The Batmobile pulls up in front of Arkham Asylum but instead of Batman, Mr. Napier, formerly known as the Joker, gets out. He is led to a cell where Batman is chained up. “I need your help, Batman.”

Flashback to one year ago, Batman is pursuing Joker all over town. This chase leads Batman over roofs, through a construction site, into a factory storing pills. Batgirl who was riding in the Batmobile with Bruce complains that he never listens.

As Batman follows the Joker into the factory alone, Joker explains his point of view. He believes that the two of them have a partnership. Joker challenges Batman with more difficult situations to make him stronger. Joker says, “I’m your greatest villain because I’m your biggest fan.” Batman flatly denies any relationship with Joker.

In a particularly harsh moment Batman says that Joker doesn’t matter to him, to Gotham or anyone. Mad and hurt Joker contends that Batman has no understanding about what Joker is capable of. He states that he could have turned Gotham again Batman anytime he wanted to but he chose not to, due to of their connection. The only reason Gotham keeps Batman is because they are terrified of Joker.

As Batman and Joker continue to fight more people arrive on the scene, Nightwing, Batgirl, Commissioner Gordon, Bullock and others. Joker makes valid points about Batman being scared to have a family, Robin’s death, and police suffering due to Batman’s intervention. Joker continues his monologue that Batman is Gotham greatest villain, even though Batman is beating him senseless.

Weakened from the beating and surrounded by people Joker hands Batman a prescription bottle of pills and says he could get better with these. Batman holds Joker’s mouth open and dumps the contents down his throat while everyone looks on in horror. Unknown to Batman he was being recorded on someone’s phone.

The footage and the Batgate scandal go viral. Two newscasters take opposing views debating the Joker, police inaction and Batman’s accountability.

Outside Joker’s hospital room Commissioner Gordon and crew debate the ethics of Batman and GCPD’s attitude toward him.

At a Wayne enterprise building Dick and Barbara try to talk to Bruce Wayne about his lack of control. Instead of answering directly he takes them to a medical area where Alfred is hooked up to monitors and obviously very ill.

In his room Mr. Napier has regained consciousness and details his relationship with Batman as he saw it. “You hated me. And I loved you.” But now, it’s over and I have to move on.

The mayor and Commissioner Gordon argue about the ethics of vigilantism, whether it’s helpful or indirect police brutality. Dr. Thompkins enters with new information about Mr. Napier, he has been cured. Mr. Napier is now lucid and extremely intelligent. In fact he is researching his legal case against the GCPD.

When Commissioner Gordon has a talk with Mr. Napier he proves that he is ready to battle with a well thought out legal strategy. He thinks Gotham deserves better than Joker and Batman, it deserves Mr. Napier as the white knight.
- Ron C.

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