Perchance to Dream (Batman: The Animated Series)

"Perchance to Dream" is the 26th episode of Batman: The Animated Series. It was written by noted horror author Joe R. Lansdale and originally aired on October 19, 1992. In this episode, Bruce Wayne awakes in a seemingly idyllic dream world in which his parents are still alive and someone else is Batman. The title is taken from the famous soliloquy from Shakespeare's Hamlet.

"Perchance to Dream"
Batman: The Animated Series episode
Title card from "Perchance to Dream"
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 30
Directed byBoyd Kirkland
Written byLaren Bright and Michael Reaves (story), Joe R. Lansdale (teleplay)
Original air dateOctober 19, 1992
Guest appearance(s)

Plot

Batman pursues a group of criminals into a warehouse where he is blinded by a flash of light and knocked unconscious. He awakens in bed as Bruce Wayne, with no memory of how he came to be there.

It becomes clear that something is very wrong: there is no Batcave beneath Wayne Manor, and Alfred knows nothing of Bruce's alter ego nor of Robin. Furthermore, Bruce's parents are still alive and he is engaged to Selina Kyle, who has no knowledge of her own double life as Catwoman. He can find no evidence of his adventures as Batman being anything more than a dream, and begins doubting his sanity.

He discovers that Batman exists, and is more powerful than he ever was. He starts to relax into his new life which appears to be everything he has ever wanted, until, attempting to read first a newspaper and then books from his library, he finds the text to be a garbled, unreadable mess.

Bruce heads to Gotham Cemetery, evading policemen attempting to take him into custody, where he climbs a bell tower and finds himself face to face with Batman. Bruce demands to have answers, saying he knows he is in a dream world, as reading is a function of the right side of the brain, and dreams are entirely left-sided. The two struggle and Bruce finds the imposter is the Mad Hatter, who confirms Bruce's secret identity has not been compromised, as he is a dream version of the villain, and the real one cannot see into the dream world. He says Bruce cannot wake up from this dream and return to his old life, but Bruce suspects there is a way. He leaps from the belfry to his apparent death.

Batman awakens back in the warehouse with the Mad Hatter's dream machine attached to his head. He escapes and overpowers the villain, demanding an explanation. The Hatter says Batman ruined his life and he was trying to give Batman everything he wanted so he would stay out of the Hatter's life. Batman turns the Hatter over to the police and leaves, facing reality once more.

Reception

"Perchance to Dream" is a very highly regarded episode of Batman: The Animated Series. It received a positive review and an "A-" mark from The A.V. Club.[1] The Animated Batman refers to it as "an astonishing tour de force... the best episode of the series",[2] and Retrojunk calls the battle between Bruce Wayne and Batman "one of the saddest and most humanistic conclusions in the history of animated television".[3]

Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman, considers this his favorite episode of the series.[4][5] Troy Baker, who voices the character in the Lego and Telltale video games and their related cartoon specials, has also claimed this.

The basis for this episode can be found in the plotline of Detective Comics Volume 1, Number 633. The elements of Bruce Wayne awakening are altered from the original comic book plot, but many elements including Bruce Wayne's prowess, his purchase and use of a rope and grappling hook, remain preserved in the animated episode.

References
  1. Sava, Oliver (April 25, 2011). "Batman: The Animated Series: "Eternal Youth"/"Perchance To Dream"". TV Club. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  2. "Perchance to Dream". The Animated Batman: An Unofficial Guide. Retrieved January 18, 2012.
  3. Jswift. "Batman: The Animated Series". RetroJunk. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  4. Sunu, Steve (August 25, 2014). "CBR TV @ SDCC 2014: Kevin Conroy & Troy Baker on Iconic Roles, Hamill's Joker & More". YouTube. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  5. Great Big Story. "Meet the Voice of Batman". YouTube. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
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