Batman: The Animated Series/Joker's Favor

Joker's Favor
Season 1, Episode 7
Airdate	September 11, 1992
Production Number	522
Written by	Paul Dini
Directed by	Boyd Kirkland
← 1x06 It's Never Too Late	1x08 → The Cat and the Claw (2)
Batman: The Animated Series — Season One

This article about an episode needs to be expanded with more information. Please help out by editing it.

Joker's Favor is the seventh episode of the first season of Batman: The Animated Series.

Starring the Voices of: Kevin Conroy (Batman), Bob Hastings (Commissioner Gordon), Robert Costanzo (Detective Bullock), Efrem Zimbalist Jr. (Alfred)

Guest Stars: Ed Begley Jr. (Charlie Collins), Mark Hamill (The Joker), Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn)

Plot Overview

A man name Charlie Collins is driving on the highway one evening when he insults a fellow motorist. He shout out to the man "that for two cents he'd..." but before he can finish his sentence, the motorist drives alongside him and Charlie recognizes the motorist as The Joker,Arch Criminal of Gotham City.Charlie tries to elude him, but the Joker doggedly pursues him. Charlie, fearful of the Joker, desperately continues to try to escape. Just as it seems that he eluded him,he sees two pennies drop in front of him.The Joker stand over him,and challenges Charlie to do what to him for two cents.Charlie pleads with the Joker not to hurt as Charlie has had a bad day at his job,and with other Motorist cut him off in traffic. The Joker wants to teach Charlie a lesson about bad manners and just as he is about to strike Charlie, Charlie begs the Joker not to, that he will do anything he says. This appeals to the Joker. He accepts Charlie's promise to do him a favor. He also takes Charlie's wallet with his address to contact Charlie for the favor later. A year goes by and since then Charlie had moved away from his home. He and his wife and child are living somewhere out of state. Charlie had hoped to escape The Joker,and the favor for which he promised him. He was wrong. Charlie receives a telephone call from The Joker who somehow managed to track him down.The Joker calls in the favor. There is a banquet to be held in Commissioner Gordon's Honor. All of the Gotham Police will be there as well as the cream of Gotham society. There will also be some uninvited guests (the Joker and his henchmen of course). The Joker wants Charlie to help bring in a large cake. This cake, the Joker says, is a special cake. Charlie is not sure what the Joker is up to, but he knows it can't be good. So Charlie secretly uses a device to contact Batman. Bruce Wayne who is one of the guests decides to leave the banquet, but not before seeing Charlies warning to Batman. Bruce gets into his batsuit and arrives in time to prevent the Jokers dastardly crime: to blow-up Commissioner Gordon and the entire police department. The Joker uses paralysing gas to make each guest immobile. He also makes Charlie unable to move as his hand is glued on a doorknob. Batman crashes through the ceiling glass window. Charlie alerts him to a bomb which the Joker has put on Commissioner Gordon. Batman wraps and then shoots the bomb through the ceiling window outside, exploding the it just in time. The guests inside come out of their immobility state. Batman pursues the Joker and the usual fight commences. Batman, of course wins, but before he could take the Joker into custody, Charlie decides to get some payback for what the Joker tried to do to him. He gives the Joker a scare.

Notes

The title for these episodes are always telling. One is not sure what to make of the title until the story progresses. In this episode when Charlie has a rough day at his job, he is in a bad mood. This changes when he insults The Joker. Then his anger turns to fear. So frightened is he that he promises The Joker anything to avoid a beating. The Joker accepts his promise to do a favor in exchange for not getting bruised.

Trivia

Memorable Moments

The Joker driving up to Charlie Collins vehicle after hearing Charlie's insults. The two pennies he drops from behind Charlie. Bruce Wayne watching from his car, a warning signal for Batman. Batman crashing through the ceiling window to get rid of the bomb.

Quotes

• The Joker: There's your two cents. Now,what are you going to do to me"?