Batman and Robin: Episodes 4 and 5

Episode 4: Batman Trapped!

"You're clever, Batman. But not as clever as the Wizard!"

Sigh. Spoiled with all this Stranger Things lately but tonight I return to this functional, "that'll do" nonsense, made for kids in the assumption that means not particularly trying. Still, t may be rubbish, but the constant action means it passes the time quite well, and sometimes its very rubbishness can be interesting or entertaining.

Is it me, or does Batman not at any time become trapped during these instalment? These titles have very little reference to anything that happens. And, again, there is absolutely zero focus on character with all that happens being strictly action and plot. The episode is a blur of chases, captures and escapes much as we’ve seen before. Batman, again, reacts to events and is a pretty crap detective. Morton is ultimately freed after some visually cool but ultimately failed hypnotism by the Wizard. But Barman and Robin arrive and seem to defeat them all and capture the Wizard.... alas, our charisma-free villain is just a screen, for there are eleven more episodes of chases and fistfights to go.

Once again we are reminded that newscaster Barry Brown seems to know an awful lot, and yet again Batman does sod all about it, and falls for a pretty simple trick of the Wizard’s to find out where the hospitalised Morton is hiring his formula. You begin to wonder why Commissioner Gordon gives the time of day to such a thick, incompetent Batman.

Oh, and I realise the crapness of ‘40s fashion was a sort of precursor to the ‘70’s, but Dick Grayson looks very ‘70s here.

Chapter 5: Robin Rescues Batman

“Jimmy!”

As far as I can see, at no point during this episode does Robin do anything of the sort.

Anyway, we begin with lots of chases and escapes as usual, including Barman flagging down a passing police car and jumping in the back. But then we turn into a subplot, with hood Jimmy, played by perhaps the worst actor I have ever seen, having been photographed in an incriminating way by Vicki Bale, Who happens to be his sister. He sets a rotten and transparent trap for her so the picture and negatives can be taken in a series of scenes which could have included a lot of character and pathos, but don’t, because action and plot are the only two things this script is allowed to do.

Fortunately Batman revives the charred film and is able to use something called “Ehrlich’s Red” to restore it. Is this a thing?

This episode also gives us more footage of the sinister Professor just to remind us of his existence, and pretty much gives away that he’s the Wizard, to no one’s surprise. And we end with a cliffhanger that actually isn’t rubbish- Batman and Vicki in water covered in oil which is set aflame..