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* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family, despite [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]] showing him [[{{Hypocrite}} using Harvey Dent's fiancée to get at Two-Face]] (though that was admittedly Candence's idea).
to:
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family, despite [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]] showing him [[{{Hypocrite}} using Harvey Dent's fiancée to get at Two-Face]] (though that was admittedly Candence's Candace's idea).
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* GoodShepherd: Michael good-nature and kindness send him on the path to the priesthood, in contrast to his brother's life of crime. He ends up being essential to setting Stromwell straight by giving him a speech about saving himself.
to:
* GoodShepherd: Michael good-nature Michael's good nature and kindness send him on the path to the priesthood, in contrast to his brother's life of crime. He ends up being essential to setting Stromwell straight by giving him a speech about saving himself.
* {{Irony}}: Stromwell blamed Thorne for his son Joseph going missing, but in reality, Joseph disappeared because of substance abuse from Stromwell's own drugs.
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* {{Irony}}: Stromwell blamed Thorne for his son Joseph going missing, but in reality, Joseph disappeared because of substance abuse from Stromwell's own drugs.
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was...
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was...
to:
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* RedHerring: Stromwell thinks Thorne kidnapped the former's son Joseph, and nobody would put it past him. However, the evidence points away from Thorne when he claims he doesn't mess with family [[note]] In reality, it's a TruthInTelevision cardinal rule that gangsters don't touch family when they can help it [[/note]].
to:
* RedHerring: Stromwell thinks Thorne kidnapped the former's son Joseph, and nobody would put it past him. However, the evidence points away from Thorne when he claims he doesn't mess with family family.[[note]] In reality, it's a TruthInTelevision cardinal rule that gangsters don't touch family when they can help it [[/note]]. it.[[/note]]
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* WholePlotReference: There is some similarity between this episode and the stories of ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', with Batman acting as an "angel" showing a man familiar places, and jogging memories of his past life in an effort to change his mind. It also seems to draw from ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'', about a gangster and a priest who were best friends in childhood found themselves on opposite sides.
to:
* WholePlotReference: There is some similarity between this episode and the stories of ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', with Batman acting as an "angel" showing a man familiar places, and jogging memories of his past life in an effort to change his mind. It also seems to draw from ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'', about a gangster and a priest who were best friends in childhood and found themselves on opposite sides.
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* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Played with. Michael saved Stromwell's life when they were boys, despite the former knew the latter's stealing candy was a sign he was a bad egg. For his troubles, aside from Stromwell growing up to be a gangster, Michael lost his leg in the process. What makes this interesting is that the [[ItsAllMyFault guilt-ridden]] Stromwell himself lampshades this, and wonders why his younger brother still wants to help him.
to:
* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Played with. Michael Stromwell saved Stromwell's his brother Arnold's life when they were boys, despite the former knew the latter's stealing candy was a sign he knowing that Arnold was a bad egg. For his troubles, aside from Stromwell growing up egg whose dream was to be a gangster, become the biggest bad guy around. Michael lost his leg in the process. process, and sure enough Arnold grew up to be a powerful and vicious gangster. What makes this interesting is that it's the [[ItsAllMyFault guilt-ridden]] Arnold Stromwell himself who lampshades this, and wonders why tries to stop his younger brother still wants from suffering any further misfortune attempting to help him.him. Michael more or less shrugs the whole losing his leg thing off when Arnold brings it up.
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* EvilEvilCanBeLoved: Stromwell's younger brother doesn't give up on convincing his older brother to turn his life around even though he's a criminal who made him lose his leg when they were younger.
to:
* EvilEvilCanBeLoved: EvenEvilCanBeLoved: Stromwell's younger brother doesn't give up on convincing his older brother to turn his life around even though he's a criminal who made him lose his leg when they were younger.
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* EvilEvilCanBeLoved: Stromwell's younger brother doesn't give up on convincing his older brother to turn his life around even though he's a criminal who made him lose his leg when they were younger.
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Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family, despite [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]] showing him [[{{Hypocrite}} using Harvey Dent's fiancée to get at Two-Face]].
to:
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family, despite [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]] showing him [[{{Hypocrite}} using Harvey Dent's fiancée to get at Two-Face]].Two-Face]] (though that was admittedly Candence's idea).
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* {{Hypocrite}}: Thorne's claim that he doesn't mess with family. Even ignoring the fact that this contradicts with [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]], in which he used Harvey Dent's fiancée to go after Two-Face, he's shown perfectly willing to kill both of the Stromwell brothers in the climax despite Michael having nothing to do with his brother's criminal enterprise.
