| Review "Nasty little puppet." This episode did a fairly good job introducing Arnold Wesker and Scarface to the
world of The Batman. One thing I found very noticeable was the fact that Wesker
is never specifically referred to as The Ventriloquist. I hope it’s not because
"Ventriloquist" was viewed as too big of a word for a "kids’ show." While not a huge issue, Scarface’s choice in apparel concerned me a little bit.
Apparently, gangsters under 60 years of age in this Gotham City wear some
version of a leisure suit (see Thorne, Rupert). It’s not a terrible look, but
sandals and an open shirt with a gold medallion just doesn’t seem quite right.
Wesker, with his bow-tie, sweater vest and rolled up pants, was the perfect nerd
being abused by an extension of himself. "Homer Simpson" Dan Castellaneta did an excellent job and showed great range as
Arnold Wesker & Scarface. His version of Aladdin’s Genie sounded like a bit like
Homer every once and a while, but I that didn’t happen here. Castellaneta
created two separate and distinct characters that were part of the same whole
and they played off each other wonderfully. The relationship between ventriloquist and puppet was just what I expected it to
be. Wesker was the meek, needy one and was pretty much totally subservient to
Scarface when it came to just about everything. Scarface could do nothing but
talk down to Wesker and threaten to leave him even that really isn’t possible.
Rhino and Mugsy (John "Bender" Di Maggio doing a fine job pulling double duty)
made good henchmen for the conflicted duo and the thugs’ confusion over who they
should be talking to showed how difficult it is for most involved to accept and
recognize that the dummy is really the puppet master. The side story of "Bruce makes a date" was okay, but after nine episodes I am
starting to tire a bit of Bruce’s angst over his life as The Batman and Alfred’s
efforts to see his surrogate son happy and leading a normal life. I feel it is
an important piece of their characters especially since Bruce is at a younger
stage in his Bat-career, but Becky waiting at the café, Bruce saying The Batman
is his dominate side and the comment, "We all have places we’d rather be" made
me feel like I was getting hit over the head with it. Not even a kids’ cartoon
should come at you with this big of a blunt object. | 
