions to Terry's group of allies.
I like the story that she got out of everything. She only donned the suit because her family forced her to be a thief, and only put it back on to save them. She has no interest in being a thief or fighting people, she just wants a place to belong, and she managed to build that in the end.
kind ano point on that, Melnie wants a life, Batman has many things but he dont have a life.
DC brought her back in the Batman Beyond rebirth run and made them an official couple. Even had her join the team for awhile. The run as a whole is pretty special if you’ve got the chance to read it
I don’t know if Melanie is the better love interest, but she was the better character to me.
I’m looking forward to your essay on The Batman. It would be fun to also see you work with Batman: the Brave and the Bold and Beware the Batman too down the line.
I due think the key to being a good love Interest is to have an actual personally separate from the male so they actually bounce of each other
I havent gotten past the intro yet, but Terry and Melanie is my favorite terry ship
It's BatCat but like way better imo.
I freaking love Batman Beyond.
Batman beyond was just a gold mine of greatness
I really hope we get to see more of her in the future somehow. She is such an interesting character; I love a good story of people breaking away from their controlling parents.
your videos are straight up inspiring and idk how to explain it
I agree
Dana was given the short end of the stick in Batman Beyond. Think about it. She never got an episode in the entire series that focused on her the same way Melanie did. It’s the same with Black Cat in Spider-Man TAS. She had more emotional episodes in the show and then she could also keep up with Spider-Man, not just Peter Parker. People are going to like her more. But when you go into the comics, we see Mary Jane is NO slouch. She can fend for herself, is very smart, and even teams up with Black Cat recently. Dana just never got this kind of character building. She just came off as a girl who wants to move forward, but Terry had to choose Batman over her. At least Dana and Melanie were similar in that regard. It was Batman that kept their relationship from moving forward.
Dana is basically Terry's innocence. Since it seems like they were together since middle school. He keeps her close enough because of how he became Batman. She roots him to the past, it's why he never made a pass at Max eventhough she found out about him and bruce. Or why he did gave up on Melanie. Dana was his ideal of purity the one thing that really wasn't touched by Gotham
@@ExeErdna Good stuff
The thing is, you can't be innocent/naive in Gotham.
One episode showing Terry put boxing gloves on her so she could defend herself would have been great.
The art-deco inspired animation in this show was unparalleled.
10's story was one of the first of its kind that I watched as a kid. It really stuck with me. Thanks for covering it.
Really tugs at the heart strings. Thanks for revisiting this great show. 👍
I always wanted these two to end up together when originally watching the show.
Loved Batman Beyond and love your videos on it. Keep it up man.
The problem with being free is that everything that happens to you or because of you is your fault.
Melanie's quote "I have all the time in the world" just stuck with me as a kid im in a situation in life that gives me nothing but free time so it hits with me heavy since I was a kid
I think Melanie and Terry work well together because Melanie can understand the reality that Terry faces after he becomes Batman, because she does/did occupy a piece of that same reality. While Dana is from that time before Terry was Batman so to her he's just grown distant and no matter how hard she tries there'll always be an invisible wall between them. That's not to say though that Terry and Dana don't/won't work as a couple. I think it just explains why Melanie feels like a natural fit from a viewer's perspective
Always love seeing Batman Beyond getting more attention!
In the comics she turns good and becomes part of the team.
Batman beyond was one of my favorite shows and the simple way you break it down makes these videos a joy to watch
algorithmic punch!
(I appreciate the depth and obvious joy you bring to your videos, thank you.)
That is crazy I was just thinking about her! She really put a fresh spin on the Royal Flush Gang.
Honestly I love 10 and Jack's conclusion. Breaking free from the corrupt family business and become better for it.
Melanie was a great character.... Wish we could have seen her in the justice league or something
I really liked how the had those 90's silhouettes with the blue-purple cityscape in the background.
We don't see that anymore.
This really hurty because you know Terry and Melanie would have connected and understood one another on a deeper level.
One aspect of Batman beyond I love is how one of the main themes is that of family and legacy. Blight, Inque, The Royal Flush Gang and their respective children compliant this theme. One shown though Bruce and Terry. As Bruce takes on the mantle of Terrys father figure and mentor. We see how the notion of legacy can affect those around us. Even King felt he was living in the shadow of his Father in-law. Thinking that he would never live up to his expectations. There is also a sense of tragedy about how each of these villain families end up. Blight is betrayed by the son he wished he never had. Inque is betrayed by the daughter she deeply cared about, but for her own safety, never interacted with her. Then we have the Royal Flush Gang which collapses upon itself.
