Season One, Episodes 3-4
Personal Rating: A-
The cliff hanger is a bit weak, but the giant umbrella scene is cool. And Penguin's plot is actually pretty clever.
Villain Spotlight:
Any villain who favors umbrellas as weapons deserves our respect. He's probably my favorite antagonist of the series. The top hat, the cigarette holder... oh, the affectation!
Social Commentary:
Dick is practicing French, gets frustrated, and is reminded by
Bruce that understanding language may be the key to ending "the scourge
of war." "Gosh, yes," the young man admits.
We also learn that "Batman never lends himself to commercial enterprises."
Miss Robins, posing for Fun Boy magazine says, "What a drag it is being a famous movie star, and so rich."
The Zen of Camp:
Robin attempts to charge the Penguin with "illegal umbrellas."
Robin shouts "Bam" and "Zowie" while punching enthusiastically... in Commissioner Gordon's office, to demonstrate a point. Pantomime combat always adds something to one's arguments.
Other Cool Stuff:
The Batzooka ("It sounded like a Batzooka!" cries a crook.)
Notes:
I can't offer enough praise for the comic acting of Adam West and Burt Ward. Look at the way Robin clenches his jaw, the way Batman gestures with his hands. Everything they do makes me want to laugh. And listen to that perfect dead-pan delivery that West provides. Incredible!
Also, it's interesting to speculate on the psychology of these villains. They create these all-encompassing worlds around themselves. Every detail in Penguin's life involves an umbrella, a penguin, etc. His henchmen are labeled with bird names. There's definitely something existential going on there. Like some kind of happening, man.
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