Will Rose and Kevin Schaeffer just got back from a thrilling trip to the drive-in, and they’re buzzing to dive into the holiday classic, "Christmas with the Joker" from "Batman: The Animated Series." Right off the bat, they agree that this episode is a must-watch during the festive season, capturing the essence of what makes the series so iconic. They chat about how the dynamic between Batman, Robin, and the Joker is playful yet packed with that classic Batman charm—complete with clever puns and dark humor, making it a standout holiday special. With the amazing voice work from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, they highlight how the animation and storytelling seamlessly blend into a delightful Christmas experience without losing the gritty essence of Gotham. As they reminisce about their childhoods and the nostalgia tied to this episode, they wrap up with some witty banter and even suggest fun snack pairings for your own viewing experience, proving that even in the darkest corners of Gotham, a little holiday cheer can shine through!
The discussion kicks off with a nostalgic vibe as Will and Kevin dive into the holiday classic, "Christmas with the Joker" from the iconic "Batman: The Animated Series." They set the stage as if they were just chilling at a drive-in, soaking up the festive atmosphere while dissecting this beloved episode. Kevin can't contain his excitement, reminiscing about how pivotal this series was in shaping his love for all things geeky. The duo highlights the episode's seamless blend of superhero action and holiday spirit, arguing that it perfectly captures the essence of Batman and his world. They both agree that the voice work from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill is top-notch, breathing life into their characters in a way that makes them unforgettable. They chuckle over the episode's clever puns and witty banter, pointing out how the humor feels organic rather than forced. Batman's perpetual grumpiness about the holidays is a running gag, and Robin's attempts to lighten the mood provide a delightful contrast. The duo emphasizes the importance of this episode as a yearly tradition, comparing it to holiday staples like "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Home Alone," thereby establishing its status in the pantheon of Christmas specials. As the conversation progresses, they explore the underlying themes of family and belonging that resonate throughout the episode, making it a heartwarming watch for viewers of all ages, and they can't help but smile at the charming chaos that ensues when the Joker is involved.
Transitioning into the plot, the hosts provide a rundown of the episode's events, starting with the Joker's outrageous escape from Arkham Asylum aboard a rocket-powered Christmas tree! They cheerfully walk through Batman and Robin’s attempts to thwart the Joker’s mischievous plans, which include kidnapping Commissioner Gordon and setting a series of traps around Gotham City. The stakes are high, but the tone remains light, with Kevin and Will noting how the episode balances action with humor, allowing for a fun viewing experience without becoming overly dark or violent. They appreciate how the Joker, while certainly a nefarious character, is portrayed in a way that’s more whimsical than terrifying, making him accessible for younger audiences. The duo also acknowledges how the episode cleverly weaves in classic Christmas tropes, from holiday songs to festive decorations, while maintaining the essence of a thrilling Batman adventure. Their banter is filled with playful jabs and nostalgia, creating an engaging atmosphere that keeps listeners entertained.
As the conversation reaches its climax, Will and Kevin delve into the deeper meanings of the episode, reflecting on the themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the true spirit of Christmas. They analyze Batman's character arc, noting that while he maintains his typical stoicism, there are hints of warmth and humanity as he interacts with Robin and faces off against the Joker. They discuss how the episode subtly addresses the loneliness that can accompany the holiday season, emphasizing that connection with others is what truly makes the festivities meaningful. The hosts conclude with a recommendation for pairing this episode with another holiday classic, suggesting that the underlying messages resonate well across both narratives. With a mix of laughter, insightful commentary, and heartfelt reflections, Will and Kevin invite listeners to revisit this animated gem, reminding them that even in Gotham, the true magic of Christmas can shine through, bringing smiles and warmth to all.
Takeaways:
Will and Kevin absolutely vibed on how 'Christmas with the Joker' captures the essence of Batman's character while sprinkling in some holiday cheer.
The animated special not only serves up nostalgia but perfectly balances the fun and dark elements of the Joker's chaotic antics in Gotham.
Listeners get a glimpse into the heartwarming yet cynical world of Bruce Wayne, who, despite his tough exterior, finds a moment of levity during the holiday season.
The episode cleverly integrates humor and puns, making it a holiday classic that both kids and adults can enjoy without losing its edge.
