- Title: Beware the Batman – Fall
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The mid-season finale of Beware the Batman picks up several loose threads from the show’s First Season including Katana‘s (Sumalee Montano) relationship with scientist Jason Burr (Matthew Lillard), the completion of the Ion Cortex, and the League of Assassins‘ interest in both. “Fall” also introduces the show’s first villain who proves more than a match for Batman (Anthony Ruivivar), as a rejuvenated Ra’s al Ghul (Lance Reddick) assumes control of the League and puts his plans into motion.
Along with offering flashbacks of a younger Alfred‘s (JB Blanc) first encounter with Ra’s al Ghul and the mission which took the life of Katana’s father and forced the spy to seek other forms of employment as a butler for the Wayne family, “Fall” also delivers flashbacks to the butler’s first meeting with a young Bruce Wayne and the lessons Alfred attempts to teach the boy at recognizing his limitations (which, as Alfred points out, is a lesson the Batman still has yet to fully comprehend).
The flashbacks and fight sequence between Ra’s and Batman demonstrate and overconfidence of Batman which leads to Ra’s quickly dispatching the detective. And with a few choice words the Demon’s Head also chips away at the trust between Alfred and Katana who now must stand together if they have any chance of saving both Batman and Gotham from Ra’s and the League of Assassins. Airing far later than originally intended, the episode still works as an exciting cliffhanger positioning several of the key figures of the series to deal with their darkest hour.