Roddy McDowell never phoned in a role but his reading of "I would have given you any life you wanted. Just to keep you out of mine" has always stuck with me because of how raw it sounds
Yeah that line hit hard. Really made you realize that the "nice guy" doctor is still there. He does not even hate batman because he knows batman saves people thats why he did not unmask him either. He knows what he is doing is wrong but he just wants batman gone so he can have alice. So much to dissect just from that last scene.
I think one of the best questions that Paul Dini, Andrea Romano, and every other talent on this show had the 9.8 magnitude balls to try will always be “Does *Bruce* need Batman or does *Batman* need Bruce?”
This episode is so deep. Jervis legitimately believes that everyone would want to live a happy lie over a painful truth, because he can't see past his own feelings. More so than surpassing his invention, he's upset that Batman is able to pull away from it because he himself would never be able to. Batman's rejection of the dream tears down Jervis's worldview, reminds him of his own failings with Alice that he's desperate to deny, and throws back in his face what Jervis considers the greatest kindness he could ever bestow. The Mad Hatter is a selfish, abusive creeper who treats the people around him like tools and yet you can still sympathize with his emotions, if not their motivations, thanks to this amazing writing.
I think what makes us sympathize with Jervis is the fact that deep down, we all want something that we may never had. He wanted to have Alice, and tried to do it when he had the chance, but when things don’t go as expected, he took it too far. He knows he’s imprisoning Alice and random people in their own minds, but he doesn’t care. He just wants to live in what he desired, rejecting reality. In a way, Bruce’s desire for happiness (like his parents alive and being engaged to Selina) mirrors Jervis’ desire for Alice. The difference is Bruce accepted reality, while Tetch didn’t. Their conflict raises the question on is it better to live in a lie or accept reality.
A lot of us can't agree with what Jervis has done/how he goes about doing it, but we can sympathize with him as we know that feeling; the lonely feeling, of wanting our reality to be as we think it should be, a reality we feel we've been cheated out of by someone or something. Jervis wanted to have Alice, someone who seemed to show him kindness and understanding no one else seemed to in a world where either he couldn't relate to others or felt looked down upon. Bruce wants his parents back, to have a life where he's free to finally grow up and move on from being that broken child he became the moment he lost them, where the concerns of being the Dark Knight are not his concern.
It's been years and years since I watched the series, but I don't think I ever noticed the tears streaming down Hatter's face when he says "you of all people..."
Loved the show as a kid, mostly because its about Batman. Now that I've grown up, the shows "substance" made me appreciate it even more, what with its mature stories, legendary voicework and the amazing art and animation. This is no mere "kids show", and I love how ambitious its makers were
My dad died three years ago. Since then, I've occasionally had dreams where he turned out to be alive, and even though I know in the back of my mind that it's not real, I miss him so much that I just go along with it. So, yeah. This episode definitely hits a little too close to home for me now.
This episode is so good, Perchance to Dream is definitely a top 10 episode in my opinion and this is such an interesting what if episode about Bruce's life, also Fun Fact: this is the Kevin Conroy's the voice actor of Bruce Wayne/Batman favorite episode of the entire show
One of the best episodes and oh yes, Roddy McDowell (the voice of Mad Hatter in this show) was a great character actor whether he played in a movie or did voice acting. He's known for the original Planet of the Apes-movies and the original Fright Night. He sadly passed away in 1999 (I think) and he will be forever missed.
MOST 👏UNDERRATED 👏BATMAN 👏VILLAIN 👏 Fun trivia: the final line "The stuff that dreams are made of" is a callback to the last line of the famous crime noir film "The Maltese Falcon". Do "Baby Doll" next!
