B:TAS "The Lion and The Unicorn" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Batman Fan]

Ok, this episode really isn't one of my favorites, but since it gives us another look inside of Alfred I put it in higher regard.

First off, I was a bit surprised to see Red Claw again, she's not one of my favorite villans, but she works with an episode like his, and I like her terrorist theme and stuff, so it's fun to see her plots. Like the one in this episode, standard terrorist hijacking missles and holding cities for ransom, but this one has a twist as Alfred is somehow involved.

Alfred was definetly the star of this episode. I'm glad we got more interaction and development into his character, it really deepens his character to realize that he used to be in the British secret service. I think that's why he respects and admires what Batman and Robin do so much, they're fighting for justice. As usual, Alfred has some great dialogue, and has that nice sardonic humor. It was also so cool to see Alfred in action, and resisting Red Claw's threats. He's one of the strongest characters on the show, and I hold him much higher regard after this episode. He's very stubborn, and obviously he went through some intensive training, as he held out to the very last second.

The animation was nothing to praise, but nothing to criticize, I love the scene where Alfred's waiting on that foggy London street, and the street lights just look so cool! The action was different in this episode which I liked, instead of like karate and stuff, they do more stealthy moves to fight off thugs. I love the part where they're all walking and Batman and Robin swoop in one by one and take them all out. The other part where there fighting through the smoke was a nice touch too. The finale was a great one, where Red Claw unmasks Batman. Very anxious moment for sure, but great none the less.

All in all, if this episode wasn't focused on Alfred it wouldn't have much going for it.

My grade is somewhere between *** and ***1/2

 

[ROBOTRON]

Good episode...but not in my top 20.

Alfred's coming of age episode. Decent story, but missing something...no "umph" if you know what I mean.

 

[JSmith]

The animation in this one was incredible, but the story was so-so. Surely the best Red Claw appearance. I wonder whose idea is was to inject so much silliness into The Adventures of Batman and Robin shows. In Baby Doll we got Skipper and Gilligan(RIP Bob Denver) as thugs and here we get guys named Bert and Ernie. What's next? Bats going up against a blue, furry devil named C-Money who's taking down every Mrs. Field's and Famous Amos in Gotham? Very average episode but it was good to see Alfred getting some screen time.

 

[Aldrius]

Old talkback, I know...

But there's just something I need to mention.

Okay, the episode was pretty good. I actually like Red Claw, It's good to see a female Batman villain with a bit more power. Plus, Kate Mulgrew's got a very cool voice.

The fight scenes were neat, the London atmosphere was cool. I thought the accents were OKAY... but I'm not British, so I can't say for certain.

However, my favourite part was at the end, when Alfred and Fredrick are talking. And Fredrick mentions that it was 'Just like old times.'

Which is the funniest line ever.

I'm guessing they spent alot of missions strapped to chairs, getting pumped full of truth serum, while a Russian woman the size of an american football player interogates them.

So yeah, this is actually one of my favourite episodes, and I wish that Red Claw had been on the LoD... hehe. Just to give the batvillains some presence.

 

[Wolf Boy2]

I wish that Red Claw had been on the LoD... hehe. Just to give the batvillains some presence.

Personally, I think Red Claw is dead. I know her parachute went off and all, but I still like to believe that she was knocked unconcious upon impact and drowned.

I loved this episode. It was great to get some background on Alfred, and see him in a mission.

 

[Aldrius]

Bah... that is just one of those open-ended "DID THEY DIE!?!" moments that B:TAS had thousands of.

And that were completely ignored upon the villains next appearence.

 

[Wolf Boy2]

Bah... that is just one of those open-ended "DID THEY DIE!?!" moments that B:TAS had thousands of.

And that were completely ignored upon the villains next appearence.

True. But no later appearance = death. Especially now, since B:TAS is dead and over. Even b.t. admitted on the ROTJ commentary that "every story had been told."

If there was a way to use these guys again, than their "deaths" would've been null. But since they never showed up, we can assume that the likes of Red Claw, Kyodai Ken, ect are deceased.

Yeah as a kid I had a crush on Batgirl/Barbara Gordon, unfortunatley unlike Robin, we never did get to see her without her shirt on.

Dude, you just, like, summed up my entire childhood!

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

Batman: The Animated Series (The Adventures of Batman & Robin) ended its run on FOX Kids on this day 30 years ago.




Time is just hurtling forward. Incidentally, this is one of my favorite episodes. I love the atmosphere and backgrounds of London and it was nice to see Alfred get some attention. Plus, Batman on a globe trotting adventure is always good value for money. They really don't make them like this anymore.

 

[Otaku-sempai]

I remember "The Lion and the Unicorn" as one of the more off-beat episodes of the series. I really liked seeing this iteration of Alfred's background canonized in the show.

 

[Ethereal]

This was one of the Top 10 episodes of B:TAS for me. Above and beyond Alfred's fascinating and most compelling backstory, which the likes of Bruce Timm never cared about before or since, I would take Red Claw over Harley Quinn any day. She was by far the best new villain introduced on B:TAS - again no thanks whatsoever to Bruce Timm and Paul Dini - and the fact that she is the sole villain here really allows her to shine.

One of the best TV slaps ever is executed by her, and the way she just attacks Batman with her bare hands at the end was not only one of the coolest scenes in any Batman show or film ever, but the fact that she actually rips off his cowl was such a deeply satisfying moment. It totally justifies what she told Batman when she first met him back in Gotham City - that he had finally met his match.

Yeah, the way most fans feel about Harley Quinn is the way I feel about Red Claw. I think the reason more people aren't enamored of her is because she isn't sexual, isn't tied to the identity of an established male character, and is one of the most dangerous and ruthless female characters who is as physically capable as she is mentally sharp. In a word, she is too intimidating for your run-of-the-mill fanboy. *giggle*

P.S - Her line about no one taking England seriously anymore is PRICELESS, following Alfred's gibberish. The most underrated BTAS character in one of the most underrated episodes.