History Recap / TheNewBatmanAdventuresE12OverTheEdge

-->'''Gordon:''' We had a deal!
-->'''Bane:''' Thought about it. Didn't work for me.

* ForegoneConclusion: It's doubtful many fans didn't realize quickly that this was some horrible nightmare, given how much the established status quo would have been altered had it not been... and the ''Scarecrow'' is the villain that causes the whole thing. (Possibly, however, a few were in the dark about just ''who'' was having the nightmare, as it initially seems like ''Batman's'' darkest fears becoming real, and it helps that the original version of Barbara's fall shows her never being touched with any fear toxin.)

* DespairEventHorizon: For both Gordon and Batman. After being declared an outlaw by a man he has utmost respect for, Batman has lost everything: his home, his finances, his allies, his secrecy and even his moral code. He has literally nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, and nothing to fight for but his own life. He tells Tim Drake to save himself since the writing is on the wall for him.

* ForegoneConclusion: It's doubtful many fans didn't realize quickly that this was some horrible nightmare, given how much the established status quo would have been altered had it not been... not to mention that the ''Scarecrow'' is the villain that causes the whole thing. (Possibly, however, a few were in the dark about just ''who'' was having the nightmare, as it initially seems like ''Batman's'' darkest fears becoming real, and it helps that the original version of Barbara's fall shows her never being touched with any fear toxin.)

* MurphysLaw: Practically every single thing that occurs is the worst-case scenario. Barbara gets knocked off the skyscraper, just happening to land on her father's hood to ensure her identity is discovered by the most emotionally involved party possible; Gordon and the rest of the GCPD blame Batman for her death by getting her involved in vigilantism even though Scarecrow was the one who killed her (not to mention that she basically forced herself into being Batman's sidekick against his original wishes); the Rogues Gallery is treated sympathetically enough that they actually have a billion-dollar suit against Bruce; and just when Gordon finally is ready to forgive him, Bane throws the Bat-Signal at them, killing them. Considering the whole episode is a fear toxin-induced nightmare, it's only natural that only the worst possible set of events play out.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Applies to basically everyone in the episode, but especially Batman, Gordon, and the Gotham PD. Bullock instigates it by dropping his usual grumbling-but-tolerant act towards Batman and very clearly plans on shooting him dead once he learns Barbara's been killed.

* TakenOffTheCase: After Commissioner Gordon leads a manhunt against Bruce Wayne following the death of his daughter, Barbara, while helping out as Batgirl, the mayor of Gotham City takes him off the case citing Gordon's personal connections, and the [=D.A.=] is also asking him to step down due to his involvement with Batman. To avenge Barbara's death, Gordon hires Bane to go after Batman. In the end, it was AllJustADream Barbara had after she got hit with Scarecrow's fear toxin.

* HopeSpot: The brief moment where Batman offers Gordon his hand to pull him up, and Gordon actually accepts instead of turning away his help. That's when an exhausted Bane [[LastBreathBullet flings the Batsignal at them]].

* LastBreathBullet: In the last moments of Batgirl's Scarecrow-induced nightmare, Bane, having been fatally electrocuted by Batman, uses the last of his strength to toss the Batsignal into Batman and Jim Gordon, knocking the two off the roof to their deaths.

* MurphysLaw: Practically every single thing that occurs is the worst-case scenario. Barbara gets knocked off the skyscraper, just happening to land on her father's hood to ensure her identity is discovered by the most emotionally involved party possible; Gordon and the rest of the GCPD blame Batman for her death by getting her involved in vigilantism even though Scarecrow was the one who killed her (not to mention that she basically forced herself into being Batman's sidekick against his original wishes); the Rogues Gallery is treated sympathetically enough that they actually have a billion-dollar suit against Bruce; and just when Gordon finally is ready to forgive him, Bane throws the Batsignal at them, killing them. Considering the whole episode is a fear toxin-induced nightmare, it's only natural that only the worst possible set of events play out.

* SymbolicallyBrokenObject: The Batsignal gets broken during Batman's scuffle with Bane. AsYouKnow, the Batsignal is Gordon's link to the Batman, the way he asks for his help. And it's Bane throwing the Batsignal at the two that does them both in, dead as a result of their shattered friendship.

* DarkerAndEdgier: No doubt the darkest episode in the whole series.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Scarface and the Ventriloquist's cameo during the villainous lawsuit sequence. A reformed Wesker had finally confronted and 'killed' the Scarface personality for good only a few episodes earlier (in "Double Talk"). So Wesker's presence here is a subtle clue that these aren't the real Arkham inmates (and by extension this isn't the 'real' Gotham). On the first viewing, the clue can easily be dismissed as Wesker having relapsed in the interim.

* BatmanGambit: Knowing Batman as well as he does, Gordon correctly anticipates a guilt-ridden Bruce will be present at Barbara's funeral despite knowing that it's too dangerous). He thus sets a trap, using SWAT officers to soften Bruce up and drive him right into the arms of someone who ''can'' take on the Batman one-on-one: Bane.

* FailedASpotCheck: Dick's misplaced, if arrogant confidence that the GCPD hadn't found his loft. Gordon had gone into Barbara's systems, so he knew Bruce's identity and the Bat Cave's location. Between that and how meticulous Barbara was with details and information, odds were high the loft's location had been compromised too. It can be justified in-story, as Dick being outed and captured was one of Barbara's fears coming to life.

