B:TAS "Nothing To Fear" Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

Discuss this classic Batman: The Animated Series episode!


http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/episodes/nothingtofear/00.jpg

Episode #003 - Nothing To Fear
Original Airdate - September 15th, 1992.

The Scarecrow, is spreading fear gas and wreaking havoc on Gotham State University. Under the influence of a treacherous fear gas, Batman must fight this wily strawman and his worst fear at the same time.

Comments?

[Gyro]

Cool, I've never seen that one. I don't know if I want to stay up untill 3 A.M. though..... Is it worth it?

[James Harvey]

Originally posted by Gyro
Cool, I've never seen that one. I don't know if I want to stay up untill 3 A.M. though..... Is it worth it?

The "I Am Vengenace..." speech is worth it alone! I recommend staying up if you can, or just popping a tape into your VCR.

[mosszonedotcom]

Tim Curry is in this one as I remember. It's a pretty good episode. I have it recorded from an original Fox airing.

[DerekPowers]

this is one of those eps that i havent seen in a really long time. im looking foward to seeing it again. this is sweet!!

[The Green Hornet]

tim curry is good in everything

hes an awesome Gabriel Knight in the GK series of games

[TimTwoFace]

I don't think Tim Curry was in NOTHING TO FEAR; wasn't he in THE CAPE AND COWL CONSPIRACY?

My favourite part of this episode is Batman's fight with the Scarecrow on the blimp; that's a classical sequence right there, and with an extended version of the Bat-theme in the background, it made it all the cooler.

-Tim

[Heehaw]

One of the few episodes, with subpar animation, that I enjoy. It's a fantastic exploration of what makes Bruce tick and makes up for the rubbery looking cels.

[JTurner954]

Nothing to complain about here. It's great to see a different villain each week.

I'm not a big Scarecrow fan, but this episode is just so good. I haven't seen this episode in years so watching it again made my night. Man, I can't wait for the B:TAS DVD.

[Zoddman]

This is one of those episodes that could have really benifitted from the Scarecrow redesign on TNBA. But Batman himself was really well animated. The plot and script was exceptional as well.

[The Game]

I thought it was an awesome episode. I had no idea that his "I am Vengance, I am the Night, I am Batman!" thing came from Nothing to Fear. I thought it was a very good episode, story wise, very cool at the end with him walking away from the grave with the Batman shadow. I haven't seen that in like ten years- again the only downside being ghetto voice Alfred.

-The Game

[DerekPowers]

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! i missed it!!!!! i decided to go out last n ight and forgot to set my vcr!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

well, atleast "nothing to fear" will be on the btas dvd.

nooooooo!!! I really wanted to see the "I AM VENGENCE, I AM THE NIGHT, I AM BATMAN!!!! scene, i dont know if i can wait for the dvd. oh well, peace.

[James Harvey]

Great news! Another popular Scarecrow episode is airing in a couple weeks! "Over The Edge" airs on March 24th. I can't wait for that talkback!

I found this to be a good debut for the Scarecrow character. Much better than the introduction for Penguin, who never got the respect he deserved anyways. And even though the animation is sub-par, ya gott alove that blimp scenes.

[CadaverousEyes]

Some detective, Batman had the computer do all the work for him.

Why are all those people going to that museum charity event with 0 police protection when they full well know that the university has been robbed almost every single night?!

Those two hoods are the luckiest men in the world. I wish I could jump out of a blimp and land with hardly a scratch.

The costume from Fear of Victory is better. Good thing it's coming on next Sunday. That's the one with Tim Curry too.

Of course, all those little quibbles just make the episode better. Perfection!

[Karkull]

Originally posted by Jim Harvey
The "I Am Vengenace..." speech is worth it alone!

That speech always makes me cringe. It sounds so forced and hackneyed!

[James Harvey]

Different strokes for different folks. I enjoyed the speech. I though Conroy did a great job delivering it. It sounds so...Batman!

[The Game]

I love the speech. Vintage Batman.

Did anyone else notice the obvious "Batman" music from the '89 film, or was I smoking something?

-The Game

[Joe Tully]

Originally posted by Karkull


That speech always makes me cringe. It sounds so forced and hackneyed!

I agree. It just doesn't seem right, him saying that to himself while hanging onto the blimp. And it seems wrong especially after Scarecrow gave a similar speech earlier on. I can't remember the first line, but it went like...

"I am [something Joe can't remember]
I am terror incarnate!
I am....The Scarecrow!"

It's still a good episode, though.

[James Harvey]

He wasn't saying it to himself, but the huge hallucination of his father. That's why he was saying the speech. To reassure himself and to beat the fear.

[The Penguin]

Originally posted by Jim Harvey
Much better than the introduction for Penguin, who never got the respect he deserved anyways.

