The Batman "The Laughing Cats" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

http://worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/media/gallery/talkback.jpg (http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/thebatman/)
The Batman #34 - The Laughing Cats
Original Airdate - November 19th, 2005

When a rare leopard is stolen, Batgirl is quick to blame Catwoman. The Batman isn't so sure.

Comments?

[maczero]

Cool! An appearance by Bud & Lou (the hyenas). BTW, is what CW said about hyenas being closer relatives to cats than dogs true?

The interaction between Catwoman & Batgirl reminds me of Jade & Viper from Jackie Chan Adv.

[elfwithagun]

Better than Brawn, I must say but not the greatest. Joker was a lot better handled in this episode then he was in Brawn and he seemed pretty cool at times. He wasnt annoying and I kept wanting to see him again. Batgirl was better, she seemed to take her job as sidekick alot more seriously. Catwoman, I didnt like her.

[jimmymiro12]

Kind of cool eppy.
So I wonder if we will ever see a batgirl returns/ What I mean is a teamup between Batgirl and Catwoman.


jimmy m

[Binker]

After Brawn which was mixed (more bad than good which I didn't fight anyone to look my way, since I said the same thing), this season's track goes up again from bad to good with this episode.

Catwoman comes back after her last appearence in Season Two's "Ragdolls to Riches". In this episode, she wasn't in her other appearences which she just stole. She did still, but she was most in line on what she was on animals. That brought her more out as the animal activist that she is. I only wished she and Batman would be "together" like in the comics. But that doesn't happen. Catwoman is still a good character and on the good side of things when it comes to animals. She's a good person.

Before; Batgirl showed up when Batman needed help or wanted to join in on whatever he was doing. This started in Batgirl Begins Part 2, now it was changed. When the episode started, Batman and Batgirl were finally side by side. It had "Dymanic Duo" written all over it than before. That was a good chance for once.

Joker was the villian again. People complain about him appearing all the time. But in this episode, he wasn't annoying nor stupid. He was....normal. Not his normal, the type where he didn't act the way he normally acts. No problem there, just different. He did have his tricks and traps, but no jokes. Nothing that I heard people hating him for. By the way; Joker's hyenas were a good addition. It made me remember BTAS when they appeared with Joker.

Overall, this was bad. It was good enough which after Brawn many people would ask for. With these characters, there was some but not alot of development though. Hey, still good.

RATING: 7.5/10

[Gaunt]

Decent, which is sadly above average in this new season.

The worst aspect of the episode is not suprising: Batgirl. The literal third wheel, her presence aids Batman in that he appears more stoic. Despite this helpful aspect, I'd prefer that she not be wasted again and again.

Catwoman, too, is suffering. Originally conceived as a cat-burglar looking for a rush, she is now getting closer to the inferior B:TAS interpretation, what with the animal rights crap and such. Needless to say, I'm not fond of her "control" over big cats as well.

Ironically enough, the Joker saved the episode. He's more brutal in this episode, willing to kill Catwoman for his own pleasure rather than leaving her at the festival (and letting her take the rap). The Joker Venom made a superb return (alas, non-lethal). The appearance of Bud and Lou was just more icing on the cake.

Unfortunately, the scenario at the end (Batman and Catwoman on a jungle isle, hunted by the villain) cannot prevent this episode from being compared to the B:TAS episode "Tyger, Tyger," one of the best (if not THE best) episodes of B:TAS. Thus, this episode suffers.

Finally, I must express disappointment that the Bat-Cat relationship is not getting deeper. A serious sub-plot (devoid of Batgirl) can really help the flailing 3rd season.

[jv2k]

FINALLY! A good episode!
I've been waiting since after the season opener for a good episode.

The story was interesting, at first I thought it was kinda of out of character for the joker(he doesn't seem like the type that would play mercinary), but as the episode proggressed and it showed that was being paid in hyenas, it fit.

Best of all we get a batgirl episode that isn't "Oh no BATMANS IN TROUBLE GIRL POWER!" or "Batgirls in trouble, time for The Batman to save her" or even
"I am batgirl, but I'm useless and I am only in the episode because its been too long since my last apearance". Batgirl was actually acting like a sidekick. I guess this episode fully established that Batman acknowledges her as his side kick, but does the end hint that he'll train her?

[creativerealms]

I realize they used Joker instead of that hunter as a way not to use real weapons. Still it would have pretty much been the same episode If Joker just took his new pets and left and that old dude hunted Batman, Batgirl and Catwoman. In fact I would have liked the episode better that way as well.

