Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind

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“Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind”
The Batman episode
Episode no. Season 3
Episode 39
Guest stars D.A.V.E. voiced by Jeff Bennett, Prof. Hugo Strange voiced by Richard Green
Written by Alexx Van Dyne
Directed by Brandon Vietti
Production no. 313
Original airdate March 3, 2007.
Episode chronology
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"The Icy Depths" "A Matter of Family"
List of The Batman episodes

"Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind" is the thirty eighth episode of the television series The Batman. It originally aired in North America on Saturday March 3 2006.

Contents

[edit] Plot synopsis

Professor Hugo Strange introduces the Digitially Advanced Villain Emulator (D.A.V.E.). An a.i. designed to help the Gotham PD capture criminals, it has been programmed with the psychological profiles of The Batman's greatest enemies all rolled into one. When D.A.V.E. manages to upload itself off of the Arkham and server proclaims himself to be "Gotham's ultimate criminal mastermind". It's up to The Batman now, to defeat Gotham's ultimate criminal mastermind.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The episode starts in Arkham Asylum, where Professor Hugo Strange gives a conference about his latest invention, which promises to revolutionize crimefighting against Gotham's greatest criminals: an AI by the name of D.A.V.E.(Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator), which possesses in its brain the psychological patterns of Batman's most powerful enemies: Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Joker, Riddler, Clayface, among others; an AI so advanced, it was preprogrammed with hints of being a human criminal whose sentence was to live a life within a computer. The demonstration, which is held before some of Gotham's most important people, including Mayor Marion Grange, Commissioner Gordon, and Bruce Wayne, initially is a grand success, with D.A.V.E. demonstrating considerable insight into the crimes he was designed to solve. Problems arise when D.A.V.E., responding to a remark by Strange, apparently creates a small blackout in the room, and flees across the Arkham Internet server. Strange is upset, and remarks Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind has just made his escape.

Wayne understands Strange's behaviour, as D.A.V.E. could commit crimes matching anyone within its profile. Gordon, however, does not seem concerned, as D.A.V.E. cannot commit any crime without a body. Responding to this, D.A.V.E.'s programming enters a factory of mechanical compounds and advanced robotics, and reprogramming the machines' instructions, he makes a powerful cybernetic body for himself. Then, using a laptop computer, it transmits a message through the airwaves of Gotham, and warns the citizens he is about to commit the Ultimate Crime. Using a remark of D.A.V.E.'s message, Bruce and Alfred deduct D.A.V.E.'s target: Gotham's most powerful computer system.

D.A.V.E., meanwhile, infiltrates the facility and easily accesses the main information vault, displaying impressive reflexes, strength, agility, various gadgets built into his robotic body, and the ability to control machines. Once he reaches the main data server, he is ambushed by Batman. Both fight, and D.A.V.E. makes away with the server anyway, almost killing Batman in the fight. Then, D.A.V.E. transmits another message, and using the stolen server, empties all of the money from Gotham's main banks' accounts into his, creates a massive blackout through Gotham, and makes several buildings display his name with their lights. After this, another fight with Batman ensues.

D.A.V.E. easily dominates the encounter, and, again, nearly kills Batman, even while he held him high with his metallic hand, in a perfect position to snap Batman's neck, he preferred to let him go, saying he wanted his defeat to be the Ultimate Defeat, displaying a strange cliché attitude: always wanting the Ultimate, never setting for anything less; overly complicating plans to demonstrate his ego, etcetera. Returning to Wayne Manor, Bruce analyzes D.A.V.E.'s original programming, and makes a startling discovery: Strange himself preprogrammed D.A.V.E. to escape Arkham's server.

Batman enters Strange's Arkham office, and overpowers him. Strange admits he constructed D.A.V.E. to take down Batman, as he finds his obsession with criminals as much as interesting as the criminals' own, and also admits he programmed his own psychology into D.A.V.E.'s brain, and filled it with the urge to destroy Batman. When Batman demands he shut down D.A.V.E., Strange mocks him, saying it's not an option, since he no longer controls it. He then retorts with something more disturbing: D.A.V.E., after gathering enough data, has likely discovered all there is to know about Batman. As soon as Strange finishes saying this, a bell rings in Wayne Manor, and Alfred goes to open the front door. Standing there is D.A.V.E., who casually asks if Batman's home.