Yeah! You're dang right :o ...oh, right talkback

I thought it was pretty good episode and a excellent intro for The Scarecrow. His redesign even for his next appearance in BTAS is a lot better than this one.

The episode give you a peak into the mind of Bruce and learn some of his fears. I wasn't ready for him to give that speech--I couldn't remember where it came from, but I was like "Oh yeah!" :D when he said that.

[Joe Tully]

Originally posted by Jim Harvey
He wasn't saying it to himself, but the huge hallucination of his father. That's why he was saying the speech. To reassure himself and to beat the fear.

I know why he was saying it, Jim, it's because he's convincing himself that he's a success and that his father's accusations are false...but it still just didn't work for me. I guess you either think it's great or a little corny. For me, it was corny.

[Mattashell]

Originally posted by Joe Tully


And it seems wrong especially after Scarecrow gave a similar speech earlier on.


I thought so too. I was expecting Batman to say "Hey, you stole my line!"

To thase who said this ep had sub par animation, I completely disagree. There were some great visuals in this ep.

Scarecrow was a bit fruity. I had to do some major suspending of belief to think that this guy would have any reason to wear that costume. I mean if it were a scary costume it might make more sense. It looked cool anyway.

Scarecrow proclaims himself a genius. Some genius! He makes his escape in a getaway blimp. No one will know which way he went in that thing. :rolleyes:

I thought it was cool that the thug would rather jump than go back to jail. Of course I don't believe a) that the tree would break his fall from that hight and b) it was a one in a million shot that he would land on the only tree around.

Actually despite all these things I think it's a great ep. Thumbs up.

[Brother Nature]

Originally posted by Joe Tully


"I am [something Joe can't remember]
I am terror incarnate!
I am....The Scarecrow!"



"I am fear incarnate. I am the Terror of Gotham. I am the Scarecrow" :)

You're right, it most certainly is right along the lines of what Batman says later on! I wonder whether this was meant to be intentional or just a coincidentially parallel statement...

Even though it personally isn't one of my all-time favourites, it's still a really great & really well done episode!! A most wonderful, perfect introduction to the Scarecrow!! and a most effective & powerful delve into the character of Batman/Bruce Wayne!! The story/script is definitely exceptional, and quite an ideal episode to introduce someone to the BTAS.
The ending was really cool too!(all the endings in the series are, which makes the episodes all the better & all the more memorable!)

It's also interesting to note how VAST & drastic the contrast is between the Scarecrow's looks here, and his looks in the TNBA! And since they even got a new voice for him in the TNBA, it's almost as if he's a totally different person/character there!

My only qualm here is how Jonathan's thug(Anthony, was it) falls off the blimp, bounces off that roof sheet thingy & lands on the branch of a tree. That looked far too conveniant to be believable...

And yes, I agree that the Scarecrow's new mask in "Fear of Victory" was a really effective improvement, and it certainly fits the title 'The SCAREcrow' a good deal better!

:)

[James Harvey]

I'm guessing those were there before of the usual broadcast standards and practice son FOX. Also so the they don't die. Batman can't be viewed as a killer in any way, and people jumping out of blimp windows to their death probably wouldn't go over well. Hence the insertion of well places roof top trees.

[Joe Tully]

Err... Brother Nature, I didn't post that. :confused: You might want to double check that. I'm having trouble finding anyone who posted that, to be honest. And I'm not sure why you say the exact same thing as Jim.

Something awfully scwewy going on awound here....

[James Harvey]

Don't worry - that's my fault. I went to edit a post of his, just to fix a board code, and I ended up somehow screwing his post up. I got it fixed now (I hope)...My apologies for any inconveniences.

[Harley Fan]

One of my favorite Scarecrow episodes. I liked how his intellect clashed with the stupidity of his thugs.

[The Penguin]

Tonight at 12 midnight ET, Boomerang airs the Batman: The Animated Series episode, Nothing To Fear. If you do not have Boomerang, you are encouraged to follow along on disc 1 of your Batman: The Animated Series, Vol. 1 (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=115616) DVD set.


http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/batman/btas/episodes/nothingtofear/00r.jpg

Episode #003 - Nothing To Fear
Original Airdate - September 15th, 1992.

The Scarecrow, is spreading fear gas and wreaking havoc on Gotham State University. Under the influence of a treacherous fear gas, Batman must fight this wily strawman and his worst fear at the same time.

Comments?

[ROBOTRON]

Pretty good episode. Nice fight scenes...lol, I like the way Scarecrow talks down to his hired hands.


rate 3 stars

[Batman Fan]

I liked this episode, I think it did a great job introducing to us who the Scarecrow is.

