This is a VERY dark episode, touching on subjects like drugs, guilt and redemption. It's different to your usual episode but I'd argue that's what makes it so special. Genuinely got a little teary towards the end. A strong 8 to a light 9/10
10 Reviews
No Supervillain
injury-6544717 June 2020
I'm pleasantly surprised at how good this episode is, despite the absence of any typical Batman supervillain.
It's nice to get a look at what Batman gets up to in Gotham City during the quieter times, when only the mobsters and gangs are working. This time he gets to play the role of family counsellor to a Gotham crime boss, Bringing together his priest brother and addict son.
This is a tale of siblings taking two different paths in life, and one helping the other to find redemption. I like that the mob boss isn't immediately won over by Batman's attempts to reform him. It takes time and he is initially adversarial and in denial.
The artistic details were really nice, with the oncoming train flashbacks for example.
It's a nice little Batman story that fits neatly into a single episode & shows us a side of Gotham that sometimes gets overlooked, that is your regular run of the mill criminal types.
It's nice to get a look at what Batman gets up to in Gotham City during the quieter times, when only the mobsters and gangs are working. This time he gets to play the role of family counsellor to a Gotham crime boss, Bringing together his priest brother and addict son.
This is a tale of siblings taking two different paths in life, and one helping the other to find redemption. I like that the mob boss isn't immediately won over by Batman's attempts to reform him. It takes time and he is initially adversarial and in denial.
The artistic details were really nice, with the oncoming train flashbacks for example.
It's a nice little Batman story that fits neatly into a single episode & shows us a side of Gotham that sometimes gets overlooked, that is your regular run of the mill criminal types.
An Old-Time Crime Story
ccthemovieman-14 July 2007
Rupert Thorne and Arnold Stromwell continue their "mob wars" for control of Gotham's underworld. Does that sound like "mob" names to you? How ridiculously PC is this with these Anglicized names, instead of the ethnic names of mob bosses that are in real life. Oh, well, that's timid the timid world of entertainment. Commissioner Gordon calls it struggle between youth and old age with Stromwell about to be pushed out. "We'll see about that," says Stromwell, to his TV set as he hears Gordon
Actually, Stromwell wants to end the wars, especially since his young son is missing, but Thorne is brutal and stays brutal throughout this old-fashioned crime story. It kind of reminded me a bit of old gangster movies like "Angels With Dirty Faces." Hollywood liked the kind of story angle that you see in this episode: you know, the kind where two old pals who grew up together wound up on the opposite sides of the law.
I continue to be amazed at the color in here and the fabulous artwork. It's simply amazing. Sometimes, as in this episode, it's the best part of the show.
Actually, Stromwell wants to end the wars, especially since his young son is missing, but Thorne is brutal and stays brutal throughout this old-fashioned crime story. It kind of reminded me a bit of old gangster movies like "Angels With Dirty Faces." Hollywood liked the kind of story angle that you see in this episode: you know, the kind where two old pals who grew up together wound up on the opposite sides of the law.
I continue to be amazed at the color in here and the fabulous artwork. It's simply amazing. Sometimes, as in this episode, it's the best part of the show.
Freaking amazing episode!
guitarboy767720 May 2021
Redemption Road
hellraiser721 October 2017
The road to redemption is never an easy one to walk on but in order for one's soul to be truly free it is the right one to take.This is once again another honorable mention in my book and a bit of an underrated episode as well.
What's interesting about this episode is it's one that is focused on a character that isn't a major part of the series and I always like that it's a breath of fresh air from characters that are always center stage that we know all to well; and also enhances the world of the series showing that Batman alone doesn't inherit it. I really like the story line it's a bit similar to Shakespere's "MacBeath" which was about a criminal despite his rise suffers the weight of his sins and soon suffers a downfall of his own making.
Stromwell is a well rounded character, he's a up mob boss that is not just facing the end of his empire but also the twilight of his years. Even though he doesn't want to admit it, he knows it's true he may have been able to beat the competition once but he can't beat time; we can easily see he's became a broken and bitter shell of a man from his mannerism but also his clothing that looks dated and worn like himself.
I really like how this episode isn't really so much an actioneer but real a character study as we see Batman guiding Stromwell to get him on the right track to do the right thing, not just for the good of Gotham but himself. Stromwell sees instead of accomplishments it's nothing but a gallery of shame and misery. He sees and feels the weight of his sins as we see in the episode what's happened to his son and how he's contributed to his bad state. It's heart sinking but it just goes to show how walking the road based on sin alone truly leads nowhere.
