Robin's Reckoning: Part II

Batman lives by a code. He doesn't kill, at least in a premeditated way. This was conceived as a children's show, so this is followed to the letter. Robin forgets all the things that he and Batman have practiced. We are brought back to some more flashback's into Robin's quest for the man responsible for the deaths of his parents. Batman has searched for this man. Robin disobeys him and nearly screws everything up. But ultimately, there is a loyalty factor that can't be broken. I did enjoy Alfred's final statement when Batman makes known something almost no one else knows. The final scene is really quite touching and very educational.

This probably sounds like a nitpick, but the animation in "Part II" simply can't compete with its predecessor. I know that's an occupational hazard, that a two-parter requires two different animation houses to maintain the production schedule (I was actually surprised 'Heart of Steel' was all done by the same people). But there it is.

Storywise, this is just fine, further fleshing out Dick's early years and pitting Batman and Robin against each other. It really points out how Bruce can be so insular, even on a team. To us, his priorities seem horribly misplaced; does he seek restitution for Dick or for himself? This one's a hard lesson for both heroes, but the writing is exceptional.

8/10

I was surprised that half of this episode involved more flashbacks. I assumed it would take off where last week's ended, with Robin going out on his own to catch his parents' killer, "Tony Zucco." However, the writers added more history of Robin and his run-ins with Zucco, and I'm glad they did. They were interesting and added to the story.

One of the highlights of this episode was the great Art Deco look of it. With those flashbacks, you really get some excellent 1930s and 1940s looks, especially with a diner and the way citizens, including Zucco and his gang, dressed, along with other things. It gave this a real classic-era feel - which it always has, but even more-so in this crime story.

The animated art was better than the story, which was just so-so. They spent a lot scenes showing close-ups of Zucco and Robin gritting their teeth!

Robin's Reckoning: Part II is a satisfying wrap-up to one of the best Batman episodes. Wonderful stuff again, the writing is still great, and the animation is the stuff of 90s dreams. It's another staple in classic modern television and a chapter in the whole-heartedly well-done Batman: The Animated Series.

What else is there to say? Don't listen to the haters who bash the series for no reason besides hating themselves or something we can't possibly understand. Others can just say this is okay or something, but hating for the sake of hating... is never really okay in film and television. Or for anything really. There is ALWAYS a reason for something.

Anyway, Robin's Reckoning is a great story that begins well and ends well.