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I feel that it could have been better and have a flair of mystery to it. and every time I see the shark Man I keep thinking this would have been interesting if it had been instead a King Shark episode with King Shark being the over arching villain, Especially since he was introduced a year prior in comics they could have even had David Hayter voice him like in the Flash Tv Series. How cool would it have been to get a BTAS introduction of King Shark adding him to the 90's DCAU.
I kind of like The Terrible Trio, though I have to admit that it is very flawed. Honestly, I like the set up: three rich youths having everything but being so bored with it that they actually start committing crimes... That's actually sounds like something that could happen in real life. Problem is, in order to work it either needed to be darker of lighter. Like, it either had to dive into the insanity of the upper class like something in American Psycho, or something more for laughs. Like, a funny scenario would have been if the trio actually starts out as trying to be masked superheroes like Batman, but actually does a lot more damage than good, and during the progression of the episode, discovers that being supervillains is more their thing and way more exciting.
All things being a matter of opinion & personal taste, and you guys in particular being entitled to your opinions, I actually liked this episode. Okay, it wasn't objectively the greatest ever, but it had redeeming qualities, I felt. I liked the part at the end of the climax where the last guy is being dragged through the snow by Batman. The dude desperately tries to bribe Batman to let him go, and Batman doesn't even FLINCH. He just keeps dragging the guy along. Okay, Batman is Bruce Wayne & therefore ridiculously wealthy, and the idea of trying to bribe a guy who's already a billionaire is absurd, all unbeknownst to that guy of course, but I still really like how Batman doesn't pause to laugh at the guy, he doesn't stop to reason with the guy or try to argue, he just keeps doing his thing and hauls him off to jail without even reacting AT ALL. He's stone cold the whole time, and I like to think that real reason he doesn't flinch isn't because Bruce Wayne is super rich, it's because... he's Batman. Even if Batman didn't have the funds to pull off everything he does, but still did his thing as a super hero anyway, I know he STILL wouldn't flinch because THAT'S WHAT BATMAN IS! He can't be bought, he can't be reasoned with, and he doesn't need to hear your whole life story up to the point of the crime you've committed. All he needs to know is that you did the crime, and you therefor need to suffer jail time for it. I would go so far as to say that Batman is actually exhibiting a perfect example of the concept of "Blind Justice" - basically, the way blind justice works is: Your motivations as to WHY you did the crime don't matter, it doesn't matter what you LOOK LIKE or how rich or poor you are, and all other little prejudices don't mean a thing. The only thing that matters is whether or not you've broken the law, and if you HAVE broken the law, you're going to jail or prison or whatever. That's why, in any court hearing in any country that follows the concept of "Blind Justice" the judge doesn't want to hear your sob stories and generally judges try to remain unbiased. And my favorite part is how the Terrible Trio get Blind Justice in the end - they're expecting to be able to bribe themselves out of jail time. That one guy says he's rich enough to afford the best lawyers ever, and quote "The best justice money can BUY!" but then the next scene is the same guy who said that behind bars in a gross, horrifying jail cell far away from the luxury he grew up in. All of his wealth couldn't get them out of that jail cell & it didn't make them untouchable the way they thought it would, and it probably didn't buy them even buy them a single minute of freedom. The only thing that mattered was that they did the crime, and therefor have to do the time. Just like everybody else.
Also, I don't think it's a problem that the Terrible Trio are one-dimensional rich assholes. They're supposed to be an antithesis to Bruce Wayne. While he may've been born with a silver spoon in his mouth too, he didn't grow up to be selfish and elitist and used his costumed persona for the good of others. I also like how the leader, despite bragging that he owns the courts, is ultimately convicted and sent to the same prison as hardened crooks and murderers. There's something refreshing about the fact this batch of Batman's enemies don't have mental illness or desparation on their side; they're just upper crust scum who look down on the "lowly masses" and assume their bank accounts give them rein to do whatever they want. There are people in real life who deserve the fate of the Terrible Trio, but unfortunately, too many escape justice.
I have to agree. The episode might be subpar, but their contrast to Bruce Wayne puts his own mission as Batman into perspective, and those final moments when the Fox is bragging only to end up in jail like any common criminal were almost worth it, I wish more arrogant bastards like that ate the humble pie in real life.
Yeah I agree, the only thing I can think that would make them "better" villains is if we had a reason to hate them more, they rob rich people oh noooooooooo, if they were like reverse robin hoods stealing from the poor that would I guess make us hate them more as they preyed on the weak and vulnerable to get their kicks.
@@Tombobreaker but it makes sense there rich snobs they probably assume commoners have nothing worth stealing while they know for sure who does have stuff worth stealing but what they could of done was have them steal donation money.
@@kingthe13 Oh for sure but the rich would have security and systems in place where the poor would be easy pickings, I guess that takes away the "thrill" of it for them I just figured if we're trying to reimagine them what would make fans hate them more. Maybe it's not like they're mugging someone but stealing from charities and other humanitarian organizations
THis story has been tackled two other times in other Batman shows. In The Batman: The Trio are college outcasts who use a variation of the Man Bat Formula to turn into hybrids to get revenge on their bullies In Batman the Brave and the Bold: The Trio are still rich but also trained martial arts masters whose greed centers on a totem that grants them greatly enhanced power once they get their hands on it. Honestly the idea of three rich guys turning to crime due to being bored with their lives of privilege isn't bad in concept. I do think they should've played up how some members of the Trio are gradually against things to highlight some character.
i think what's missing is none of these really highlight the fact that the Trio were schemers who loved putting batman in death traps., at least from what I gathered about the comics versions
The final shot of the episode is timeless. Head jerk’s in prison. The cro-magnon like cellmate sneers at him. Head jerk shrinks back in absolute horror. There’s no dialogue and there doesn’t need to be. Head jerk is fresh meat on the block.
After trying to bribe Batman and declaring that he has the money for the best attorney and will go judge shopping for what he considers justice Yeah, no…
Scenes like that one have always made me uncomfortable. Maybe I've seen too many PG-13/R-rated movies where it happened, but the subtext always seems to be "Ha-ha, now he will get raped." Very ghoulish. Some people try to make the excuse that rape is funny when it happens to a man instead of a woman, but it's NEVER funny.
I'm surprised you didn't mention this was the episode when Batman defended Joker comparing him to the Trio. He mentioned that at least Joker had madness as an excuse.
I think the original creators of the Terrible Trio 2 (Len Wein and Irv Novick) tapped into the right idea of disillusioned scientists with Lucius Fox's son (Timothy) being a villain. But I can see it causing problems with Marvel since the villain is called the "Vulture".
Agreed and it can face another aspect of Bruce Wayne/ban. Some of the best aspect of Batman are when he faces some one that mirrors him in some way. We got the clock king for how prepared he is or Boyle with the curryotion business man. Since Bruce Wayne plays a rich care free playboy he would run into these guys alot and see the loose touch with reality. They think everything is a game and they can't loose. That sort of mind set can get out of hand quite. Heck in my head cannon these three try to be super villain and fight the Batman. Sort of like wrath and scorn from the 2006 the Batman searis.
My biggest problem with this episode was the instances where they eluded Batman. They should've been presented as good, but not THAT good. They could've filled it in with them commiting more burglary and Batman & Robin trying to get more leads before finally catching them at the Cabin.
I still like the ending of this episode. They say they will "get the best justice money can buy!" Closing on the leader alone in a cell, with no power, being stared down by his cell mate.
@@Undertaleman I guess that makes sense. Honestly, I felt like the Brave and the Bold one was like when they combined the aspects of DCAU and The Batman
I could definitely see the potential this episode could’ve had. But it would’ve required a little more personality from the three. For 1, you already have the great parallel to Batman practically gift wrapped. In the fact that it’s essentially four rich people (counting Batman) using their money to make gadgets for a dangerous game of cat and mouse. One of the things I think should’ve been done that would’ve improved the episode, is emphasizing the escalation. Initially their crimes were two bit small time crimes and theft. Things that they felt with their rich status they would easily be able to hand wave by paying a few fines. Maybe the one with the vulture mask, is a little leery about continuing their fun because Batman is now aware of them, but shark arrogantly thinks he could easily take the Bat. But it’s after the robbery that led the one rich guy in the hospital that everything starts to unravel for them. Now they have something they consider a serious crime hanging over their heads. Leading to Fox Who is normally the brains of the operation making rash decisions after rash decision. All the while becoming anxious and agitated easily. Then once the girlfriend confronts him, he lashes out. With this action and the fact that she knows about what he’s been doing along with his increasing paranoia that is when he truly snaps and starts ranting about her “being a loose end that has to be taken care of.” Leading to the other two trying to talk him down realizing that things were going too far and maybe even considering turning them self into the police. But Fox becoming so unhinged that he’s even scaring shark, leading them to do what he tells them to ultimately leading to them being taken down by Batman. There’s so much more they could’ve done with the episode but it seems so bare bones.
