Give us more Riddler episodes!!!! Watch more Bat-May here - bit.ly/BatMay Follow us on Twitch - www.twitch.tv/channelawesome Follow Walter on Twitter - twitter.com/Awesome_Walter
I love this whole series, but this episode in particular makes me smile. I keep thinking of how far away the 90s seemed from the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and everything that preceded them. That scene between Robin and Commissioner Gordon is a favorite of mine as well. It makes me a little sad knowing what would eventually happen between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. This episode is also the only reason I remember how the Knight is supposed to move on a Chessboard! 😂 What happened to The Riddler at the end reminds me of a Season One Original Star Trek episode “Dagger of the Mind.” Imagine being trapped in Virtual Reality without even a tormentor for company...
One of my favorite lines from this episode: “Tell me, Riddler, how can you split your focus in thirty-two directions and sustain the concentration it takes to keep your world together? You can't”! Also. The Batman’s suit of armor is reminiscent of the Silver Knight Batman from Legends of Batman. I had the figure.
My favorite line from this episode had to have been "No problemo, Batman! That's a Baxter's Box. I can guide you through that in a - agh!!!" And Riddler then says "No coaching from the peanut gallery!"
They should really team up. They're both brain-centric Villains one using traps and wits to challenge the brain, the other chemical warfare to destroy it. If not a team up, perhaps even a rivalry between the two.
What are you talking about? Both of them got movies. The mad hatter's the one no one talks about. A lonely scientist, who likes fantasy? Who really only wants someone to be with? But has a terrible way of trying to fix it? I mean that's as good as a Batman villain can get, yet he has never appeared in a movie, and barely appeared in the games. And yet, he was the villain in the best episode of this series. The most underrated villain.
I'm surprised Walter didn't mention that this episode must've inspired the plot to Batman Forever. Riddler inventing a device to trap its users in virtual reality? Riddler being overwhelmed by his VR machine? Check and check.
i think if it was riddler's usual bright green it would've been harder to look at do to harsher eye strain than the deep red they used. Also the red is kind of menacing.
The last riddle the Dynamic Duo were left with made my eyes roll. "If the planet were equitable, I'd still have my old job". Translation; "If the world's fair, I'd still have my ex-position".
Those are my favorite kinds of riddles - ones with double meanings and the use of synonyms. It's important to make a guy in a mask and a green hat look the least ridiculous possible. I remember that Batman even mocked the Riddler to his face in BATMAN: HUSH, calling him a loser because he wasn't able to come up with riddles much better than "What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence? / Time to get a new fence."
*If the planet were equitable, I would still have my old job.* I thought it was kinda clever. Particularly because it was a kind of throwaway line about losing his job last outing. The type of thing many other heroes would have just ignored. It was a nice play on words. Since it lead to the Gotham City World's Fair Exposition. 🤓
Really? I thought it was brilliant. It fits the Riddler that he can scarcely keep himself from leaving a clue. If he hadn't said anything and just pulled out, he would have gotten away easily. He just couldn't help himself.
@@Bluesit32 The whole point is to make Batman, "The World's Greatest Detective," feel intellectually inferior for not having solved one of his riddles. And in fact, in the BATMAN ADVENTURES comic "The Last Riddler Story," the Riddler does come up with a puzzle that Batman never solves, although he catches Nygma anyway due to dumb luck.
Ironic that this was my first introduction to the Riddler. It gave me the impression that he was a video game themed villain (I was young and new to Batman at the time).
Might have also been a bit of mind over matter. By telling Riddler that he is spreading his consciousness too far, Riddler realizes that what he says is logical and so it falls apart...or at least does so faster.
The virtual reality world made this episode feel more like a Mad Hatter story than a Riddler one, with themes of mind control and an overall surreal, dream-like feel to it. The video game could just as easily have been Wonderland. But the constant riddles and tricks and traps do make it suitably Riddler-esque, and seeing Batman go through it is a fun time, regardless of who's pulling the strings.
Robin: "I can get you in and out of that thing in [BZZT!] Ow!" Riddler: "No hints from the peanut gallery!" Oh crap, the Riddler could hear everything on their end! Only the 2nd episode where Batman had his mind placed in a virtual world; last year had "Perchance to Dream" with The Mad Hatter.
One of my fav episodes of the show when I was a kid. Its kinda funny how back then the Riddler, even though he had just 3 episodes in the show, cling on my mind as one of Batman's greatest foes.
That mind scrambling part with the Riddler...I wonder if the screenwriters from Batman Forever took emphasis from this episode. Jim Carrey was defeated in the film the same way this character has in this episode.
There were rumours that there was going to be another Riddler ep that shows Edward in a coma after the events of this episode but then a copycat strikes Gotham and Batman's voice was apparently the only thing to wake Edward up and they have to team up to find the so-called "copycat". A pity we never got that episode because it could have been so good.