A couple of observations I had with this viewing: 1) Bruce starts out using his Batman voice as Bruce Wayne in this episode, ie his real voice. Since he doesn't have a dual identity in the alternate reality he has no need for dual voices. Then when he realizes he isn't Batman anymore, he changes his 'real' voice to his Bruce voice. 2) Bruce said the "nightmare is over," with a tone of relief in regards to his life as Batman, which goes to show how much he actually suffers mentally as Batman. It's likely just as much a compulsion as it is a sense of altruism. Bruce needs to be Batman, yet it torments him. That's really sad, and goes to show that it's not only the villains in the series who are mentally ill. 3) Mad Hatter didn't unmask Batman and chose to 'get rid' of him in the 'kindest' way possible. He's a deeply flawed man, and definitely a villain thanks to choices he's made, but also not necessarily an evil man. I really feel for him in a lot of ways. I much prefer this version to the obsessive serial killer version in other iterations. And I think it's a safe bet that Jarvis had a rough life. The man's ugly as sin, has an awkward and weird personality, a major 'nerd', and clearly socially inept (as evidenced by his interaction with Bruce in his debut episode). There's no way in Hell that guy didn't go through the wringer growing up. It's a classic example of getting dealt a bad hand in life ending poorly. Some rise above, some sink below. Mad Hatter sank below :( And I'm with you on the whole truth and honesty thing. One of my most hated things is dishonesty/duplicity and a lack of genuineness. Growing up I had a deep-rooted fear of people only being nice to me out of obligation, and that they really hated me behind the scenes (still working on overcoming that fear at 36, really sucks). Once somebody has proven they've deceived me in any capacity I can't ever trust them again. It's the biggest dealbreaker for me in relationships of any kind, whether it be family, friends, or significant others. And in regards to the voice acting, a big shout-out should go out to Andrea Romano the voice-director. It's an often overlooked role, but a voice-director can make or break a show's performances. And Andrea is one of the best. Check out all the movies, shows and games she's been involved in, all of them contain incredible voice direction. Even amazing voice-actors can be tanked by a bad voice-director. Also, I'm editing this comment as I watch, so pardon the random jumps of topic XD Also, LOVED your observation about how Bruce can't imagine what an adult relationship with his parents would be like. Really love your reactions! Also realized I wasn't subscribed in spite of watching a number of your videos, so I fixed that :)
That Mad Hatter line... I don't know what the VA channeled to get that delivery, but it's bone chilling in emotion. Kevin did a stellar job allround but that Mad Hatter line just jumped out to me. "You of ALL people have the G A L L to ask me that?!?"
The "You did this to me" from Bruce to Batman is super interesting to me given that the creation of Batman is handled as a tragic moment in the animated series' narrative. Mask of the Phantasm shows Bruce's early days after returning to Gotham and trying to create the persona of fear that would eventually become the Batman. At the same time, a woman named Andrea Beaumont comes into his life and flips his entire plan, and him at one point, on it's head. The conflict in him eventually leads to him tearfully begging to his parents' grave to lift the burden of his promise to them to protect the city, going so far as to say "I didn't count on being happy" (and I honestly feel myself getting choked up just writing those words, it's such a powerful performance from Kevin) Andrea sadly vanishes from his life, which then leads him to return to his plans with added enthusiasm to ignore this new fresh wound. The suiting up has no real majesty or a real feeling of heroics to it Shirley Walker's operatic score comes in, but even that doesn't make it feel like an overly triumphant moment, just Bruce surrounded by shadows as he dons the mask for the first time and turning to see the fear on Alfred's face at what he sees I feel like at this point, Bruce has definitely put any notions aside that he would ever be truly happy again. It was one thing to be in a world where his parents are alive and he's happy, but that world can't also co-exist with there being a Batman since, like you pointed out, Batman wouldn't exist without that trauma. It's so ingrained into him at this point that it's one of his true weaknesses. In his notes on how to disable or kill members of the Justice League in case of emergencies, he makes specific point that making use of his parents would be an incredibly effective method of distracting him and compromising his strategic thinking
I love how rhe title theme was a bit of a giveaway on who the main villain was going to be, but when I was a kid and saw this it didn't even click, I was confused and sad this entire episode. It's a testament to Batman's will and mental fortitude to know something was off from jump, the moment he woke up he knew this was wrong. It reinforces that Bruce is the mask, Batman is who he is, the two are inseparable, and also what the fuck Jervis??!!!!