I agree. I think this episode was just aight (not awful), but it had a lot of potential. Making the villains a little less one note and giving them some actual fear over being in too deep could have helped make them stronger villains. Would have been a nice parallel to Batman showing that not just anyone can do what he does. You start it with some rich assholes who have also been all over the world like Bruce/Batman and think they can do what he does, just on the criminal side of things, and at the start, they seem successful, and they get cocky. They think, "Wow this is easy. Guess Batman isn't so special after all." But then as time goes on and Batman starts to get on their trail, they start to crumble and lose their grip. They start thinking, "Why haven't we shaken this guy yet? We've done everything he can do. We have the same gadgets. We've given the cops the slip. Why can't we shake this guy? What makes him so special? We're the same aren't we?" Would show that doing the things Batman does isn't that easy after all and it doesn't just take money and gadgets to do it. I also like the idea of making Shark a bit more eager to fight Batman at the behest of Vulture. Vulture and Shark are basically the same character in this episode and making one more eager and the other more reserved would have helped differentiate them. It also would have matched their character designs too since Vulture was made out to be a bit more brainy/timid and Shark was basically drawn to look like an old-timey handlebar mustache boxer.
I remember it but not fondly. I think this would have been better if this had been a Robin-centric episode. It's kinda creepy in how Bruce has to be inserted. Another friend of the family we never heard of before or ever again. What could have worked here is if the trio wants to induct Dick into the fraternity of heirs but can't stop commenting on his common parentage. Dick sees them for the jerks they are because he sees how they treat people without money. There could even be a bit of tension between Bruce and Dick as Bruce wants him focused on school not crime fighting, but these clowns might get someone hurt if they aren't stopped. I agree, we know these guys are up to no-good pretty early on so we don't have much tension or stakes. I don't know. Maybe because they are college age like Grayson I think it would be a better challenge for him.
Im glad to see Im not the only one who thought of this same idea. When I was watching this episode for the first time, I was thinking it was gonna go that route: all young heirs to family fortunes, therefore Dick was going to get involved. (Dick Grayson should be more involved with the "Wayne Business/Family" anyway as it helps hide his superhero identity) I was disappointed that it didn't go that way 'cause the idea of Dick being called into a fraternity based on his relation to Bruce Wayne while also being bashed about his past, makes for a much more interesting conflict. Involving just Batman with the Terrible Trio just doesn't seem to make a memorable story in any Batman series.
@@TrashQueenAndKing I can elaborate. Either Bruce is friends of the patriarch, in that case, the guy knew Bruce when he was a kid. Or Bruce is friends with the daughter that's even creepier since she's Dick and Barbara's age. He's the inbetweener. That's why I think Dick Grayson/Robin would make a better foil here.
I think the concept of three rich assholes who do evil just because, can work and could be very interesting. Some villains don't have mental illness, a traumatic backstory or greed to back their motives but are just entitled douchebags who do it because they think they can get away with it. A type of villain that is all too real for this world. And seeing them end up in a cold, brutal prison made it all the more satisfying. I think there is much potential here. Maybe the episode could have been improved by making the Trio more vicious and cold blooded and them going after societies most vulnurable like beating up homeless people or harassing poor people. Of course, it would also be necessary to make them more competent, like make them expert marksmen, martial artists or arsonits or something like that.
I really like what The Brave And The Bold did with these characters. Instead of just being rich criminals, they were rich people who trained with Bruce and Bronze Tiger before under Master Wong Fei. They also do crime just for shits and giggles, but there's an added element of martial arts and history with other characters.
I like how there's always one episode of some Batman shows dedicated to these guys, the 2004 one did it and the one that I was familiar with being brave in the bold also did too.
I will admit, I did kinda like the fox (Warren Lawford). There was just something about his spoiled boastful attitude, as well as how cowardly he suddenly gets when Batman actually catches him and he is thrown in prison, that kinda reminds me of Gaston from Beauty And The Beast. Maybe if he had more compelling comrades and more interesting crimes to commit, he could have been a hidden gem among Batman’s villains.
I disagree. I like this episode. I find the dynamic of the three “chads” interesting. I mean…”worst DCAU episode of all time”? Not even close. Its not the best episode, it’s not the worst. It’s ok. I think the writing is actually pretty good. Take the scene where they demean the security guard and calculate how much he makes per year. That’s good stuff. It shows how out of touch & elitist they are.
@@ThePreciseClimber I was never a Static Shock fan so I’d say almost any episode of that series. I’d also say the episode “Critters”, “Christmas with the Joker” & “The Underdwellers” are below this episode. There’s a couple Batman Beyond episodes, like the one with that rat boy kidnapping Danna.
I don't agree the concept is not intriguing - it actually feels pretty real. At least real enough that it'd be something you can imagine in any crime show. A bit like Point Break. But yeah, it's all in the execution. Just like Point Break vs Point Break remake.
I think they did this episode again in The Batman (2004), but in that version it worked better in my view. The characters were changed to university students, and the trio were real animals.
They did. I would agree that The Batman 2004 did it slightly better-it was the fox character who was getting bullied which was why I felt more for him solely. It would've been cool if Barbara was more of a friend to them, like she was with Pamela before the latter turned into Poison Ivy.
Yes I have to agree to the Batman episode about the terrible Trio did these three much better instead of wearing mask of the animals they become the animals and give them more sympathetic character as they are victims of bullying and while Barbara was there she did give them sound advice of telling the dean or principal of the school but they refuse to and if they choose to go to run of violence and possible murder not to mention one of the kids were voiced by Michael Rosenbaum
Agreed The Batman 2004 did a better job with the concept of Terrible Trio (I misremembered them as the Terror Trio for some reason) and they actually have real animal abilities made them a bigger threat for Batman to deal with
These guys were way cooler in brave and the bold. Instead of rich joy seekers, they were students of a reclusive martial artist that Bruce Wayne also trained under. While their names aren’t given, they are still power hungry criminals who wear similar (yet cooler designed) masks.
It's always weird to hear a bad review for something you enjoy. Especially when the words "worst episode" and "do not recommend" are used. To each their own, I guess, but I thought it was interesting seeing a random cast of jerks be the antagonists for one episode. Their intent to kill the girl near the end raised the stakes, and I was glad to watch them get their comeuppance. The riches-to-prison-garb ending was especially satisfying.
Maybe would have been more compelling if they patterned it after the Chowchilla bus kidnapping. The perpetrators were bored rich kids too, but since innocent children were involved, it makes it all the more heart wrenching and anxiety-inducing.
I honestly preferred how “The Batman” tackled the concept of these characters. It was basically the Terrible Trio combined with Batman Beyond’s “Splicers”. 3 social outcast friends from Barbara’s college manage to hack into Kirk Langstrom’s computer system, copy his Man-Bat formula, and splice themselves into animal hybrids to get back at those who tormented them.
Every time I see The Trio I think of the 80s movie Fortress. Haven’t seen it since I was a kid, but the images of the some of the bad guys in animal masks stuck with me. Always creeped me out.
Years later in Batman brave and the bold they did the terrible trios episode again but instead they made Batman and the three of them students Learning the arts of kung fu
Honestly, I have a feeling Bruce Timm and the rest of the BTAS crew initially weren't very kind on the Silver Age. Think about the show's inspirations and it's mainly from the Golden Age ('30s to mid '50s) and Bronze Age ('70s to mid '80s). While Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy did come from the '60s, they were reworked in a transformative way. And while Clayface shares the name and powers of Matt Hagen, his background is from Basil Karlo. The episodes that had a Silver Age tone, however? You can tell how weak they were. It's like they thought that the late '50s through the '60s was an embarrassing time period for the Caped Crusader. It got better in TNBA when the Silver Age got a nod in "Legends of the Dark Knight", though.
Batman's expression in the thumbnail says all you need to know about the quality of the episode. I like how Warren gets his comeuppance at the end. He's confidence that his money will see him released and at the end, he's brought lower than low.
I kind of like The Terrible Trio, though I have to admit that it is very flawed. Honestly, I like the set up: three rich youths having everything but being so bored with it that they actually start committing crimes... That's actually sounds like something that could happen in real life. Problem is, in order to work it either needed to be darker of lighter. Like, it either had to dive into the insanity of the upper class like something in American Psycho, or something more for laughs. Like, a funny scenario would have been if the trio actually starts out as trying to be masked superheroes like Batman, but actually does a lot more damage than good, and during the progression of the episode, discovers that being supervillains is more their thing and way more exciting.
I kind of like this one. There's a huge amount of cathartic schadenfreude, especially in more recent years, in watching Batman take down a bunch of affluenza jackasses, and the cut from Lawford bragging about how his lawyers will get him off the hook to being thrown in the cell is beautiful.
