Batman: The Enemy Within - Episode 5: Same Stitch

the Last of Us

It started off with a two week timeskip to where John recruited some guys from the Stacked Deck bar for his own little crusade, even Willy. Oh, hi Frank. Long time no see. And then, ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Joker. Using his "Joker-rangs", homemade smoke pellets, grapple gun with teeth and his own little utility belt to hold it all. He sure does clean up well. Fighting alongside him against the Agency was cool. But then things get intense when they unleashed Bane on us and his venom got modified so that the effects don't wear off. He's scary enough when they were just temporary. Managed to take him out using the smokestack.

But then as soon as Bane says Waller told him he killed Riddler, Joker lashed out with a knife and I tried telling him heroes never killed. Then he gets to meet Alfred for the first time. Really left a real first-impression on, that's for sure. After Waller threatened to reveal who Batman is, I decided to call Avesta for help. I was tempted to try calling Gordon so he can help, but he doesn't work in the GCPD anymore, so I didn't think he would've had the resources to get dirt on Waller. Avesta really came through for me and gave me the perfect countermeasure to shut her down.

John really didn't approve me letting Waller leave Gotham after what she did. It was just pure chaos on that rooftop, which ended with John using leftover explosives from the bridge nearly got me killed via falling through the roof and getting impaled by rebar (Reminded me of TLOU). I thought that I had gotten Avesta killed, but thankfully, she made it out fine.

I brought Tiffany with me to help find Joker and hearing her failed disguised voice was funny XD. At least no one recognized her. I was so glad to see Gordon again back in the field, even though he was relieved of duty. First time I've ever seen him without his trademark trench coat on. He even apologized for his actions. I'm just glad he was there with me to the end. Going through the crime scene and doing some detective work with Tiffany and Gordon was pretty good. Then Harley suddenly appears out of nowhere saying she works for the Agency, badge and everything. Gordon was badass with his "I'm off duty" line after shooting the radio out of Harley's hand with that revolver. Tiffany got a piece of the action by hacking her collar and shocking her.

With Harley cuffed and out of the picture, it was time to go see Joker at Ace Chemicals (And save Waller). This confrontation was very intense and also emotional. Joker wanted a confession out of her? Okay, fine. But I drew the line at killing her. He really didn't like me interfering. When Tiffany confessed to killing Riddler, and even showed the dart as proof, I was like
Poor Lucius is probably rolling over in his grave right now.

The Agency arrived and nearly cuffed Joker, but then he really went over the edge. I really didn't want to, but I fought him with all I had. It was a very bloody and brutal fight with both of us using similar tactics and moves to the end. Only difference was that I was trying to subdue him and he was trying to kill me. It was a nice touch how it ended with John's photo gallery in the room.

Joker was finally captured and sent back to Arkham, but I wasn't done yet. Had a last conversation with Waller and Gordon, and even talked to Tiffany about her confession. I don't approve murder, but I do sympathize her need of revenge against Riddler. After we finished our talk, we set flying through the city. Actually, more like she was flying, Batman could only glide. Why couldn't she built a jetpack for me?

That last talk with Alfred was really emotional. I thought he was going on vacation, but he really was leaving for good. He says that despite all the good Batman has done for Gotham, they end up making things worse and all the villains that attacked Gotham were created because of Bruce and Batman's actions, and that leaving the mission behind altogether may be the only solution. Of all the choices Bruce has had to make in both seasons, this one really hits home and is the most difficult. Choosing which is more important; the mission to keep Gotham safe, or Alfred, the man who raised him.

In the end, I made my choice to give up being Batman just so Alfred would stay. After that, I was starting to think about what I was going to tell Gordon. But the episode ended before I could think any further. With an extra cutscene of John in his old room with Bruce paying him a visit.

RELATIONSHIPS:
- Harley Quinn; Agency Asset - I dismissed her importance to the Agency. Whatever she thinks she can gain from working with the Agency, she sure as hell won't get it for free, assuming she will at all.

- Amanda Waller; Director of the Agency - I remained in a stalemate with her. Despite Gordon asking us not to rip each other's heads off, I just couldn't pretend to be nice with her. If she hadn't tried to shoot John, this whole thing wouldn't have escalated. She left Gotham as my enemy.

- Jim Gordon; Partners - I accepted his apology and he was grateful. I can't blame him for losing his self-control. But at least with Waller gone, he can go back to being Commissioner again.

- Catwoman; On The Prowl - I helped Selina go free. Despite not warning her about the GCPD ambush, she still continued to support me.

- Tiffany Fox; Protege - I took Tiffany under my wing and now she's repenting for Riddler's murder. I still can't believe it was her that killed Riddler. I didn't have it in me to send her behind bars.

- Iman Avesta; COO Wayne Enterprises - She helped me blackmail Waller and then I asked her to come work for me. I wonder if she could also lend a hand in helping Tiffany with learning to keep Gotham safe.

- Alfred Pennyworth; Family - He is cautiously optimistic about my shared future since I gave up the cowl. It won't be easy, but I just couldn't let him go.

- John Doe/Joker; Fallen Friend - I told him we were still friends, and he thinks I am as crazy as he is for considering ourselves friends. I truly wanted to believe that, for all his crazyness and unstable behavior on how to deal out justice, there was still some good in him. But, he allowed himself to go down the dark path.


MY CHOICES:
* I saved Willy. I knew Joker would be mad at me if I didn't help his friend from getting his head caved it.
* I brought Tiffany out into the field. Lucius may not approve, but I actually wanted to give her a chance and I really believed that I could protect her from whatever or whoever may try to hurt her.
* I refused to hand over Joker to Waller. I wasn't going to betray him.
* I defeated Vigilante Joker. I just wished I could've done more to get him to listen to reason.
* I decided to give up the cowl so Alfred can stay. For me, family is the most important thing, and Alfred was too important to me to just let him walk out the door.

The photos collected; Sad John with Bruce in the background at the funeral, John and Batman on the GCPD rooftop and the Pact in the spa elevator with Catwoman.