Regardless of whether or not this rumor is true, that would have made a great follow-up episode to explain how he returned to normal before "Riddler's Reform," and also set the stage for it.
I like how they always draw him with that crooked smirk. It's so fitting to his character. And speaking of ol' Fred, John Glover's performance is not too far off from Astaire's voice, so maybe that was intentional.
Unfortunately, like I said before, "If You're so Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" was the only Riddler episode I got to watch as a kid. So, really, my experience with "What is Reality?" comes from that level of Adventures of Batman & Robin. And let me tell you, Batman running from sentient chess pieces, collapsing floor panels, and laser hands is the most intense thing ever in that game.
From a design perspective, I prefer the use of red over green. While associate green with "digital" and is the Riddler's signature color, red plays more on our primitive instincts & draws attention to potential danger, something that both Batman & Gordon are in, while green gives a more calming, natural feel, truly the polar opposite of the situation.
3:55 Green would have made more sense at the time if you ever played Oregon Trail at that time. Black and Green were the colors of computers I used when this one aired.
Hey Walter! I think you did an exceptional job of analyzing the visual and narrative elements which constitute this quintessential Riddler episode. Considering the apparent difficulty the writers had creating stories for the Riddler that effectively balanced flippancy and silliness with comprehensible challenges, this episode was capable of demonstrating that such issues were in fact surmountable given the appropriate set-up. What is Reality provided numerous classic riddles that Batman was subjected to, which eventually culminated in his entrance into the virtual world. As the concept and exploration of virtual reality was a popular and fecund topic for science-fiction narratives at the time, it seems rather fitting that BtAS would incorporate a virtual setting into plots at some point in the series. I agree that the Riddler was an excellent choice as the primary antagonist for an episode centric to virtual reality, as his avoidance of physical confrontation and preference for cerebral tests integrate well within a world devoid of normal limitations or practical constraints. This afforded the writers the opportunity to create fascinating, surreal, and colorful imagery to pit Batman against, which deviated greatly from the typical stylistic setting of noir Gotham. The grand scale and abstraction of the Riddler’s appearance and his threats were certainly intimidating and unique challenges for Batman to face, though I agree about the weakness of the ending and the ultimate demise of the Riddler. Batman usurps control from the Riddler in his own world and succeeds in outwitting him to rescue Gordon, though the Riddler, surprisingly, didn’t plan for this prospect and had no means of exiting his own created realm and escaping from his pursuers. I think it might have been more inline with his character had he feigned getting his mind trapped in the virtual world only to be missing once Batman locates his computer. Overall, the Riddler’s appearances in BtAS were rather sporadic and exceedingly limited for such an ironic and recognizable villain, and while the writers’ explanations were explicable for his lack of visibility, I still wonder what else could have been done with a character reliant solely on profound intellect to combat the dark knight. Great work as always, Walter!
Ironic that after all this effort taken to erase the identity of Edward Nygma he tries to reform and go back to 'normal' next time. I also wish the 3rd Riddler episode's title was also a question, just to keep with the pattern.
I love this one. Finally got around to watching it a few weeks back & was so thrown off throughout. This kind of scenario would only work for The Riddler or Scarecrow, but it’s VR so that would make sense for the more quizzical antagonist
4:38 - 5:04 Why does this ending remind me so much of Black Mirror's 'USS Callister'? That had a similar more disturbing premise, and ended with the game designer is trapped in his virtual world near the end while his victims escape to have more adventures. Inspiration maybe kinda?
I feel the ending was likely their attempt at trying to deal with the difficulty of making stories for him, give him a sendoff after he got away scot free at the end of his alst appearance. But yeah given how Riddler's Reform ends, this should've ended with him getting away, making a neat trilogy.
Love the special opening to the video. Also really liked the episode. The visuals were interesting, I liked the virtual world riddler created and I do agree the ending was a little lackluster
I always saw this episode as an early metaphor for videogame or internet addiction. With how VR and the net has evolved over the years, it's the most prevelant once Gordon becomes trapped in that vitual reality, just as we all do on a desktop computer, laptop, phone and/or videogames. And this is coming from a gamer.
My buddy and I still joke about how Batman solved the coin riddle to find Gordon. Quarters, red cent, copper, head. Police hqs room 101. Love this show.
Jim Carey's depiction of batman was on point he showed the riddler as the enigma he is a mystry to himself first and then even believing he is batman!🤯
Boy, did I love this one! They did not use the Riddler nearly enough, and I was fascinated by virtual reality games in the early 1990s because they were among the latest technological fads. The episode also reminded me of TRON, a movie that had mesmerized me when I was a kid. My only complaint is - again - the ending.
personality i think Red was the better color here, as it helps deliver a sinister vibe, cause we're not playing games with The Riddler this time, oh no... this is a battle of wits.