When i first watched it this episode was one of my favorites but now i am not sure it would make into my top 10 episodes of the show. That's how good the show is. This is all personal choices, i totally understand people who say this episode is their favorite one. It is definetly my favorite Mad Hatter episode. This is one of those episodes that i will write pretty long. Fun Fact: This was Kevin Conroy's favorite episode of the series. You could see it in his performance as Bruce Wayne, Batman and Thomas Wayne. When those characters interact you could easily understand who is talking etc. and that is really hard to pull off. There are some other voice actors that could do that in this series, like Richard Moll at Two Face two parter. Title of this episode is a quote from Hamlet that was said during famous "to be or not to be" monologue. There Prince Hamlet debates with himself that whether or not to commit suicide and task of avenging his father. This parellels both story of the this episode and story of Batman in general. Also Kevin Conroy was a Shakespearean actor before this show. He tells he did compare Batman to Hamlet during his audition. Batman's psychology is really interasting. He feels like he can't be happy or shoudn't be happy. When he saw his parents his first reaction was saying this is not real not hugging them or something like that. He feels like he should be Batman. He does feel a temptation but that temptation isn't stopping being Batman, it is about stopping being Bruce Wayne. Even in his perfect world that his parents are alive his mind creates a Batman because he belives world must have a Batman even if that is not him. I will write about this subject on two later DCAU episodes but we still have lots of time until then. Also when fictional Batman was fighting you could see the Jevelary store sign saying gibberish, that's an early implication to end of the episode.
'It's A Wonderful Life'... even for Batman. Or at least it's the life he chooses. Favorite of a *lot* of people, and made even more powerful by you watching it right after Mad Hatter's debut episode. Came out years before The Matrix. Too bad the other Hatter episodes aren't quite as compelling as this. Recommended Episode: Almost Got 'Im, Vendetta
I have been waiting for this one!!! I didn’t want to mention it because I think it’s best seen blind. Batman the animated series at its best here. The beauty of batman for me will always be the tragedy. He’s an incredible tragic hero, he always makes the hard choice. When presented with an easy life, a wonderful life but it’s a lie and it would mean hiding. He chooses to face reality, no matter how harsh, no matter how ugly. Coming from my point of view, it reminds me of alcohol. I used it as an escape for many years but I’m now 5 years sober and even though it’s hard and the temptation to drink (like going into a dream) is there. I try to make the hard choice always, the right choice. I love batman for so many reasons but making the hard choice is a big one. Really really love your reactions
What a trip of an episode this was. Definitely one of my favorites of this show for sure. I always love when the show delves into the psychology of Bruce and the inner conflicts he has. The twist towards the end of it being Mad Hatter will always get me cause I remember watching this and being shocked it was him since I never thought he'd be capable of such a thing. Also I always love your discussions at the end Meg. They're always so insightful
Seeing that it was The Mad Hatter was very least exspected. In hallucination and in a world that's not real looks like Scarecrow's doing or even Batman's number one enemy The Joker. This episode started to have Mad Hatter be more of a popular and still recognizable Batman villain in all Batman comics, DVD home video movies and future Batman tv shows
Definitely my second favorite episode, I'm looking forward to watching many more episodes and batman movies here with you. Some of the themes here that you caught up on are similar to ones explored in some of the movies as well. So I'm also looking forward to seeing your reaction to those as well.
I love the small details that refer to our dreaming experience in this episode - for example the scrambled letters in the newspaper and the books Bruce opens reflects the fact that we're unable to read in our dreams.
The Mad Hatter put him in a world from which he could not escape, without giving up the greatest desires of his heart. Poor Batman, I suppose it was like ripping out his own heart.
