Meltdown (The Batman)

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“Meltdown”
The Batman episode
Episode no.	Season 2 Episode 20
Guest stars	Kevin Michael Richardson as the Dr. Mark Desmond, Frank Gorshin as the Professor Hugo Strange, Daran Norris as Brent
Written by	Greg Weisman
Directed by	Seung Eun-Kim
Production no.	206
Original airdate	June 25, 2005
Episode chronology
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List of The Batman episodes

"Meltdown" is the sixth of the second season and the twentieth episode episode of the television series The Batman. It originally aired in North America on 25 June, 2005.

1 Plot synopsis
2 Plot summary
3 Characters
4 Trivia
5 Quotes
6 See also

[edit] Plot synopsis

Ethan Bennett is captured and put on trial for his crimes as Clayface. He's released on probation but finds the temptations of a criminal life too great.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Ethan Bennett uses his abilities as “Clayface” to break into Arkham Asylum and take revenge on his “creator” - the Joker. Bruce has anticipated him, however, and is in the Asylum disguised as a guard. He rescues Joker and when Clayface refuses to back down, he tosses a cryogenic capsule into his body, quick-freezing him. The Joker takes advantage of the distraction to make his escape.

During Bennett’s trial, the state makes their case against him, and the defense calling Yin who explains how he was driven insane by the Joker. Bennett’s attorney also call Hugo Strange, the senior resident at Arkham, who claims he was temporary insane and is now cured. A doctor testifies that when Bennett doesn’t change, he will remain stable in his human form. Finally, Bruce testifies as a character witnesses and offers him a job as head of security at Wayne Industries. The judge releases him on probation but requires him to undergo periodic medical testing.

Bruce takes Bennett to his new job but the other security men aren’t too impressed, thinking Bruce is giving him the job only because of their friendship. Later Bennett meets with Yin, who reveals she doesn’t have a partner yet. Bennett is bored with his new life and misses his job as a policeman. When he accidentally runs into Chief Rojas, he shifts shape to avoid a confrontation. Bennett begins to lose his identity but then catches a newscast of a new Joker robbery where the villain managed to disappear without a trace off of the top of a high building.

That night Bennett is on duty running files on the Joker when he is tested - that night he goes to the museum where he believes the Joker’s next crime will take place. The Joker is there and Bennett confronts him. The Joker leaps off the building with Bennett but uses a pair of extendable clownshoe-stilts to break his fall. He drops Bennett who survives the fall by turning into clay and then attacking back. Joker flees and Batman intervenes and Bennett accuses him of interfering. Batman lets him off with a warning, telling him to home. The next day Wayne confronts Bennett over the test results which are inconclusive and tells him to get help - Bennett claims it was a momentary slip.

That night the Joker breaks into Wayne Industries and Bennett spots him. Reverting to Clayface, he confronts the Joker in an elevator shaft and Batman shows up. Clayface is unrepentant and the Joker tries to make his escape but the two briefly team up to stop his escape. Bennett refuses to back down and attacks Batman. Batman tries the cryogenic capsule again but Clayface hardens his body against it and sends Batman plummeting down the shaft then thrusts him in front of a descending elevator car. The Joker encourages him, proud of his “son.” Clayface responds by taking the loot from Joker and leaving while Batman gets clear. Yin shows up and confronts Bennett, who reverts to human form and confesses he’s ready to turn criminal. Batman gave Yin one of his cryogenic capsules and she manages to get it into Clayface in liquid form, freezing him solid again. Now completely “Clayface,” Bennett is reconfined to Arkham and Bruce and Yin can do nothing but commiserate over their lost friend.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Trivia

Clayface and Joker return; this episode marks Joker's second appearance in the second season and fifth in the series.
Joker discovers that Clayface is Bennett.
This marks the second episode that Alfred does not appear in.
The Joker wears his straitjacket for the first time since The Bat in the Belfry.
There was an episode of Batman Beyond by this title that, ironically, featured also a villain who was trying to turn good.
It's revealed that, unlike Matt Hagen, Ethan can stay human as long as he wants to.
Hugo Strange is introduced. He has longer hair and a bulkier build than his Batman: TAS version, but still maintains his basic look.
This episode is a follow-up to first season's finale, The Clayface of Tragedy.

[edit] Quotes

Clayface: JOKER!!!
Joker: Detective Bennett... you're Clayface?
Clayface: You turned me into clay!
Joker: Funny. I was trying to turn you into dust.
Clayface: I'm gonna chop you down to size! (swings axe to Joker, but he misses him)
Joker: Who're you calling tall?! (punches Clayface but misses)
Guard: Alright, Joker. Time for your medicine.
Joker: But my dear flunkie, you left the meds outside.
Guard: [transforms into Clayface] Not the kind of medicine I had in mind!
Clayface: Out of the way, Bats! Joker has this coming!
Batman: No argument there, Clayface, but I'm not here to help him. I'm here to help you. (grabs an ice pellet and throws it to Clayface)
Clayface: (laughs) That's the best you have, Bats? (is suddenly frozen from inside by the pellet)
(after Clayface arrives in Joker's cell)
Joker: Either I'm crazy, or you're melting.
Clayface: It's payback time, Joker. You're going to suffer for making me what I am.
Joker: I'll take what I deserve, but do I know you?
Batman: (to Clayface) You're getting the help you need. (to Joker) As for you, Joker, consider yourself (looks and noticed that Joker escapes) lucky.
Joker: (after escaping Arkham) Clown about town!
Bennett: You're through, Joker!
Joker: Ah, detective, or should I say "nightwatch man".
Bennett: Oh, so you remember me now?
Joker: I never forget a face I've tormented. And speaking of happy days... (kicks Bennett to get free, then grabs him and jumps over the rooftop)
Bennett: Wait, stop!
(Joker's shoes raise up high to break their fall)
Joker: Now tell me these are spiffy clod helpers.
Bennett: Joker, listen!
Joker: To the sound of you going splat? Great idea! (shakes Bennett out of his jacket)
Joker: (after Clayface falls down and puts on his jacket) Think it goes with the shoes? (Clayface falls to the ground) Wowzer. That's a splat.
[Batman and Clayface stop Joker's getaway]
Joker" No fair! Two against one?!
Clayface: [chuckles] We make a pretty good team, Bats.
Batman: Forget it, Bennett. In your case, doing good is an act of self destruction.
Clayface: Still gonna have me take the hard road, Batman? Looks like it's time we settle our differences.
Batman: I'm not your enemy, Bennett.
Clayface: You're the only thing standing between me and my freedom.
Batman: You have options.
Clayface: Like prison or Arkham? Hmmm, I pick... [attacks Batman] eliminating witnesses!
Batman: That's the clay talking, Bennett!
Clayface: How do you know where Bennett ends and Clayface begins?!
[Batman tries to use a freeze pellet on Clayface, but Clayface hardens himself, causing it to bounce off]
Clayface: Saw that coming. Guess you'll have to learn a new trick, huh, Bats?
Batman: [To Ethan] It's not too late.
Ethan: Isn't it, Bats? [Slowly starts to turn into Clayface] Well here's the problem as I see it. Being Ethan Bennett is hard. Really hard. Being Clayface... is cake. So say your goodbyes. This is the last you'll ever see of him.
Clayface: JOKER!!!
Joker: Ah, Clayface. Just the do-gooder I was hoping to see.
Clayface: I'll be the last do-gooder you ever see!
Joker: Let's dance, Drippy
Joker: (while stealing artwork) Don't know what it is, but I know what I like!