New comment: Watching this episode again, it's quite creative, especially the VR portion. However, the scheme involving Riddler stealing people's bank accounts and deleting his own records doesn't get anywhere, and the ending opens a can of worms.
"What is Reality?" is a good follow up, but you also see a good episode that could be great. Much like Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, there is a code of honor for the Riddler. He encourages a battle of wits. The only time he loses it when someone cheats. Mockridge cheated Nygma. Batman cheated to get to the Minotaur (with magical evaporating hacking skills. He can override a flying hand in seconds but can't handle VR?) And even in this episode, Batman is just trying to break the Rubik's cube instead of solving it. It was quaint how easy erasing your identity was perceived back in the 90s. Hack a few computers, delete a few files and burn the hard copies and you're done. Would have been a great follow up to see what Riddler planned to do with that blank slate.
I can bet it was hard writing up good stories for Nigma. Granted because there's only so much you can do with him BUT as one of my favorite Bat Rogues, I really would've loved to see him more in the series instead of the long pause we had until Season 3. But hey, Riddler's best riddle in my opinion will always be....... "What is Reality?" Great review BTW Walter
Since you like the idea of Riddler always being out there, I actually had an idea for an ending they could have used if there had been more Riddler focused episodes. Riddler is finally caught and put in prison, the guard stating that they're gonna lock him away. The Riddler, after confirming what the guard said to be true, just smiles and gives the guard a riddle: "How long will it take before I escape?" Ominously hinting that he already has a plan to do so and is simply waiting for the right moment.
Love it when stories play to the villain’s psyche. Riddler creates a world where he is king, because in the real world his intelligence alone isn’t enough to overcome Batman, and he can’t stand it.
Episodes like this really make you wish the Riddler had more to do, but I also think it is kind of understandable why he had such limits put on him. Riddler works really well with technology like computers and the like, which sadly were only just starting to really be a thing in the 90s. Now it's way easier to give the Riddler the means to go toe to toe with Batman. Just look at the Arkham Games.
I honestly wonder if Nintendo was inspired by this episode to use red for the Virtual Boy's graphics. This episode came out in 92 and the Virtual Boy was 95
I remember watching this episode vividly when it aired, I had no idea at the time John Glover voiced him. I wish he lent his voice to the character more, it really fit him well.
The third Riddler episode, _Riddler's Reform,_ is my favorite of the three. Sucks that it's all the way back in the third season, and likely won't be gotten to this year.
What´s up with all Riddler episodes and computer games? We see all money disappear from the computers and I am instantly reminded of the computer fear of the 90s. Like Riddlers last appearance, this one feels dated - sure VR, like Oculus rift, still exist but its the same problem with it like it was then - its too expensive and to few wants to use it because you look stupid wearing it. But it is an upgrade (get it! hehe) from his last episode. The main issue here is the plot, which is non-existent. Everything is a game for the Riddler yet he somehow takes his time stealing the "only physical copy" of his information, but why does that information matter if no one can find the Riddler anyway and what stops a policeman like Gordon from simply writing it all down again. Batman doesn't really need his batcomputer either to remember the Riddler. And if the whole episode is to trick Batman into wearing the helmet for the game, why not fry his brain the moment he does so? And why are the Riddler caught in his own game? Even if the Riddler gets caugth, I would have preferred an ending where batman does not get a lucky break that Riddler can´t handle his own program. Bad resolution for this episode. But the animation is great (and it makes Riddle of the Minotaur even more crappy). I love the scenes, the dialogue, the banter - everything but the plot itself. It is a pleasure of an episode to watch and they really take advantage of the 3D technology. The surrealist feel is strong and if you are able to ignore the plot and just sit back and enjoy the animation, this one is a must seen. Also, Robin is back - and he is actually funny in this one! And Nygma as a god-like being works, as Walter says, really well in service of the animation in his virtual world. I would have preferred if the entire episode was inside it instead of only the majority. There are indeed many reasons to watch this - but the (lack of) plot stops it from becoming a truly great episode. Verdict 3 out of 5 bats.
It's too bad the proper follow-up to this episode got canned. The crew had made a script where Riddler basically goes body-hopping via electric devices until he's back in his OWN body. There's also a cancelled episode where Riddler was to take over Wayne Tower and turned the place into its own series of death traps but it was scrapped due to feeling too much like, "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Riddler to Gordon "I'll have to put you on the game grid." Disappointed that between this and Riddler's reform, they never explained how he got better.
I like how, in threatening to brute force his way into the final puzzle box, Batman managed to trick Riddler into brute forcing himself in a self-inflicted DDOS attack.
A Maze Ing how deadly these puzzle traps can be and many do enjoy them well not life dangerous ones as the famous Jig Saw would say . " live or die make your choice . "
Knight fall... Riddler's riddles are great, but they border on Dad jokes from time to time. lol Still, this is one of my favorite episodes of the series.