The only person I've really lost was my grandma and we weren't really that close and originally I thought her death didn't effect me that much every once in a while I'll dream about her and the relationship that wasn't really ever there
Everytime I watch this episode it gets me , because this embodies batman and his tragic life , he could live an almost perfect life, yes he lost his parents but he's got the money the looks the means ,instead he puts himself through hell ,a lifetime of fighting, a fight that he can't win but stil he wants to try , this is BATMAN nothing but sacrifice for his city completely forgetting about him self as a person
Hey, if no one's mentioned this about the movies yet, you'd want to watch: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (after season 1) and Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero (after season 2)
Definitely my favorite episode. You can't experience it the same way when you watch it again. The reveal is so unexpected and the story makes sense only at the end. Great episode. Thanks for reacting to the series.
i haven't watched this episode in forever but i never picked up on the fact that his parents coddle him because he only knows a relationship with them as a young child omg 😭
I wish that we could have gotten the idea that some point in between the Justice league Unlimited and Batman Beyond that Bruce did marry Selina and have their daughter Helena Wayne together and also the episode where Batman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman went the future and the episodes with the Shadow thief as well.
Until some years ago I didn't realise there were people who couldn't read in dreams because I've always been able and is why that reveal made no sense to me when I was a kid watching it for the first time.
I just found this channel by chance, but enjoyed your discussion of the episode. This show really holds up well after so much time. I'd recommend checking out the movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, still my favorite Batman movie.
Always liked this episode but even as a kid the 'can't read in dreams' thing never made any sense to me because I've always been able to read text and numbers in my dreams without any problem. Wasn't til i got older than I learnt it seems most people can't. I found that so strange.
So, about that list I mentioned in a previous video. Do I use the E-mail posted on you channel's About or DM your Twitter or what? Incidentally, this episode was on the list.
What's the next episode she'll be reacting to? Just looked into the HBO Max order and it seems it'll be a fair bit of episodes before some really good ones come along again like Almost Got Im which is still several episodes away.
Hey! my request has been answered..glad you reacted to this one..one of the best episodes of the series.. I would also recommend 'Almost go im', 'Beware the Grey Ghost', ' Robin's Reckoning' and 'Second chance'.
the whole "it made him what he is" thing, I don't really buy that argument. to me it's the whole "things could be worse" saying which I find to be complete horseshit. yeah, they can ALWAYS be worse. BUT they can also be a lot BETTER. so while Bruce's suffering turned him into Batman, we can't be sure that him not losing his parents wouldn't have resulted in him becoming something as good as or even better than Batman.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Roddy McDowell never phoned in a role but his reading of "I would have given you any life you wanted. Just to keep you out of mine" has always stuck with me because of how raw it sounds
One of my favorite lines from the whole series
Yeah that line hit hard. Really made you realize that the "nice guy" doctor is still there. He does not even hate batman because he knows batman saves people thats why he did not unmask him either. He knows what he is doing is wrong but he just wants batman gone so he can have alice. So much to dissect just from that last scene.
RIP
This is Kevin Conroy's favorite episode, he did 5 voices: Batman, drugged Batman, adolescent Bruce, Bruce and Thomas Wayne.
I think one of the best questions that Paul Dini, Andrea Romano, and every other talent on this show had the 9.8 magnitude balls to try will always be “Does *Bruce* need Batman or does *Batman* need Bruce?”
This episode is so deep. Jervis legitimately believes that everyone would want to live a happy lie over a painful truth, because he can't see past his own feelings. More so than surpassing his invention, he's upset that Batman is able to pull away from it because he himself would never be able to. Batman's rejection of the dream tears down Jervis's worldview, reminds him of his own failings with Alice that he's desperate to deny, and throws back in his face what Jervis considers the greatest kindness he could ever bestow. The Mad Hatter is a selfish, abusive creeper who treats the people around him like tools and yet you can still sympathize with his emotions, if not their motivations, thanks to this amazing writing.
