It's Never Too Late

This is a VERY dark episode, touching on subjects like drugs, guilt and redemption. It's different to your usual episode but I'd argue that's what makes it so special. Genuinely got a little teary towards the end. A strong 8 to a light 9/10

Rupert Thorne and Arnold Stromwell continue their "mob wars" for control of Gotham's underworld. Does that sound like "mob" names to you? How ridiculously PC is this with these Anglicized names, instead of the ethnic names of mob bosses that are in real life. Oh, well, that's timid the timid world of entertainment. Commissioner Gordon calls it struggle between youth and old age with Stromwell about to be pushed out. "We'll see about that," says Stromwell, to his TV set as he hears Gordon

Actually, Stromwell wants to end the wars, especially since his young son is missing, but Thorne is brutal and stays brutal throughout this old-fashioned crime story. It kind of reminded me a bit of old gangster movies like "Angels With Dirty Faces." Hollywood liked the kind of story angle that you see in this episode: you know, the kind where two old pals who grew up together wound up on the opposite sides of the law.

I continue to be amazed at the color in here and the fabulous artwork. It's simply amazing. Sometimes, as in this episode, it's the best part of the show.

The road to redemption is never an easy one to walk on but in order for one's soul to be truly free it is the right one to take.This is once again another honorable mention in my book and a bit of an underrated episode as well.

What's interesting about this episode is it's one that is focused on a character that isn't a major part of the series and I always like that it's a breath of fresh air from characters that are always center stage that we know all to well; and also enhances the world of the series showing that Batman alone doesn't inherit it. I really like the story line it's a bit similar to Shakespere's "MacBeath" which was about a criminal despite his rise suffers the weight of his sins and soon suffers a downfall of his own making.

Stromwell is a well rounded character, he's a up mob boss that is not just facing the end of his empire but also the twilight of his years. Even though he doesn't want to admit it, he knows it's true he may have been able to beat the competition once but he can't beat time; we can easily see he's became a broken and bitter shell of a man from his mannerism but also his clothing that looks dated and worn like himself.

I really like how this episode isn't really so much an actioneer but real a character study as we see Batman guiding Stromwell to get him on the right track to do the right thing, not just for the good of Gotham but himself. Stromwell sees instead of accomplishments it's nothing but a gallery of shame and misery. He sees and feels the weight of his sins as we see in the episode what's happened to his son and how he's contributed to his bad state. It's heart sinking but it just goes to show how walking the road based on sin alone truly leads nowhere.

Of course we see a really heart sinking moment near the end where Stromwell recalls a traumatic childhood memory he's long kept dormant but has surfaced now as if his soul and conscious has finally sufficed as well. The ending is heartwarming which really shows it's never too late for redemption.

Rating: 4 stars

Then two underworld kingpins start a war for supremacy, there are many victims. In this one, our Batman becomes an intermediary, trying to save one of the bad guys--to get him to come clean. The guy as destroyed his family and his son is missing. Much of the plot begins with an ambush by one of the crime families just when it seems things can be worked out between the two forces. It take intense effort on the part of Batman to turn the guy. He is so unyielding until he realizes his drug empire has more than random victims. This is kind of a stand alone piece without any of the usual master criminals we know and love.

I genuinely got teary-eyed at the end. This was an amazing episode. I love the brotherly and father/son connection.