The virtual landscape sort of reminds me of the Scarecrow encounters from the Arkham Asylum game it's a shame those games couldn't have adopted a similar approach to the Riddler on top of having those world puzzels just the thought of Batman being trapped in a virtual Tron like a puzzle by a Omniscient and Omnipotent Administrator aka Riddler seems like it would have been a no brainer.
They might have chosen red since the Nintendo Virtual Boy system had an all red and black color scheme in their games Johnny Bravo also seem to have used this concept in their Virtual reality episode
I just find it a little interesting that he would have something like that now but wouldn't have it by the time the new Batman adventures arrived and wouldn't have give something like that to Terry by the time of Batman beyond you think by that time. A palm top would actually be you know visible and also have like a CD screen or something LCD screen or something where Bruce can project himself I don't know I'm just thinking here. LOL
So is the Riddler a little buff or kinda in shape? Because we never do see an actual physique of the Riddler other than being boney and just skilled enough to defend himself in later adaptations of him.
When I think about the ending of this episode, I believe it was an attempt to stop using the riddler in future episodes. From what I heard, the writers had extreme difficulty coming up with riddles to add to the script.
Give us more Riddler episodes!!!!
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Well it was unexpected that the Riddler gets trapped in the game instead of going to jail and then when he returned it’s like nothing happened.
@@srstriker6420 IKR?! I'm guessing he figured out how to get the ' Ghost out of the Machine'.
@@LowellLucasJr. Yeah.
I love this whole series, but this episode in particular makes me smile. I keep thinking of how far away the 90s seemed from the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive and everything that preceded them.
That scene between Robin and Commissioner Gordon is a favorite of mine as well. It makes me a little sad knowing what would eventually happen between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson.
This episode is also the only reason I remember how the Knight is supposed to move on a Chessboard! 😂
What happened to The Riddler at the end reminds me of a Season One Original Star Trek episode “Dagger of the Mind.” Imagine being trapped in Virtual Reality without even a tormentor for company...
@@LowellLucasJr. who Batman or the Riddler?
One of my favorite lines from this episode: “Tell me, Riddler, how can you split your focus in thirty-two directions and sustain the concentration it takes to keep your world together? You can't”!
Also. The Batman’s suit of armor is reminiscent of the Silver Knight Batman from Legends of Batman. I had the figure.
My favorite line from this episode had to have been "No problemo, Batman! That's a Baxter's Box. I can guide you through that in a - agh!!!" And Riddler then says "No coaching from the peanut gallery!"
That line has some great meme format potential.
Riddler and Scarecrow are the most underrated Batman villains ngl.
I was so glad to see the Arkham series give both of them chances to shine. My favorite sequences were the Scarecrow hallucinations in Asylum.
They should really team up. They're both brain-centric Villains one using traps and wits to challenge the brain, the other chemical warfare to destroy it. If not a team up, perhaps even a rivalry between the two.
What are you talking about? Both of them got movies.
The mad hatter's the one no one talks about. A lonely scientist, who likes fantasy? Who really only wants someone to be with? But has a terrible way of trying to fix it? I mean that's as good as a Batman villain can get, yet he has never appeared in a movie, and barely appeared in the games. And yet, he was the villain in the best episode of this series.
The most underrated villain.
@@SP8inc now that's one villain should have been put in a Batman movie a long time ago
Dude, some of my favorite episodes center around the scarecrow and Riddler.
I'm surprised Walter didn't mention that this episode must've inspired the plot to Batman Forever. Riddler inventing a device to trap its users in virtual reality? Riddler being overwhelmed by his VR machine? Check and check.
It kinda seems like it though!
I remember the dark ending of this episode, Riddler with a horrified expression as he is stuck in his broken game. It still makes me a bit uneasy
Which makes you wonder how he managed to come back in later episodes🤔
Yeah then later it was never brought up again
Yes, I was horrified by that ending. The Riddler was as good as dead. The only way they could have kept him alive was by feeding tube.
@@savvassavvides6681 maybe he got help but from who???🤔
he also look malnourished which I always took meant it took them days to find him while he was starving in a coma
i think if it was riddler's usual bright green it would've been harder to look at do to harsher eye strain than the deep red they used. Also the red is kind of menacing.
Agreed. It was really unpleasant to look at.
I think the red might also be a reference to Nintendo's Virtual Boy.
I ask myself that everyday.
Same here.
We are in the Matrix.. That's the Reality..
same
Mood.
I can't imagine who doesn't.
*Crazy Intent*
Robin: "Batman! DON'T open that door! Crazy Intent means....LOCOMOTIVE!
I love that kind of wordplay
And "It all makes cents when you add it up."