-->'''Thorne:''' Your family reunion touches me, Stromwell. ''Now say goodbye!''
-->'''Thorne:''' Your family reunion touches me, Stromwell. ''Now say goodbye!''
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* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After seeing Thorne's bomb go off, Stromwell's two aides reluctantly flee to regroup and are never seen again.
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* EstablishingCharacterMoment: Stromwell is introduced when a child playing in the street outside of his mansion runs away when she notices his initials on the gate. Inside, Stromwell is seen angrily watching a TV report about how he's losing his war against Thorne, while also showing grief and fear when the report mentions his missing son. This establishes him as as a [[TheDreaded feared]] and prideful mob boss who is on his way down and hates it, but [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes still loves his family.]]
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* OlderThanTheyLook: Father Michael is Stromwell's younger brother and the white-haired Rupert Thorne is described as being youthful compared to Stromwell, but Stromwell could pass for being well over a decade younger than either man.
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[[caption-width-right:350:
to:
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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/its_never_too_late_title_card.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:
[[caption-width-right:350:
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* SavedByTheChurchBell: The episode ends with a cathedral bell ringing, just moments after the mob boss Stromwell hands himself to the police and repents of his life of crime.
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* GoodShepherd: Michael good-nature and kindness send him on the path to the priesthood, in contrast to his brother's life of crime. He ends up being essential to setting Stromwell straight by giving him a speech about saving himself.
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* TraumaButton: Train tracks, and the warning bells, are this for Stromwell.
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* WholePlotReference: There is some similarity between this episode and the stories of ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', with Batman acting as an "angel" showing a man familiar places, and jogging memories of his past life in an effort to change his mind. It also seems to draw from ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'', about a gangster and a priest who were best friends in childhood found themselves on opposite sides.
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* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Played with. Michael saved Stromwell's life when they were boys, despite the former knew the latter's stealing candy was a sign he was a bad egg. For his troubles, aside from Stromwell growing up to be a gangster, Michael lost his leg in the process. What makes this interesting is that the [[ItsAllMyFault guilt-ridden]] Stromwell himself lampshades this, and wonders why his younger brother still wants to help him.
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* {{Irony}}: Stromwell blamed Thorne for his son Joseph going missing, but in reality, Joseph disappeared because of substance abuse from Stromwell's own drugs.
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* RedHerring: Stromwell thinks Thorne kidnapped the former's son Joseph, and nobody would put it past him. However, the evidence points away from Thorne when he claims he doesn't mess with family [[note]] In reality, it's a TruthInTelevision cardinal rule that gangsters don't touch family when they can help it [[/note]].
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There is no First Person Peripheral Narrator, or any narrator, in this episode.
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
Drug Dealer Arnold Stromwell has two worries in his mind: the disappearance of his son and the emergence of rival Drug Dealer Rupert Thorne who's rapidly muscling in on Stromwell's turf. Naturally, Stromwell's convinced that Thorne's behind his son going missing, though the other denies it. It all comes to a head when Thorne invites Stromwell to his restaurant for an underworld "peace summit". It's a trap, the place is rigged to blow, and only the intervention of Batman saves Stromwell from a fiery demise.
to:
From amongst the gargoyles atop the roof of a cathedral, Batman watches the gangsters' movements, then goes inside to have a word with the priest. "Arnold" will need the good Father's help tonight, and Batman urges him to "be there" before leaving to deal with the peace summit--which is a trap. The place is rigged to blow, and only the intervention of Batman saves Stromwell from a fiery demise.
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Suddenly, Thorne and his men arrive, having tracked Stromwell down to finish him off for good. Batman manages to take out the attackers, but Stromwell gets away in the confusion. Stumbling to the nearby railroad tracks, he encounters his brother Michael, his presence tonight has also been arranged by Batman.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recalls that when they were children, he had already started down a life of crime with petty stealing, while his brother Michael tried to keep him honest. One day, while walking along the tracks, Arnold's foot became stuck on the rails as a speeding train approached. Acting quickly, his brother threw him to safety, but in the process lost one of his legs. Michael explains that he holds no grudge against Arnold, but that it's time for him to atone for all the wrong that he's done, this time, he has to save himself and his family or go down with the rest of his crumbling criminal empire.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recalls that when they were children, he had already started down a life of crime with petty stealing, while his brother Michael tried to keep him honest. One day, while walking along the tracks, Arnold's foot became stuck on the rails as a speeding train approached. Acting quickly, his brother threw him to safety, but in the process lost one of his legs. Michael explains that he holds no grudge against Arnold, but that it's time for him to atone for all the wrong that he's done, this time, he has to save himself and his family or go down with the rest of his crumbling criminal empire.
to:
Suddenly, Thorne and his men arrive, having tracked Stromwell down to finish him off for good. Batman manages to take out the attackers, but Stromwell gets away in the confusion. Stumbling to the nearby railroad tracks, he encounters his brother Michael, his presence tonight has also been arranged by Batman.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recallsthe priest Batman spoke to earlier.