I'm also disapointed that they have returned to reusing old titles with slight differences, I mean Laughing Bat to Laughing Cats. Well could have been worse, like last week or a Dark Night to Remember.

Sadly season three is hardly remaining better then season one. I need Clayface or Riddler fast.

[Crystal]

Clayface might return. I read yesterday in Wikipedia that one of the season 3 episodes is gonna be..."Clay Feet". Kinda reminds me of an episode title from B:TAS. I'm not sure if it's right information though. As for "The laughing cats"...I missed it:sad:

[Batman Fan]

Pretty good episode, definetly better than last weeks and sadly, one of the best in the season so far, because this one was just a bit above average. The main problem was that there was so much more potential for this episode, storywise and in character development but they decided to go the safe way by playing more with Batgirl and Joker than with Catwoman, Batman, and that old hunter guy, which isn't necessarily bad, it just wasn't what I wanted to see. With that said, here's what I liked:

The beginning was a nice way to introduce Batgirl to Catwoman and I think they did a good job with that. While Batman was fighting off wrestling gorillas, we got a nice fight sequence between Batgirl and Catwoman and I loved how they made they made their fighting skills almost equal, but giving Catwoman more off an advantage by using her sly mind games and having a bit more experience. As the episode progressed, I loved Batgirl's uneasy feeling of trusting Catwoman and their dialogue and interactions were great, from talking about sidekicks and partners in crime to costumes and stuff, they did a good job developing these character on each other and hopefully we'll see more of that. In the end, Batgirl was right all along which makes her more experienced to face Catwoman the next time.

Joker was also a nice touch in this episode. He was pretty funny, and while he barely did anything, I liked how he was toying with all 3 of our heroes by trapping them in the maze and just maniacly laughing at them as he tested their skills by using trap after trap. That's something we've never seen the Joker do much, usually he's just fighting Batman, but we've never seen him make some super deathtrap and manipulating and controlling them for his own amusement. The maze was a cool and reminded me a lot of If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich. The hyenas introduction was nice surprise as Joker stealing leopards to sell isn't his style, and I loved how Catwoman bursted his bubble by commenting that hyenas are more related to cats.

Ok, that was the good, here's the bad:

First off, while Batgirl and Joker were great in their appearences, they stole the spotlight off of other things like Catwoman and Batman's relationship, the creepy looking yet oddly curious hunter who would've made a nice opponent, and Batman in generally. I swear, this season should be called the Batgirl, because she totally steals Batman's thunder. The animation and fights didn't impress me as much as they do, while they were good, the didn't have that nice flare of umph that The Batman usually has when doing fights and animation. Up to the part where they got to the maze, the episode was incredibly slow and boring, which I find is a problem with a lot of these episodes, the third act is usually great and suspenseful, but the first two have trouble staying interesting and building up to the great finales which isn't good, because at 8:30 in the morning, I'll most likely fall back asleep if the episode flip-flops between boring and interesting. I don't like how they added Catwoman's animal right activist into her character, while it's ok if they make her care for cats, I don't want this motive to cover up her thrills of being a thief.

I'm going to be a bit generous with the grade since it is one of the best episodes out a so far mediocre season. It was hit and miss with this episode which is very reminiscent to season 1, and after season 2, I expect more from this show.

***1/2

[fatboy]

... BTW, is what CW said about hyenas being closer relatives to cats than dogs true?...

That is true. They are also related to the mongoose family as well.

[90'sCartoonMan]

So I wonder if we will ever see a batgirl returns

Unfortunately, the scenario at the end (Batman and Catwoman on a jungle isle, hunted by the villain) cannot prevent this episode from being compared to the B:TAS episode "Tyger, Tyger," one of the best (if not THE best) episodes of B:TAS. Thus, this episode suffers.

The maze was a cool and reminded me a lot of If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich.
Sadly, I'm sensing a theme here.

Today's episode was too heavily influenced by BTAS. Joker's hyenas, the Catwoman considering teaming up with Batgirl angle, and even the maze/jungle setting. What really bugged me was Catwoman being an animal rights activist. The Batman is it's own show, and there shouldn't be as much of a BTAS influence as there was here (not to mention The Dark Knight Strikes Back with the Catgirl talk). Just because the hyenas are albino doesn't make that a new idea.

Not that this was a bad episode. I liked it, even if the beginning was a little slow and some of the fights didn't seem as well choreographed as they usually are. One of the Joker's better episodes, but one of Catwoman's worst.

[Stonemonkey]

I liked this episode, mostly because of Catwoman. Even though I agree that the animal activist stuff can get annoying. I like animals but it can get extremely cheesy. If it wasn't for the hyena gags Joker wouldn't have been that funny. I loved when they laughed at him. That tracking device with their faces was pretty cute.