I kinda like the episode. It's a ok change of pace from big villains and the trio being as shallow as people sometimes see Bruce is nice (people don't see Bruce as a criminal of course)
Here's how I'd write the villains. Don't have them rob rich people. At least, not at first. Instead, have their first robbery be a minor place like a convenience store. After they get away, the trio would realize they loved the rush of adrenaline the experience gave them and continue their crime wave slightly escalating. Have them robbing another rich person be the climax of the episode and the members giving their feelings on the whole thing, including one admitting that he enjoys the life of crime so much that he's considering leaving behind his life of luxury.
How to fix the terrible trio? Simple... The point of them doing all of this is exictment. Getting away with something. So how do you do this..? Simple.. keep that intact, but add the mystery of why these 3 rich kids are doing and constantly keeping up the crime. Remember the 1st was an easy robbery, then harming and robbing someone in their protective house and then homocide. But insted of going: "It's all connected" have it be unconnected...The robbery they get away with, the house robbery they get stopped by batman but the owner still gets injured, then cut to them trying to kill someone but making it look like an accident and batman saving them... but not connecting the dots. Only that these "Rich kids may have a link" Eventually learning that these kids one day tried a new chemical for fun, to feel more. Since one of their parents owns a pharmacetical company making all kinds of chemicals with one ment to "stimulate" certain parts of the brains ment in treatment of homocidal maniacs like in Arkham to make sure that killing urge stays down. We learn they took it and can't get the same outcome anymore as they took an experimental version. Other chems dont do anything.. so they tried crime...it started with shoplifting but it kept getting worst. Of course batman tracks them down and prepares an antidote, he cures two of them, but only to learn their leader...isn't responding to the antidote. We know the leader is actually the son of the pharmecetical company that made the drug and infact... has a chemical inbalancement as well and the experimental drug was ment to treat their child but they have to keep changing it as their child would start responding differently over time. He eventually decided to do this to his "friends" to have someone understand him, but also... it was exicting and fun... a group of them... Batman eventually arrest him and brings him to Arkham, where he looks around and smirks, saying he feels at home...and maybe.. he can finally feel himself amongst his peers. THAT WOULD MAKE THIS EPISODE WORK! But to give that extra twist.. have his cell be next to the Joker... with Joker looking at him and saying: "Hello new best buddy" and the leader smiling to him in return. Leaving an unease in the air for the future.
Sorry man, I disagree. The whole point of the Trio is that they are spoiled rich kids that commit all kinds of horrible things because they are bored and know they can get away with that. People like that exist. They show up on the news every day. OJs. Your idea is good, but missed the whole reason the Trio exist. They don't have a reason to do what they do, and that's what is about.
@@DinobotTM2 It was a reinventing the style of the show.. remember Mr. Freeze started as a guy with a freeze gun stealing diamonds cause he could. But again if you feel like you can make them more.. I am willing to hear it :) They spoiled rich kids that got bored still applies. Just one had chemical imbalancement and the other two were his bored friends that started with a chemical (drugs) and kept uping the anti due to the drugs but you can also see it like: "It starts with 1 drug trip and you start doing more to catch that high" But then again... I am willing to hear your take too!
@@titanguy7316 They aren't that much but you can add it. The fact I put the leader with the joker would imply that someone like the joker would make him do crime again and a return of the trio but even worst. Since as I elude in the ending, the leader felt the most happy in arkham with no chemicals being treated... like he embraced his criminal crazy side.
@@kotlolish I understand you points, but are different situations. Mr Freeze was a gimmick character, and the changes they made did not interfere with the gimmick. In the case of the Trio, making them anything but bored rich guys that are doing this because they can is the whole gimmick, and having them (or one of them) having a drug or insanity excuse would detract from the gimmick, that's why I disagree. What I would have done is lay heavier on the aforementioned detail. Batman CAN capture them easily, but gag orders, lawyers, bribes, all the stuff they do in RL to avoid real punishment. The challenge wouldn't be just arresting them, but actually make them do through it. Would be much more Bruce-centric, but that could work.
Actually I would really like to see Walter cover some episodes of "The Batman" if he can. I know it's not the best Batman cartoon ever, that is certainly this one. I still feel it has some real gems mixed into its episode lineup though
Anyone else reminded of the Trio from the sixth season of Buffy? At least "The Terrible Trio" were in just one episode, rather than recurring villains that even the show points out are not worthy.
The 2004 “The BatMan” Series turned the Terrible Trio into Criminal Students who used Man-Bat's Formula to become Mutants of their Respective Animals. The Vulture was a Girl in that one.
I personally liked the idea of rich guys looking for other thrills and often Losing everything because they lack knowledge of Consequences and suffer the worst kind to them which is failure.....sounds like our society
The "I'm so rich I'm bored" concept has been overdone in many forms of media. It would have made more sense that the trio were desperate and came from different walks of life maybe have an upper-class guy who lost everything, a middle-class guy struggling to get by, and a lower-class guy whose back is to the wall with dept. that would have made the trio more interesting and given them more to build up to.
When I watched this episode for the first time, I though it was one of the intriguing one for me. It wasn't fantastic.... But it was more based on reality. Dangerous people with privilege.
When I watched this episode for the first time, I was just a young teen, and even though I didn't watch the series with technical eyes, it did leave an impression on me. And gave me a real sense of danger because the villains were not fantastic. For that, I think the episode was quite successful in delivering a good message of justice.
For me, the Terrible Trio are the kind of bad guys who should be working for someone else. Just be the goons/henchmen to another criminal, like Scarface or Joker maybe. I get though for this version of them, it wouldn't make sense since their already rich assholes and do this more so of the thrill than anything.
Looking at that thread on Bruce Timm's favorite episodes, I'm really curious about your thoughts on "Critters" when we get there because that one is the episode my dad and I constantly make fun of as the worst Batman episode. Nothing wrong with those who like it. Just curious if Bruce ever provided context on why the Farmer Brown episode is one of his higher tier ones.
I think the premise could have been done better. For example, if their fraternity was a gateway into criminal behavior and we were watching new members being initiated, so you have the drama of not knowing whether they were going to choose to go through with it or turn aside from the path to darkness.
Oddly, when I first saw this episode, I secretly wanted a sequel, in which these three become henchmen (or maybe even apprentices) to The Penguin, a much better aristocratic antagonists to Batman.
one of the best moments in this episode is when bruce thanks the kid who brings him is gun, and is asked if he thanks the garbage men and Bruce responds with if he sees the.
Michael Reeves is a pretty prolific writer. If you have any "favorite episode" it's a good chance he was involved. From Batman & TMNT to Ghostbusters & Gargoyles, he's fantastic!
I like just about each Batman cartoon series had a version of the Terrible Trio in their respected show. I personally like the version on the 2004 The Batman series. The animal patches was a cool concept.
Wow. I forgot about this episode until it was mentioned again. I remembered that the heirs were associated with land, sea, and sky and their masks and that they were incredibly stupid to have traces of their personal lives on them during the heists (the ring).
As dumb as it is, I get why that was included: these guys run on ego so much that they wouldn't think of such small details leading to their incarceration [then again, this is the world of Batman we're talking about, and his reputation as a great detective would at least give them SOME pause, wouldn't it have?!].
The Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode that featured the Terrible Trio was way better put together than this. It actually connected Bruce Wayne's past to them and actually made them a credible threat. Even if the episode was more outlandish and more supernatural, that was kind of on par with the Brave and The Bold series at the time.
One of the all time worst? I'd say that Bruce Timm has worked on worse stuff since. It's an odd episode but I don't know if it deserves that distinction
We've finally come to my least favorite episode. Nothing about it works, not even the climatic showdown, which has the Batwing saving the car from out of nowhere, when it's hard to miss a giant plane (it makes no sense). Or where the last rich guy escaped on snowmobile and was clearly out of reach of Batman to chase (which is why he stops), but in the next shot, he just jumps and is right on top of him?! (it makes no sense). I don't want to dog on this too hard, because its still BTAS, and still watchable, it's just... bleh. But I'll say I found one scene somewhat interesting: The shot pull conversation, that clearly contrasts the rich elite like these guys from Bruce Wayne, who takes the time to greet the help or use his money for good.
If they had went with a more, the three are acting more like the animal mask they are wearing, I could see it being better, as the three are now growing from it being "just for fun" and are now getting off on robbing the other rich people, all well looking like the unlikely suspects, and you could habe it almost start as a dual personality, but more of them being okay with changing into these alteregos, rather then not wanting it to take over them. Almost like they might taunt Batman for having already allowed that to happen, and he is just criminalizing their change, just to satisfy his own need for justice. Mabye this kind of story line could've saved it, but I'm not sure.
Two things to say here.... 1 - If this is Bruce Timm's worse episode, then why make it in the first place? And 2 - Terrible Trio of this episode's name is right. Because they waste their money to become criminals. Oh, brother!