I think what makes us sympathize with Jervis is the fact that deep down, we all want something that we may never had. He wanted to have Alice, and tried to do it when he had the chance, but when things don’t go as expected, he took it too far. He knows he’s imprisoning Alice and random people in their own minds, but he doesn’t care. He just wants to live in what he desired, rejecting reality. In a way, Bruce’s desire for happiness (like his parents alive and being engaged to Selina) mirrors Jervis’ desire for Alice. The difference is Bruce accepted reality, while Tetch didn’t. Their conflict raises the question on is it better to live in a lie or accept reality.
A lot of us can't agree with what Jervis has done/how he goes about doing it, but we can sympathize with him as we know that feeling; the lonely feeling, of wanting our reality to be as we think it should be, a reality we feel we've been cheated out of by someone or something.
Jervis wanted to have Alice, someone who seemed to show him kindness and understanding no one else seemed to in a world where either he couldn't relate to others or felt looked down upon.
Bruce wants his parents back, to have a life where he's free to finally grow up and move on from being that broken child he became the moment he lost them, where the concerns of being the Dark Knight are not his concern.
It's been years and years since I watched the series, but I don't think I ever noticed the tears streaming down Hatter's face when he says "you of all people..."
Loved the show as a kid, mostly because its about Batman. Now that I've grown up, the shows "substance" made me appreciate it even more, what with its mature stories, legendary voicework and the amazing art and animation. This is no mere "kids show", and I love how ambitious its makers were
My dad died three years ago.
Since then, I've occasionally had dreams where he turned out to be alive, and even though I know in the back of my mind that it's not real, I miss him so much that I just go along with it.
So, yeah. This episode definitely hits a little too close to home for me now.
This episode is so good, Perchance to Dream is definitely a top 10 episode in my opinion and this is such an interesting what if episode about Bruce's life, also Fun Fact: this is the Kevin Conroy's the voice actor of Bruce Wayne/Batman favorite episode of the entire show
Kevin Conroy plays several roles, sometimes opposite himself. Pretty good work if you can get it, they say... ;-)
One of the best episodes and oh yes, Roddy McDowell (the voice of Mad Hatter in this show) was a great character actor whether he played in a movie or did voice acting. He's known for the original Planet of the Apes-movies and the original Fright Night. He sadly passed away in 1999 (I think) and he will be forever missed.
Fun fact you can hear the mad hatter’s theme in this episode hidden before the reveal hinting that he was involved earlier.
MOST 👏UNDERRATED 👏BATMAN 👏VILLAIN 👏
Fun trivia: the final line "The stuff that dreams are made of" is a callback to the last line of the famous crime noir film "The Maltese Falcon". Do "Baby Doll" next!
A couple of observations I had with this viewing:
1) Bruce starts out using his Batman voice as Bruce Wayne in this episode, ie his real voice. Since he doesn't have a dual identity in the alternate reality he has no need for dual voices. Then when he realizes he isn't Batman anymore, he changes his 'real' voice to his Bruce voice.
2) Bruce said the "nightmare is over," with a tone of relief in regards to his life as Batman, which goes to show how much he actually suffers mentally as Batman. It's likely just as much a compulsion as it is a sense of altruism. Bruce needs to be Batman, yet it torments him. That's really sad, and goes to show that it's not only the villains in the series who are mentally ill.
3) Mad Hatter didn't unmask Batman and chose to 'get rid' of him in the 'kindest' way possible. He's a deeply flawed man, and definitely a villain thanks to choices he's made, but also not necessarily an evil man. I really feel for him in a lot of ways. I much prefer this version to the obsessive serial killer version in other iterations.