Batman returns to his lair, where he finds D.A.V.E. standing on one of Riddler's hourglasses. D.A.V.E. then shows Batman two options, linked to two buttons, one wired to his Bat-Wave, another to the remains of Scarface's giant robot. The Bat-Wave button is set to transmit Batman's identity across Gotham, deactivating the second button in the process. The second button, however, is set to make the dummy chew on a rope, which is in turn connected to one of Joker's jack-in-the-boxes, which, when activated, is set to send a giant penny flinging high into the air, crushing Alfred upon landing-but cancelling the broadcast as well-a game D.A.V.E. dubs the No-Win Situation. Then, Batman chooses not to play D.A.V.E.'s game, and instead fights him hand-to-hand, knowing he shall lose. D.A.V.E., during the fight, pauses to explain how he deducted the Batman's identity, and gloats about the fact he's forfeiting both his identity and Alfred because of the fight. Batman manages to sever some of Alfred's bonds, but, sent flying against a wall, is unmasked by D.A.V.E.. Then, he realizes D.A.V.E.'s weakness: all of the villains' personalities are present in his brain, and, asking him about his own origin, he sends them all in conflict, short-circuiting D.A.V.E. and sending him next to Joker's jack-in-the-box. Alfred manages to break the chains restraining him, and Batman promptly presses the button that spells D.A.V.E.'s doom: the rope is cut, and the penny is sent through the air, crushing D.A.V.E. underneath and cancelling the transmission.

The final scene depicts Strange, now deemed insane and locked in his own asylum, muttering to Batman he should not be too confident about destroying Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind, as it is Strange himself...

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Trivia

  • DAVE knows the origins of others, except himself.
  • When Penguin's picture is displayed on DAVE, his prison number is a "backwards F" 15H3. In the style of 'leet speak' by looking close, it spells FISHE, as in Fishy.
  • According to D.A.V.E.'s computer, there are six major banks in Gotham: Gotham Mutual, Gotham Bank, Bank of Gotham, G.C. Bank, Gotham Loan, and Gotham Capital.