TV show creators aren't machines and we can't always produce the best creations without making some bad ones. By the time they realized it was bad, they likely were done with the episode and maybe even aired it already. Keep in mind it's a large amount, and different amount of writers/creators each episode has. I don't think it would make sense to make a bad episode just for a time slot. It's usually because the director or conditions on the episode usually. Likely didn't help this was mostly adapting something else. Most people try to understand why something went wrong but tend to point in the wrong directions (Like how they blamed the animation studio for the quality for Day of the Samurai). Sometimes, there are different conditions that we would be aware of so people make up theories that are common or based off knowledge we that's already known.
@@EvyDevy Indeed. Every series, if it runs long enough, is going to put out a few stinkers every once in a while. Some episodes might look good on paper, but the execution just doesn't work. Or sometimes, the thing you write looks great at the time, but it's only after you've submitted it where you're like: "Why did I think this was good?!" lol.
Is it strange for me to think this is an episode ahead of its time so head of its time in fact that even the writers thought it was a bad idea just saying a certain Jackal looks very familiar especially if you remove his hair.
Thanks for FINALLY doing this episode. I can understand if you personally don't like, but try to see how this episode relates to the real world. There have been many real life incidents where the rich tycoons (Ex: Donald J. Trump - Tax Evasion) and celebrities (EX: O.J. Simpson - Murder, Armed Robbery, and Kidnapping) have committed crimes simply because they believe their wealth and status makes them immune to the law. This episode asks the question as to how corrupt the justice system is - where the one-percent commit crime and then use their vast wealth to acquit themselves of any lawful punishment. At the end of the episode, Warren Lawford believes that his vast wealth will get him off easily or at least put him in the fanciest cell that money can buy, but instead he finds himself being placed in one of the worst prison cells ever. What makes this episode great is that it tells us that NO ONE, not even the richest of the rich, are above the law.
Despite the boring characters and dull episode, I still like the idea for what it was.....But Bored Rich kids made for Boring episode Fox Kids Announcer: Next time On Bat-May: The Joker has stolen an atomic bomb!.....And the only person who can help find him is Harley Quinn...Can this unlikely trio stop the Joker before its too late?...Find out next time on BAT-MAY!
I remember seeing that episode twice and it was very long time ago when I was like 5, I didn't remember many details of that episode beside the bad guys masks and robin falling in the water.
While the terrible Trio is not a great episode I don't really consider it a terrible episode if anything I think is acting underrated episode because while it doesn't have a very popular Batman villain it does have a bit of a unique story to it instead of having to be about a major cartoon criminal or even a unique one it tells story about 3 Rich dudes who despite having everything literally handed to them they still commit crimes and they're only doing it because they're bored and then even Batman says that they are worse than the Joker even though I believe that sentence was a bit I needed as they're not a psychotically insane as a joker but at least there's a method to his Madness they just do because they were bored and for the fun of it Plus it is fun to see in the end that despite all their money and riches they screwed it up big time and now are in prison where the money cannot help them
I appreciate it from the world building perspective, but found it totally unmemorable otherwise. Batman's obscene wealth isn't often a focal point, and this is one of the rare pointed looks at the culture he is a part of, not necessarily apart from, and probably grew up around. Good idea. But you hit the nail on the head with how unsympathetic and emotionally uninteresting of a story it is. Which, to me, is also partly interesting - I'm reminded of the episode where Riddler is able to use his smarts to get wealthy selling the game, but how pathological crime/rule breaking (and maybe sadism?) is unescapable for his persona. Stands as a stark contrast - as more interesting! - to this episode.
You know what might have helped this episode, if they had introduced the trio earlier in previous episodes, where it showed case just how arrogant and self-centered they all were in contrast to Bruce and his otherwise kind nature More, "you thank the janitor?" Moments between them, and maybe more people, even their own families, calling them out on their lack of ambition which would make the "that's where you belong old man at my feet!" Line a little more power Just my opinion
The thing most memorable from this for me is when Batman is addressing his distain for the Terrible Trio, going so far as to say that since they steal for sport he sees them as worse than the Joker since the Clown Prince of Crime has madness as an excuse. It’s kind of funny to recall that since later down the line he along with everyone else just sees him as chaotic and disturbing unadulterated evil. Fair, but still pretty hilarious when you recall this episode.
I actually thought this story was quite compelling. As I said on the comments of the last episode, It's was an interesting premise. It's nice to see batman fight villans that aren't neurodivergent or turned villan by poverty. I like how it gives an interting commentary on wealth and how it's so corrupting that it can make you so outa touch with reality and humanity that you could commit for fun. One part I would change is having the crimes be on lower and middle class communities. That way the "I'm so better than so better than everyone that I shouldn't have empathy for those poorer than me" commentary would be stronger. It would also work better as a commentary of what batman could have been if he let his vast wealth and privilege get to his head.
Yeah they could still go after the girlfriend's dad but only after they bought their way out of some lower crime like with a middle class business and then the rich guy is simply because "we'll get the money back tonight" for what they paid their lawyers the first time. Then him being targeted is both a throw off point (because it's different from their usual MO so it may seem not connected) and a tipping point because Bruce just happened to be friends with the guy and still noticed the ring mark. It would also make the comment about not going to jail because of their lawyers have more punch since we saw them get away with it before.
I feel like the concept behind this episode can work really well, if done right. That said, in order to do something like this right, I feel like it has to be longer than what can be fit into a single episode, so that there's time to develop the characters more, doing things like showing how the criminal activities are slowly changing them such as making them want the thrill more and more until they cross lines they never would have in the beginning, or showing them truly going off the deep end. This episode seems to have the elements of that, but there's just not enough time to stretch it out and make it work.
The one good thing about this episode that I remember is when Batman stated that: while his other foes have some kind of insanity as justification, these guys have nothing of the sort.
Do you think The Terrible Trio is that bad?
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I feel that it could have been better and have a flair of mystery to it. and every time I see the shark Man I keep thinking this would have been interesting if it had been instead a King Shark episode with King Shark being the over arching villain, Especially since he was introduced a year prior in comics they could have even had David Hayter voice him like in the Flash Tv Series. How cool would it have been to get a BTAS introduction of King Shark adding him to the 90's DCAU.
It's the worst. Why didn't you mention the highly superior version of The Terrible Trio in the last season of The Batman?
I kind of like The Terrible Trio, though I have to admit that it is very flawed.
Honestly, I like the set up: three rich youths having everything but being so bored with it that they actually start committing crimes... That's actually sounds like something that could happen in real life.
Problem is, in order to work it either needed to be darker of lighter. Like, it either had to dive into the insanity of the upper class like something in American Psycho, or something more for laughs. Like, a funny scenario would have been if the trio actually starts out as trying to be masked superheroes like Batman, but actually does a lot more damage than good, and during the progression of the episode, discovers that being supervillains is more their thing and way more exciting.
I didn’t hate it, the show was ok to me.
All things being a matter of opinion & personal taste, and you guys in particular being entitled to your opinions, I actually liked this episode. Okay, it wasn't objectively the greatest ever, but it had redeeming qualities, I felt.
I liked the part at the end of the climax where the last guy is being dragged through the snow by Batman. The dude desperately tries to bribe Batman to let him go, and Batman doesn't even FLINCH. He just keeps dragging the guy along. Okay, Batman is Bruce Wayne & therefore ridiculously wealthy, and the idea of trying to bribe a guy who's already a billionaire is absurd, all unbeknownst to that guy of course, but I still really like how Batman doesn't pause to laugh at the guy, he doesn't stop to reason with the guy or try to argue, he just keeps doing his thing and hauls him off to jail without even reacting AT ALL. He's stone cold the whole time, and I like to think that real reason he doesn't flinch isn't because Bruce Wayne is super rich, it's because... he's Batman. Even if Batman didn't have the funds to pull off everything he does, but still did his thing as a super hero anyway, I know he STILL wouldn't flinch because THAT'S WHAT BATMAN IS! He can't be bought, he can't be reasoned with, and he doesn't need to hear your whole life story up to the point of the crime you've committed. All he needs to know is that you did the crime, and you therefor need to suffer jail time for it.
I would go so far as to say that Batman is actually exhibiting a perfect example of the concept of "Blind Justice" - basically, the way blind justice works is: Your motivations as to WHY you did the crime don't matter, it doesn't matter what you LOOK LIKE or how rich or poor you are, and all other little prejudices don't mean a thing. The only thing that matters is whether or not you've broken the law, and if you HAVE broken the law, you're going to jail or prison or whatever. That's why, in any court hearing in any country that follows the concept of "Blind Justice" the judge doesn't want to hear your sob stories and generally judges try to remain unbiased.
And my favorite part is how the Terrible Trio get Blind Justice in the end - they're expecting to be able to bribe themselves out of jail time. That one guy says he's rich enough to afford the best lawyers ever, and quote "The best justice money can BUY!" but then the next scene is the same guy who said that behind bars in a gross, horrifying jail cell far away from the luxury he grew up in. All of his wealth couldn't get them out of that jail cell & it didn't make them untouchable the way they thought it would, and it probably didn't buy them even buy them a single minute of freedom. The only thing that mattered was that they did the crime, and therefor have to do the time. Just like everybody else.
