Batman '66: 10 Things That Always Happen In Every Episode
The original Batman TV series might not be the darkest or the most emotionally-driven superhero show, but it was the first to give fans a long-running taste of Gotham's caped crusader. While Robert Patterson might currently be wearing the cape and cowl, it was Adam West that set the bar for all future incarnations that followed.
As timeless as the '66 series is considered, that doesn't mean it wasn't formulaic or prone to a few superhero cliches. Of course, it was entertaining to see Batman and Robin lock horns with the likes of the Joker, Riddler, and Penguin, but it did get a bit predictable after a few episodes.
While Batman isn't the only show guilty of this, it's remarkable how often each episode begins with a peaceful scene in one of Gotham City's many venues being explosively or disastrously interrupted by a villain's fiendish plot. Sometimes it's an explosive prank from the Riddler or the Penguin waddles in with one of his many trick umbrellas, but the villain always starts the episode's action.
To be fair, Batman and Robin don't make the scene until there's a reason for them to be called into action, but it seems logical that they would run into their villains sooner or later while out on patrol. With only 30 minutes per episode, it's best to get the ball rolling early.
For Gotham City's Finest, Commissioner Gordon really needs to rethink some members of his police force. While it's understandable for the police to be easily duped to make Batman and Robin look better, sometimes they're outright dumb. Chief O'Hara is a particularly repetitive offender, but at least his heart's in the right place.
Batman is the "World's Greatest Detective," but when members of the audience can deduce the Riddler's puzzles or identify the criminal before the chief of police can, it's time to get a better police force. At the end of the day, it's no wonder Gotham has so many costumed criminals running amuck.
Since the Bat-Signal is essentially useless during daylight hours, Commissioner Gordon relies on the iconic red Batphone to contact the Caped Crusader. After a crime has been committed by one of Batman's Rogues Gallery, Gordon will dial the phone, Alfred will answer and report to Bruce and Dick, and the dynamic duo are soon on the case. Rinse and repeat for three seasons.
While the red blinking phone is an iconic prop from Batman lore, it's also one of the elements that keep the show in a repetitive formula. Similar to the opening scenarios, it's simply a way to get the action started sooner.
Where modern incarnations of the Caped Crusader might have a more high-tech method of suiting up to take on the forces of evil, the '66 series relied on a quicker, but sillier, method of slipping into their costumes. After taking the call from Commissioner Gordon, Bruce will make up some excuse to Aunt Harriet or whatever company he's entertaining and invite Dick to join him. A flip of the switch and they're off to fight crime as Batman and Robin.
Although it's a quick change once they enter the Batcave, slipping into those suits so far can't be a comfortable experience. Batman's utility belt is able to handle a lot of things, but having it suddenly slapped against a body only covered by tights and spandex would definitely make him walk a little slower to the Batmobile.
After the special guest villain completes the first portion of their crime, the show will at some point cut to their hideout where they address their gaggle of costumed goons the grand scheme of their plan. It might be something as straightforward as a diamond heist or it might be a huge revenge plot with all the trimmings and trappings of a comic book issue, but some fiendish plot will soon unfold.
This is done not only to give the villain a chance to perform but to work as an exposition device as well. It might be playing to the audience, but that's also part of the show's charm and identity.
Most, if not all, of the series's episodes are two-parters. The first part has the villain enact the first portion of their evil plot, sending Batman and Robin out to investigate. But when the Dynamic Duo gets the drop on the bad guy of the week, the tables are turned and they are put in some sort of outlandish deathtrap.
Ultimately, cliffhangers are often a solid method of making sure an audience comes back for more, and this was certainly the case for the '66 Batman series. "Same Bat-time, same bat-channel" might be one of the most memorable calls to the audience to grace the airwaves, and it definitely kept fans tuning in for the thrilling conclusion.
While the villain might briefly take down Batman and Robin in the first episode, Gotham's heroes will undoubtedly escape their trap through some means within the first five minutes of the following conclusion. This is normally thanks to some gadget or gizmo in Batman's utility belt, but sometimes the escape is a little too convenient.
To be fair, there were several traps that were particularly hideous, but all it took was one well-armed gadget to get away. After a certain period of time, it seems like the villains would at least stay behind to watch Batman and Robin meet their doom.
While the Dynamic Duo is tangling with their trap, the villain goes on to enact the second stage of their plan. This is briefly successful for a while, as the jewel is stolen, the politician held hostage, or the money of the bank lining their pockets. But just when they're ready to escape, Batman and Robin swoop in at the last minute.
Watching the villains, especially characters like the Riddler, Joker, and Egghead, relish in their victory is diabolically infectious. It's truly a well-earned moment where these famous character-actors get their chance to shine.
Of course, after Batman and Robin make their triumphant appearance, an all-out brawling blitz breaks out as they try to stop the villain and their gang of goons. What transpires is an over-the-top action sequence with tons of goofy stunts and gimmicky effects, namely the iconic comic-book-styled onomatopoeias that slam onto the screen.
Every POW, SMACK, BIFF, and WHAM lands with such intense gusto that it's easy to get sucked into the nature of the show. It's practically the climax of every episode, a staple of Batman's fighting style, and even modern fans have a certain appreciation for it.
While it might be considered cliché and pandering by today's standards, the one thing that every episode of the series had to have was Batman and Robin always coming out on top by the concluding episode. The good guys always win, the villains are locked away in Gotham State Penitentiary, and the pair of crimefighters are praised and thanked. It's standard superhero procedure.
The ongoing battle of good and evil is a conflict that will always draw viewers in, whether that's in comic books, TV shows, or movies. As predictable as the show might be by today's standards, it still represents the core values and elements that audiences want out of a superhero adaptation, and there's not a Batman around that doesn't take at least something from the original series.