THE BATMAN EPISODE REVIEW
THE BATMAN EPISODE REVIEW
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4.13: "The Joining," Part 2
ORIGINAL U.S. AIRDATE: May 5, 2007 EPISODE: 4.13 CAST: Rino Romano, Dorian Harewood, Louis Gossett, Jr. WRITING CREDITIS: Douglas Petrie, Jane Espenson DIRECTED BY: n/a OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS: "John Jones, a new detective in Gotham, hints that he may know Batman's secret. Batman must uncover this mysterious figure's true identity and whether he is a friend or a foe. The answers prove shocking." REVIEWER: Bill Ramey POSTED: Sunday, May 6, 2007 Season 4 of THE BATMAN came to a close with the 2-part episode titled “The Joining.” Last week, Part 1 gave us the set up: J’onn J’onzz -- AKA "The Martin Manhunter" -- tracked down The Batman to warn him that something bad was coming to Gotham. And what was this “something bad?” Why, an alien invasion of course! Part 2 of “The Joining” provides us with the showdown between Gotham and The Joining. And hell, it’s not just Gotham, this The Joining is out the destroying the entire world! So, can The Batman and his “team” -- The Martin Manhunter, Robin, Batgirl, Alfred, and Lucius Fox -- save the Earth? “The Joining” seems to borrow from WAR OF THE WORLDS, INDEPENDENCE DAY and THE MATRIX. Once you’ve seen the episode, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The deal here is that you’ve got an alien invasion and these aliens are basically one huge network of artificial intelligence. We also have situation where The Batman wants to go solo, but it’s obvious that he needs the other’s help to succeed. Does The Dark Knight learn a lesson here? What do you think? Remember the title of this episode, “The Joining?” It has a double meaning -- and that is quite evident at the end, trust me. While the major storyline of “The Joining” is resolved, the episode ends with a semi-cliffhanger that serves as a set-up for Season 5. As I said when I reviewed Part 1, I expected “The Joining” to blow bigtime, but I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a pretty good story overall, even though I don’t like Batman team-ups, partners, and Justice League-esque storylines (fighting aliens, going to outer space, etc.). And yet again, too many corny one-liners from Robin and Batgirl. I could stomach them much more if the writers would refrain from such dialogue. There is a rather cool nod to “Super Friends” -- you’ll know it when you see it. All things considered, “The Joining” ended Season 4 of THE BATMAN on a relatively high note. From the looks of things however, it seems that THE BATMAN is heading in a direction that doesn’t match with my personal Batman tastes.
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