I remembered that one
Could you explain that, please? I never got the riddle when I watched this episode.
@@jge8144 Crazy = Loco & Intent = Motive
So Loco + Motive = A Locomotive (Train Engine)
@@DeadMoon1986 ahhhh! Thank you!
The last riddle the Dynamic Duo were left with made my eyes roll. "If the planet were equitable, I'd still have my old job". Translation; "If the world's fair, I'd still have my ex-position".
Those are my favorite kinds of riddles - ones with double meanings and the use of synonyms. It's important to make a guy in a mask and a green hat look the least ridiculous possible. I remember that Batman even mocked the Riddler to his face in BATMAN: HUSH, calling him a loser because he wasn't able to come up with riddles much better than "What time is it when an elephant sits on your fence? / Time to get a new fence."
*If the planet were equitable, I would still have my old job.* I thought it was kinda clever. Particularly because it was a kind of throwaway line about losing his job last outing. The type of thing many other heroes would have just ignored. It was a nice play on words. Since it lead to the Gotham City World's Fair Exposition. 🤓
Really? I thought it was brilliant. It fits the Riddler that he can scarcely keep himself from leaving a clue. If he hadn't said anything and just pulled out, he would have gotten away easily. He just couldn't help himself.
@@Bluesit32 The whole point is to make Batman, "The World's Greatest Detective," feel intellectually inferior for not having solved one of his riddles. And in fact, in the BATMAN ADVENTURES comic "The Last Riddler Story," the Riddler does come up with a puzzle that Batman never solves, although he catches Nygma anyway due to dumb luck.
Robin: "Give me a break"
Ironic that this was my first introduction to the Riddler. It gave me the impression that he was a video game themed villain (I was young and new to Batman at the time).
Didn't this episode inspire a Batman video game at the time, for either SNES or SEGA Genesis?
@@louisduarte8763 SNES and Sega CD for sure. Not sure about the Genesis version though.
Well his other ep, the first one, is also video game themed Technically. The maze was a game he had made.
It's funny that Riddler doesn't realize he can't maintain control of the virtual world and his doubles until Batman points it out. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Just like the cartoon character that doesn't fall until he notices he's standing on air.
Might have also been a bit of mind over matter. By telling Riddler that he is spreading his consciousness too far, Riddler realizes that what he says is logical and so it falls apart...or at least does so faster.
@@Bluesit32 The fact that his mind was divided into all those directions when logging out, might have been what resulted in his mind being scrambled.
@@patrikbengtsson3883 He wasn't logging out yet.
1:42 so far ahead of the good guys, his leg escapes the frame before he's even done stashing that folder.
Stashing nothing. That's a paper shredder. He was serious when he said that Edward Nygma no longer exists. He destroyed any and all records.
The virtual reality world made this episode feel more like a Mad Hatter story than a Riddler one, with themes of mind control and an overall surreal, dream-like feel to it. The video game could just as easily have been Wonderland. But the constant riddles and tricks and traps do make it suitably Riddler-esque, and seeing Batman go through it is a fun time, regardless of who's pulling the strings.
Robin: "I can get you in and out of that thing in [BZZT!] Ow!"
Riddler: "No hints from the peanut gallery!"
Oh crap, the Riddler could hear everything on their end!
Only the 2nd episode where Batman had his mind placed in a virtual world; last year had "Perchance to Dream" with The Mad Hatter.
Riddler was Always my fav Batman villain growing up. Shame we never got a really good movie version of him
What did you think of him on GOTHAM?
Isn't the new one being made gonna be about the Riddler?
@@louisduarte8763 never saw
I believe so yes.....will see. but i've heard a lot of......odd stuff about that movie
Holy Moly!! That 8-bit styled Bat-May intro though!!
One of my fav episodes of the show when I was a kid. Its kinda funny how back then the Riddler, even though he had just 3 episodes in the show, cling on my mind as one of Batman's greatest foes.
That mind scrambling part with the Riddler...I wonder if the screenwriters from Batman Forever took emphasis from this episode. Jim Carrey was defeated in the film the same way this character has in this episode.
Its the other way around i believe
@@PrincessAshley972 Keep in mind this episode was made in 1992.
@@StillTheVoid Ah, i saw another comment saying they took inspiration from Batman Forever so i got a bit confused. My mistake
There were rumours that there was going to be another Riddler ep that shows Edward in a coma after the events of this episode but then a copycat strikes Gotham and Batman's voice was apparently the only thing to wake Edward up and they have to team up to find the so-called "copycat". A pity we never got that episode because it could have been so good.
"source"?
Regardless of whether or not this rumor is true, that would have made a great follow-up episode to explain how he returned to normal before "Riddler's Reform," and also set the stage for it.
@@wisconsinking323 ruclips.net/video/Z3SFugA_KnQ/видео.html they talk about it a little later on in the vid
Cluemaster?