Also, I don't think it's a problem that the Terrible Trio are one-dimensional rich assholes. They're supposed to be an antithesis to Bruce Wayne. While he may've been born with a silver spoon in his mouth too, he didn't grow up to be selfish and elitist and used his costumed persona for the good of others. I also like how the leader, despite bragging that he owns the courts, is ultimately convicted and sent to the same prison as hardened crooks and murderers. There's something refreshing about the fact this batch of Batman's enemies don't have mental illness or desparation on their side; they're just upper crust scum who look down on the "lowly masses" and assume their bank accounts give them rein to do whatever they want. There are people in real life who deserve the fate of the Terrible Trio, but unfortunately, too many escape justice.
A really good analysis. Their just rich jerks, unlike Bruce.
I have to agree. The episode might be subpar, but their contrast to Bruce Wayne puts his own mission as Batman into perspective, and those final moments when the Fox is bragging only to end up in jail like any common criminal were almost worth it, I wish more arrogant bastards like that ate the humble pie in real life.
Yeah I agree, the only thing I can think that would make them "better" villains is if we had a reason to hate them more, they rob rich people oh noooooooooo, if they were like reverse robin hoods stealing from the poor that would I guess make us hate them more as they preyed on the weak and vulnerable to get their kicks.
@@Tombobreaker but it makes sense there rich snobs they probably assume commoners have nothing worth stealing while they know for sure who does have stuff worth stealing but what they could of done was have them steal donation money.
@@kingthe13 Oh for sure but the rich would have security and systems in place where the poor would be easy pickings, I guess that takes away the "thrill" of it for them I just figured if we're trying to reimagine them what would make fans hate them more. Maybe it's not like they're mugging someone but stealing from charities and other humanitarian organizations
In my opinion, it kind of stinks that obscure characters like these were on Batman: TAS, but we never got a compelling story for Killer Moth.
Teen Titans managed to have fun with Killer Moth at least
A-GREED
The terrible trio are in the The Batman tv show in a single episode although their redone completely but fit the vibe of the series
@@DRKLCNS1 And was in The Batman 2004.
Me too brother, me too.
THis story has been tackled two other times in other Batman shows.
In The Batman: The Trio are college outcasts who use a variation of the Man Bat Formula to turn into hybrids to get revenge on their bullies
In Batman the Brave and the Bold: The Trio are still rich but also trained martial arts masters whose greed centers on a totem that grants them greatly enhanced power once they get their hands on it.
Honestly the idea of three rich guys turning to crime due to being bored with their lives of privilege isn't bad in concept. I do think they should've played up how some members of the Trio are gradually against things to highlight some character.
i think what's missing is none of these really highlight the fact that the Trio were schemers who loved putting batman in death traps., at least from what I gathered about the comics versions
Its kind of weird that both times that these villains are revisited in animation it involves them transforming (mainly in the climax).
Wow imagine if the Brave and the Bold version would have been a perfect introduction for them in the Nolanverse.
I honestly like the idea of the Terrible Trio being the antithesis of Bruce Wayne.
Hotline Miami 2 did that concept pretty well, and they even wear animal masks, but it doesn't come off as goofy as it does here.
The final shot of the episode is timeless. Head jerk’s in prison. The cro-magnon like cellmate sneers at him. Head jerk shrinks back in absolute horror. There’s no dialogue and there doesn’t need to be. Head jerk is fresh meat on the block.
don't drop the soap
That burly scary looking inmate sees head-jerk it’s like he’s saying to him “hey rich boy, you want to cuddle?”
After trying to bribe Batman and declaring that he has the money for the best attorney and will go judge shopping for what he considers justice
Yeah, no…
Scenes like that one have always made me uncomfortable. Maybe I've seen too many PG-13/R-rated movies where it happened, but the subtext always seems to be "Ha-ha, now he will get raped." Very ghoulish. Some people try to make the excuse that rape is funny when it happens to a man instead of a woman, but it's NEVER funny.
He ends up wearing a dress and pigtails.
The show is like pizza. Even when the episodes are bad, they’re still pretty good
it's basically cold pizza
it's not great, but still good
Who said cold pizza ain’t great?
I think about what binging with babish said about spaghetti "if you can't have spaghetti at its worse you don't deserve it at its best".
Nah
What about poo pizza
I'm surprised you didn't mention this was the episode when Batman defended Joker comparing him to the Trio. He mentioned that at least Joker had madness as an excuse.
I don't think it's the worst episode. Hell it highlights a realistic enemy the Batman should be facing.
I concur
I think the original creators of the Terrible Trio 2 (Len Wein and Irv Novick) tapped into the right idea of disillusioned scientists with Lucius Fox's son (Timothy) being a villain. But I can see it causing problems with Marvel since the villain is called the "Vulture".
Agreed and it can face another aspect of Bruce Wayne/ban. Some of the best aspect of Batman are when he faces some one that mirrors him in some way. We got the clock king for how prepared he is or Boyle with the curryotion business man.
Since Bruce Wayne plays a rich care free playboy he would run into these guys alot and see the loose touch with reality. They think everything is a game and they can't loose. That sort of mind set can get out of hand quite. Heck in my head cannon these three try to be super villain and fight the Batman. Sort of like wrath and scorn from the 2006 the Batman searis.
I respectfully disagree. This is the worst B:TAS episode by far, just as Superman's Pal is to S:TAS.
@@thevine2010 Both Marvel and DC each have their own Dr. Strange, so I don't think the name would have been an issue.
My biggest problem with this episode was the instances where they eluded Batman. They should've been presented as good, but not THAT good. They could've filled it in with them commiting more burglary and Batman & Robin trying to get more leads before finally catching them at the Cabin.
I still like the ending of this episode. They say they will "get the best justice money can buy!" Closing on the leader alone in a cell, with no power, being stared down by his cell mate.
Only in fiction, sadly.
Quite the difference w/ the prison scenes in Goodfellas.
Yeah I honestly think The Batman 2004 did a much better job with the Terrible Trio.
Agree, and cheers to that!
What about Brave and the Bold?
@stevenzupo6861 My personal view is that the college outcast with animal powers seems more cool for Batman than the Old Masters.
@@Undertaleman I guess that makes sense. Honestly, I felt like the Brave and the Bold one was like when they combined the aspects of DCAU and The Batman
@@stevenzupo6861 Exactly
I could definitely see the potential this episode could’ve had.
But it would’ve required a little more personality from the three.
For 1, you already have the great parallel to Batman practically gift wrapped. In the fact that it’s essentially four rich people (counting Batman) using their money to make gadgets for a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
One of the things I think should’ve been done that would’ve improved the episode, is emphasizing the escalation.
Initially their crimes were two bit small time crimes and theft. Things that they felt with their rich status they would easily be able to hand wave by paying a few fines.
Maybe the one with the vulture mask, is a little leery about continuing their fun because Batman is now aware of them, but shark arrogantly thinks he could easily take the Bat.
But it’s after the robbery that led the one rich guy in the hospital that everything starts to unravel for them.
Now they have something they consider a serious crime hanging over their heads.
Leading to Fox Who is normally the brains of the operation making rash decisions after rash decision. All the while becoming anxious and agitated easily. Then once the girlfriend confronts him, he lashes out. With this action and the fact that she knows about what he’s been doing along with his increasing paranoia that is when he truly snaps and starts ranting about her “being a loose end that has to be taken care of.”
Leading to the other two trying to talk him down realizing that things were going too far and maybe even considering turning them self into the police. But Fox becoming so unhinged that he’s even scaring shark, leading them to do what he tells them to ultimately leading to them being taken down by Batman.
There’s so much more they could’ve done with the episode but it seems so bare bones.
I agree. I think this episode was just aight (not awful), but it had a lot of potential. Making the villains a little less one note and giving them some actual fear over being in too deep could have helped make them stronger villains. Would have been a nice parallel to Batman showing that not just anyone can do what he does. You start it with some rich assholes who have also been all over the world like Bruce/Batman and think they can do what he does, just on the criminal side of things, and at the start, they seem successful, and they get cocky. They think, "Wow this is easy. Guess Batman isn't so special after all." But then as time goes on and Batman starts to get on their trail, they start to crumble and lose their grip. They start thinking, "Why haven't we shaken this guy yet? We've done everything he can do. We have the same gadgets. We've given the cops the slip. Why can't we shake this guy? What makes him so special? We're the same aren't we?" Would show that doing the things Batman does isn't that easy after all and it doesn't just take money and gadgets to do it.
I also like the idea of making Shark a bit more eager to fight Batman at the behest of Vulture. Vulture and Shark are basically the same character in this episode and making one more eager and the other more reserved would have helped differentiate them. It also would have matched their character designs too since Vulture was made out to be a bit more brainy/timid and Shark was basically drawn to look like an old-timey handlebar mustache boxer.