[edit] Quotes

  • Strange: Imagine: peering into the depths of the criminal mind, unlocking its terrible secrets. I, Professor Hugo Strange, bring you the next generation in crime-fighting technology. [unviels a sinister-looking machine] The Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator, or D.A.V.E.
    [a miniscreen on D.A.V.E. scrolls through images of Gotham's criminals]
    Strange: D.A.V.E. is made up of the combined psychological profiles of the most diabolical criminals committed to Arkham Asylum. Designed to mimic their very thought patterns, D.A.V.E. can be relied upon to better catch these criminals, even anticipate their crimes before they're committed. D.A.V.E.'s artificial intelligence is so advanced, he doesn't even realise he's a computer program.
    Commissioner Gordon: Professor, can we trust A.I. technology that thinks its a criminal?
    Strange: Perhaps a demonstration will allay your concerns, Commissioner.
    D.A.V.E.: Good evening, Gotham PD, how may I assist you?
    Strange: Now, D.A.V.E., what would you make of the theft of twelve tonnes of ostrich feathers and a break-in at a chemical factory, both in the same night?
    D.A.V.E.: A Joker scheme. The crime clown will attempt to have all of Gotham City tickled to death using feathers coated with a Joker toxin, unless his ransome demands are met. A respectable crime, to be sure... though I personally would commit something more elaborate.
    Strange: [mocking smile] If your mind didn't happen to be sentenced to life in this electronic prison, D.A.V.E.
    D.A.V.E.: On the contrary, Professor, as long as I have my mind, Gotham City shall never be safe.
    :[Strange smiles nervously and whimpers an excuse to the gathered citizens. Suddenly there is a temporary blackout. A mass of electricity exits D.A.V.E.'s box and darts into the electrical systems of the whole city. The blackout ends.]
    Strange: [hastily checking D.A.V.E.'s box] D.A.V.E.? Are you there? D.A.V.E.?
    Commissioner Gordon: What happened?
    Strange: D.A.V.E. has uploaded himself off the server. Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind has just escaped.
  • Strange: [Fiddling with the keys on DAVE's box] Hmmm. I've no idea what could have caused this glitch.
    Commissioner Gordon: Better call one of the techies down here.
    Strange: Perhaps... we should call the Batman instead.
    Commissioner Gordon: The Dark Knight fights real criminals, Professor, not floppy disks.
    Strange: A real criminal is exactly what the Digitally Advanced Villain Emulator thinks it is.
    Bruce Wayne: How can D.A.V.E. not realise it's a computer program if it just uploaded itself?
    Strange: The criminally insane create their own reality, Mr. Wayne. And now, I fear D.A.V.E. will attempt to carry out his pre-programmed super-villain impulses.
    Commissioner Gordon: And how is it supposed to do that without a body?
    [The next scene shows D.A.V.E. using a metal-modelling factory to build himself a body]
  • D.A.V.E.: Hello, Gotham. I am D.A.V.E.. For years you have listened to the idle threats of criminals who have vowed and failed to bring the city to its knees. Well, I am no ordinary criminal. I am Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind. And I'm about to prove that even the most heavily-guarded institutions cannot stop me from committing the Ultimate Crime. A crime of such scope and such genius that soon, all of Gotham will be mine.
  • Alfred: (to Batman after D.A.V.E.'s defeat) D.A.V.E. shall make the Ultimate Addition to the trophy room, sir.
  • D.A.V.E.: (to Alfred) Hello. Is the Batman home?
  • D.A.V.E.: (after eliminating all the guards) Estimated lack of consciousness: ten minutes, thirty-four seconds. Estimated completion of data acquisition: nine minutes, fifteen seconds.
  • D.A.V.E.: (after eliminating two guards) A million possible security codes. Let's try them all! (D.A.V.E. tinkers with the vault's code input terminal, which opens in seconds. As the vault doors open, he sees the corridor before him is full of lasers) Timing is everything. (He carefully hops through the corridor, avoiding the lasers)
  • Bruce: (about D.A.V.E. to Alfred) According to this, D.A.V.E.'s escape from Gotham PD wasn't a glitch. It was preprogrammed.
    Alfred: How very odd.
    Bruce: Not odd, Alfred. Strange.
  • D.A.V.E.: Ah, the central data server. Gotham City, in the palm of my hand.
  • D.A.V.E.: Hello again, Gotham. Now the preparations are complete, on with the crime itself, involving all Gotham's major banks. Now most great crimes are built on a foundational monetary gain: diamonds, gold, art, etc. But go for mere money is so passé these days. That is, unless one steals... everyone's money. (Scene cuts to a bank's front ATMs, where several people notice how D.A.V.E.'s instructions empty all bank accounts) Voila! I mention not. The Ultimate Crime should induce mass hysteria, because fear is a felon's friend. (DAVE's laptop links to Gotham Power Grids, which instantly throw all city into shadows) Oh, and what crime would be complete without the personal touch: my calling card? (Buildings all across town start flashing D.A.V.E.'s name with their lights) And there you have it, Gotham. The Ultimate Crime.
  • Scientist (Seeing D.A.V.E.) What are you?
    D.A.V.E.: (to the scientist) Not "what". "Who". I like your coat.
  • D.A.V.E.: (to Batman) You probably want your tracking device back? Another predictable move.
    Batman: Then my next move won't surprise you either. (throws an explosive device)
    D.A.V.E.: (dodges the explosion and attacks Batman) Not only am I smarter than you, Batman. I am faster and stronger.
  • D.A.V.E.: The Batman. You're late.
    Batman: Didn't know I was expected.
    DAVE: My superior intellect considers all possible actions, including the most predictable ones.
  • D.A.V.E.: With one snap, I can accomplish what no villain has before, but breaking bones is also passé. Your defeat must be the ultimate defeat. So until we meet again, Batman, today's crime concludes with this; my getaway!
  • D.A.V.E.: (to Batman after defeating him) So, Bruce Wayne, you longer need to hide behind this. (unmasks Batman)
  • Batman: D.A.V.E., why are you doing this?
    D.A.V.E.: Did you say "why"? Why do you dress like a bat? Why do you fight crime? Why do we do anything, Batman? I do what I do because I have made it my purpose. Like you have made it yours to stop me, but shall fail trying. (Cuts Batman's rope, which drops him above a security grid) Go ahead, Batman, save yourself.
  • Bruce: Very impressive. You have all the answers, D.A.V.E., except one. Every great super-villain has an origin too. What's yours?
    D.A.V.E.: My origin? I... I... fell into a chemical bath.
    Bruce: That's Joker.
    D.A.V.E.: A cryogenic mishap. (Stutters) No, I-I lost my family fortune.
    Bruce: Freeze. Penguin.
    D.A.V.E.:(Stuttering) I-I was a mad psychiatrist using Arkham as my cover!
    Bruce: That's Professor Strange, your creator. You can't remember your origin, because it doesn't exist. You're a computer program.
    D.A.V.E.: (malfunctioning) But I'm Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind!... I consider all the possibilities!... How... could I not... consider... this?
  • D.A.V.E.: (to Batman) Don't let my appearance fool you, Batman. My mind is most human, or should I say "super-human"
  • Batman: Strange.
    Strange: Ah, the Dark Knight returns.
    Batman: D.A.V.E.'s escape was no accident, was it, professor?
    Strange: You are not suggesting that I deliberately released Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind?
    Batman: I'm suggesting that you might find Arkham a better home than office.
    Strange: The line between genius and insanity is often blurred.
    (Strange grabs a gun and fires, but Batman dodges and restrains him easily. He then notices the collection of Batman-related media on Strange's desk.)
    Batman: Didn't know you were such a fan.
    Strange: Your obession with criminals fascinates me as much as the criminals themselves.
    Batman: Shut down D.A.V.E. Now!
    Strange: I may have created D.A.V.E., Batman, but I no longer control him.
    Batman: Then tell me how to stop him.
    Strange: [evil grin] You can't. You see, he was designed to stop you. D.A.V.E. acted his crimes to bait you into encounters in order to study you.
    Batman: And why would he want to study me?
    Strange: Because I also programmed my psychology into D.A.V.E.'s brain. D.A.V.E. shares my fascination with you, Batman. And by now, he has probably learned all there is to know about you.
  • D.A.V.E.: Welcome home...Bruce.
    Batman: You should have told me you stopping by. The place is a mess.
    D.A.V.E.: Humor: often use as a con mechanism in high stress situations. But I'm not here to trade tips, Bruce. I'm here to destroy you. But how does one best destroy your alter ego...The Batman...when he allows to destroy himself? (pulls a giant Joker card, revealing Alfred in hostage)
    Batman: Alfred?
    D.A.V.E.: I present you with a game I call The No Win Situation. The red button is wired to your Batwave, which is set to transmit your secret identity to all of Gotham City. The blue button is wired to a device, that activated, would soon send your closest ally in the world to his doom. Press the blue button and you save Mr. Pennyworth, but reveal your secret identity. Press the red button and you protect your identity, but lose your dear friend. So, choose your poison, but choose it soon, because when this hourglass empties, you forfeit both...
    Alfred: Gotham needs the Batman more than you need a butler, sir!
    Batman: I've made my choice. (pause) None of the above. (breaks the hourglass)
    D.A.V.E.: How very predictable! I anticipated that you would try to create a third, more favourable option.
  • D.A.V.E.: (to Batman about how he knows about him) You probably want to know how I uncovered your secret. It was simple, really. Using information readily available to anyone, I began by narrowing down my search through Gotham's population of 750, 832 males. Those not falling inside Batman's probable age of 18 to 36 were eliminated. Medical records revealed body type matches. Tax records indicated those who possess the wealth and resources to create his technology. But the true key to the puzzle was deducing who of the remaining candidates had motive to become the Batman. After all, every great hero must have an origin. And when Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind put it all together, the answer was obvious; Bruce Wayne, son of the late Thomas and Martha Wayne.
  • Bruce: (to D.A.V.E., who is about to be crushed) You may not have a beginning. But now you have an end.
  • Strange: (in a cell in Arkham; last line in the episode) There will be other opportunities to peer behind the mask, Batman, for if you think you have defeated Gotham's Ultimate Criminal Mastermind... think again.

[edit] References

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    [edit] See also

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