For starters, this episode contains one of the best lines in the DCAU, I'm sure you know which one I'm talking about. Seeing Batman affected by this fear toxin provided for some great internal conflict in the characters, and it really showed how important his parents are to him, and how loyal he is to the vow he made. Batman was the real star, trying to fight off those gruesome hallucinations, and making the episode feel more dramatic and suspensful by doing so.

Scarecrow has always been one of the most interesting, and one of my favorite villans. Even though in this episode he suffers from a terrible design, he's really quite brilliant in this episode. I think for the most part, the way Scarecrow comes off to me is due to an amazing performance by his VA, Henry Polic. He did a great job making the character sound intelligent, as well as threatning, which was kinda hard to do considering his ridiculous mask. Scarecrow's motivation for his crimes wasn't all that exciting, but the way he pulled it off was great. Especially his interactions with his dim-witted henchmen provided some nice laughs.

The action was nice, I really like that haunting scene in the vault where the flames take the shape of Thomas Wayne, very cool. The fight on the blimp was amazing, from Batman hanging off terrified, to him fighting Antony on the top, to his duel with Scarecrow inside, all very well done.

However, the animation I found at some parts was pretty mediocre, and the episode was very gritty looking, a lot of brown which I'm not too fond of. Also, Scarecrow's motivation was bit weak, and his "origin" felt tacked on to explain why he's trying to cause fear and get back at the university which should have been showed better and been elaborated on a bit more, because Scarecrow is one of the more interesting rogues.

All in all, good introduction story, had a few flaws, but overall, well done.

****

[warmachine04]

Not among my favorite episodes of the first season of BTAS but there are some good emotional scenes. I rather enjoyed the creative Scarecrow design in TNBA over this flimsy look. :sad:

[Caswin]

Edit: In lieu of having seen more of the series and therefore having more to judge this one against, I must revise my review.

This was a good episode. I stand by that. More backstory on Bruce, some pretty fun minions, and... everyone's already said it, but I'm saying it again anyway.

"No! You're not my father. I am not a disgrace. I am vengeance. I am the night! I! Am! BATMAN!!"

Now that we've got that out of the way, I suppose I should mention the flaws - minions falling onto stuff that's just way too convenient (can't decide if it would've made more sense for Batman to have just saved them), and people kept talking about Batman thwarting the arson attempt. He didn't really do much. In fact, the flames nearly killed him. It was the friggin' sprinkler system that saved the day. Also, Scarecrow's design? I must agree with the general sentiment here: awful. Good thing they changed it in Fear of Victory.
But on the other hand, considerable Batman character development, some striking visuals (the 'prison walls' scene springs to mind), and it bears repeating: I liked these minions. That one guy reminded me of Sylvester Stallone. Oh, alright, that might not be a good thing. It's a good premise that could've been better with some patching up in its execution. Respectable origin episode. A low four, bordering on 3.5, but still a four.

4/5

[CyclonatorZ]

Another great episode, and definitely one of the better villian debuts on the series. Scarecrow made for an interesting threat to Batman, even if his costume was rather goofy and lame. I love his voice-actor, that's for sure, and the various ways his fear toxin manifested itself were rather cool. I actually though the airborne scenes in this episode were an improvement over the ones in the pilot, and the finale with Batman using Scarecrow's own weapon against his was brilliant.

Oh, and of course, who could forget the classic line that Batman utters this episode? I won't even bothering saying it, but man, in the hands of a not so good voice actor, that would have been downright horrible. Good thing that Andrea Romeo was working on this show. :p

[Ethereal]

Scarecrow made for an interesting threat to Batman, even if his costume was rather goofy and lame.

Well, cut Prof. Jonathan Crane some slack. That was his very first foray into villainy. :p

The costume became scarier as time went by. :D

[CyclonatorZ]

Well, cut Prof. Jonathan Crane some slack. That was his very first foray into villainy. :p

The costume became scarier as time went by. :D

I know, I've seen screen grabs of his later incarnations. I just don't understand why they didn't use the more scarier looks from the start - it would have definitely made an already great villian even better. ;)

[Ethereal]

I know, I've seen screen grabs of his later incarnations. I just don't understand why they didn't use the more scarier looks from the start - it would have definitely made an already great villian even better. ;)

And I totally agree with you that if the voice actors were bad, the dialogue would have sounded ludicrous. (Even the Scarecrow's "I am Fear Incarnate! I am the Terror of Gotham! I am the Scarecrow!" :D)

The gentleman who 'played' the Scarecrow was indeed fantastic - he really NAILED the fact that Prof. Crane became a criminal for very *PERSONAL* reasons, and that he wasn't just "a guy with a gimmick".

Haven't you watched the other episodes with the Scarecrow yet, CyclonatorZ? :)