Episode 4.5 of THE BATMAN is titled “The Breakout” and features the villain Black Mask. This is the first time that this character has been depicted in a Batman animated series.

If you are unfamiliar with this Bat-Baddie, Black Mask is actually Roman Sionis, son of a well-to-do Gotham family. He eventually becomes the crime boss known as, obviously, Black Mask. However, in THE BATMAN, we know nothing of Black Mask’s background or origin. He’s simply portrayed as a crime lord with a vast organization of henchmen with high-tech weapons. Oh, and as any self-respecting Gotham villian, he plans on destroying the city.

“The Break Out” is basically an episode starring Robin and Batgirl with The Batman himself in a supporting role.

To put it briefly, Black Mask is captured by Commissioner Gordon and the GCPD -- with the help of The Batman, of course -- and is thrown into jail. The only problem is that his organization and the shockwave generator (the device that can destroy Gotham) are still on the loose. So, The Batman goes after the device and Black Mask’s gang, while Batgirl and Robin are left at GCPD headquarters to “help out.”

As previously stated, most of the story revolves around The Batman’s two young sidekicks, so you get a lot of corny one-liners and irritating babble between the two. I half expected Robin to spout a “Holy Something, Batgirl” at any moment. At any rate, the two are left on their own as every single police officer in the building, including Gordon, have been rendered unconscious by gas.

So as Black Mask’s gang is closing in, will Batgirl and Robin be able to fight them off? Will The Batman reach the shockwave generator in time? Will anyone over the age of 10 really care?

Look, I get the fact that The Batman is going after a younger demographic. As I’ve said previously, my 5 and 9 year old sons love it. However it’s getting harder and harder for me, as an older Bat-fan, to enjoy this show. To be frank, the reason for this is the inclusion of Batgirl and Robin. Let’s be real -- they are in this show to make it more kid-friendly. So in that regard, the show is a success.

With all of that said, “The Break Out” was still one of the better episodes so far this season. Relatively speaking, I’d rank it the second best so far, next to “A Matter of Family.”

One thing I must say. If I’m going to have to endure the antics of Batgirl and Robin, can The Batman at least refrain from saying things like, “OK, who wants to wash the Batmobile?”

Sheesh.