I've always loved the Riddler, never understood why he has not been more appreciated and utilized as a Batman villain
I love the Riddler in Batman TAS. The animators drew his face and facial characteristics in such a way that it reminds me of Fred Astaire.
I like how they always draw him with that crooked smirk. It's so fitting to his character.
And speaking of ol' Fred, John Glover's performance is not too far off from Astaire's voice, so maybe that was intentional.
Unfortunately, like I said before, "If You're so Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?" was the only Riddler episode I got to watch as a kid. So, really, my experience with "What is Reality?" comes from that level of Adventures of Batman & Robin. And let me tell you, Batman running from sentient chess pieces, collapsing floor panels, and laser hands is the most intense thing ever in that game.
The SNES Boss fight against the Riddler was tough! I think I beat it only once.
A question i ask myself all the time.
The animation on this episode is fucking insane compared to the usual one on this show.
3:35 - Damn, that's absolutely is Gravity Falls!
So that's where their inspiration came from...
Wait what I don't get it
From a design perspective, I prefer the use of red over green. While associate green with "digital" and is the Riddler's signature color, red plays more on our primitive instincts & draws attention to potential danger, something that both Batman & Gordon are in, while green gives a more calming, natural feel, truly the polar opposite of the situation.
3:55 Green would have made more sense at the time if you ever played Oregon Trail at that time. Black and Green were the colors of computers I used when this one aired.
Maybe he got that color palette from the Reddler!
😒😑😄
Hey Walter! I think you did an exceptional job of analyzing the visual and narrative elements which constitute this quintessential Riddler episode. Considering the apparent difficulty the writers had creating stories for the Riddler that effectively balanced flippancy and silliness with comprehensible challenges, this episode was capable of demonstrating that such issues were in fact surmountable given the appropriate set-up. What is Reality provided numerous classic riddles that Batman was subjected to, which eventually culminated in his entrance into the virtual world. As the concept and exploration of virtual reality was a popular and fecund topic for science-fiction narratives at the time, it seems rather fitting that BtAS would incorporate a virtual setting into plots at some point in the series. I agree that the Riddler was an excellent choice as the primary antagonist for an episode centric to virtual reality, as his avoidance of physical confrontation and preference for cerebral tests integrate well within a world devoid of normal limitations or practical constraints. This afforded the writers the opportunity to create fascinating, surreal, and colorful imagery to pit Batman against, which deviated greatly from the typical stylistic setting of noir Gotham. The grand scale and abstraction of the Riddler’s appearance and his threats were certainly intimidating and unique challenges for Batman to face, though I agree about the weakness of the ending and the ultimate demise of the Riddler. Batman usurps control from the Riddler in his own world and succeeds in outwitting him to rescue Gordon, though the Riddler, surprisingly, didn’t plan for this prospect and had no means of exiting his own created realm and escaping from his pursuers. I think it might have been more inline with his character had he feigned getting his mind trapped in the virtual world only to be missing once Batman locates his computer. Overall, the Riddler’s appearances in BtAS were rather sporadic and exceedingly limited for such an ironic and recognizable villain, and while the writers’ explanations were explicable for his lack of visibility, I still wonder what else could have been done with a character reliant solely on profound intellect to combat the dark knight.
Great work as always, Walter!
Ironic that after all this effort taken to erase the identity of Edward Nygma he tries to reform and go back to 'normal' next time. I also wish the 3rd Riddler episode's title was also a question, just to keep with the pattern.
not just one of my favorite riddler episodes but one of my favorite episodes period
I love this one. Finally got around to watching it a few weeks back & was so thrown off throughout. This kind of scenario would only work for The Riddler or Scarecrow, but it’s VR so that would make sense for the more quizzical antagonist
4:38 - 5:04 Why does this ending remind me so much of Black Mirror's 'USS Callister'? That had a similar more disturbing premise, and ended with the game designer is trapped in his virtual world near the end while his victims escape to have more adventures. Inspiration maybe kinda?
I feel the ending was likely their attempt at trying to deal with the difficulty of making stories for him, give him a sendoff after he got away scot free at the end of his alst appearance. But yeah given how Riddler's Reform ends, this should've ended with him getting away, making a neat trilogy.
Nygma: NOOOO! That's not how you're supposed to solve it!
Batman: Haha! Hammer go brrrrrrr!
Love the special opening to the video. Also really liked the episode. The visuals were interesting, I liked the virtual world riddler created and I do agree the ending was a little lackluster
I always saw this episode as an early metaphor for videogame or internet addiction. With how VR and the net has evolved over the years, it's the most prevelant once Gordon becomes trapped in that vitual reality, just as we all do on a desktop computer, laptop, phone and/or videogames. And this is coming from a gamer.
