Eggbaby
Episode #34 - Eggbaby
Original Airdate - April 1st, 2000
Because a school assignment, Terry must chase down a gang of thieves, Ma
Mayhem and her sons, while caring for a computerized egg baby.
Media by Bird Boy
Mini-Review by James Harvey
Review by Zanna |
Credits:
Story by Hilary J. Bader, Alan Burnett
Teleplay by Hilary J. Bader
Directed by James Tucker
Music by Michael McCuistion
Animation by Koko / Dong Yang
Voices:
Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis/Batman
Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne
Kathleen Freeman as Ma Mayhem
Andy Dick as Slim
Mark Rolston as Carl
Lauren Tom as Dana Tan
Cree Summer as Max
Seth Green as Nelson Nash
Max Brooks as Howard
Melissa Disney as Blade
Ruth Zalduondo as Ms. Pinto
Michael Ensign as Butler
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Review
Ma Mayhem and her two sons have been stealing rubies all over Gotham.
Batman is on their trail and he also has a new sidekick.
Terry's Family Studies class project involves caring for a computerized
Eggbaby. This device simulates the needs and reactions of a baby and
registers the care and attention its caregivers show the "Baby". Blade
is his teacher-assigned family partner. She has no maternal instincts or
desire to care for the "Baby". Terry is forced to be the sole caregiver
of this Eggbaby or fail the course. Much to Bruce's dismay, Terry must
take his "Baby" along on his Batman patrols, even when chasing the
Mayhem gang.
This was a very funny and enjoyable episode. It doesn't have a dark edge
or major dramatic plot, but its decidedly whimsical storyline was very
entertaining. The writers had many opportunities to write in comical
lines and they did so without dragging the story to a screeching halt.
The scene when Bruce first hears the Eggbaby in the Batmobile was
priceless. Even a short scene was laced with humor, such as the scene
where Batman hides the "Baby" in the dumpster and then must rescue it
before the trash is hauled away.
Blade's part was written exactly as a self-centered high school queen
would act. Terry's reaction to her lack of maternal participation was
perfect. "I WANT A DIVORCE!"
Bruce got a significant amount of airtime and some great lines, too. The
way he responded to Terry when Terry was looking for a babysitter was
perfect Bruce. His references to things long past were funny when used
on Dick Grayson and just as funny when he uses them on Terry. Teasing
Terry about the omelet was funny, too.
The action sequences were well done both in writing and drawing. It was
amusing to watch Terry and his "Baby" get in and out of the various
situations that occurred. Watching and hearing the Eggbaby's reactions
was funny too. Terry's facial expressions in the last scene back in the
classroom were amusing and the scene was a good way to end the episode.
Just two points...
Batman has fought large, powerful criminals before, but this time, Carl
and his mom seemed almost too strong for his power-enhanced suit to
handle. Since this episode was played for laughs, and sometimes he was
handicapped by carrying the Eggbaby, his difficulty in fighting them can
be explained, but it does stretch believability.
Is Batman's cowl a full-face cowl? It appears so, and yet, Batman's
smile/teeth can sometimes be seen and in this episode, he sticks his
tongue out (nice touch, by the way).
All in all, this episode is a delightful romp and well worth watching.
Mini-Review
I love this episode to pieces, seriously. Every. Last. Bit. One of the funnest DCAU episodes of all-time. It's legit the best!
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