Robin John Blake
"You gotta learn to hide the anger, practice smiling in the mirror. It's like putting on a mask." ....and a mask you shall put on. John Blake had one role in this movie: prove that anyone can be Batman - or more specifically, a hero. His presence ultimately had no effect in regards to the story. In fact, his role was only possible because Gordon was bedridden in the hospital - when Gordon gets out, his importance to the story diminishes almost immediately. He was only a detective in the movie for convenience's sake as he could have easily been just as effective as an innocent bystander. Unlike Gordon, he called for the return of Batman because it gave civilians someone to depend on, someone to look up to, not because he needed someone to take care of Bane. He represented
hope in a city falling into despair - the usual role of a superhero mind you. In the end, Blake most likely personified Nolan's idolization of Batman as a figure of hope - a word that was practically shoved down our throats. The revelation that Blake's real name was Robin was probably a nod at raging fans, but all that aside, the final scene where he discovers the cave proved his ultimate place in the movie. He was to become the next Dark Knight....and he was rising. Perhaps he was the inspiration for the title? Importance In Story: 3/10 Effect Of Character: 8/10