http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Recap/BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE32RobinsReckoningPart1
Batman and Robin are on stakeout at a construction site targeted by a protection racket. As expected, some goons show up late at night to sabotage it; the duo quickly defeats them. When asked who they were working for, one of them is terrified into coughing up a name. Tony Zucco. The very man responsible for the death of Robin's parents...
Tropes in this episode include:
- Armor-Piercing Question: Alfred reminds Batman that Dick is feeling very alone while he pursues Zucco.
Batman: I'm doing this for him.
Alfred: I'm sure revenge can be deliciously sweet. However, at the moment, he needs a friend. Isn't that what you needed, sir?
- Armor-Piercing Response: When the remaining mook identifies his boss as Billy Merrin, Batman immediately becomes more serious about the interrogation and orders Robin to go get the Batmobile. We learn why this struck a nerve through the course of the flashbacks.
- Continuity Nod:
- Dick mentions he hasn't been able to be Robin as frequently since he started college, perhaps as a nod to how sparse his appearances have been in the series up to this point.
- Tony Zucco's uncle is Arnold Stromwell from "It's Never Too Late".
- One of Zucco's aliases is "Sid the Squid".
- Costume Evolution: The bat-symbol on Batman's outfit in the flashbacks lacks the yellow oval. His utility belt also uses pouches instead of cylinders, just like his later costumes.
- Disinherited Child: Stromwell is furious that Zucco brought Batman's attention on him and kicks him out of the family while smacking him with a newspaper.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Robin grouses about being iced out of the case without explanation, saying he's not a kid any more. He freaks when he learns Zucco is back and how he's being denied the chance to settle a personal score.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Stromwell beats Zucco for the trouble he caused and disowns him.
- First-Name Basis: After Dick arrives at the manor, Bruce tells him he doesn't have to bother with any formalities.
- Five Stages of Grief: After learning what became of Bruce's own parents, Dick asks if the hurt ever goes away. Bruce says no, but that it will get better for him over time.
- Gone Horribly Wrong: Stromwell notes how Zucco's petty extortion schemes have brought the wrath of the Batman down on all of them.
- Gory Discretion Shot: Dick's parents' death. All that is shown are the broken trapeze rope, a gasp from the crowd, and Reaction Shots from Dick and Bruce. The producers wanted it to be to be more graphic, but the censors were worried about children being too scared. In hindsight, Bruce Timm thanked the censors because it let them produce a more effective scene.
- Harmful to Minors: As in other versions, Dick sees his parents fall to their deaths.
- He Knows Too Much: Gordon is certain that Zucco will try to shut up a material witness. Part of the reason Dick is taken to Wayne Manor is that it'd make such an effective safe house.
- Hope Spot: As Batman says, he was this close to nabbing Zucco on Stromwell's property and making things right for Dick.
- It's All My Fault: After his parents die, Dick blames himself for not trying harder to warn them about Zucco. Bruce says he knows what it's like to think like that, but he assures him it wasn't his fault.
- It's Personal: Zucco is this for Robin and to a lesser extent Batman, being the one who killed Robin's parents.
- Knuckle Cracking: In a flashback, there's a crook who is loudly declaring "I'm no squealer!" that Batman needs to get information out of. Batman just cracks his knuckles and narrows his eyes threateningly. The guy talks.
- Misplaced Retribution: When the ringmaster won't give into Zucco's protection racket, he retaliates by sabotaging the trapeze wire, which results in the death of Dick's parents, even though they had nothing to do with what happened between Zucco and the ringmaster.
- Mood Whiplash: The tender moment of Bruce comforting young Dick in his grief immediately cuts to Robin angrily denouncing Batman for denying him the chance to go after Zucco.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: Thomas F. Wilson based his voice for Tony Zucco on John Travolta, who played Danny Zuko in Grease.
- Not Now, Kiddo: When Dick recognizes Zucco leaving the tent, he tries to tell his parents, only for his mother to cut him off saying it was time for their act. This turns out to be fatal.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Between Bruce and Dick. Bruce takes pity on Dick after his parents' deaths and offers to take him in because he knows what it's like to have one's parents killed in their presence. Bruce tells Dick about how his own parents died when he was his age, and how he also feels he could have done something different. Alfred also reminds Bruce that what he wanted at the time wasn't justice, but a friend.
- Oh, Crap!: Zucco when he hears gunfire and realizes Batman is still on Stromwell's property.
- Sad Clown: An actual clown at the circus is sad because Dick's parents died and Dick is leaving.
- Shadow Discretion Shot: The last thing shown of Dick's parents are swinging on the sabotaged trapeze. The spotlight pulls away just before they plummet.
- Shame If Something Happened: Zucco's attempt to press the circus owner for protection money is based on this, and when he refuses to pay the bribe, Zucco sabotages the Graysons' trapeze line.
- Shout-Out: The ringmaster calls his circus "The grandest show on Earth".
- To Be Continued: Robin ignores Batman's orders and intends to hunt down Zucco by himself.
- Whole Episode Flashback: The majority of the episode is spent on flashbacks to Dick's youth, showing the deaths of his parents, Bruce taking him in, and Batman's initial manhunt for Zucco.
- You Can't Go Home Again: Dick must leave the circus, since Zucco might come after him.
He has to say good-bye to friends he considers his family as much as his parents. - You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry!: Or as Batman put it, "Grumpy".
