Story by Paul Dini
Teleplay by John P. McCann
Directed by Dan Riba
Animation by Dong Yang
Original Airdate: January 15,2000
Rating: **1/2 of 5


Description: One of the lesser episodes, that's for sure.
First image: Batman prepares for a fight against... the Riddler ! Then Two-Face appears from nowhere and shoots at him. And Killer Croc eventually makes his presence known. What the heck?? Actually the latter are only synthoids, like Blade Runner repliquants or something. Now Terry has destroyed the Killer Croc robot so he gotta go buy a new one after school. His buddy Howard wants to give him a hand so they both go the robot factury in order to get the whole thing fixed. But it seems like this factory is not reliable. One of the synthoids-maker has built a whole black market around female synthoids he illegally offers to customers. And that not so wary Howard guy doesn't withstand envy and buys one of the synthoids, which he wants to be "completely devoted to him"... even if devotion means wiping out every living thing that gets too close to Howie.

This is a very strange episode in many ways. It starts incredibly great: the intro sequence is, in one word, mind-boggling. Beautifully animated (fluid, smooth), great writing, very nicely imagined: you don't get to see Terry face 3 villains from the old Rogues' Gallery every day! Great music too by the way, which fits with the action very well. Also this may be one of the new Riddler's most memorable sequences, since he finally takes part in some action, whereas his appearances on the earlier Batman/Superman episodes were barely cameos.
With such a great opening, how could the episode not be good? Well, simply because all the rest sucks big time! The plot is inane and almost non-existent. In short, the synthoid eventually gets mad when Howie explains her she can't protect him the way she does. She's too possessive. Really bad thing to say, especially to an insane robot. It all ends up with a big explosion. End of the story. How original is this?? The animation is overall not great but still pretty good, especially in the action scenes (which is a good point)
The main characters get absolutely no development. Max does appear but she hasn't much to do or say. Terry seems a bit more independent than usual, although there's no major change in his behavior.

Overall, if you wake up early in the morning to catch this ep, watch the intro sequence and then go back to bed.

Salvor

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