10 Greatest Episodes of Batman: The Animated Series

3. Almost Got Em

Here it is the one you've been waiting for. When fans speak of BTAS, "Almost Got 'Im" is an episode that garners unanimous praise. Why shouldn't it? It's one of the best written, humorous, character-driven episodes, not only in BTAS but in the history of television. When detailing the finer points of the premise, it almost sounds like you're setting up a joke: Two Face, Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, and Killer Croc walk into a bar..." More specifically, they walk into the Stacked Deck Club where they plan to play some cards and unwind after a long day of evil dealings. How do they unwind? By trading stories of their various run-ins with the Dark Knight. That's about all the happens in the episode. Four characters sitting up, telling stories like in a classic staged play. Not your usual Saturday morning cartoon fare. But as you know, the Emmy is in the details. Almost everything the four villains do, the words that they speak, the drinks they've ordered, and just about every single personal effect is in some way or another, a small nod to their personality and neuroses. Watching this episode, and I mean really watching it, is a great way to get to know Batman's rogues gallery better. That's why BTAS fans have watched this episode over and over, trying to glean a new clue or tidbit. The crime story going on behind the scenes of the drama, involving Catwoman, is an afterthought considering the brilliance of the primary story's concept, but it does serve to showcase one of the better double crosses in BTAS history. If nothing else, the entire episode provides a stage for "Killer Croc" to deliver his greatest bonehead performance of all time. The tale of his encounter with the Dark Knight is one of the funniest moments in television history. If you don't agree with me, I'll throw a rock at you.