Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-38813560-20190919180245/@comment-4708902-20191022142103

I think the Batman TAS episode "Over the Edge" would have been better as a two parter and with a different ending. For those who don't know, "Over the Edge" is likely the darkest episode of Batman TAS ever. It begins with Scarecrow killing Batgirl... onscreen, and Gordon blames Batman for it. Thus begins a story similar to "The Fugitive" with Gordon bent on revenge for his daughter's death, but pursuing the wrong man. Nightwing and Alfred are arrested, Tim Drake is told to leave Batman for his safety, and Gordon even goes as far to recruit Bane.

Normally this would be a MAJOR status quo changer for any TV show. But this obviously CAN'T happen for something like Batman TAS since Barbra is seen alive and well in Batman Beyond. How did they solve it? They revealed that Scarecrow DIDN'T actually kill Barbra, but use his fear toxin on her. Granted it makes sense, but most fans agree that there could have been better ways to solve it.

If I could solve it, I'd have "Over the Edge" be a two parter. Part 1 would be the episode that we got. But Part 2 would be correcting Barbra's death. Part 2 would open with Jim's death, and Batman now in the despair event horizon and now is the most wanted criminal in Gotham. Now knowing that this is a no win scenario, he realizes that the only way to get out of this is to stop prevent Barbra's death. So he seeks out Doctor Fate (who had earlier been established in Superman The Animated Series) and begs for help to time travel back to the confrontation with Scarecrow and stop him before he can kill Barbra. The conflict would be Batman realizing that in some ways Jim WAS right about him, he put Barbra in danger by allowing her to become Batgirl and accept that he needs to be a better human. Ultimatly, Fate grants his wish, Batman time travels back, and stops Scarecrow. But since the timeline where Barbra died no longer exists, this Batman ceases to exist, but just before he vanishes, he suggests that Batgirl may want to consider leaving the team at some point. This would lead to her eventually joining the force after TAS.

Sorry this was so long, but I wanted to make sure you all understood it.