Episode #26 - Epilogue Original Airdate - July 23rd, 2005 - Second Season Finale
50 years in the future, the history of the Justice League is the key to
Batman's darkest secret - and his final destiny.
Review by Bleu Unicorn
Commentary by Bird Boy & Bleu Unicorn
Media by Bird Boy and James Harvey
Credits:
Story by Bruce Timm and Dwayne McDuffie
Teleplay by Dwayne McDuffie
Directed by Dan Riba
Music by Lolita Ritmanis, Kristopher Carter
Animation Services by Dong Woo Animation Co., LTD.
Voices:
Will Friedle as Terry McGinnis / Batman
Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne / Batman
CCH Pounder as Amanda Waller
Lauren Tom as Dana, Dr. Light
Hynden Walch as Ace
Marc Worden as Parasite
Video
Screen Grabs
Pans
Due to the epic-ness of this episode, there is both a
review and Commentary. Check the review (written by Bleu Unicorn) out below
and the Commentary (with Bird Boy and Bleu Unicorn)
here.
Review:
Unlike the majority of JLU, the action takes a backseat to the story. The
episode follows Terry, some ten years after Batman Beyond. Having
discovered the incredibly shocking news that he is Bruce Wayne’s son and/or
clone, Terry is on an intense search for answers to all the questions Bruce
won’t answer and struggling with this incredible revelation. In essence,
Terry is on a journey to fully embrace the mantle of Batman and this is his
final step towards doing so. While some may argue that the entire plot of
this story comes from “left field” or that it is just plain rotten, it is
surely a revelation that no one could have predicted. Personally,
that in and of itself makes me enjoy it so much more. It can’t be denied,
though that the various references within this episode only strengthened my
personal enjoyment of it. Still, I feel strongly that the story itself is
accessible to even a casual viewer.
Of course, by no means do I want to diminish how awesome it was to have all
those references and cameos. The most powerful of these is easily Ace, whose
death may well be one of the most emotionally charging moments within the
DCAU and leaves me wondering if Bruce named his dog after her. The return of
Dana and the future Justice League, along with glimpses of Phantasm and Grey
Ghost were not only a treat for fans, but also solidified how all these
various series tie into one another. The importance of these and other
cameos can and will be debated, but regardless of where you stand it’s hard
to deny it was anything short of just plain…neat. Only heightened by the
accompanying voice talent that continues to blow me away; Conroy, Friedle,
Tom and Walch really deserve kudos for their talent and versatility here.
Music has always been a huge part of the DCAU experience and here it not
only adds to the drama of an already arousing story, but manages to bridge
yet more connections between BTAS, BB and JLU by utilizing and slightly
tweaking all the old themes. My favorite moments are easily during the
future JLU fight with the Inequity Collective and the ending moments as
Terry flies over Gotham. Both left me cheerfully delighted and desperately
wanting more! Other little pieces, such as the heartbreaking score with
Batman and Ace and the uplifting, almost heroic melody during Terry’s and
Waller’s simultaneous monologues, were equally amazing and beautiful and
helped carry the emotional weight of the episode – as good music should –
without being obtrusive.
Along with all of this, we are graced with some utterly phenomenal
animation, both in terms of fantastic fight sequences and little flourishes
throughout. Characters for the most part are very much on-model and
consistent. As a whole the episode was just breathtaking to look at. The
added touch of black-and-white scenes and fast paced cutting may at first
seem jarring, but really added to the intensity of the story. It’s very
reminiscent of Lost, where flashbacks and present day events shift
very suddenly, thrusting you into the connecting events without giving you a
moment to take a breath in between. Given the far less frantic feel of this
episode in comparison to the majority of JLU, it actually makes a lot of
sense.
Initially, “Epilogue” was intended to end the DCAU and it does this
exceptionally well, weaving together various elements through story, music
and a large helping of cameos both seen and heard. In the end, I’m sure
Bruce Timm and his co-workers made this episode for themselves as a good-bye
to the world they have created and nurtured for some thirteen years, there
is little doubt in my mind that it is also a love letter of sorts to
long-term DCAU fans with its smorgasbord of continuity. Finally, for
instance, we have a definitive answer to that nagging question regarding
Batman Beyond being canon, but that’s not where the real strength of
this episode is. At its very heart it is a story about Batman and his
legacy; while, also serving as an obvious bookend to “On Leather Wings.”
Some will find it odd that this proposed finale revolves more around Batman
than the JLU itself, and those people can rejoice in the fact that there is
more JLU to come with a third season on the horizon. Personally, I find it
only fitting that this would be the ending that was chosen and I am both
incredibly thankful and in awe.