The season one finale of Batman: Caped Crusader ponders on issues of crime and punishment as Harvey Dent’s Two-Face battles himself.
Appalled that goody-two-shoes Barbara Gordon wants to take him as her client, Dent feels he doesn’t deserve help for all the wrongs he has committed. To rebuff his discontent, Barbara flips him for it – heads she’s his lawyer, tails she’ll leave him alone. Dent’s two-sided coin hands Barabra the win as Harvey is transferred from Blackgate to Arkham Asylum for an initial psych evaluation.
No sooner than Dent is transferred, Rupert Throne has his cronies following his every move. A defeated Harvey already knows he’s facing major jail time. Barbara suggests he seek leniency by revealing the crooks and corruption within the system. But Dent doesn’t see himself deserving of any grace.
Later, Bruce visits Dent in prison. He apologizes to Harvey for rushing him back into the public. He reassures Harvey that it isn’t his fault and that he deserves treatment. Dent remains stubborn, to the point where Bruce slips into his Batman persona, but quickly regroups. It’s interesting to see Bruce in this situation, as his public persona hides his true self; he is essentially Two-Face who diverged on a more righteous path.
“Savage Night” is a wonderfully written episode and a perfect series capstone, summarizing Batman’s major themes. Many of these themes remain topical in today’s society. Law enforcement and justice systems are flawed because humans are severely imperfect. However, many feel systemic reform is necessary to deter crime and prevent recidivism. It’s what we’re witnessing on the streets of Gotham.
At the GCPD, a failure to root out corruption derails attempts to serve and protect the citizens of Gotham. Despite Gordon’s good intentions to build a rapport with the community, a loud minority dulls the police’s image, evoking distrust from the public. In addition to corrupt police, criminals with large pockets can sway city hall’s judgment. It displays the pretense that those of a higher class or economic status receive better treatment.
Because of this failure, a masked vigilante enacting justice with no checks or balances should be the last thing the city champions. But as we previously witnessed, the opinions are split. Some welcome the caped crusader and his help to stop criminals. Others feel his presence is no different than the criminals rising from the gutters, even suggesting he brings more threats to the surface.
Another issue highlighted is society’s failure to address mental health and its treatment of the disabled. Many of these characters – good and bad – experienced severe trauma, resulting in disablement or mental illness. Mental trauma is at the root of Batman’s existence and drives Harvey Dent to enact vigilante justice. And twice, a person’s physical appearance or disability led to mistreatment or abuse. The show is an animated mirror to society and begs us to question the systems in which we live.
Rating: 10/10