Kevin's reflections on the significance of Joker's character highlights the show's ability to explore deeper themes while still being entertaining for the family.
Both hosts agree that 'Christmas with the Joker' deserves a spot in anyone's holiday watchlist, thanks to its top-notch animation and engaging storytelling.
.
Be sure to check out our merch, find extra content, and become an official member of Systematic Geekology on our website:
Follow us on Instagram and BlueSky to keep up to date!
Follow our show on our socials to keep up to date and get some exclusive content and fun memes!
Anazao Ministries Podcasts - AMP Network
Check out other shows like this on our podcast network!
https://anazao-ministries.captivate.fm/
Systematic Geekology
Our show focuses around our favorite fandoms that we discuss from a Christian perspective. We do not try to put Jesus into all our favorite stories, but rather we try to ask the questions the IPs are asking, then addressing those questions from our perspective. We are not all ordained, but we are the Priests to the Geeks, in the sense that we try to serve as mediators between the cultures around our favorite fandoms and our faith communities.
Transcripts
Will Rose:
Do you hear that lightning crackle? Do you see that man standing on the top of the building? Don't laugh, friends. It is someone dressed as a bat. No clowning around.
Welcome to our Christmas Drive in series. This is where some of our fellow systematic ecology hosts talk about Christmas TV specials.
And my friend Kevin and and I went to the Drive in to see what he says he watches every year. And I'm really excited about this episode. I'm really excited about this TV special, this anime special.
What we just went and saw was Batman the Animated Series Christmas Special. And the name of that is. What is it, Kevin?
Kevin Schaeffer:
Christmas with the Joker.
Will Rose:
Christmas with the Joker, Season one. Ah, man, I can't wait to talk to it. You've shared before how foundational this series is to your fandom and geekdom and how I awoke. Awoken the.
Awakened the weekend.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Yeah.
Will Rose:
Awakened the Geek in you. This Hammer series. And here we are talking about a specific episode. I'm really, really excited about that. So we, we just left.
We, we just, we just left the Drive in. What's your reaction? What's your reaction to what you just saw?
Kevin Schaeffer:
Oh, this is just such a great episode of television. It's a great Batman story. It's relentlessly fun and entertaining. It perfectly encapsulates what makes these versions of the characters so iconic.
A lot of it that has to do with the voice talents of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, which are at an all time high here. And then the animation is spectacular. But yeah, as I.
This is a annual Christmas tradition for me, watching this episode right up there with It's a Wonderful Life and Home Alone. I absolutely love this episode. And yes, coming out of the drive in, I'm just exhilarated. I love Batman. I love this universe.
And this is just such a fun, like, it feels like a perfectly seamless integration into the Animated Series. It doesn't feel like a forced, you know, holiday special.
Sometimes, you know, Christmas holiday themed episodes of a TV series can feel a little forced or a little cheesy. This one, it works as a great, you know, solo Batman adventure, just like every episode of the Animated Series.
And it's also perfect in time for the holidays. Yeah.
Will Rose:
If you want a good snapshot of who Batman is, who Robin is, who the Joker is, this, you can pull this up and he doesn't miss a beat. Even if it's a Christmas special. I, for me, my first reaction is I got to get one of those rocket Christmas trees to ride out across the sky with.
That's. That's my first reaction. That's what I have to have. And yeah, I. I'm smiling ear to ear even, you know, not. Probably not smiling as.
As deep as Joker, kind of a weird, creepy smile. But I am smiling and have a little grin like Bruce Wayne does at the end of this epis. Yes, friends, you heard it here first.
Bruce Wayne, Batman gives the camera a little smile. And why wouldn't you when you discover the true meaning of Christmas?
Kevin Schaeffer:
That's the other thing I love about this episode, is the puns that it allows.
So right from when Batman takes a baseball bat and is whacking some of the old mini Joker robots around, and Robin says, they don't call you Batman for nothing.
And then, you know, early on when he's trying, you know, part of this episode is he's trying to get Bruce to watch It's a Wonderful Life with him, which, you know, Bruce says early on. You know, I've never seen that movie. Never could get past the title. I love that it has those puns in there.