Stromwell soon realizes thatwhen they were children, he had already started down a life of crime with petty stealing, while his brother Michael tried to keep him honest. One day, while walking along this is the tracks, Arnold's foot became stuck on same railyard he and Mike walked through as kids, triggering the rails as a speeding rest of the flashback. As the second train approached. Acting quickly, barrelled down on Arnold, his brother threw him to safety, but apparently perishing. Stromwell, in the process lost one grip of his legs. the horrible memory, calls out for Michael--and he answers. ''Father'' Michael survived, merely losing a leg to the train, and grew up to become the priest of the Gotham cathedral. Michael explains that he holds no grudge against Arnold, but that it's time for him to atone for all the wrong that he's done, this done. This time, he has to save himself and his family family, or go down with the rest of his crumbling criminal empire.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recalls
Stromwell soon realizes that
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!!Tropes:
to:
* AnArmAndALeg: Michael lost his right leg to the train as a boy, in the act of saving Arnold's life. He has a prosthesis and doesn't hold a grudge.
-->'''Arnold:''' Last time you helped me, it cost you your leg.\\
'''Michael:''' Oh, I get by. Knock on wood. ''[raps his knuckles against his prosthetic thigh]''
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires and isn't afraid to kill anyone that gets in the way, but he truly does care for his son and it's implied he changed his ways after encouragement from his own brother.
to:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires and isn't afraid to kill anyone that gets in the way, but he truly does care for his son and it's implied he changed changes his ways after encouragement from his own brother.
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* FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator
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* HeelFaceTurn: "Mister Gordon? I... I have a statement to give you."
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'' -- the two boys, one of whom becomes a priest (Michael), the other a gangster (Arnold Stromwell). The scene on the railroad tracks alludes to a similiar scene in the film.
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under his sway but whose family life and criminal empire are rapidly collapsing from a MobWar with Rupert Thorne.
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'' -- the two boys, one of whom becomes a priest (Michael), the other a gangster (Arnold Stromwell). The scene on the railroad tracks alludes to a similiar scene in the film.
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under his sway but whose family life and criminal empire are rapidly collapsing from a MobWar with Rupert Thorne.
to:
* HeelFaceTurn: "Mister Gordon? With encouragement from his brother, Stromwell turns himself in and grants his knowledge of Gotham's criminal underworld to the police.
-->'''Stromwell:''' ''[last line]'' Commissioner Gordon, I...I have a statement to give you."
you.
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'' -- the ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces''--the two boys, one of whom becomes a priest (Michael), (Father Michael), the other a gangster (Arnold Stromwell). The scene on the railroad tracks alludes to a similiar similar scene in the film.
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under hissway sway, but whose family life and criminal empire are rapidly collapsing from due to a MobWar with Rupert Thorne.
-->'''Stromwell:''' ''[last line]'' Commissioner Gordon, I...
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under his
Changed line(s) 28 (click to see context) from:
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was.....
to:
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was.....was...
Changed line(s) 31,34 (click to see context) from:
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Arnold's foot got caught in the rails of a train track at the wrong time. Ironically, it was his brother Michael coming to his rescue who ends up paying for it; Arnold gets away without a scratch.
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TV news... Stromwell isn't amused. Later, Detective Bullock tells Commissioner Gordon that he also looked better on TV than in person... Gordon's not amused either.
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drug Aesop
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TV news... Stromwell isn't amused. Later, Detective Bullock tells Commissioner Gordon that he also looked better on TV than in person... Gordon's not amused either.
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drug Aesop
to:
* OnceMoreWithClarity: The first flashback ends with a second train approaching; it's unclear which of the two boys, Arnold or Michael, or both, were in danger. The second shows that Michael was safe, but leapt back in front of the train to push Arnold out of the way, apparently losing his life. Only afterward is it made clear that Michael survived with the loss of his leg, and became a priest.
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Arnold's foot got caught in the rails of a train track at the wrong time. Ironically, it was his brother Michael coming to his rescue whoends ended up paying for it; it [[AnArmAndALeg with his leg]]; Arnold gets got away without a scratch.
