Ep 24. Mad As A Hatter

Mad As A Hatter is the twenty-fourth episode of the first season of Batman: The Animated Series. It originally aired on October 14, 1992.

The episode starts with Bruce Wayne attending a charity ball organized by Wayne Enterprises. Among the guests, he meets the brilliant inventor Jervis Tetch, who works for Wayne Enterprises. Despite his talent, Tetch is socially awkward and introverted, and he has a hard time connecting with others. Bruce tries to be friendly with him, but Tetch seems more interested in his new invention, a device that stimulates the brainwaves to increase intelligence.

Later that night, Batman is called to investigate a mysterious crime spree, where several high-profile people have been robbed of their prized possessions. The only common factor among the victims is that they all attended the charity ball. As Batman analyzes the evidence, he realizes that the robberies were not motivated by money, but by the search for an antique ruby that belonged to one of the victims.

Batman's investigation leads him to Jervis Tetch's laboratory, where he finds evidence that Tetch was the true mastermind behind the robberies. Tetch explains that he had developed a new invention, a mind-control device that he used to manipulate the victims and make them do his bidding. He also reveals that he is obsessed with a woman named Alice, whom he loves from afar, but who is unaware of his existence.

Batman realizes that Tetch has gone insane due to the prolonged use of his device, and he must find a way to stop him before he hurts anyone else. Batman confronts Tetch, but the inventor puts up a strong resistance, using his mind control device to make Batman fight against his allies.

The climax of the episode takes place in the abandoned Wonderland amusement park, which Tetch has turned into his personal hideout. Batman fights his way through Tetch's henchmen, including several robotic versions of Alice, until he finally reaches Tetch himself.

Without giving away any spoilers, Mad As A Hatter is a gripping episode that showcases the best of Batman: The Animated Series. It features a complex and nuanced villain with a tragic backstory, excellent voice acting, and beautiful animation that captures the noir-inspired style of the show. At the same time, it also explores the themes of addiction and obsession, as Tetch's descent into madness serves as a cautionary tale of what can happen when one becomes too enamored with their own inventions. All of this makes for a memorable viewing experience that both casual fans and die-hard Batman enthusiasts will appreciate.