I remember it but not fondly. I think this would have been better if this had been a Robin-centric episode. It's kinda creepy in how Bruce has to be inserted. Another friend of the family we never heard of before or ever again. What could have worked here is if the trio wants to induct Dick into the fraternity of heirs but can't stop commenting on his common parentage. Dick sees them for the jerks they are because he sees how they treat people without money. There could even be a bit of tension between Bruce and Dick as Bruce wants him focused on school not crime fighting, but these clowns might get someone hurt if they aren't stopped. I agree, we know these guys are up to no-good pretty early on so we don't have much tension or stakes. I don't know. Maybe because they are college age like Grayson I think it would be a better challenge for him.
Im glad to see Im not the only one who thought of this same idea.
When I was watching this episode for the first time, I was thinking it was gonna go that route: all young heirs to family fortunes, therefore Dick was going to get involved.
(Dick Grayson should be more involved with the "Wayne Business/Family" anyway as it helps hide his superhero identity)
I was disappointed that it didn't go that way 'cause the idea of Dick being called into a fraternity based on his relation to Bruce Wayne while also being bashed about his past, makes for a much more interesting conflict.
Involving just Batman with the Terrible Trio just doesn't seem to make a memorable story in any Batman series.
Creepy?
@@TrashQueenAndKing I can elaborate. Either Bruce is friends of the patriarch, in that case, the guy knew Bruce when he was a kid. Or Bruce is friends with the daughter that's even creepier since she's Dick and Barbara's age. He's the inbetweener. That's why I think Dick Grayson/Robin would make a better foil here.
I think the concept of three rich assholes who do evil just because, can work and could be very interesting.
Some villains don't have mental illness, a traumatic backstory or greed to back their motives but are just entitled douchebags who do it because they think they can get away with it. A type of villain that is all too real for this world. And seeing them end up in a cold, brutal prison made it all the more satisfying.
I think there is much potential here. Maybe the episode could have been improved by making the Trio more vicious and cold blooded and them going after societies most vulnurable like beating up homeless people or harassing poor people. Of course, it would also be necessary to make them more competent, like make them expert marksmen, martial artists or arsonits or something like that.
I really like what The Brave And The Bold did with these characters. Instead of just being rich criminals, they were rich people who trained with Bruce and Bronze Tiger before under Master Wong Fei. They also do crime just for shits and giggles, but there's an added element of martial arts and history with other characters.
I like how there's always one episode of some Batman shows dedicated to these guys, the 2004 one did it and the one that I was familiar with being brave in the bold also did too.
I will admit, I did kinda like the fox (Warren Lawford). There was just something about his spoiled boastful attitude, as well as how cowardly he suddenly gets when Batman actually catches him and he is thrown in prison, that kinda reminds me of Gaston from Beauty And The Beast. Maybe if he had more compelling comrades and more interesting crimes to commit, he could have been a hidden gem among Batman’s villains.
Me: “Mom, can we have Sinister Six?”
Mom: “We have Sinister Six at home.”
Sinister Six at Home:
Well Scorpion or Grace’s Venom should have been in No way home
I disagree. I like this episode. I find the dynamic of the three “chads” interesting. I mean…”worst DCAU episode of all time”? Not even close. Its not the best episode, it’s not the worst. It’s ok. I think the writing is actually pretty good. Take the scene where they demean the security guard and calculate how much he makes per year. That’s good stuff. It shows how out of touch & elitist they are.
What's your worst DCAU episode?
@@ThePreciseClimber I was never a Static Shock fan so I’d say almost any episode of that series. I’d also say the episode “Critters”, “Christmas with the Joker” & “The Underdwellers” are below this episode. There’s a couple Batman Beyond episodes, like the one with that rat boy kidnapping Danna.
@@MrGittz I vote for the episode where Bullock, officer Montoya and a rookie are investigated.
@@magikopa That's "POV", I think?
I don't agree the concept is not intriguing - it actually feels pretty real. At least real enough that it'd be something you can imagine in any crime show. A bit like Point Break.
But yeah, it's all in the execution. Just like Point Break vs Point Break remake.
I think they did this episode again in The Batman (2004), but in that version it worked better in my view. The characters were changed to university students, and the trio were real animals.
They did. I would agree that The Batman 2004 did it slightly better-it was the fox character who was getting bullied which was why I felt more for him solely. It would've been cool if Barbara was more of a friend to them, like she was with Pamela before the latter turned into Poison Ivy.
The 2000's were the best time for creativity
Yes I have to agree to the Batman episode about the terrible Trio did these three much better instead of wearing mask of the animals they become the animals and give them more sympathetic character as they are victims of bullying and while Barbara was there she did give them sound advice of telling the dean or principal of the school but they refuse to and if they choose to go to run of violence and possible murder not to mention one of the kids were voiced by Michael Rosenbaum
A much better and more engaging version of The Terrible Trio by far.
Agreed
The Batman 2004 did a better job with the concept of Terrible Trio (I misremembered them as the Terror Trio for some reason) and they actually have real animal abilities made them a bigger threat for Batman to deal with
I feel like this is “Batman Animated Series” most grounded and realistic episode. I personally enjoyed it particularly the ending.
These guys were way cooler in brave and the bold. Instead of rich joy seekers, they were students of a reclusive martial artist that Bruce Wayne also trained under. While their names aren’t given, they are still power hungry criminals who wear similar (yet cooler designed) masks.
It's always weird to hear a bad review for something you enjoy. Especially when the words "worst episode" and "do not recommend" are used.
To each their own, I guess, but I thought it was interesting seeing a random cast of jerks be the antagonists for one episode. Their intent to kill the girl near the end raised the stakes, and I was glad to watch them get their comeuppance. The riches-to-prison-garb ending was especially satisfying.
Maybe would have been more compelling if they patterned it after the Chowchilla bus kidnapping. The perpetrators were bored rich kids too, but since innocent children were involved, it makes it all the more heart wrenching and anxiety-inducing.
I honestly preferred how “The Batman” tackled the concept of these characters. It was basically the Terrible Trio combined with Batman Beyond’s “Splicers”. 3 social outcast friends from Barbara’s college manage to hack into Kirk Langstrom’s computer system, copy his Man-Bat formula, and splice themselves into animal hybrids to get back at those who tormented them.
in batman the brave and the bold, the Terrible Trio is like a fusion of this one and the 2004 version
$10 million THINK ABOUT IT. BUYS ALOT OF BATARANGS 😂😂😂
Every time I see The Trio I think of the 80s movie Fortress. Haven’t seen it since I was a kid, but the images of the some of the bad guys in animal masks stuck with me. Always creeped me out.
Years later in Batman brave and the bold they did the terrible trios episode again but instead they made Batman and the three of them students Learning the arts of kung fu
My fav episode of that show
Honestly, I have a feeling Bruce Timm and the rest of the BTAS crew initially weren't very kind on the Silver Age. Think about the show's inspirations and it's mainly from the Golden Age ('30s to mid '50s) and Bronze Age ('70s to mid '80s). While Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy did come from the '60s, they were reworked in a transformative way. And while Clayface shares the name and powers of Matt Hagen, his background is from Basil Karlo. The episodes that had a Silver Age tone, however? You can tell how weak they were. It's like they thought that the late '50s through the '60s was an embarrassing time period for the Caped Crusader. It got better in TNBA when the Silver Age got a nod in "Legends of the Dark Knight", though.
Batman's expression in the thumbnail says all you need to know about the quality of the episode.
I like how Warren gets his comeuppance at the end. He's confidence that his money will see him released and at the end, he's brought lower than low.
I'm happy that the Terrible Trio got glow-ups in both The Batman and Batman the Brave and the Bold
I kind of like The Terrible Trio, though I have to admit that it is very flawed.
Honestly, I like the set up: three rich youths having everything but being so bored with it that they actually start committing crimes... That's actually sounds like something that could happen in real life.
Problem is, in order to work it either needed to be darker of lighter. Like, it either had to dive into the insanity of the upper class like something in American Psycho, or something more for laughs. Like, a funny scenario would have been if the trio actually starts out as trying to be masked superheroes like Batman, but actually does a lot more damage than good, and during the progression of the episode, discovers that being supervillains is more their thing and way more exciting.
I kind of like this one. There's a huge amount of cathartic schadenfreude, especially in more recent years, in watching Batman take down a bunch of affluenza jackasses, and the cut from Lawford bragging about how his lawyers will get him off the hook to being thrown in the cell is beautiful.
Not the best episode, though Billy Mumy's performance was excellent. And the ending was classic
4:58
Considering the fact that we never see the old man get back up, I wonder if this was meant to imply that he was dead or dying!
imagine the trio trying to rob Gotham's rogue gallery and the villains get back at them?
Joker: Soooooooo, you guys like to rob the nasty folk?