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TVnews... Stromwell news--Stromwell isn't amused. Later, Detective Bullock tells Commissioner Gordon that he also looked better on TV than in person... person; Gordon's not amused either.
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drugAesop
{{Aesop}}.
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Arnold's foot got caught in the rails of a train track at the wrong time. Ironically, it was his brother Michael coming to his rescue who
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TV
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drug
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Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family.
to:
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family.family, despite [[Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE11TwoFacePart2 the previous episode]] showing him [[{{Hypocrite}} using Harvey Dent's fiancée to get at Two-Face]].
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires and isn't afraid to kill anyone that gets in the way, but he truly does care for his son.
to:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires and isn't afraid to kill anyone that gets in the way, but he truly does care for his son.son and it's implied he changed his ways after encouragement from his own brother.
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires, but he truly does care for his son.
to:
* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires, empires and isn't afraid to kill anyone that gets in the way, but he truly does care for his son.
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* EvenEvilHasLovedOnes: Stromwell operates one of Gotham's largest drug empires, but he truly does care for his son.
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That\'s the exact OPPOSITE of this trope. It would be the Cobbler\'s Kids have no shoes if he was a counselor against drugs.
Deleted line(s) 19 (click to see context) :
* TheCobblersChildrenHaveNoShoes: Stromwell is a gangster/drug lord whose son becomes an addict.
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* NastyParty: Thorne invites Arnold to a meeting at a restaurant with the intent to kill him there.
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* GoodSamaritan: Michael; justified in that he ''is'' a priest, but he shows remarkable restraint and refuses to give up on his brother, even though his help has never yielded much results before.
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* ItsAllMyFault: Arnold asks Michael why he's still helping him, clearly blaming himself for the accident when they were kids where Michael lost his leg.
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* BeingEvilSucks: Stromwell's life is a living hell because he's a gangster.
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Moving to proper recap title.
Added DiffLines:
Drug Dealer Arnold Stromwell has two worries in his mind: the disappearance of his son and the emergence of rival Drug Dealer Rupert Thorne who's rapidly muscling in on Stromwell's turf. Naturally, Stromwell's convinced that Thorne's behind his son going missing, though the other denies it. It all comes to a head when Thorne invites Stromwell to his restaurant for an underworld "peace summit". It's a trap, the place is rigged to blow, and only the intervention of Batman saves Stromwell from a fiery demise.
Once safe, Batman urges Stromwell to give up the pointless gang war and turn state's evidence against his criminal associates, but Stromwell brushes Batman off. Determined to make his point, Batman reveals he knows where Stromwell's son is, and personally takes him there to prove it. Turns out he hasn't been kidnapped by rival gangsters at all. Instead, he's confined to a hospital bed, where he's recovering from an overdose of drugs. Stromwell's estranged wife is also present and lets him know in no uncertain terms that she holds him responsible for their child's condition, since Stromwell actively traffics in narcotics all over Gotham. Batman again urges Stromwell to give himself up, noting his life of crime has brought nothing but misery to everyone.
Apparently convinced, Stromwell offers to give up what he knows to Batman and leads him to a remote railyard warehouse where he's kept extensive records of his criminal operations. Batman, however, instantly realizes the files are dummies, and Stromwell never intended to go straight after all.
Suddenly, Thorne and his men arrive, having tracked Stromwell down to finish him off for good. Batman manages to take out the attackers, but Stromwell gets away in the confusion. Stumbling to the nearby railroad tracks, he encounters his brother Michael, his presence tonight has also been arranged by Batman.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recalls that when they were children, he had already started down a life of crime with petty stealing, while his brother Michael tried to keep him honest. One day, while walking along the tracks, Arnold's foot became stuck on the rails as a speeding train approached. Acting quickly, his brother threw him to safety, but in the process lost one of his legs. Michael explains that he holds no grudge against Arnold, but that it's time for him to atone for all the wrong that he's done, this time, he has to save himself and his family or go down with the rest of his crumbling criminal empire.
As the two reconcile, Thorne makes one last effort to finish Stromwell off, but is foiled by Batman.
The police soon arrive to arrest Thorne's men, and Stromwell tells Commissioner Gordon he'd like to make a statement as Batman watches from the shadows.
----
!!Tropes:
* TheCobblersChildrenHaveNoShoes: Stromwell is a gangster/drug lord whose son becomes an addict.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family.
* EvilVersusEvil: Stromwell versus Thorne. Though even the news states that Thorne is winning.
* FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator
* HeelFaceTurn: "Mister Gordon? I... I have a statement to give you."