And, you know, and when, you know, before Joker reveals himself that he's escaped and that. Well, actually, they know early on that he's escaped from Arkham. But.
But before Joker unveils that, you know, he's kidnapped Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock and has this big plan for Christmas Eve. You know, Batman's suspicious. Robin is trying to get him to calm down and take a night off, but. But, you know, he's patrolling the city and.
And he just won't, you know, let himself go. And Robin says, you know, yeah, he could give Scrooge lessons. Like, I love the. The puns.
Will Rose:
Here it is.
Kevin Schaeffer:
It's just a little fun.
Will Rose:
It is filled with. With Christmas puns and Christmas references all within, like, 28 minutes. Kevin, I want you to kind of run down the plot here.
But I do love it that they start it. We in Arkham Asylum, and they're starting with Jingle Bell, Jingle Bells, Batman smells. Robin laid an egg. Like, I sang out as a kid in the 70s.
And they're like, we're gonna just use it right here. Prime for their Christmas special. I love it that it started that way. And. And I laughed out loud when they started it. So. So.
And if you could do it in, like, under one minute. What is. What. What is going on in. In this plot for this episode?
Kevin Schaeffer:
So as you said earlier, Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum on a. Rocket ship. Christmas tree, basically, which is an awesome image there.
Bruce and Dick both learn about Joker's escape, and Bruce is immediately suspicious that Joker's gonna do something. Robin tries to tell him that, okay, yeah, it's the Joker. But even he wouldn't, you know, do something on Christmas Eve.
And, you know, but, you know, Bruce isn't giving up. So before he allows Dick to show him It's Wonderful Life, Batman and Robin go on patrol. They don't see anything. They come back to watch the movie.
But then Joker is there on screen. He's taken over broadcasting. He's kidnapped Dem Gordon, Arie, Bullock, and then. And staged this big event to terrorize all of Gotham.
And he's also taken over an abandoned toy store, which, you know, that becomes one of the clues of Batman tracking him down. An adventure ensues. And of course, eventually Batman and Robin find him.
They take him back to Arkham, and after his shenanigans, and then at the very end of the episode, they do settle down to watch its owner for life. And Bruce winks at the camera and says, you know, it has its moments.
Will Rose:
Ah, very, very, very good. Yeah, I love it. That this is still a detective story, is still Batman trying to solve a mystery or a crime or try to find this guy.
And there's clues, and Robin's asking a lot of questions. He's. He's asking what's going on and learning as he goes. And this is Dick Grayson, right? Is. Is this Tim? Dr. Yep. Okay. I was gonna make sure they.
Kevin Schaeffer:
So Tim Drake doesn't come in until the new Batman Adventures, which is like, technically season three of the anime, but it's really the Animated Series was for. Was, you know, Dick. And then in the new Adventures, that's when they brought in Tim. And Dick became Nightwing by that.
Will Rose:
That's right. Yeah.
Kevin Schaeffer:
By Robin Thrower.
Will Rose:
Love. I love Robin. I love Dick Grayson. And in fact, to see Robin popped up in this one, I was like, man, I forgot I hadn't seen this a long time.
This isn't something I watch every year. My history with is I definitely watched these series as they were coming out. 90s. And every now and then go back and we'll watch one.
But this particular episode, which is episode 38 of. Of season one. Yeah, that's how many episodes they rolled out.
Kevin Schaeffer:
But it.
Will Rose:
I. I was glad to be reminded of this and watched again. And it was. It really was a joy and a great Christmas special that I have to pull up as one of one of the regulars when.
When it comes to Christmas specials. Yeah. Yeah. So. And I also like it, like, Joker can get really dark, and that happens in, in the comics a lot. It definitely happened in the movies.
And yeah, a scary clown is. Is. Is scary or you know, is. He's not fun to be around. You need to be scared of jokers in the room.
But this one is with Mark Hamill voicing and with his character and still using toys, you know, you know, it's Christmas, he's playing around with toys. He's using toys as weapons. But it's not like overly, overly violent. I do think like. 819 year old could watch this cartoon and be.
And get the gist of Batman as a hero, Robin as a hero, Joker as a villain. I mean you have a kidnapping which is you know, like not fun for Christmas, but that's why the urgency is there.