I kinda like the episode. It's a ok change of pace from big villains and the trio being as shallow as people sometimes see Bruce is nice (people don't see Bruce as a criminal of course)
Here's how I'd write the villains. Don't have them rob rich people. At least, not at first. Instead, have their first robbery be a minor place like a convenience store. After they get away, the trio would realize they loved the rush of adrenaline the experience gave them and continue their crime wave slightly escalating. Have them robbing another rich person be the climax of the episode and the members giving their feelings on the whole thing, including one admitting that he enjoys the life of crime so much that he's considering leaving behind his life of luxury.
The two guys have decent form fitting animal masks but the shark guy has a cheap mascot outfit that makes him look like left shark at the super bowl.
How to fix the terrible trio?
Simple... The point of them doing all of this is exictment. Getting away with something.
So how do you do this..? Simple.. keep that intact, but add the mystery of why these 3 rich kids are doing and constantly keeping up the crime.
Remember the 1st was an easy robbery, then harming and robbing someone in their protective house and then homocide.
But insted of going: "It's all connected" have it be unconnected...The robbery they get away with, the house robbery they get stopped by batman but the owner still gets injured, then cut to them trying to kill someone but making it look like an accident and batman saving them... but not connecting the dots. Only that these "Rich kids may have a link"
Eventually learning that these kids one day tried a new chemical for fun, to feel more. Since one of their parents owns a pharmacetical company making all kinds of chemicals with one ment to "stimulate" certain parts of the brains ment in treatment of homocidal maniacs like in Arkham to make sure that killing urge stays down.
We learn they took it and can't get the same outcome anymore as they took an experimental version. Other chems dont do anything.. so they tried crime...it started with shoplifting but it kept getting worst.
Of course batman tracks them down and prepares an antidote, he cures two of them, but only to learn their leader...isn't responding to the antidote. We know the leader is actually the son of the pharmecetical company that made the drug and infact... has a chemical inbalancement as well and the experimental drug was ment to treat their child but they have to keep changing it as their child would start responding differently over time. He eventually decided to do this to his "friends" to have someone understand him, but also... it was exicting and fun... a group of them...
Batman eventually arrest him and brings him to Arkham, where he looks around and smirks, saying he feels at home...and maybe.. he can finally feel himself amongst his peers.
THAT WOULD MAKE THIS EPISODE WORK! But to give that extra twist.. have his cell be next to the Joker... with Joker looking at him and saying: "Hello new best buddy" and the leader smiling to him in return. Leaving an unease in the air for the future.
Sorry man, I disagree. The whole point of the Trio is that they are spoiled rich kids that commit all kinds of horrible things because they are bored and know they can get away with that. People like that exist. They show up on the news every day. OJs. Your idea is good, but missed the whole reason the Trio exist. They don't have a reason to do what they do, and that's what is about.
That actually sounds pretty cool. Plus with them being enhanced individuals, it'd make them a worthy challenge for Batman to face again and again.
@@DinobotTM2 It was a reinventing the style of the show.. remember Mr. Freeze started as a guy with a freeze gun stealing diamonds cause he could. But again if you feel like you can make them more.. I am willing to hear it :)
They spoiled rich kids that got bored still applies. Just one had chemical imbalancement and the other two were his bored friends that started with a chemical (drugs) and kept uping the anti due to the drugs but you can also see it like: "It starts with 1 drug trip and you start doing more to catch that high" But then again... I am willing to hear your take too!
@@titanguy7316 They aren't that much but you can add it. The fact I put the leader with the joker would imply that someone like the joker would make him do crime again and a return of the trio but even worst. Since as I elude in the ending, the leader felt the most happy in arkham with no chemicals being treated... like he embraced his criminal crazy side.
@@kotlolish I understand you points, but are different situations. Mr Freeze was a gimmick character, and the changes they made did not interfere with the gimmick. In the case of the Trio, making them anything but bored rich guys that are doing this because they can is the whole gimmick, and having them (or one of them) having a drug or insanity excuse would detract from the gimmick, that's why I disagree.
What I would have done is lay heavier on the aforementioned detail. Batman CAN capture them easily, but gag orders, lawyers, bribes, all the stuff they do in RL to avoid real punishment. The challenge wouldn't be just arresting them, but actually make them do through it. Would be much more Bruce-centric, but that could work.
Actually I would really like to see Walter cover some episodes of "The Batman" if he can. I know it's not the best Batman cartoon ever, that is certainly this one. I still feel it has some real gems mixed into its episode lineup though
Anyone else reminded of the Trio from the sixth season of Buffy? At least "The Terrible Trio" were in just one episode, rather than recurring villains that even the show points out are not worthy.
The only thing that made them better is The Batman(2004) and Batman: The Brave and the Bold
6:07 I don't know why, but I really want to hear one of Doug's high-pitched screams here. It would match so perfectly!
The 2004 “The BatMan” Series turned the Terrible Trio into Criminal Students who used Man-Bat's Formula to become Mutants of their Respective Animals. The Vulture was a Girl in that one.
I personally liked the idea of rich guys looking for other thrills and often Losing everything because they lack knowledge of Consequences and suffer the worst kind to them which is failure.....sounds like our society
"it's so rare to see this show not reach the standard of quality we're used to"
The New Batman Adventures:
The "I'm so rich I'm bored" concept has been overdone in many forms of media. It would have made more sense that the trio were desperate and came from different walks of life maybe have an upper-class guy who lost everything, a middle-class guy struggling to get by, and a lower-class guy whose back is to the wall with dept. that would have made the trio more interesting and given them more to build up to.
I watched all the Batman TAS episodes on HBO Max and I forgot about this episode.
Thank you Walter! I look forward to Bat May every year.
Please consider bringing back top 5. That show was classic 👌🏽💯
"I've got batman in my basement" is bad, but it's funny bad. Especially the terribly funny screenshots you can grab from it.
It’s funny.
I certainly didn’t enjoy this episode when I saw it, but I wouldn’t have expected it to be the one that Bruce Timm disliked the most!
When I watched this episode for the first time, I though it was one of the intriguing one for me. It wasn't fantastic.... But it was more based on reality. Dangerous people with privilege.
When I watched this episode for the first time, I was just a young teen, and even though I didn't watch the series with technical eyes, it did leave an impression on me. And gave me a real sense of danger because the villains were not fantastic. For that, I think the episode was quite successful in delivering a good message of justice.
Hotline Gotham................actually damn that would be a dope mod
For me, the Terrible Trio are the kind of bad guys who should be working for someone else. Just be the goons/henchmen to another criminal, like Scarface or Joker maybe. I get though for this version of them, it wouldn't make sense since their already rich assholes and do this more so of the thrill than anything.
Looking at that thread on Bruce Timm's favorite episodes, I'm really curious about your thoughts on "Critters" when we get there because that one is the episode my dad and I constantly make fun of as the worst Batman episode.
Nothing wrong with those who like it. Just curious if Bruce ever provided context on why the Farmer Brown episode is one of his higher tier ones.
I've grown to like it for its corny jokes and ridiculous story. I would say it could be a so bad it's good type episode.
I keep forgetting this episode exists. Would love to see a mini "how we would fix ____" for this one.
I think the premise could have been done better. For example, if their fraternity was a gateway into criminal behavior and we were watching new members being initiated, so you have the drama of not knowing whether they were going to choose to go through with it or turn aside from the path to darkness.
Oddly, when I first saw this episode, I secretly wanted a sequel, in which these three become henchmen (or maybe even apprentices) to The Penguin, a much better aristocratic antagonists to Batman.
one of the best moments in this episode is when bruce thanks the kid who brings him is gun, and is asked if he thanks the garbage men and Bruce responds with if he sees the.
Jayyy!!! Another Batmay video on my birthday 🎂. Thank you again channel awesome ☺️
One day, when you run out of Batman material, you should review Superman TAS.
Michael Reeves is a pretty prolific writer. If you have any "favorite episode" it's a good chance he was involved. From Batman & TMNT to Ghostbusters & Gargoyles, he's fantastic!
I like just about each Batman cartoon series had a version of the Terrible Trio in their respected show. I personally like the version on the 2004 The Batman series. The animal patches was a cool concept.
Wow. I forgot about this episode until it was mentioned again. I remembered that the heirs were associated with land, sea, and sky and their masks and that they were incredibly stupid to have traces of their personal lives on them during the heists (the ring).
As dumb as it is, I get why that was included: these guys run on ego so much that they wouldn't think of such small details leading to their incarceration [then again, this is the world of Batman we're talking about, and his reputation as a great detective would at least give them SOME pause, wouldn't it have?!].
When he hits the dad this time, I associate it with the Family Guy "Don't make me use my ring hand" cutaway gag now.
The Batman: The Brave and The Bold episode that featured the Terrible Trio was way better put together than this. It actually connected Bruce Wayne's past to them and actually made them a credible threat. Even if the episode was more outlandish and more supernatural, that was kind of on par with the Brave and The Bold series at the time.