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'' -- the two boys, one of whom becomes a priest (Michael), the other a gangster (Arnold Stromwell). The scene on the railroad tracks alludes to a similiar scene in the film.
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under his sway but whose family life and criminal empire are rapidly collapsing from a MobWar with Rupert Thorne.
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was.....
* MonochromePast: The flashbacks are in sepia tones.
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Arnold's foot got caught in the rails of a train track at the wrong time. Ironically, it was his brother Michael coming to his rescue who ends up paying for it; Arnold gets away without a scratch.
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TV news... Stromwell isn't amused. Later, Detective Bullock tells Commissioner Gordon that he also looked better on TV than in person... Gordon's not amused either.
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drug Aesop
----
Once safe, Batman urges Stromwell to give up the pointless gang war and turn state's evidence against his criminal associates, but Stromwell brushes Batman off. Determined to make his point, Batman reveals he knows where Stromwell's son is, and personally takes him there to prove it. Turns out he hasn't been kidnapped by rival gangsters at all. Instead, he's confined to a hospital bed, where he's recovering from an overdose of drugs. Stromwell's estranged wife is also present and lets him know in no uncertain terms that she holds him responsible for their child's condition, since Stromwell actively traffics in narcotics all over Gotham. Batman again urges Stromwell to give himself up, noting his life of crime has brought nothing but misery to everyone.
Apparently convinced, Stromwell offers to give up what he knows to Batman and leads him to a remote railyard warehouse where he's kept extensive records of his criminal operations. Batman, however, instantly realizes the files are dummies, and Stromwell never intended to go straight after all.
Suddenly, Thorne and his men arrive, having tracked Stromwell down to finish him off for good. Batman manages to take out the attackers, but Stromwell gets away in the confusion. Stumbling to the nearby railroad tracks, he encounters his brother Michael, his presence tonight has also been arranged by Batman.
The nearby track and Michael's presence triggers a painful flashback in Stromwell. Arnold recalls that when they were children, he had already started down a life of crime with petty stealing, while his brother Michael tried to keep him honest. One day, while walking along the tracks, Arnold's foot became stuck on the rails as a speeding train approached. Acting quickly, his brother threw him to safety, but in the process lost one of his legs. Michael explains that he holds no grudge against Arnold, but that it's time for him to atone for all the wrong that he's done, this time, he has to save himself and his family or go down with the rest of his crumbling criminal empire.
As the two reconcile, Thorne makes one last effort to finish Stromwell off, but is foiled by Batman.
The police soon arrive to arrest Thorne's men, and Stromwell tells Commissioner Gordon he'd like to make a statement as Batman watches from the shadows.
----
!!Tropes:
* TheCobblersChildrenHaveNoShoes: Stromwell is a gangster/drug lord whose son becomes an addict.
* EvenEvilHasStandards: When Stromwell accuses Thorne of being responsible for his son's disappearance, Thorne replies that he doesn't go after a rival's family.
* EvilVersusEvil: Stromwell versus Thorne. Though even the news states that Thorne is winning.
* FirstPersonPeripheralNarrator
* HeelFaceTurn: "Mister Gordon? I... I have a statement to give you."
* {{Homage}}: To the gangster film ''Film/AngelsWithDirtyFaces'' -- the two boys, one of whom becomes a priest (Michael), the other a gangster (Arnold Stromwell). The scene on the railroad tracks alludes to a similiar scene in the film.
* IOwnThisTown: A somewhat unusual treatment of this trope: at the start of the episode a young {{delinquent}} is seen proclaiming he'll someday own Gotham City. Most of the rest of the episode takes place in the present, where said delinquent is Arnold Stromwell, TheDon who has long held Gotham under his sway but whose family life and criminal empire are rapidly collapsing from a MobWar with Rupert Thorne.
* MasterOfDisguise: The bearded drunk that Thorne has removed from his restaurant so he can "talk shop" about disposing of Stromwell with his goons? You'll never guess who that was.....
* MonochromePast: The flashbacks are in sepia tones.
* RailroadTracksOfDoom: Arnold's foot got caught in the rails of a train track at the wrong time. Ironically, it was his brother Michael coming to his rescue who ends up paying for it; Arnold gets away without a scratch.
* RunningGag: One of Stromwell's goons mentions his boss looks pretty sharp on the TV news... Stromwell isn't amused. Later, Detective Bullock tells Commissioner Gordon that he also looked better on TV than in person... Gordon's not amused either.
* AVerySpecialEpisode: Starts off as a basic gang war story, before leaping into an anti-drug Aesop
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