And I love the trope of them even saving them from like fall into a pit of lava, you know, and even saves Joker from falling a pit of lava. So those references there are pretty cool and, and fun.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Yeah. Tonally this one is different from let's say Batman Beyond Return of the Joker, which great movie but it did traumatize me as a child.
Like that's when you understood just how twisted this guy is and psychotic and that, you know, that can be hardly called a kids movie. And. And there are much darker episodes of the animated series that really explore the psychology of the doctor.
Like you said, he still does twisted stuff here. But it also this kind of feels a little more in line with the Cesar Romero, Adam west kind of stuff where it's still a fairly light hearted.
I mean there are stakes here obviously but you know that this is going to be a one off where they're going to catch up with him at the end. He's going to go back to Arkham. You know, Bullock and Gordon aren't going to die here. But he's still. Yeah, it's. He nonetheless he's still twisted.
And I mean even the way the humor is in views here. Like Joker says. We hosting this, you know, fake show here. He says like now Christmas is a time to spend with their families.
But since I don't have one. And then he has the audience go ah. He's like I decided to steal one. And they like yay.
Will Rose:
Exactly, exactly. And they talk about at the beginning like Robin and, and you know, Dick and, and Bruce, like their families know they don't have it.
They're orphans, you know, and their family's together. Why can't they have a night together and relax for one night? And with Joker's on the loose and I. He doesn't have a family.
And there's even some, a little bit of empathy there. Like, he doesn't have a family. He's going to be out and about. He's not going to stop. And so how do we stop this crime?
And the detective work and then the, the classic traps and having to get out of the traps and, and trying to solve like, oh, there's a, there's a train coming down a, a train track that's getting ready to explode. And, and, and so, you know, it's kind of classic Batman classic how it looks. It was like reading a comic and I already loved it. Yeah.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Yeah.
Will Rose:
All right, so one of the things we're doing in the Drive in is that we're, we're pairing this with a, another TV Christmas special. If we were to pair this with another one, like a double feature at the Drive in, what, what would you do? How would you, how would you do that?
Kevin Schaeffer:
So actually, when we were a little behind the scenes here, when we were pitching this series and talking about it on a systematic ecology meeting, I was kind of, I think I was the one who came up with this initial idea, do like Christmas themed episodes of TV shows. And the other one that I thought of that is also DC is the Lexus episode of Smallville.
I think that would be a great pairing with this one that all, I mean, both of those are very reliant on Its Wonderful Life.
You know, we talk about it here and in that one, the Lexus episode of Smallville is sort of a reverse It's a Wonderful Life where it explores, you know, it's the definitive moment where Lex realizes that why he wants to go down the villain path.
And because he, he's in, he sees this alternate vision of like, what if he got everything he ever wanted, but then he would still have to deal with sacrifice and loss and he doesn't want to do that. So he just, at the end of it, he says, power perceived. I want it all. You know, and, and it's a, it's a really great episode of that show.
So I think that episode would pair really well with this one. These are two great D.C. christmas themed episodes. There are also a lot of Arrowverse Christmas holiday episodes.
The Flash one from like, I think maybe season one is fantastic. There's the era one. They did that throughout all the Arrowverse shows. So those would go really well here.
But I, but my personal pick would be, I think, Lexus and Christmas with the Joker. As far as two villain centric DC episodes that are, you know, take place around Christmas and have the It's a Wonderful Life influence.
I think that would be a really cool double feature.
Will Rose:
I like that, Kevin. Good night. Nice pull there.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Yeah.
Will Rose:
I was trying to think of some like, other DC stuff too, but for me, I really like this not dark and gloomy and rainy in Gotham in this episode, but it's snowing. So anything that has like, snow, you know. And I started thinking about like an animated feature and I really love.
And it made a big difference to me and an impact on me as a kid watching the kind of 70s animated version of the Lion. The Witch in the Wardrobe is a really. It's a really cool animated special.
And so I would pair this with that because it's snow, it's cold, it's always winter, never Christmas. And yet Father Christmas shows up in Narnia when things start to thaw because Aslan is there.
So here we we begin, you know, this Batman animated series Christmas special with it Cold with a cold heart. I can't take a night off. It's. I still gotta work. I can make sure the city's safe. I can't take a day off for Christmas. And.
