The Lion and The Unicorn was the last episode of the Batman the Animated Series that was aired. It's fitting in a way that the last episode finally revealed Alfred Pennyworth's back story and that it would bring back the villain Red Claw. The plot is as follows. In the middle of Alfred's buttling he gets a call from one of his "cousins". There is apparently some sort of problem in the UK that needs Alfred's attention. He races back to England, Batman and Robin follow and pretty soon the three of them are caught up in Red Claw's evil scheme. This time she is extorting England for a million pounds with the threat of dropping a nuclear bomb on London. Alfred has been a part of the show since On Leather Wings. He is one of the most prolific characters after Batman/Bruce. He's not a sidekick like Robin or an ally like Commissioner Gordon. Just a loyal well trained Butler. And this is the first episode we get a hint of his life before Bruce. Apparently Alfred was a Secret Agent, James Bond style. The Cousin who called him was a fellow agent and Alfred gets pulled back to England thanks to an old Government secret they shared. A secret that involves the nuclear bomb that Red Claw wants to get her hands on. We finally get to see Alfred in action. Frankly it's a shame we didn't get more of it but I do appreciate the little we got. We also get to see Batman and Robin in a different country and a different city. The Dynamic Duo get to tangle with henchmen on a double decker bus and argue with the Prime Minister. The whole thing caps off in a Scottish Castle. Plus we get the long awaited return of Red Claw. She is not one of the more well known villains from BTAS. Actually she is probably one of the most obscure, but I still enjoy her. A ruthless international terrorist and one of the only female villains that is totally ruthless and evil.
All and All a terrific episode.
All and All a terrific episode.
