BEWARE THE BATMAN “Instinct” Review


Beware the Batman will be on break the next two weeks. Can this episode hold us until it returns?

In “Instinct“, Professor Pyg (Brian George) and Mr. Toad (Udo Kier) are up to their old tricks, attacking people who have “wronged” animals, and leaving clues for Batman (Anthony Ruivivar) and Katana (Sumalee Montano) in the form of nursery rhymes. Can Batman and Katana stop these animal-themed freaks?

This episode has a simpler plot than the last few episodes. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it allows the viewers to slow down for a bit. And don’t get me wrong, there is a sub-plot, involving Jason Burr (Matthew Lillard), who is acting strangely after the incident with Cypher.

But mostly, we have Pyg and Toad. Your enjoyment of the episode will probably depend on how much you like (or dislike) this duo. Back in the series premiere, I was not impressed with them at all, and judging from other reviews, I wasn’t alone in this.

Have they improved here? Yes, I suppose so. They came off as a bit more threatening here, but I still don’t find them creepy, although the voice actors try their best. I just can’t take them completely seriously, not with those costumes, and their personality. It seems they would fit better in Alice in Wonderland.

For me, the best part of the episode was the interactions between Batman and Katana. I am really enjoying the chemistry they have. I dare say they are a more interesting team than Batman and any Robin. All of their dialogue just works.

I’m not a fan of Pyg or Toad, but they weren’t awful, and certainly didn’t bring the episode down as much as the premiere, and I’m digging the Batman and Katana partnership. Also, the ending promises some good things in the future…