And Dick Robin is kind of like, ah, come on, man, lighten up a little bit. But by the time you get to Den, his heart thaws a little bit.
Wayne's heart thaws and he smiles at the camera like, huh, Maybe I will watch It's a Wonderful Life. So I asked where I'm going to pair it. I'm going to pair Animated lion, the Witcher and the Wardrobe with this one. And I think it could work.
Really good.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Great take. I actually, I grew up on the BBC Chronicles of Narnia that were like, even before the big was like the Disney Waller Media movies that are like.
But I really love the BBC one. And you know, I. That was in our church library and we grew up on that and the books and. Yeah, fantastic. I love that.
Oh, Narnia is perfect around Christmas time.
Will Rose:
Yep, sure is it. It is a. It is very Christmy. I love that he threw it in there and.
And I. I loved also that it was snowing in Gotham on Christmas Eve, but they had a white Christmas.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Yeah.
Will Rose:
So good. So good. All right, so. So let's go a little deeper here.
Kevin Schaeffer:
You know, let's.
Will Rose:
Let's do some geekology and. And be some geekologists. Did you find the meaning of Christmas in this Christmas special? Did you, Kevin? Did you find the meaning.
What's the meaning of Christmas according to the Batman, the Animated Series?
Kevin Schaeffer:
I don't think it goes into, like, the full meaning.
But I, again, I like that it's a very honest portrayal of Bruce here and Batman, again, by the, like, it's not like he is fully devoid of cynicism by the end of the episode. You know, It's a Wonderful Life doesn't radically change him. And, you know, he still is that man.
But I like that at the end that line where he says, you know, it has its moments. I. That's a very Batman thing to say where, yeah. He's not going to be the overly optimistic. Oh, I believe in magic and optimism and I see the best.
And people like, that's not who Bruce is, who Batman is.
But I like that, you know, it's an acknowledgment for him that, okay, he does have people in his life who he cares for and he does have a reason to keep fighting injustice. And. And while he's, you know, and it's.
I mean, I think it's also the reason why he doesn't just let Joker fall into the acid like a pit at the end, because he could really. He still saves him because that's also Batman.
And it's one thing that, you know, is even other superheroes other and criticize him for, you know, they like, oh, why didn't you just kill Joker at least? Finally. I mean, it's the big focal point of the under the Red Hood storyline.
That's why Jason resents him for not just, you know, letting and always having to have this moral high ground, but that's fundamentally who he is. And so that, I think, all culminates here.
So to answer your question, I don't know if it fully gets at the fundamental meaning of Christmas, but I like how it. Tanya is on those themes and views it through Batman's lens.
And I like that it doesn't have this, like, big radical transformation for him, but it acknowledges that, okay, he's not entirely 100% cynical. He still has, you know, a moral code and he still has people in his life who he loves.
Will Rose:
Nice. Nice. Yeah, you're not going to get like a Charlie Brown Christmas special where.
Where they're reading from the Gospel of Luke, the Christmas story at the end of this. And. And it's not necess the Grinch where he's just like a super big Grinch. And then at the end, he has a big transformation. It's a.
It's a soft kind of a soft transformation there.
But when I think about this, I think about, like, how rich Bruce Wayne is And he has all the toys, all the gadgets, he has all the money in the world that can make him happy. But he still has a void because he has this childhood trauma.
And so he wants the city to be safe and he doesn't want that to happen to others, other kids, other people, other people who live in his neighborhood and community.
And so sometimes you think, you know, the commercialism around Christmas and oh, oh, if I just get all the presents, I get all the things that will make me happy and that'll make Christmas special.
But maybe, perhaps it's not just all the stuff or the coolest Batmobile you could ever have or, or Toy Factory with all the gadgets, but, but maybe it is like sitting down with one of your favorite movies, learning about the meaning of life with a friend, with, with family or found family.
So for me, I, I do think they lean into the, the magic of Christmas when it comes to who's your family, your found family, your friends, and, and maybe maybe looking at life and world through a different lens and not just your own, you know, cow all the time, you can take off the mask and you can sit down by a fire and, and watch a war movie. So I, I liked it. By the end, that's what it was.
