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Review: Batman Beyond #42 - King's Ransom (SPOILERS)
Craig M.
Sat Sep 16 12:25:31 2000
*GREAT* episode, and a perfect conclusion to the trilogy of “Royal Flush” episodes (this is the last one, right?). When I saw the title of this one I suspected it was another
Royal Flush ep. When my suspicions were confirmed, I figured it would be another Terry / Melanie ep, and thought, “Um…aren’t they kinda driving this into the ground?” Thankfully, they put a new spin on it,
by focusing on the other members (who were pretty undeveloped in the first two shows). The first act is a bit slow, with a fairly ho-hum fight scene, and some expo to set things up. But once things kick into full
swing, this one proves itself to be some of the Bat-team’s finest work.
Wonderful to see our good friend Paxton again (it’s been *WAY* too long). He’s perfectly sleazy, doing whatever is to his best advantage at the moment—including allying himself with his own kidnappers and
setting up Bruce to be killed. Also nice, as usual, to see Bruce get some action (as well as Ace—they just couldn’t resist a little bit of nameplay with the Royal Flush member of the same name =).
The brief scene between Terry & Melanie was very moving. The gal certainly has a lot of mettle, being able to leave everything she ever knew behind and start her life anew at the bottom of the social food
chain. Her “I guess I don’t exist to him either” was absolutely heart-wrenching. One can only imagine how Terry must have felt.
Oodles of unexpected twists and turns. The falling-apart of the family was very well-done. King’s affair with Powers’ babe completely came out of left field (and was rather surprising, this being a kids’
show). The confrontation between he and Queen near the end was an excellent climax, and one of the most emotionally involving fight scenes in BB’s history. His lament to Terry about “living in someone else’s
shadow” allowed the audience to sympathize with him a lot more (and I love Terry’s response).
Ace, the third (and most ignored) of the Royal Flush kiddies is revealed here to be a robot (unless it was revealed in a previous episode? If it was, I don’t recall…). I used to call him Pokerface before I knew
his name…but anyhow, a neat twist. I take it he’s adopted?
Terry is becoming noticeably more Batman-ish, and less rebellious teenager-ish. In the latest episodes, he’s had a lot more control (not to mention a lot more wry tag lines—“Don’t you just hate these family
squabbles?”).
In the first two episodes, Jack was portrayed as not really as dedicated to the gang as his parents, but going along with it because it was all he knew. His eyes are opened when his family abandons him to rot in
prison (although he still maintains his cynical manner—“You’ll have to ask Daddy. He knows everything…”). The ending is really sweet. The chemistry between the two siblings is very effective. Jack seems
to be a nice enough guy who was born into the wrong crowd. He doesn’t have any really strong moral convictions or driving force in his life, but takes everything in stride. He and Melanie seem to have a pretty
strong bond, and their exit was (dare I say it?) one of the most touching scenes to air on this series.
Definitely one of BB’s best showings. If they can keep up making episodes of the caliber of “Ace in the Hole” and this one, then we’re in for a heckuva season.
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