Batman (1966) Episode 55&56

Episodes 55 & 56
The Impractical Joker/The Joker’s Provokers

Plot:Joker has a box that can move time backward and forward, and has plans to pollute the water supply

Guest Stars:Ceasar Romero as Joker

Trivia:First appearance of Alfred’s “Alfcycle”, With this episode the recap’s on part 2 take on the less iconic tone people remember them for. Rather than recapping the previous episode just saying “Last time on Batman..” and explaining where we left off without the recaps. I guess I forgot how these worked I called it boring early on.

 

Niitpick:The creators clearly didn’t get the Joker having him use “Jokes” the way Riddler uses riddles. That isn’t what he does. He’s also been called a master of makeup and a former hypnotist. I guess he wasn’t a severely disfigured psychopath yet? And a time machine? WTF?

 

Bat Silliness:Bruce and Dick are about to watch Green Hornet on TV until Joker interrupts the broadcast. That is so meta I can’t even get into it

 

Window Cameo:Howard Duff as Sgt Sam Stone, his character from The Felony Squad

 

Bat Gadget:Batman always carries a spare house key just in case. Always a good idea! Though why they don’t have a full staff at Wayne Manor escapes me.

 

Bat Trap:Batman is put into a key duplicator while Robin in a wax chamber. Memorable just for the scene when Batman frees Robin stiff and covered in wax

 

Final Thoughts:Alan Napier plays a dual role in this episode and is really good as Alfred’’s cousin and Alfred himself as he pitches in. The episode again doesn’t seem to know which plot to follow. It starts with a key theme which is weird and goes nowhere. Joker has made a little box that freezes people in place and later can turn time backward or forward. How? Don’t ask me! They could have at least tried to explain it. It gets bizarre too when Joker demonstrates how the box works. The worst part si there was no need to add that time machine stuff, it adds nothing really. Keeping it as a box that freezes people was enough. And of course the main scheme is just to hold the city up for money. Because that’s all anyone does on this show. There’s also something about poisoning Gotham’s water supply which is classic Joker but makes no sense here. The last ten minutes go on forever and hardly even include Batman and Robin.

 

 

Grade:B-, The plot is off the rails but Napier is great in this episode and I always love Romero as Joker