[Spideyfan1983]

FINALLY! A good episode!
I've been waiting since after the season opener for a good episode.

The story was interesting, at first I thought it was kinda of out of character for the joker(he doesn't seem like the type that would play mercinary), but as the episode proggressed and it showed that was being paid in hyenas, it fit.

Best of all we get a batgirl episode that isn't "Oh no BATMANS IN TROUBLE GIRL POWER!" or "Batgirls in trouble, time for The Batman to save her" or even
"I am batgirl, but I'm useless and I am only in the episode because its been too long since my last apearance". Batgirl was actually acting like a sidekick. I guess this episode fully established that Batman acknowledges her as his side kick, but does the end hint that he'll train her?
I agree with you. When I watched this episode, I got this feeling that Batman and Batgirl were becoming more of a team. It's cool to see that the hyenas are back. Good episode.

:)

[creativerealms]

Sadly, I'm sensing a theme here.

Today's episode was too heavily influenced by BTAS. Joker's hyenas, the Catwoman considering teaming up with Batgirl angle, and even the maze/jungle setting. What really bugged me was Catwoman being an animal rights activist. The Batman is it's own show, and there shouldn't be as much of a BTAS influence as there was here (not to mention The Dark Knight Strikes Back with the Catgirl talk). Just because the hyenas are albino doesn't make that a new idea.

Not that this was a bad episode. I liked it, even if the beginning was a little slow and some of the fights didn't seem as well choreographed as they usually are. One of the Joker's better episodes, but one of Catwoman's worst.
If catwoman was turned into a helpless victam then it would have been a Batman TAS episode. That was basicly the only thing this episode was missing.

[jv2k]

You people are jumping the gun a bit, of course catwoman is gunna love cats, and yea she was trying to save the Leapard, but that doesn't mean they are gunna take it as far as Batman:TAS took it.

[Bird Boy]

You people are jumping the gun a bit, of course catwoman is gunna love cats, and yea she was trying to save the Leapard, but that doesn't mean they are gunna take it as far as Batman:TAS took it.

Yeah I agree. When I watched the episode, I didn't get a BTAS vibe at all from it, aside from maybe the Hyenas. Aside from that, there was nothing in it that reminded me of 'Tyger, Tyger' or 'If You're So Smart...', though I guess they do now. :p

Actually when I saw the maze, I thought of the last time we saw a maze in the DC Universe, which was Green Lantern's generated maze in 'Once and Future Thing, Part 2.'

As with last weeks episode, I thought this one was enjoyable as well. I'm realizing more and more than we're seeing Batgirl take the position of Robin and not just being Batgirl. From that aspect, I find that refreshing and that's one thing I will always love this show for.

-BB

[Anarky]

this was a fun ep to watch, had a golden-age feel to it.

[Simpler Simon]

Pretty cool. Much better than Brawn, and finds its way to B+ range in terms of the varying quality the show has given us. Good writing, good plot structure, predictable but good character twists (It would've been very out of character for Joker to simply take his payment and leave without gassing the guy), and decent use of Batgirl. A winner.

[ROBOTRON]

Finally saw this one.

Actually, it was pretty good...I liked Batgirl's interaction with Batman in this episode....the feel seemed right. Hmmmm...I wonder how they hooked up before going looking for Catwoman? Batman must've given her a Batman device simular to the one he gave to Lt. Yen.

Anyway, I expected the Hyenas to become a permanent part of Joker's team...but from what I gathered...it doesn't seem possible, they were more on Catwoman's side. The Hunter guy was pretty weak...he didn't put up much of a fight when Joker took over, and Joker knew exactly how to work his equipment afterward...meh.

Catwoman was very entertaining in this one...her part in this episode was second only to her preformance in "Ragdoll to Riches". This was Batgirls BEST episode to me.

[Stu]

Pretty weak. It mainly suffered from too many character and none of the plots or chemistry really came together because of it. I thought Catwoman's animal rights act was utterly boring. I prefer the super skilled Cat burgler, and really don't buy her as much of a hero. She was utterly wasted here.

I really think Batgirl could be great if she'd stopped appearing in every episode. Hopefully, with Robin on the way, they'll dump Batgirl and give her own show, and Batman can take center stage again.

This season has been surprisingly weak so far. I was hoping for great things following on from the entertaining second season. Hopefully, the rest of the season will vastly improve. I like not knowing where they're going with this though. It's a great surprise to not know the main plot of the episode before you've watched it!