The case study of Inque interesting as well. As her daughter was the only person she believed she could trust. And we do see her try to build a relationship with her. And yet that ends in betrayal. The only person you could trust, family, attempts to kill you for money.
This my favourite batman beyond episode
You don't know how much I love your channel with every word and how lovely you dissect each bit. I enjoy your content please bring us more.
I always really enjoyed the episodes that Melanie was in. She always seemed like the perfect fit for Terry. And even though she wasn’t in the run for too long I also really loved DC bringing her back in Terry’s Rebirth storyline and making them an official couple for most of that run. She should definitely be the leading lady for him going forward
I Enjoy the side character videos a lot, finding ones that not many people might know about is interesting
i would like to say that every one one these video essays is fantastically written.
I just wanted to say. My Gf has never been a big Comic Cartoon fan. Seeing them as just the OG comic serials of old. Aka an Overpowered White guy saves the day, and everything fine.
But you’ve have repeatedly shown me the inner depths of the shows I’ve loved since childhood, and given me plenty of episodes to show her Why I love these cartoons, even today.
So thanks again man.
More Batman beyond content please. Great video
I'm definitely watching Batman beyond again. You definitely give these cartoons many extra layers of fought.
This is one of the best ones yet. I feel less alone knowing someone else is thinking about Ten.
As much as I would’ve loved to have seen more of Melanie, what we got was satisfying enough.
I really miss cartoons like this. Watching this show as a kid was kind of terrifying, but I remember there were a lot of great character and teaching moments. Same with shows like Avatar The Last Airbender. They were shows that you would make you think, make you cry, make you a little bit more mature when you felt you understood them. And they were fun too.
So many shows these days are just knock-offs of Spongebob or Ed, Edd, and Eddy. Funny but brainless. I know it's harder to make shows like this, but it was so worth it.
I just finished binging through all of Batman Beyond so I’m glad you did this video. It’s nice that her character was one of the few that we actually get closure on, even if it is bittersweet.
this isn't therapy but listening to someone talk about emotions their complex interactions and all that is very cathartic
I was literally just watching a clip of melanie and and Terry and was thinking 'man, I wonder if there's an analysis or something about their relationship.' Prayers answered two weeks ago and didn't even know it
Terry should’ve stayed with Melanie
I was a little surprised in the end when she got Jack out of jail and he immediately agreed to doing menial work for a living. Something about his personality made me thing he'd be the stuck-up pretentious type who'd be "too good" for that sort of thing. But instead, he's actually learned his lesson while in jail and wants to live a better life even if it's by lesser means.
I needed this.
Terry had more chemistry with Melanie than he ever did with Dana
I always look forward to your videos, this one definitely didn’t disappoint! Very well done
DUDE I was just thinking about her a lot yesterday that's crazy how does that happen
Terry and Melanie had potential to be Bruce and Selina. Batman loves a bad girl.
Max is great in this show and it’s a crime she was left out of the movie.
Nah fr she was one of my fav characters
The problem with Dana was due to how she was portrayed, she was rarely happy with Terry, or too comfortable, it didn't feel like a relationship. Max always had his back, even if it was platonic. Ten, she was just into Terry, and that felt... Natural and 'real'.
God I love your videos, man
When i watch stuff that I like, J knw that I like it, i know that it s good, but I can t quite put my finger on why, and i don t notice all these little intricacies, but you do, amd you articulate them so well that it reveals previously unthought of layers of the content at hand, u re awesome!
Terry+Melanie forever ♥️
Such a perfect couple. Hope we see them together in the future in a series revival if possible
Dude your ability to output content is truly commendable, I've been eating every video up lately. Great stuff!
Beautifully spoken, excellently analysed! : D
Terry needed this relationship.
Just noticed at 6:52 the name of the restaurant is Deckard's Kitchen. Pretty sure that's a nod to Blade Runner. Every time I re-watch Batman Beyond, I always see these extra little details they added in that make me appreciate the show even more.
What i'd have loved to see was when Melanie asked Batman if Terry had received her note, Batman (Terry) would take out those white triangles of his mask, showing her his crystal eyes, the eyes only Terry McGinnis have.
Mystery song in description is I Will Survive. I forgot who its by, but I really like Cake's cover of it.
I loved Melanie, she was such a great character I always been a terry x Melanie permanent relationship.
Great video! Amazing work sad always. Love the Batman, but it's nice to get little side videos too!
At least they put in the effort to make Melanie and Terry's love believable from the get go. Not like with Bruce and Selina, who started an intense make out session the second time they met. The way the writers developed the romance after that was fine, but the way they rushed the beginning of the relationship to begin with has to be one of my biggest criticisms of BTAS.