One of the all time worst? I'd say that Bruce Timm has worked on worse stuff since. It's an odd episode but I don't know if it deserves that distinction
Timm was responsible for Batman sleeping with Batgirl. He’s definitely done worse stuff since.
@@DeltaAssaultGaming That's what I was thinking of. That ship never should have happened.
The feature-length "Batman and Harley Quinn" is FAR WORSE. 🤮
That thumbnail made me laugh.
We've finally come to my least favorite episode. Nothing about it works, not even the climatic showdown, which has the Batwing saving the car from out of nowhere, when it's hard to miss a giant plane (it makes no sense). Or where the last rich guy escaped on snowmobile and was clearly out of reach of Batman to chase (which is why he stops), but in the next shot, he just jumps and is right on top of him?! (it makes no sense). I don't want to dog on this too hard, because its still BTAS, and still watchable, it's just... bleh. But I'll say I found one scene somewhat interesting: The shot pull conversation, that clearly contrasts the rich elite like these guys from Bruce Wayne, who takes the time to greet the help or use his money for good.
I watch this episode just to see Fox get hit with reality at the end.
If they had went with a more, the three are acting more like the animal mask they are wearing, I could see it being better, as the three are now growing from it being "just for fun" and are now getting off on robbing the other rich people, all well looking like the unlikely suspects, and you could habe it almost start as a dual personality, but more of them being okay with changing into these alteregos, rather then not wanting it to take over them. Almost like they might taunt Batman for having already allowed that to happen, and he is just criminalizing their change, just to satisfy his own need for justice. Mabye this kind of story line could've saved it, but I'm not sure.
Two things to say here.... 1 - If this is Bruce Timm's worse episode, then why make it in the first place? And 2 - Terrible Trio of this episode's name is right. Because they waste their money to become criminals. Oh, brother!
Probably one of those times they needed an episode to fill the season.
@@wstine79 Hmmm....Makes sense there.
TV show creators aren't machines and we can't always produce the best creations without making some bad ones. By the time they realized it was bad, they likely were done with the episode and maybe even aired it already. Keep in mind it's a large amount, and different amount of writers/creators each episode has. I don't think it would make sense to make a bad episode just for a time slot. It's usually because the director or conditions on the episode usually. Likely didn't help this was mostly adapting something else. Most people try to understand why something went wrong but tend to point in the wrong directions (Like how they blamed the animation studio for the quality for Day of the Samurai). Sometimes, there are different conditions that we would be aware of so people make up theories that are common or based off knowledge we that's already known.
@@EvyDevy Indeed. Every series, if it runs long enough, is going to put out a few stinkers every once in a while. Some episodes might look good on paper, but the execution just doesn't work. Or sometimes, the thing you write looks great at the time, but it's only after you've submitted it where you're like: "Why did I think this was good?!" lol.
Is it strange for me to think this is an episode ahead of its time so head of its time in fact that even the writers thought it was a bad idea just saying a certain Jackal looks very familiar especially if you remove his hair.
Thanks for FINALLY doing this episode.
I can understand if you personally don't like, but try to see how this episode relates to the real world.
There have been many real life incidents where the rich tycoons (Ex: Donald J. Trump - Tax Evasion) and celebrities (EX: O.J. Simpson - Murder, Armed Robbery, and Kidnapping) have committed crimes simply because they believe their wealth and status makes them immune to the law.
This episode asks the question as to how corrupt the justice system is - where the one-percent commit crime and then use their vast wealth to acquit themselves of any lawful punishment. At the end of the episode, Warren Lawford believes that his vast wealth will get him off easily or at least put him in the fanciest cell that money can buy, but instead he finds himself being placed in one of the worst prison cells ever. What makes this episode great is that it tells us that NO ONE, not even the richest of the rich, are above the law.
Yeah this reminds me a lot of the real life Leopold case.
Despite the boring characters and dull episode, I still like the idea for what it was.....But Bored Rich kids made for Boring episode
Fox Kids Announcer: Next time On Bat-May: The Joker has stolen an atomic bomb!.....And the only person who can help find him is Harley Quinn...Can this unlikely trio stop the Joker before its too late?...Find out next time on BAT-MAY!
That ending was great and has stuck with me for many many years. Dark as hell and the sound his cell"mate" made is the stuff of literal nightmares.
That face Batman makes really needs a Hank Hill "BWAAAAAAAH" to accompany it.
I remember this episode. I didn't mind it back then, but this obviously needed a little more sizzle.
I remember seeing that episode twice and it was very long time ago when I was like 5, I didn't remember many details of that episode beside the bad guys masks and robin falling in the water.
Caught this episode on ‘Teletoon at night’ last week. Great episode.
_’Like he just read the script for “Batman and Robin” or something.’_ 😂!
While the terrible Trio is not a great episode I don't really consider it a terrible episode if anything I think is acting underrated episode because while it doesn't have a very popular Batman villain it does have a bit of a unique story to it instead of having to be about a major cartoon criminal or even a unique one it tells story about 3 Rich dudes who despite having everything literally handed to them they still commit crimes and they're only doing it because they're bored and then even Batman says that they are worse than the Joker even though I believe that sentence was a bit I needed as they're not a psychotically insane as a joker but at least there's a method to his Madness they just do because they were bored and for the fun of it Plus it is fun to see in the end that despite all their money and riches they screwed it up big time and now are in prison where the money cannot help them
I appreciate it from the world building perspective, but found it totally unmemorable otherwise. Batman's obscene wealth isn't often a focal point, and this is one of the rare pointed looks at the culture he is a part of, not necessarily apart from, and probably grew up around. Good idea. But you hit the nail on the head with how unsympathetic and emotionally uninteresting of a story it is. Which, to me, is also partly interesting - I'm reminded of the episode where Riddler is able to use his smarts to get wealthy selling the game, but how pathological crime/rule breaking (and maybe sadism?) is unescapable for his persona. Stands as a stark contrast - as more interesting! - to this episode.
On the bright side, this episode lead to a good one in Batman The Brave and the Bold.
7:15 he put in: "Episodes I Love Unreservedly" *Baby Doll*
Review that one soon!
You know what might have helped this episode, if they had introduced the trio earlier in previous episodes, where it showed case just how arrogant and self-centered they all were in contrast to Bruce and his otherwise kind nature
More, "you thank the janitor?" Moments between them, and maybe more people, even their own families, calling them out on their lack of ambition which would make the "that's where you belong old man at my feet!" Line a little more power
Just my opinion
I like the brief jab at "Batman & Robin"
The thing most memorable from this for me is when Batman is addressing his distain for the Terrible Trio, going so far as to say that since they steal for sport he sees them as worse than the Joker since the Clown Prince of Crime has madness as an excuse.
It’s kind of funny to recall that since later down the line he along with everyone else just sees him as chaotic and disturbing unadulterated evil. Fair, but still pretty hilarious when you recall this episode.
I remember the terrible trio, It was in a “The Batman” episode, it was fairly good.
I actually thought this story was quite compelling. As I said on the comments of the last episode, It's was an interesting premise. It's nice to see batman fight villans that aren't neurodivergent or turned villan by poverty.
I like how it gives an interting commentary on wealth and how it's so corrupting that it can make you so outa touch with reality and humanity that you could commit for fun.
One part I would change is having the crimes be on lower and middle class communities. That way the "I'm so better than so better than everyone that I shouldn't have empathy for those poorer than me" commentary would be stronger.
It would also work better as a commentary of what batman could have been if he let his vast wealth and privilege get to his head.
Yeah they could still go after the girlfriend's dad but only after they bought their way out of some lower crime like with a middle class business and then the rich guy is simply because "we'll get the money back tonight" for what they paid their lawyers the first time. Then him being targeted is both a throw off point (because it's different from their usual MO so it may seem not connected) and a tipping point because Bruce just happened to be friends with the guy and still noticed the ring mark. It would also make the comment about not going to jail because of their lawyers have more punch since we saw them get away with it before.
What a Terrible episode!
Next time Harley Quinn!
Still one of my favorites. Not every villain has to be memorable and interesting.
You left out the fact that one of the alleged frat boys actually looks like he's old enough to be someone's grandfather.
I would never call this episode the worst, I think that dishonour goes to “I’ve Got Batman In My Basement”
I’ll say this much it was definitely one of the more odd episodes of BTAS
I feel like the concept behind this episode can work really well, if done right. That said, in order to do something like this right, I feel like it has to be longer than what can be fit into a single episode, so that there's time to develop the characters more, doing things like showing how the criminal activities are slowly changing them such as making them want the thrill more and more until they cross lines they never would have in the beginning, or showing them truly going off the deep end. This episode seems to have the elements of that, but there's just not enough time to stretch it out and make it work.
I thought this episode was ok. Certainly not the worst DCAU episode. I wouldn't even call it the worst of this series; that's Mean Seasons.
The one good thing about this episode that I remember is when Batman stated that: while his other foes have some kind of insanity as justification, these guys have nothing of the sort.