And I think it's a safe bet that Jarvis had a rough life. The man's ugly as sin, has an awkward and weird personality, a major 'nerd', and clearly socially inept (as evidenced by his interaction with Bruce in his debut episode). There's no way in Hell that guy didn't go through the wringer growing up. It's a classic example of getting dealt a bad hand in life ending poorly. Some rise above, some sink below. Mad Hatter sank below :(
And I'm with you on the whole truth and honesty thing. One of my most hated things is dishonesty/duplicity and a lack of genuineness. Growing up I had a deep-rooted fear of people only being nice to me out of obligation, and that they really hated me behind the scenes (still working on overcoming that fear at 36, really sucks). Once somebody has proven they've deceived me in any capacity I can't ever trust them again. It's the biggest dealbreaker for me in relationships of any kind, whether it be family, friends, or significant others.
And in regards to the voice acting, a big shout-out should go out to Andrea Romano the voice-director. It's an often overlooked role, but a voice-director can make or break a show's performances. And Andrea is one of the best. Check out all the movies, shows and games she's been involved in, all of them contain incredible voice direction. Even amazing voice-actors can be tanked by a bad voice-director.
Also, I'm editing this comment as I watch, so pardon the random jumps of topic XD
Also, LOVED your observation about how Bruce can't imagine what an adult relationship with his parents would be like. Really love your reactions! Also realized I wasn't subscribed in spite of watching a number of your videos, so I fixed that :)
That Mad Hatter line... I don't know what the VA channeled to get that delivery, but it's bone chilling in emotion. Kevin did a stellar job allround but that Mad Hatter line just jumped out to me. "You of ALL people have the G A L L to ask me that?!?"
Roddy McDowell voiced the mad hatter.
The "You did this to me" from Bruce to Batman is super interesting to me given that the creation of Batman is handled as a tragic moment in the animated series' narrative. Mask of the Phantasm shows Bruce's early days after returning to Gotham and trying to create the persona of fear that would eventually become the Batman. At the same time, a woman named Andrea Beaumont comes into his life and flips his entire plan, and him at one point, on it's head. The conflict in him eventually leads to him tearfully begging to his parents' grave to lift the burden of his promise to them to protect the city, going so far as to say "I didn't count on being happy" (and I honestly feel myself getting choked up just writing those words, it's such a powerful performance from Kevin)
Andrea sadly vanishes from his life, which then leads him to return to his plans with added enthusiasm to ignore this new fresh wound. The suiting up has no real majesty or a real feeling of heroics to it Shirley Walker's operatic score comes in, but even that doesn't make it feel like an overly triumphant moment, just Bruce surrounded by shadows as he dons the mask for the first time and turning to see the fear on Alfred's face at what he sees
I feel like at this point, Bruce has definitely put any notions aside that he would ever be truly happy again. It was one thing to be in a world where his parents are alive and he's happy, but that world can't also co-exist with there being a Batman since, like you pointed out, Batman wouldn't exist without that trauma. It's so ingrained into him at this point that it's one of his true weaknesses. In his notes on how to disable or kill members of the Justice League in case of emergencies, he makes specific point that making use of his parents would be an incredibly effective method of distracting him and compromising his strategic thinking
One of my favorites! Love how you can tell Hatter’s behind it because his theme is all throughout the score.
Side fact: the final conversation between Gordon and Batman is the final scene from a 1941 movie with Humphrey Bogart called, The Maltese Falcon.
I love how rhe title theme was a bit of a giveaway on who the main villain was going to be, but when I was a kid and saw this it didn't even click, I was confused and sad this entire episode. It's a testament to Batman's will and mental fortitude to know something was off from jump, the moment he woke up he knew this was wrong. It reinforces that Bruce is the mask, Batman is who he is, the two are inseparable, and also what the fuck Jervis??!!!!
When i first watched it this episode was one of my favorites but now i am not sure it would make into my top 10 episodes of the show. That's how good the show is. This is all personal choices, i totally understand people who say this episode is their favorite one. It is definetly my favorite Mad Hatter episode. This is one of those episodes that i will write pretty long. Fun Fact: This was Kevin Conroy's favorite episode of the series. You could see it in his performance as Bruce Wayne, Batman and Thomas Wayne. When those characters interact you could easily understand who is talking etc. and that is really hard to pull off. There are some other voice actors that could do that in this series, like Richard Moll at Two Face two parter.
