“The Night of the Hunters” finds GCPD at its wit’s end in bringing the winged vigilante to a heel. In their pursuit to capture the bat, the episode explores the lengths some will go to keep the status quo and their pockets intact.
The episode opens with Gotham News polling citizens on what they think of the Bat-Man. Some see him as a frightening vampire, while others view him as having moxie despite breaking the law. The mayor is tired of him attacking – and embarrassing – police on his watch. In the name of “law and order,” a task force to catch Batman is formed. Commissioner Gordon appoints newly minted detective Renee Montoya to lead this team. Gordon’s progressive move is not welcomed by some, specifically decorated and crooked cop Bullock and his partner, Flass.
GCPD starts small, staging muggings and other petty crimes to entrap the bat. But he’s too smart to fall for the decoys. Then, they up the stakes with a high-speed pursuit, guns blazing, only to be out-thrusted by the Batmobile. With the failures stacking up, public perception adds political pressure as mayoral candidate, Harvey Dent, comments on how the incumbent mayor’s pursuit of Batman is “an obvious political stunt.” The mayor rains hell on Gordon despite it only being a week of their efforts. He and Montoya agree their strategy must change.
Montoya asks Barbara for a favor in connecting her with Dr. Harleen Quinzel. The force uses Quinzel’s expertise on what they may be missing in stopping the bat. Quinzel advises the masked marauder is drawn by the criminal, not particularly the crime. Her strategy: using a weirdo to bait the dark weirdo. While the wise words may have fallen on deaf ears, two sets pick it up immediately. Bullock and Flass devise a plan to capture the Bat and the glory.
The corrupt cops authorize the release of an inmate under the guise he’s being transferred to Arkham Asylum. The prisoner is a sadistic arsonist who goes by the moniker, Firebug. Pretending to have car trouble, Flass and Bullock leave Firebug unattended with access to his suit and flamethrower. Like a moth to the flame, he escapes and sets the Eastside Flats ablaze. All units and Batman rush to the public housing complex.
While the police should be focused on saving lives, they’ve been tasked to shoot the Bat on sight. At one point, a squad of officers ignores a family to chase Batman through the burning building. Fortunately, all are evacuated but it feels like a hollow win.
“Night of the Hunters” pushes the narrative along with some excellent topical commentary. The episode plants the seeds for the future partnership between Commissioner Jim Gordon (Eric Morgan Stuart) and Batman (an easter egg shows a glimpse of the famous spotlight on GCPD’s roof). It’s clear Gordon is a good cop and a better man. How much longer will he remain silent about the corruption filing his precint?
The commentary on police corruption and brutality reflects today’s perspective of the boys in blue. Bullock and Flass represent a twisted system that preys on the most vulnerable. Here, they abuse their power over a man living with a mental disorder and enact harm on the constituents they are meant to serve. In some ways, they are the most dangerous villains in the series, operating in systemic harm that even Batman cannot disarm. Who should we fear more: the masked vigilante or the smiling officer on the block?
Rating: 10/10