My buddy and I still joke about how Batman solved the coin riddle to find Gordon. Quarters, red cent, copper, head. Police hqs room 101.
Love this show.
Jim Carey's depiction of batman was on point he showed the riddler as the enigma he is a mystry to himself first and then even believing he is batman!🤯
Thank you for the episode.
Boy, did I love this one! They did not use the Riddler nearly enough, and I was fascinated by virtual reality games in the early 1990s because they were among the latest technological fads. The episode also reminded me of TRON, a movie that had mesmerized me when I was a kid. My only complaint is - again - the ending.
personality i think Red was the better color here, as it helps deliver a sinister vibe, cause we're not playing games with The Riddler this time, oh no... this is a battle of wits.
3:54 green hurts your eyes a lot, I can say this from experience.
Thank you for posting this on my birthday. Again. 😊🎂
04:03
Riddler: Move according to the rules or it’s the end of the day.
Channel Awesome: Bat May!
New comment: Watching this episode again, it's quite creative, especially the VR portion. However, the scheme involving Riddler stealing people's bank accounts and deleting his own records doesn't get anywhere, and the ending opens a can of worms.
"What is Reality?" is a good follow up, but you also see a good episode that could be great. Much like Mr. Freeze and Two-Face, there is a code of honor for the Riddler. He encourages a battle of wits. The only time he loses it when someone cheats. Mockridge cheated Nygma. Batman cheated to get to the Minotaur (with magical evaporating hacking skills. He can override a flying hand in seconds but can't handle VR?) And even in this episode, Batman is just trying to break the Rubik's cube instead of solving it.
It was quaint how easy erasing your identity was perceived back in the 90s. Hack a few computers, delete a few files and burn the hard copies and you're done. Would have been a great follow up to see what Riddler planned to do with that blank slate.
Remote control via mini computer is less complex than a virtual reality simulation
I can bet it was hard writing up good stories for Nigma. Granted because there's only so much you can do with him BUT as one of my favorite Bat Rogues, I really would've loved to see him more in the series instead of the long pause we had until Season 3. But hey, Riddler's best riddle in my opinion will always be....... "What is Reality?" Great review BTW Walter
Ah the 90s. The decade of virtual reality.
This is no state of mind, this is reality
Since you like the idea of Riddler always being out there, I actually had an idea for an ending they could have used if there had been more Riddler focused episodes. Riddler is finally caught and put in prison, the guard stating that they're gonna lock him away. The Riddler, after confirming what the guard said to be true, just smiles and gives the guard a riddle: "How long will it take before I escape?" Ominously hinting that he already has a plan to do so and is simply waiting for the right moment.
This is the best riddler episode
I love the Bat-May? intro.
Love it when stories play to the villain’s psyche. Riddler creates a world where he is king, because in the real world his intelligence alone isn’t enough to overcome Batman, and he can’t stand it.
Episodes like this really make you wish the Riddler had more to do, but I also think it is kind of understandable why he had such limits put on him. Riddler works really well with technology like computers and the like, which sadly were only just starting to really be a thing in the 90s. Now it's way easier to give the Riddler the means to go toe to toe with Batman. Just look at the Arkham Games.
3:52 it is Walter, it is.
I honestly wonder if Nintendo was inspired by this episode to use red for the Virtual Boy's graphics. This episode came out in 92 and the Virtual Boy was 95
I remember watching this episode vividly when it aired, I had no idea at the time John Glover voiced him. I wish he lent his voice to the character more, it really fit him well.
I think Walter really likes this version of the Riddler lol.
To be fair he is really cool lol 🤷🏽♂️
I think green would've been too hard on the eyes. The red gives it a good enough aesthetic imo.
The chess riddle is one of the things that will never leave by memories about this show
The third Riddler episode, _Riddler's Reform,_ is my favorite of the three. Sucks that it's all the way back in the third season, and likely won't be gotten to this year.
4:35
When a little kid on GTA V online joins your party and has a headset.
The Riddler didn't lose control of his virtual world until Batman pointed out that he was splitting his focus
love the content
3:43
Huh...I never thought of that.
I think Batman should have disconnected the Riddler and taken him to a hospital where he could have gotten the medical treatment he apparently needed.
Seems like that's what happened, since next time we see him he's been "rehabilitated".
Not sure that would be a good idea. I mean, what if taking the helmet off kills him?
What´s up with all Riddler episodes and computer games?
We see all money disappear from the computers and I am instantly reminded of the computer fear of the 90s. Like Riddlers last appearance, this one feels dated - sure VR, like Oculus rift, still exist but its the same problem with it like it was then - its too expensive and to few wants to use it because you look stupid wearing it. But it is an upgrade (get it! hehe) from his last episode.
