History Recap / BatmanTheAnimatedSeriesE37TheStrangeSecretOfBruceWayne

* CutHisHeartOutWithASpoon: When the villains are convinced that Strange was scamming them, the Joker threatens to use Strange's head as a bowling ball.

* XanatosSpeedChess: Bruce barely has any time to devise a plan to protect his identity after he uncovers Strange's scheme, but improvises spectacularly.

* XanatosSpeedChess: Bruce barely has any time to devise a plan after he uncovers Strange's scheme, but improvises spectacularly.

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* AdaptationalWimp: As discussed in [[http://about-faces.livejournal.com/80224.html this review]], the Hugo Strange presented in this episode is a far cry from his comic book counterpart (especially in the comic book story "Strange Apparitions," which this episode was loosely based off of).

* AdaptationalUgliness: Where Strange is often depicted as a skilled fighter, here he's short and fat. Not as short or fat as Penguin, though.

The auction begins, with the Joker, Two-Face, and the Penguin initially raising each other's bids, but finally deciding to pool their funds and share the secret. The screen comes to life -- as Batman covertly rearranges the signal cable. Instead of the recording of Bruce's memories, the villains are treated to the sight of Strange telling his minions about his plan to create a fake recording, in which Batman could be anybody he likes, and sell it to "those fools." Enraged, the trio take down Strange's goons and kidnap him, ignoring his protestations that [[FrameUp he was set up]]. In his desperation, Strange attempt to persuading the three villain to spare him by offering up information that Bruce Wayne is Batman for free, [[CassandraTruth only for them to dismiss his claim as simply too bizarre to be believable]].

* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Judge Vargas, for accidentally causing a major fire as a child. After waking up, she confessed to it but everyone tells her it was a long time ago.

* SabotageToDiscredit: Batman discredits Strange in front of the other villains by switching the tape that reveals his secret identity for one he created that shows Strange telling his henchmen about his plan to create a fake tape and auction it off. After that, the villains won't listen to Strange even when he tries to reveal Batman's secret identity free of charge.

The auction begins, with the Joker, Two-Face, and the Penguin initially raising each other's bids, but finally deciding to pool their funds and share the secret. The screen comes to life--as Batman covertly rearranges the signal cable. Instead of the recording of Bruce's memories, the villains are treated to the sight of Strange telling his minions about his plan to create a fake recording, in which Batman could be anybody he likes, and sell it to "those fools." Enraged, the trio take down Strange's goons and kidnap him, ignoring his protestations that [[FrameUp he was set up]].

Batman brings down the villains' plane just before they send Strange skydiving without a parachute, and with the assistance of an arriving police blimp takes them into custody. Strange tells Batman that he still has the hero's secret--until Bruce Wayne walks up, and explains that he was glad to help Batman take down the blackmailer who had targeted his friend Judge Vargas. [[ThisCannotBe Baffled]], Strange is taken away, and "Bruce" reveals himself to be Dick Grayson [[LatexPerfection in disguise]].

-->'''Joker:''' Ah, sunshine! Clean air! ''[coughs]'' Ooh, I ''hate'' it!

* AdaptationalDumbass: Hugo Strange has often been depicted to discover Batman's SecretIdentity by either ripping off the cowl from his face or [[AwesomenessByAnalysis narrowing down the person who has the resources, fitness, and motivation to be the Batman]]. Here, Strange just happens to stumble upon the answer by accident with his mind-reading device. Further more, this Strange foolishly tries to auction off this secret to Gotham's biggest supervillains with no safety precautions or backup plans if things go south whereas the comic book Strange ensures a bullet-proof glass between him and his bidders as well as knowing a technique to fake his death in case his bidders want to get the secret for free.
* AdaptationalWimp: As discussed in [[http://about-faces.livejournal.com/80224.html this review]], the Hugo Strange presented in this episode is a far cry from his comic book counterpart (especially in the comic book story "Strange Apparitions," which this episode was loosely based off of).

* CallBack: When Strange tells the villains Bruce Wayne is Batman, Two-Face tells him that he knows Bruce Wayne, referencing Harvey Dent's friendship with Bruce before becoming Two-Face.

* SecretChaser: Hugo Strange's plan is to dig up people's dark secrets and blackmail them. He wasn't looking for anything specific, but when he realizes that he has discovered Batman's secret identity, he quickly moves to take advantage of the windfall.

Batman brings down the villains' plane just before they send Strange skydiving without a parachute, and with the assistance of an arriving police blimp takes them into custody. Strange tells Batman that he still has the hero's secret--until Bruce Wayne walks up and explains that he was glad to help Batman take down the blackmailer who had targeted his friend Judge Vargas. [[ThisCannotBe Baffled]], Strange is taken away, and "Bruce" reveals himself to be Dick Grayson [[LatexPerfection in disguise]].

* CassandraTruth: Hugo Strange, who has discovered Batman's identity, tells it to the Joker, the Penguin, and Two-Face. All three of them think the idea of Batman being Bruce Wayne is absurd, especially Two-Face. (The Joker's reply is, "And people say ''I'm'' crazy!")

* AdaptationalDumbass: Hugo Strange has often been depicted to discover Batman's SecretIdentity by either ripping off the cowl from his face or [[AwesomenessByAnalysis narrowing down the person who has the resources, fitness, and motivation to be the Batman]]. Here, Strange just happens to stumble upon the answer by accident with his mind-reading device. Further more, this Strange foolishly tries to auction off this secret to Gotham's biggest supervillains with no safety precautions or backup plans if things go south whereas the comic book Strange ensures a bullet-proof glass between him and his bidders as well as knowing a technique to fake his death so he exact revenge on the bidders who try to get the secret for free.