Title of this episode is a quote from Hamlet that was said during famous "to be or not to be" monologue. There Prince Hamlet debates with himself that whether or not to commit suicide and task of avenging his father. This parellels both story of the this episode and story of Batman in general. Also Kevin Conroy was a Shakespearean actor before this show. He tells he did compare Batman to Hamlet during his audition.
Batman's psychology is really interasting. He feels like he can't be happy or shoudn't be happy. When he saw his parents his first reaction was saying this is not real not hugging them or something like that. He feels like he should be Batman. He does feel a temptation but that temptation isn't stopping being Batman, it is about stopping being Bruce Wayne. Even in his perfect world that his parents are alive his mind creates a Batman because he belives world must have a Batman even if that is not him. I will write about this subject on two later DCAU episodes but we still have lots of time until then. Also when fictional Batman was fighting you could see the Jevelary store sign saying gibberish, that's an early implication to end of the episode.
Wow, I really loved this meg
Thank you 😭❤️
You have to wonder, was what Dr. Tomkins said part of the dream's effort to keep him in it, or was part of Bruce's own desire to stay?
'It's A Wonderful Life'... even for Batman. Or at least it's the life he chooses. Favorite of a *lot* of people, and made even more powerful by you watching it right after Mad Hatter's debut episode.
Came out years before The Matrix. Too bad the other Hatter episodes aren't quite as compelling as this. Recommended Episode: Almost Got 'Im, Vendetta
Fun fact: If you know the musical themes of the characters, the twist is revealed at the title card.
If you listen to the music during the fight scene, it's a hint at who's behind everything.
I have been waiting for this one!!! I didn’t want to mention it because I think it’s best seen blind. Batman the animated series at its best here. The beauty of batman for me will always be the tragedy. He’s an incredible tragic hero, he always makes the hard choice. When presented with an easy life, a wonderful life but it’s a lie and it would mean hiding. He chooses to face reality, no matter how harsh, no matter how ugly. Coming from my point of view, it reminds me of alcohol. I used it as an escape for many years but I’m now 5 years sober and even though it’s hard and the temptation to drink (like going into a dream) is there. I try to make the hard choice always, the right choice. I love batman for so many reasons but making the hard choice is a big one. Really really love your reactions
What a trip of an episode this was. Definitely one of my favorites of this show for sure. I always love when the show delves into the psychology of Bruce and the inner conflicts he has. The twist towards the end of it being Mad Hatter will always get me cause I remember watching this and being shocked it was him since I never thought he'd be capable of such a thing. Also I always love your discussions at the end Meg. They're always so insightful
Seeing that it was The Mad Hatter was very least exspected. In hallucination and in a world that's not real looks like Scarecrow's doing or even Batman's number one enemy The Joker. This episode started to have Mad Hatter be more of a popular and still recognizable Batman villain in all Batman comics, DVD home video movies and future Batman tv shows
Definitely my second favorite episode, I'm looking forward to watching many more episodes and batman movies here with you.
Some of the themes here that you caught up on are similar to ones explored in some of the movies as well. So I'm also looking forward to seeing your reaction to those as well.
This was Kevin Conroys favorite episode, I overheard him say so at comic con back in 2015 when I met him.
Jeeeeez that line
"Then I'll see you in your NIGHTMARES."
I love the small details that refer to our dreaming experience in this episode - for example the scrambled letters in the newspaper and the books Bruce opens reflects the fact that we're unable to read in our dreams.
The Mad Hatter put him in a world from which he could not escape, without giving up the greatest desires of his heart.
Poor Batman, I suppose it was like ripping out his own heart.
