Lock-Up (episode)
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| Batman: The Animated Series episode | |
|---|---|
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| "Lock-Up" | |
| Airdate: | November 19, 1994 |
| Production Number: | 82 |
| Airdate Order: | 79 |
| Teleplay by: | Marty Isenberg & Robert N. Skir |
| Story by: | Paul Dini |
| Directed by: | Dan Riba |
| Episode images (2) | |
- You may also be looking for the villain Lock-Up.
"Lock-Up" is the ninth episode of the third season of Batman: The Animated Series. It originally aired on November 19, 1994.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Batman and Robin, having captured the Scarecrow, return him to the gates of Arkham Asylum. Scarecrow is shaking with terror, and begs them to let him go, saying he wasn't going to commit any more crimes, he only escaped to get away from... "him." Lyle Bolton, Arkham's imposing new chief of security, appears at the entrance and takes hold of Scarecrow, warning him that he's the first and last escapee from Arkham on his watch. Robin is impressed, but Batman detects menace beneath Bolton's professional demeanor.
As Bruce Wayne, he makes inquiries, and Dr. Bartholomew convenes a review hearing, attended by Wayne and Commissioner Gordon. It was the Wayne Foundation that endowed the new post at Arkham and suggested Bolton as "the perfect man for the job," but Wayne now says he has some misgivings.
During the hearing, Bolton is all civility and earnestness, but as Dr. Bartholomew questions the various inmates, it becomes clear that Bolton has cowed them into supporting his story. When Bruce Wayne recommends that Bolton's contract be extended for another six months, Harley Quinn panics and begins screaming that Bolton has been torturing them behind the walls of the asylum, rapidly seconded by Scarecrow and the Ventriloquist.
Bolton loses control and bellows that the inmates should be beaten near to death. Shocked, Dr. Bartholomew immediately fires Bolton, who goes completely crazy and says that he's been wrong: the real problem isn't the inmates, it's the soft-hearted police, doctors, and bureaucrats who refuse to recognize them for the scum they are. Swearing revenge, Bolton stalks out.
A few months later, when Batman has subdued another street thug, he is surprised to see what looks like an armored paddy wagon, manned by Bolton, now wearing a costume and calling himself "Lock-Up." He announces that, together, he and Batman will make Gotham safe: Batman will catch the crooks, Lock-Up will make sure they never see the light of day again. Batman refuses to accept Lock-Up's brand of "justice," and the two fight, but Lock-Up makes a getaway.
Later, in his hideout, Bolton watches an unflattering report on him by Summer Gleeson, and includes the media in his list of targets.
In short order, Lock-Up kidnaps Gleeson, Gordon, Dr. Bartholomew, and Mayor Hill. At first, Batman is unable to find Lock-Up's hideout, but Lock-UP leaves a cargo locker behind in his latest getaway with a serial number on it. Batman deduces that it is the registration number of a decommissioned naval vessel moored out at sea, that was used as a temporary prison while Stonegate Penitentiary was being built. Bolton was its chief of security.
Batman and Robin make their way out to the ship, which Bolton has booby trapped with automated deathtraps. Robin makes his way to the holding cells, where the hostages are kept, while Batman fights Bolton. Their fight accidentally triggers the ship's propulsion system, driving the ship onto a reef and causing it to upend. As the ship takes on water, Robin frees the hostages and gets them to safety.
Batman and Lock-Up fight each over directly above the ship's upturned propellers, but Batman manages to gain the upper hand and subdue Lock-Up.
To catcalls and jeers from the other inmates, Bolton, wearing a straightjacket, is ushered into his own cell at Arkham. He smirks, thinking that he's fooled them all: now he is in a perfect position to keep an eye on all the inmates.
[edit] Background Information
[edit] Trivia
- First appearance of Bruce Weitz in the DCAU; he later went on to voice ganster Bruno Mannheim on Superman: The Animated Series.
- Along with Harley Quinn and Renee Montoya, Lock-Up was one of a few original characters created for the DCAU who were incorporated into the mainstream comics continuity. In fact, Lock-Up's incorporation actually preceded that of Harley, the most prominent example of such characters.
- When Bolton goes berserk during the hearing scene, there is a humorous moment when Bruce Wayne, still in his guise of the indolent playboy, rather than the world's finest unarmed combatant, subdues Bolton by "accidentally" tripping him .
[edit] Cast
[edit] Quotes
Robin: Another fine villain brought to us courtesy of the Wayne Foundation. |
[edit] External links
- Episode Review on World's Finest: [1]
| Previously produced episode: "Harley's Holiday" | Episodes of Batman: The Animated Series | Next produced episode: "Make 'Em Laugh" |
| Previously aired episode: "Batgirl Returns" | Next aired episode: "Deep Freeze" |