They do get together, Melanie and Terry. It was in the recent (2016) Batman Beyond run I think
What really?
@@marukoamv2424 Yes.
Yooooo I just recently started watching Batman Beyond and this is one of the better episodes.
I can't wait for your take on the Legion of Superheroes series
6:52 "Deckard's ...." .... cool reference !!!
In many ways Batman Beyond was accurate in its portrayal of the future.
Not the flying cars or neon streets.
But how kids of the future will more likely have dysfunctional families, surrounded by gang life, and constantly in fear of their enviroment.
The writers did an excellent job with this show and it was a shame it never lasted as long as the Batman the Animated show before it.
Out of all the things that deserve a reboot; this has to be my top choice. Though, today's writers would seriously blunder if they tried...
Melanie always deserved better.
Watched the whole vid, awesome as always!
I know in the Batman Beyond comics she comes back and I remember liking that story a lot
I hope he really enjoys doing these because they are so good man like every single one is so emotional and high quality I hope he enjoys making them
dana is the kind of girl who will just lead terry by the nose, self centered, demanding and whiny
im glad someones looking at Beyond
My favourite episode of Batman Beyond as a kid
God i love batman beyond
Terry deserved more catwomen so to speak. I always wanted to see more of Terry later in his life to see if Bruce’s molding turned him more or less into him.
Comment section: Dana is better for Terry, I don’t see what people see in Melanie!
Melanie: 0:57
LOL-ING! Noooo, that's not it. She was just deep. Besides, plenty of people stand like that while holding a conversation.
Melanie and Terry wouldn’t last very long. Melanie was only around Terry out of a need to be free from her family ties. She liked the idea of somebody her family rejected because it was different. Terry was innocent and she wasn’t. She basically made Terry an idol who could purify her, when the reality was, and she knows it, she corrupted him. She SAW how he and Dana were experiencing difficulties admitted she saw them…yet she seduces him anyway. When she was with Terry, she was only thinking about NOT being in the Royal Flush Gang. She wasn’t thinking about actually having a life with Terry, who Terry truly is, his life goals, none of that. He was a passing fling that she could go to whenever her life was tough. THAT is actually more of a sign of an abusive relationship, because if Terry began to desire more, or if he desired change, she would respond aggressively because he would be reminding her of her parents: the ones who always tried to “control her.” Melanie doesn’t even love Terry. She just has a giant unmet need in her life and Terry was her escape. What happens when she grows up and gets over this unmet need? Terry becomes of no use to her anymore, and she would call it “I fell out of love with him,” when the reality was, she never truly loved him in the first place.
Dana actually cares about Terry, and is willing to go through the problems a normal relationship DOES go through. She even accepts his role as Batman later in the series and waits for him to propose to her. She stays loyal no matter what. In the long run, a woman who is willing to give loyalty and honor trumps a fine looking fling that won’t last. Terry really lucked out by NOT getting together with Melanie 😂
Bro just described my last relationship 💀
Well said.
I think once she was out of the gang, however, there'd be a very different dynamic that could have been fun to explore. I think finding out he's Batman would have been a pivotal moment in their lives. Does she see him as the man that repeatedly jailed her, or does she fully understand the dual identity and nightmare she subjected him to with her crimes? I think given where her arc leads, she's far more likely to sympathize. I don't think Dana ever found out he was Batman, which leaves Epilogue in a weird place. I think with Melanie that future happiness could be moved up 10 to 15 years for Terry
@@Deaganus I think she wouldn't understand the dual identity at all. She would be more angry for lying to him because she was lied to by her family. Being together with him wouldn't give her that innocence that she longed for. As for Dana, she did find out about him being Batman because in Epilogue, she knows he is Batman already (They are still dating 16 years later) and even though he constantly warns her of danger, she still refuses to be disloyal to him.
I agree I don’t really ship them because it just doesn’t seem like they would last long and she needed like you said an escape and that means no actual genuine connection
Scrolling and reading the title man whyd you have to hurt me like that. I was doing just fine b4 i remembered about these two 😭😭
Am gonna give extra props to her brother for not going "Haha yeah I'm free it's crime time baby!"
Mystery Song in the description is "i will survive" by Gloria Gaynor😁. Used to listen to it with my mom
Your videos are always great. Would love to see you do more Batman beyond videos. Great job!
batman beyond is a grimdark masterpiece
Thanks, now I’m gonna rewatch Batman Beyond
lol. I was about to type "Rudimentary at best" but then noticed the title of the channel. nice