The main issue here is the plot, which is non-existent. Everything is a game for the Riddler yet he somehow takes his time stealing the "only physical copy" of his information, but why does that information matter if no one can find the Riddler anyway and what stops a policeman like Gordon from simply writing it all down again. Batman doesn't really need his batcomputer either to remember the Riddler. And if the whole episode is to trick Batman into wearing the helmet for the game, why not fry his brain the moment he does so? And why are the Riddler caught in his own game? Even if the Riddler gets caugth, I would have preferred an ending where batman does not get a lucky break that Riddler can´t handle his own program. Bad resolution for this episode.
But the animation is great (and it makes Riddle of the Minotaur even more crappy). I love the scenes, the dialogue, the banter - everything but the plot itself. It is a pleasure of an episode to watch and they really take advantage of the 3D technology. The surrealist feel is strong and if you are able to ignore the plot and just sit back and enjoy the animation, this one is a must seen. Also, Robin is back - and he is actually funny in this one! And Nygma as a god-like being works, as Walter says, really well in service of the animation in his virtual world. I would have preferred if the entire episode was inside it instead of only the majority.
There are indeed many reasons to watch this - but the (lack of) plot stops it from becoming a truly great episode.
Verdict 3 out of 5 bats.
Box.
More like cone!!!!
It's too bad the proper follow-up to this episode got canned. The crew had made a script where Riddler basically goes body-hopping via electric devices until he's back in his OWN body. There's also a cancelled episode where Riddler was to take over Wayne Tower and turned the place into its own series of death traps but it was scrapped due to feeling too much like, "If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Rich?
Riddler to Gordon "I'll have to put you on the game grid."
Disappointed that between this and Riddler's reform, they never explained how he got better.
Same way Joker got better from falling into the ocean with a very hungry and agitated shark, I guess.
I like how, in threatening to brute force his way into the final puzzle box, Batman managed to trick Riddler into brute forcing himself in a self-inflicted DDOS attack.
A Maze Ing how deadly these puzzle traps can be and many do enjoy them well not life dangerous ones as the famous Jig Saw would say .
" live or die make your choice . "
Another great Riddler was portrayed by Robert England in THE BATMAN.
Oh yeah, that version looked how Marilyn Manson would design a Riddler costume for himself.
A note about England's Riddler is that before he tells a riddle he says, "Tell me..." instead of "Riddle me this..."
Eh. The costume choice was dreadful compared to this dapper chap. Didn't even wear a bowler hat.
I love the riddler episodes!
This was a good one
Knight fall... Riddler's riddles are great, but they border on Dad jokes from time to time. lol
Still, this is one of my favorite episodes of the series.
I always liked this episode growing up.
The virtual landscape sort of reminds me of the Scarecrow encounters from the Arkham Asylum game it's a shame those games couldn't have adopted a similar approach to the Riddler on top of having those world puzzels just the thought of Batman being trapped in a virtual Tron like a puzzle by a Omniscient and Omnipotent Administrator aka Riddler seems like it would have been a no brainer.
4:04 that was voiced by John Glover
They might have chosen red since the Nintendo Virtual Boy system had an all red and black color scheme in their games
Johnny Bravo also seem to have used this concept in their Virtual reality episode
SNAP-BACK TO REALITY!
OH THERE GOES GRAVITY JOE HE SO MAD BUT HE WON'T GIVE IN THAT EASY
@@joshuaobryan4896
Nice
Still on my favorite top 5 batman villains in this series
At the start of the video I thought the video quality had dropped and got really confused
I assume the red digital world was meant to reflect the Virtual Boy from Nintendo that I think was around the same time as this episode.
I just find it a little interesting that he would have something like that now but wouldn't have it by the time the new Batman adventures arrived and wouldn't have give something like that to Terry by the time of Batman beyond you think by that time. A palm top would actually be you know visible and also have like a CD screen or something LCD screen or something where Bruce can project himself I don't know I'm just thinking here. LOL
This reality my mentality everything changes so rapidly
Reality is nothing, yet everything at the same time.
If the planet was equitable I would have my old job.
World's Fair Exposition, LOL.
Ransomeware? This episode hit’s a bit to close too home today.
Nice retro opening.
In fhe Batman TAS game from SNES, Riddler boss fight is this episode
I agree that it would’ve been better if Riddler was never caught. Would’ve been cooler to have him always out there plotting and watching
4:08 he laughed at his own jokebut it started lagging
Anyone felt sorry for the Riddler at the end of this episode? Feels pretty grim...
Back to life, back to reality
Ooh I love this one!
So is the Riddler a little buff or kinda in shape? Because we never do see an actual physique of the Riddler other than being boney and just skilled enough to defend himself in later adaptations of him.
A red virtual world , so riddler invent the virtual boy!
When I think about the ending of this episode, I believe it was an attempt to stop using the riddler in future episodes. From what I heard, the writers had extreme difficulty coming up with riddles to add to the script.