So, yeah, I, I think, I think it found some, some meaningful nuggets there of what Christmas is all about.
Kevin Schaeffer:
Absolutely.
I mean, and again, that's, I think what I love about this show in particular is they pack so much into, you know, 21, 22 minute episodes and they did that consistently throughout the show.
And here it's very much that, like, you get, like you said, if you had never really seen this show before, you can hop on this episode and get the basic dynamics of who these characters are and you get a full adventure. You get character dynamics, you get themes and story. It all really ties together. And that's hard to do.
And the, the writers and the animators and directors always had a knack for just really top notch storytelling here.
Will Rose:
Yep. You can tell, I mean, they, they do great, great stories, great animation as comic books, as heroes.
They really get these characters and that's why this is one of the most revered animated series of all time. And yeah, so we highly recommend going to see this. If you have HBO Max, then go look at season one, episode 38. Pull it up. You will not disappoint.
I, I highly recommend. Go watch this. It will not take a long time. It's a short, short episode and it packs a lot into it, so go for it. Go and do it. All right, so let's.
Let's wrap this up. If we were in charge of showing this at the drive in and they were like, kevin will design a custom Christmas treat for. For this showing of.
Of the Christmas special, the Animated Batman Animated Series, what would you choose to create? What Christmas treat would you create?
Kevin Schaeffer:
So I'll use one that my mom always makes at Christmas time. It's these, like, cookies that you put a Reese's cup in them.
So, like, I don't even know what you call them, but, like, but it's like a cookie on the outside and then a little mini Reese's cup right in the center. And I look forward to those every year. And, you know, I.
These days I have to watch my blood sugar, so I can't, you know, hail as many as I swear we've had where you and I are in that boat. But. But when I was a kid, I would devour those as many as I could. And I think it's perfect for this because it's a nice, warm Christmas treat and.
And just, you know, perfect for the cozy atmosphere here.
Will Rose:
I like it. I like it. I think since it's the. Since it's Christmas with the Joker, I'm going to bust out some Laffy Taffies. I think that's what I'm gonna do.
Yep, I'm gonna do some Laffy Taffies. And since there was a big kind of lava pit that looked like strawberry jam or.
Or something in the anime, I'm gonna create like a little side cup of like a dipping sauce, like a sweet raspberry strawberry dipping sauce for Laffy Taffy. That. That's what I'm going for. Since it's the Joker, that's where I. Do you like that? I think it'll work.
Like, come to the showing and get some Laffy Taffy and then. And then these.
These cookies that are going to bring a little smile to your face and know that it's a wonderful life when you eat these treats while watching Flesh.
Kevin Schaeffer:
It'S a fun filled episode. So we. We got to have some puns here.
Will Rose:
We got it. That's what we did. As we did. Thanks, y'.
Kevin Schaeffer:
All.
Will Rose:
You know, like, review. Smash that, like, button. Share with a friend. We hope you have a great Christmas. You can go over to our list on podcaster.
Wherever you find podcasts, you can find fourth wall. The link is in the notes there.
You can click on it and you can find the list of all of our drive in series from all the seasons Whether it's Halloween or Christmas, we like to do these drive ins. Just go see a movie and geek out or a TV special with, with our. With our fellow geekologist and, and have fun. So go find all those.
And we hope that you do have a meaningful advent and, and a very, very Merry Christmas. Kevin, sign us off here. What do you want to share with your fans out there when it comes to Christmas, the holiday season? What do you want them to.
Kevin Schaeffer:
I mean, hey, I have a Batman felt Christmas, you know, like, I mean, Jesus too, but also, I mean, yeah, no, I decided. But, but, yeah, but, but no, definitely. Hey, enjoy the things you.
I think it is a good time to just kind of, like, settle down, like, you know, kind of decompress from the craziness the year. This is why I watched this episode every year, because it just brings me back to childhood and, you know, it's one of my absolute favorites.
So enjoy those things you love, share them with others, and yes, have a wonderful Christmas.
Will Rose:
Ah, that's good advice there. I love it. I'm gonna take that to heart and I'm gonna turn to the camera and give a little smile and say, yep, maybe is maybe life. There is.
There is something to the, to this life. And perhaps it can be. It can be wonderful. Peace out, y'. All.