Of course we see a really heart sinking moment near the end where Stromwell recalls a traumatic childhood memory he's long kept dormant but has surfaced now as if his soul and conscious has finally sufficed as well. The ending is heartwarming which really shows it's never too late for redemption.
Rating: 4 stars
What's interesting about this episode is it's one that is focused on a character that isn't a major part of the series and I always like that it's a breath of fresh air from characters that are always center stage that we know all to well; and also enhances the world of the series showing that Batman alone doesn't inherit it. I really like the story line it's a bit similar to Shakespere's "MacBeath" which was about a criminal despite his rise suffers the weight of his sins and soon suffers a downfall of his own making.
Stromwell is a well rounded character, he's a up mob boss that is not just facing the end of his empire but also the twilight of his years. Even though he doesn't want to admit it, he knows it's true he may have been able to beat the competition once but he can't beat time; we can easily see he's became a broken and bitter shell of a man from his mannerism but also his clothing that looks dated and worn like himself.
I really like how this episode isn't really so much an actioneer but real a character study as we see Batman guiding Stromwell to get him on the right track to do the right thing, not just for the good of Gotham but himself. Stromwell sees instead of accomplishments it's nothing but a gallery of shame and misery. He sees and feels the weight of his sins as we see in the episode what's happened to his son and how he's contributed to his bad state. It's heart sinking but it just goes to show how walking the road based on sin alone truly leads nowhere.
Of course we see a really heart sinking moment near the end where Stromwell recalls a traumatic childhood memory he's long kept dormant but has surfaced now as if his soul and conscious has finally sufficed as well. The ending is heartwarming which really shows it's never too late for redemption.
Rating: 4 stars
Gang War: An Ok Episode
panagiotis19938 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Calm down boss, remember your blood pressure, LMAO. So this episode focuses on 2 of Gotham's crime gangs fighting for control. Batman actually saved the crime boss. It was a trap, I hope this means an all out war (edit: nope). Wow having your kid being addicted to the drugs your gang is selling is hardcore. Ok, this episode is not that good if you compare it to Clayface part 2. It lacks thrills and some good action. I mean it had some action but it wasn't as intense as in the previous episode. Also the main villains weren't that deep or interesting. So conclusion, it was a nice episode but nothing great. My rating is 6.8/10.
Good character building - But not a stand-out
madelynmcfly-2027412 August 2023
Good character building - But not a stand-out. I like Batman's character here, I feel like he's caring, and he really does want to help people... I enjoyed this as a character study, but we've never heard of Armstrong until this episode, so it falls slightly flat. The characters here are just fine, and while I know that Gotham always has the backdrop of mob violence, focusing and entire episode on such a thing, feels like it's a filler storyline. This animated series is so good at writing villains, especially Batman's well-known rogues gallery, so this episode is not a good one to compare it to at all... Decent enough, I suppose.
It's Never Too Late - Embodies that 30s/40s Setting
jones-markjones-mark59217 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Story: Cool gang war premise. That stupid cliche foot getting stuck thing again. Drugs in a kid's show?! Train sequence is very dramatic. (7/10)
Characters: Great disguise from Batman. Surprising twist with Arnie's son. Thorne just gets better and better as a villain. (8/10)
Animation: Good facial expressions. Great tint in flashbacks. Solid animation. Cool smoke effects. (8/10)
Verdict: 8/10
Characters: Great disguise from Batman. Surprising twist with Arnie's son. Thorne just gets better and better as a villain. (8/10)
Animation: Good facial expressions. Great tint in flashbacks. Solid animation. Cool smoke effects. (8/10)
Verdict: 8/10
No Super Villain!
VetteRanger4 February 2023
It's nice to see Batman doing more of the things that started the character out in "Detective Comics", as in this episode you first see him in disguise bugging the meeting of a crime boss and his crew.
The story is compelling, but we'd have to admit it's sort of a major take-off on the movie True Confessions, even though one of the brothers is a crime boss instead of a corrupt police detective.
This is a turf war between two crime families, and Batman puts himself right in the middle, hoping to convince one of them that his life of crime is nothing but destructive to himself and his family. Luckily, he gets help in that goal.
The story is compelling, but we'd have to admit it's sort of a major take-off on the movie True Confessions, even though one of the brothers is a crime boss instead of a corrupt police detective.
This is a turf war between two crime families, and Batman puts himself right in the middle, hoping to convince one of them that his life of crime is nothing but destructive to himself and his family. Luckily, he gets help in that goal.
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