* BatmanGambit: Knowing Batman as well as he does, Gordon correctly anticipates a guilt-ridden Bruce will be present at Barbara's funeral (and despite knowing better and that it's too dangerous). He thus sets a trap, using SWAT officers to soften Bruce up and drive him right into the arms of someone who ''can'' take on the Batman one-on-one: Bane.
* BewareTheNiceOnes: The episode the otherwise kind and tolerant Jim Gordon going '''ballistic''' after his daughter is killed.

* TheBadGuysWin: This looks to be the only Batman episode where the bad guy wins, as Scarecrow most likely escaped after dosing Barbara in his fear toxin.

* AllJustADream[=/=]FeverDreamEpisode: The episode was Batgirl's hallucination after she was hit with Scarecrow's [[EmotionBomb fear toxin]].

* FakeShemp: Despite his status as the real main villain of this episode, Scarecrow has no dialogue, only producing a laugh provided by an uncredited Creator/JeffBennett.

%% * GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.

* AntiClimax: The events of this episode appear to make this the series finale and the final bowout for Batman and his company with Bane succeeding where others failed; Killing Batman.

* MurphysLaw: Practically every single thing that occurs is the worst-case scenario. Barbara gets knocked off the skyscraper, just happening to land on her father's hood to ensure her identity is discovered by the most emotionally-involved party possible, Gordon and the rest of the GCPD blaming Batman for her death by getting her involved in vigilantism even though Scarecrow was the one who killed her (not to mention that she basically forced herself into being Batman's sidekick against his original wishes), the Rogues Gallery being treated sympathetically enough that they actually have a billion-dollar suit against Bruce, and just when Gordon finally is ready to forgive him, Bane throws the Batsignal at him, killing them. Considering the whole episode is a fear toxin-induced nightmare, it's only natural that only the worst possible set of events play out.

* ForegoneConclusion: It's doubtful many fans didn't realize quickly that this was some horrible nightmare, given how much the established status quo would have been altered had it not been... not to mention that the ''Scarecrow'' is the villain that causes the whole thing. (Possibly, however, a few were in the dark about just ''who'' was having the nightmare, as it initially seems like ''Batman's'' darkest fears becoming real, and it helps that the original version of Baraba's fall shows her never being touched with any fear toxin.)

* MurphysLaw: Practically every single thing that occurs is the worst-case scenario. Baraba getting knocked off the skyscraper, her just happening to land on her father's hood to ensure her identity is discovered by the most emotionally-involved party possible, Gordon and the rest of the GCPD blaming Batman for her death by getting her involved in vigilantism even though Scarecrow was the one who killed her (not to mention that she basically forced herself into being Batman's sidekick against his original wishes), the Rogues Gallery being treated sympathetically enough that they actually have a billion-dollar suit against Bruce, and just when Gordon finally is ready to forgive him, Bane throws the Batsignal at him, killing them. Considering the whole episode is a fear toxin-induced nightmare, it's only natural that only the worst possible set of events play out.

%% * GettingCrapPastThe Radar: Due to overwhelming and persistent misuse, GCPTR is on-page examples only until 01 June 2021. If you are reading this in the future, please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.
* HiddenDepths: Barbara's darkest fear is her dad learning her secret the hard way before she got a chance to tell him herself. She revealed that she's had it for some time before this episode.

* ForegoneConclusion: It's doubtful many fans didn't realize quickly that this was some horrible nightmare, given how much the established status quo would have been altered had it not been... not to mention that the ''Scarecrow'' is the villain that causes the whole thing. (Possibly, however, a few were in the dark about just ''who'' was having the nightmare, as it initially seems like ''Batman's'' darkest fears becoming real.)
* FrivolousLawsuit: Minor villains launch a billion dollar lawsuit against Wayne Enterprises. The [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Johnnie Cochran lookalike]] from "[[Recap/TheNewBatmanAdventuresE7JokersMillions Joker's Millions]]" pops in: "If the bat's on a spree, Wayne must pay the fee!"

* SecretSecretKeeper: It's strongly implied in the end that Commissioner Gordon already knew Barbara is Batgirl.

* CarCushion: Scarecrow bashes Batgirl over the head with his cane, causing her to plummet over the edge of a skyscraper and crash through the windshield of the police car her father is riding in.

* DownerBeginning: More like "WTF Beginning". The explanation - which only makes the situation worse - comes in {{flashback}} a few scenes later.

-->'''Gordon''': I want him alive, alive to spend his days in Arkham, surrounded by [[SuperheroParadox the monsters he's created]].
-->'''Bane:''' Poetic. But no.

'''Gordon:''' ''(*{{beat}}*)'' That makes us even.

-->'''Bullock:''' That's as far as you go ''murderer''.

** Or at least how far Barbara fears he'd go.

* AntiClimax: The events of this episode appear to make this the series finale and the final bowout for Batman and his company.

* ForegoneConclusion: It's doubtful many fans didn't realize quickly that this was some horrible nightmare, given how much the established status quo would have been altered had it not been. (Possibly, however, a few were in the dark about just ''who'' was having the nightmare, as it initially seems like ''Batman's'' darkest fears becoming real.)