Monday, September 23, 2013

Beware the Batman - Control


"Control" returns Dr. Jason Burr (Matthew Lillard), his crush on Tatsu (Sumalee Montano), and his work on the Cortex when the League of Assassins send Cypher to steal the invention for themselves. The choice of Cypher continues the series attempt to pull from lesser known Bat-villains, although the character is certainly given an upgrade to make this version far more intimidating than the original.

Batman (Anthony Ruivivar) and Katana's training sequence, which open the episode, helps set-up the pair forced to fight each other later in the episode when one, and then the other, falls under the mind-control of Cypher. The Burr/Tatsu relationship is goofy but not really interesting given how much of the episode is taken up by the physicist's awkward attempts to woo Bruce Wayne's bodyguard.

The episode is also notable for the extended opening credits which include Katana with her sword and mask (neither which are to be found in the episode). The method Cypher uses to control his victim's minds and actions (through the glowing cords coming out of his cyborg-body) seem to suggest they give him insight into his latest victim's mind. However, at no time does the episode suggest his control of Tatsu, and later Batman, gives the villain any knowledge of the Batman's secrets (before Batman fries his brain to end the episode).

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