The only person I've really lost was my grandma and we weren't really that close and originally I thought her death didn't effect me that much every once in a while I'll dream about her and the relationship that wasn't really ever there
Everytime I watch this episode it gets me , because this embodies batman and his tragic life , he could live an almost perfect life, yes he lost his parents but he's got the money the looks the means ,instead he puts himself through hell ,a lifetime of fighting, a fight that he can't win but stil he wants to try , this is BATMAN nothing but sacrifice for his city completely forgetting about him self as a person
Hey, if no one's mentioned this about the movies yet, you'd want to watch:
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (after season 1) and
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero (after season 2)
Definitely my favorite episode. You can't experience it the same way when you watch it again. The reveal is so unexpected and the story makes sense only at the end. Great episode. Thanks for reacting to the series.
Kevin Conroy has said this was his favourite episode of the show, really details how tragic Bruce Wayne's life is and what he truly dreams about.
i haven't watched this episode in forever but i never picked up on the fact that his parents coddle him because he only knows a relationship with them as a young child omg 😭
The fact that Bruce's ideal world is one in which he doesen't have to be Batman is pretty tragic
I wish that we could have gotten the idea that some point in between the Justice league Unlimited and Batman Beyond that Bruce did marry Selina and have their daughter Helena Wayne together and also the episode where Batman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman went the future and the episodes with the Shadow thief as well.
Batman quoting “The Maltese Falcon” at the end is just “chef kiss”.
I can tell you were blown away with this episode. And man, I forget how magnificently deep this series can be!
One of my all-time favorite Batman TAS episodes is Harley's Holiday.
love this episode its favourite episode of Kevin as well
Such a great theme and score by the late and great film composer Shirley Walker.
This is such a great episode. I love the Mad Hatter. He's my 5th favorite villain
In dreams we can't read books
Until some years ago I didn't realise there were people who couldn't read in dreams because I've always been able and is why that reveal made no sense to me when I was a kid watching it for the first time.
I just found this channel by chance, but enjoyed your discussion of the episode. This show really holds up well after so much time. I'd recommend checking out the movie Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, still my favorite Batman movie.
Always liked this episode but even as a kid the 'can't read in dreams' thing never made any sense to me because I've always been able to read text and numbers in my dreams without any problem. Wasn't til i got older than I learnt it seems most people can't. I found that so strange.
You don't know how many times I've tried to read or remember reading in a dream.
This was Kevin's favourite episode from his time as Batman. Hard to argue with him.
Well this makes sense on how Batman has a better handle of the Black Mercy in Justice League. He’s been through this before.
That got so deep, you won a subscriber
I really didn't remember this episode
So, about that list I mentioned in a previous video.
Do I use the E-mail posted on you channel's About or DM your Twitter or what?
Incidentally, this episode was on the list.
Fun fact. This is Kevin Conroy’s favorite Batman episode.
Has anyone told her to watch mask of the phantasm yet? If not....please do it!!! 😀
Are we sure that The Mad Hatter is not more of a selfish Anti-Hero than a villain?!.
What's the next episode she'll be reacting to? Just looked into the HBO Max order and it seems it'll be a fair bit of episodes before some really good ones come along again like Almost Got Im which is still several episodes away.
This is where I got my username.
And this episode got it from Shakespeare
Hey! my request has been answered..glad you reacted to this one..one of the best episodes of the series.. I would also recommend 'Almost go im', 'Beware the Grey Ghost', ' Robin's Reckoning' and 'Second chance'.
I was actually able to read in my dream, so that part is wrong.
If you liked this episode, just wait until you see a certain episode of JLU.
Batman vs Dracula dc movie
I reccommend gotham after you finish the animated series
the whole "it made him what he is" thing, I don't really buy that argument. to me it's the whole "things could be worse" saying which I find to be complete horseshit. yeah, they can ALWAYS be worse. BUT they can also be a lot BETTER. so while Bruce's suffering turned him into Batman, we can't be sure that him not losing his parents wouldn't have resulted in him becoming something as good as or even better than Batman.
horrorable series batman TAS