Out of the Past
Episode #44 - Out of the Past
Original Airdate - October 21st, 2000
Bruce Wayne's long-lost love Talia returns, visiting the aging hero on
his birthday, the still-beautiful Talia offers Bruce the ultimate gift -
eternal youth.
Media by Bird Boy
Review by J.Chen, aka The Overseer |
Credits:
Written by Paul Dini
Directed by James Tucker
Music by Shirley Walker
Animation by Koko/Dong Yang
Voices:
Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis/Batman
Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne
Olivia Hussey as Talia
David Warner as Ra's Al Ghul
Mark Hamill as Carter
Cree Summer as Max
Michael Rosenbaum as Carl
Charls Kimbrough as Gordon
Adrienne Barbeau as Singer
B.J. Ward as Singer
Jamie Torcellini as Singer
Beth Howland as Singer
Steve Bernstein as Singer
Gary Sturgis as Punk
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Review
Highs: Good story, fast action, some insight into Bruce's
relationships.
Lows: The Lazarus Pits are as always somewhat farfetched, some
mediocre art.
Overall: This one should satisfy even a jaded BB viewer.
Amazing...memorable...superb. Those are just a few words that could
describe "Out of the Past". I'll get right down to the story; The
episode opens with a corny Batman stage production which I heard was
meant to mock plans for a real-life Bats musical. Bruce is disgusted and
walks out in the middle leaving Terry. Within the Batcave, Bruce
reminisces over pictures of Zanna, Selina Kyle, and Barbara Gordon. A
voice comes from behind, and Bruce finds Talia, the daughter of Ra's Al
Ghul. The Lazarus Pits have kept her young as ever, as Terry walks in
and sees. We learn that Talia assisted Bruce in a final battle against
her father decades ago and now runs a corporation cleaning up the mess
he made.
She offers Bruce a trip to the Lazarus Pits to give Bruce a chance to
make up the time he lost. Bruce backs away from that, but we can see his
wishful thinking. When the old Batman runs into thugs one night and is
unable to get a bystander to safety, his mind is made up. Bruce accepts
the offer to use the Pits. "No way I'm wearing the Robin suit", Terry
says, but Talia assures him that Bruce will not don the suit once more.
Believe it or not, Wayne takes the plunge and the story goes off from
there.
Without giving away the rest of this story, which chronicles the return
of Ra's Al Ghul as well as Bruce's youth, I can say that it is indeed a
treat to see our favorite Batman in fighting condition again. In one
scene where a massive opponent pounds Terry, Bruce leaps into the fray
and completely takes the man down. The side-by-side fight scenes are
full of action and very enjoyable.
What detracts from this episode? The whole Lazarus Pits deal is a bit of
a stretch for the semi-realistic Batman world, but it always has been.
I'll excuse that one. However, the background art in some cases lacks
detail, as well as the people. Not many episodes are being made this
season, so I'd like to see a real boost in individual production over
season 2.
There's plenty to like about this episode, being the only villain
besides Freeze who could logically remain a threat in BB, the Ra's Al
Ghul issue is well addressed here. I felt this was a somewhat sad but
appropriate closer to Bruce's long conflict with Ra's. We also learn at
what level Bruce truly holds Talia ; at one point Terry asks "Was she
THE special woman?" Bruce doesn't reply, but we soon find out the answer
to that.
Do yourself a favor and catch this one if you missed it. If you did see
it, you'll hopefully understand why I'm recommending it.
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