B:TAS poll - Best Episode - FINAL!

[ShadowStar]

And here we are, with the final 3 contenders for the title of best episode of B:TAS! There have been some shocking eliminations throughout this run of polls (like "Heart of Ice"), but here we have the episodes that have been chosen as the finalists. So which will win? As always, this poll is open for one week.

Winners:

Round 1: Two-Face part 1
Round 2: Heart of Ice
Round 3: Perchance to Dream
Round 4: Robin's Reckoning part 1
Round 5: Almost Got 'Im
Round 6: Harley and Ivy
Round 7: The Demon's Quest part 2 and A Bullet for Bullock
Round 8: Showdown
Round 9: Holiday Knights
Round 10: Over the Edge
Round 11: Mad Love
Semi-final 1: Two-Face part 1
Semi-final 2: A Bullet for Bullock
Semi-final 3: Over the Edge

Previous rounds:

Round 1 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=188488)
Round 2 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=189265)
Round 2 tiebreaker (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=189675)
Round 3 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=190085)
Round 4 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=209380&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 4 tiebreaker (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=209747&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 5 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=209748&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 6 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=210120&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 7 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=210440&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 7 tiebreaker (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=210846&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 8 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=210847&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 9 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=211222&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 10 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=211602&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Round 11 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=211968&highlight=Best+B%3ATAS+episode+ever)
Semi-final 1 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=212330)
Semi-final 2 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=212673)
Semi-final 3 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=212947)

[Batman91]

"Over the Edge" for me personally. I like "Bullet for Bullock" in all, but I'm shocked that it made it to the finals...there are a ton much better episodes.

[Pyro]

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to vote in the previous rounds. It always seemed like I was too late to the polls. I actually wouldn't have picked any of these as the best episode of them all, but seeing as these are my choices, right now I'm leaning towards "Over the Edge." But while that episode is really intense and dark, the predictable dream cop-out ending sours it a bit for me, so I'll have to think about it a bit more. Plus, I've never seen "A Bullet for Bullock" (haven't gotten there on on my season sets yet), so I don't think it would be fair to vote until I've watched it.

[SpaceOddity]

While the Two-Face episode is amazing, I'd have to vote for "Over the Edge" out of these three choices. I do agree with Pyro that the ending was a bit of a cop-out -- however, overall, the episode is fantastic. I remember being really impressed the first time it aired.

[Wolf Boy2]

While the Two-Face episode is amazing, I'd have to vote for "Over the Edge" out of these three choices. I do agree with Pyro that the ending was a bit of a cop-out -- however, overall, the episode is fantastic. I remember being really impressed the first time it aired.
I don't really think it was a cop-out. It wasn't a JR in the shower type dream, it was Scarecrow gas: perfectly in line with what had been done before on BTAS. Also, the fact that it is a dream actually adds more depth because you realize its Barbara's perspective on the character relationships.

Also, it does alter continuity, because it concludes with Gordon's unofficial acknowledgment that he knows Barbara is Batgirl (maybe even knowing that Bruce Wayne is Batman).

[Aizen]

I never really liked Over The Edge, and Two-Face part 1 was cool.
However, I would vote for A Bullet For Bullock. Two people who don't like working together, and a god fun episode.

[Harvey Two Face]

Two Face for me, that episode cannot be beaten in my mind I just found it so engaging and entertaining.

[Anarky]

Tough but I went w/ "Two-Face Part 1". It was the culmination of everything that was great about the original FOX run: dark, serious, dramatic, terrific voice-acting, grand score, gorgeous DARK backgrounds.

What I liked most about the "Big Bad Harv" origin was that they didn't go the route of child abuse. Seriously, was that the end-all origin back in the 80s & 90s? Two-Face, Riddler, Hulk, and countless others. The anger repression origin better suits the Dent character.

I'm glad to see "Bullet for Bullock" getting some recognition. "Bullet" is one of my faves from the tail-end of the Fox Era, especially the jazz score (particularly the Batman jazz theme in Act III). I'm curious if Bullock will ever turn up in Nolan's films?

"Over the Edge" is a great ep w/ lots of fan service, specifically the ultimate What If?

But Two-Face wins this round...and on the heels of TDK.

[DarkKnight]

i voted for two face because the endings to the other 2 episodes didn't work very well for me. over the edge was just all a dream and bullet for bullock was an awesome film noir-ish episode with really cool music and a nice mystery but wrapped up at the end with his crazy landlord trying to kill him? two face is the only one of the three that consistently awesome all the way through without ever letting up.

[ShadowStar]

An excellent turn-out for the final! :) I watched all three back to back last night, and while I found lots to appreciate in "Two-Face part 1" and "A Bullet for Bullock", I had to opt for "Over the Edge". While it could be argued that "Two-Face part 1" suffers for not delivering much action, "Over the Edge" deftly combines action, spine-tingling suspense and even some humour, making more a more well-rounded episode IMO. Even so, all three episodes ooze more atmosphere and charm than many others, typifying the best aspects of the series and making this a tough choice indeed.

I recall "Two-Face part 1" as being just as dark and disturbing when I was younger - so it's lost none of its effect; that said, I usually find fun in even the darkest episodes (even if they're devoid of humour), yet I didn't find "Two-Face part 1" that exciting. "A Bullet for Bullock" was one of the gems that I didn't discover until I bought the DVD. Though it boasts an excellent score and sharp writing, I somehow didn't think much of it. Like "Heart of Ice" and "Read My Lips", it doesn't go for the shock-horror approach of "Over the Edge"; this doesn't weaken it at all, but it makes it less memorable in my eyes. "Over the Edge" is simply a tour-de-force as far as I'm concerned, and my choice for this round.

[Pyro]

Well, having watched "A Bullet for Bullock" that episode doesn't get my vote for being the best.

"Two-Face" pt. 1 is really good, but I don't like voting for one part of a two-parter as the best episode, even if the first half was the stronger half. Also, I feel like the story didn't focus on Batman or Bruce enough to get the winning title.

Since I first saw it, "Over the Edge" has always been one of the most gripping Batman episodes. Although I have the same reservations about the episode Maxie Zeus had (http://anbat.toonzone.net/tnba/ote.html) (the telegraphed dream ending, and Batman having a flashback in Barbara's dream), there are still plenty of scenes that make up for it (Barbara's death, Bruce/Gordon scenes, Nightwing's scenes) and the animation, music, and acting were fantastic. The ending was pitch perfect, as well; enough is said that we get character development, but enough is not revealed so as to keep things interesting. So, because of all these reasons and because it focuses on the immediate Bat-Family, I'm voting for this one.

[Silly McGooses]

I hope Two-Face can pull off one more vote!

[ShadowStar]

Man, this is more intense than I anticipated. Two episodes that mean business in what they set out to do are almost neck and neck...

[Silly McGooses]

I never thought Two-Face would go this far, hope it keeps the lead!

[ShadowStar]

There has to be a 50th vote... for "Two-Face part 1" or "Over the Edge". :ack:

[ShadowStar]

Make that a 52nd vote. It's the last day of this round and there needs to be one more vote, or else it will go to a tiebreaker.

[Cromar]

A tie eh?..hmm..i still think over the edge SHOULD win..but for some odd reason im rooting for Two-Face part 1..that ep aint gettin much love elsewhere