EPISODE NUMBER: 19, Production Code 206

PLOT SUMMARY:

Ethan Bennett uses his abilities as “Clayface” to break into Arkham Asylum and take revenge on his “creator” - the Joker. Bruce has anticipated him, however, and is in the Asylum disguised as a guard. He rescues Joker and when Clayface refuses to back down, he tosses a cryogenic capsule into his body, quick-freezing him. The Joker takes advantage of the distraction to make his escape.

During Bennett’s trial, the state makes their case against him, and the defense calling Yin who explains how he was driven insane by the Joker. Bennett’s attorney also call Hugo Strange, the senior resident at Arkham, who claims he was temporary insane and is now cured. A doctor testifies that when Bennett doesn’t change, he will remain stable in his human form. Finally, Bruce testifies as a character witnesses and offers him a job as head of security at Wayne Industries. The judge releases him on probation but requires him to undergo periodic medical testing.

Bruce takes Bennett to his new job but the other security men aren’t too impressed, thinking Bruce is giving him the job only because of their friendship. Later Bennett meets with Yin, who reveals she doesn’t have a partner yet. Bennett is bored with his new life and misses his job as a policeman. When he accidentally runs into Chief Rojas, he shifts shape to avoid a confrontation. Bennett begins to lose his identity but then catches a newscast of a new Joker robbery where the villain managed to disappear without a trace off of the top of a high building.

That night Bennett is on duty running files on the Joker when he is tested - that night he goes to the museum where he believes the Joker’s next crime will take place. The Joker is there and Bennett confronts him. The Joker leaps off the building with Bennett but uses a pair of extendable clownshoe-stilts to break his fall. He drops Bennett who survives the fall by turning into clay and then attacking back. Joker flees and Batman intervenes and Bennett accuses him of interfering. Batman lets him off with a warning, telling him to home. The next day Wayne confronts Bennett over the test results which are inconclusive and tells him to get help - Bennett claims it was a momentary slip.

That night the Joker breaks into Wayne Industries and Bennett spots him. Reverting to Clayface, he confronts the Joker in an elevator shaft and Batman shows up. Clayface is unrepentant and the Joker tries to make his escape but the two briefly team up to stop his escape. Bennett refuses to back down and attacks Batman. Batman tries the cryogenic capsule again but Clayface hardens his body against it and sends Batman plummeting down the shaft then thrusts him in front of a descending elevator car. The Joker encourages him, proud of his “son.” Clayface responds by taking the loot from Joker and leaving while Batman gets clear. Yin shows up and confronts Bennett, who reverts to human form and confesses he’s ready to turn criminal. Batman gave Yin one of his cryogenic capsules and she manages to get it into Clayface in liquid form, freezing him solid again. Now completely “Clayface,” Bennett is reconfined to Arkham and Bruce and Yin can do nothing but commiserate over their lost friend.

WRITTEN BY: Greg Weisman

DIRECTED BY: Seung Eun-Kim

CAST:
Rino Romano (Bruce Wayne / Batman)
Steve Harris (Detective Ethan Bennett)
Ming-Na (Detective Ellen Yin)
Kevin Michael Richardson (the Joker)
Kevin Michael Richardson (Dr. Mark Desmond)
Frank Gorshin (Professor Hugo Strange)
Daran Norris (Brent)

QUOTES:
Orderly: Time for your medicine, Joker.
Joker: But my dear flunkie, you left the meds outside.
Orderly: (Changing to Clayface) That's not the kind of medicine I had in mind!

Joker: Detective Bennett ... You're Clayface?
Clayface: You turned me into clay!
Joker: Funny, I was trying to turn you into dust.

INTERESTING NOTES:
- Joker: TTFN. Ta-ta for now!
Quoting an often-used line from Disney's Winnie the Pooh. Tigger says "TTFN" while bouncing around on his legs, much like the Joker is using his super-enhanced mechanical legs here.

SCREEN GRABS: