Episodes:
"Devil's Eyes"
Airdate: 02/19/03
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"Devil's Eyes" 1.13 - Original Airdate: 02/19/03
  
Written by Adam Armus & Melissa Rosenberg
Directed by Robert J. Wilson
Guest Stars:
Shawn Christian as Wade Brixton
Robert Patrick Benedict as Gibson Kafka
Steve Hytner as Dr. Franklin Rominic
Co-Starring:
Don't get me wrong, I liked this episode, but with "Devil's Eyes" I see how much of the potential for Birds of Prey was lost.
This should have been intense, and scary, and edgy, and sexy, and full of crazy action. Sadly it was only a few of those things, about half the time as well.
I liked the beginning, a little bit of the middle, and the ending, but had issues with some of the stuff in between. I thougt the show falling and Helena realizing that her life was actually pretty good was lovely. Her embrace with Harley was really good, since we all know she's the baddie and Helena, the big superhero, has no idea. Potential for suspence.
That potential was lost when they learned Harley was evil by watching her on grainy security camera footage, instead of something even remotely more dramatic. The bit about Harley getting powers was a little corny, but Mia Sara kept things lively and the obvious fun she was having with the character came through loud and clear.
Now, in case you missed the episode, I'll let you know, Harley used her hypnotic powers to wreak chaos in New Gotham. Sadly for the viewers, most of that chaos is only spoken of, and little is actually seen on camera. I also find it really annoying that the No Man's Land bar was destroyed by Gibson, instead of rioters, since that would have been infinitely more effective.
Barbara being out of the chair seems to have been done to give Dina Meyer something to do in an action packed episode like this, and the device from "Lady Shiva" gets the job done. Not much to say there.
Alfred was great. Ian Abercrombie did a really great job bringing him to life here. Alfred performing butler duties for Harley and then joining in the climatic fight was fun, and I hope that Abercrombie has a chance to play Alfred in another Batman-related project, since he was fantastic here.
Speaking of Alfred, his call to "Master Bruce" at the end was a nice coda, and even if they couldn't have Batman on the show, for whatever reason, it brought nice closure to know that Batman, whereever he was, was proud of his heroic daughter.
It's a shame Wade died, since he was actually becoming likeable. I thought it was nice that he stopped by to say hi to Barbara and take Dinah to school. Why couldn't we have seen something like that in an earlier episode? His death was important though, since, as was brought up in the episode, it brought everything full circle for the Birds. They'd all lost someone they loved; Helena and Dinah their mothers, and Barbara, the only man she'd ever let into her private life.
The fight scene at the end of the episode was great. The music, the last minute rescue by crashing into the clocktower, the effects, Reese saving Dinah. The whole thing was flawless. It was wonderful seeing Harley in a close version of her spandex suit too, and doing some Harley-esq moves. I cannot tell you how disappointed I'd have been if she hadn't done a cartwheel in the show. I was hoping Joker would show up, but Harley was a real pip anyway.
So, to wrap up, I'll admit that "Feat of Clay" and "Devil's Eyes", like pretty much every other Birds of Prey episode, it their flaws, but they were fun anyway. I'll miss the great acting, especially since the cast was getting better with every episode. I think it'd be awfully swell if the show could have gone on, but these thirteen episodes are a nice package anyway. The characters grew, and the relationships became more interesting. Reese went from an angry cop, to reluctant associate, to partner, to boyfriend. Dinah went from an untrained sidekick to full-fledged partner. Barbara found true love being a 24 hour superhero. Birds of Prey was a good show. Might have been better, but was pretty good anyway.
At least that's what I think. Nothing else to do now but count the days until they release the series on DVD.
Items of Interest for "Devil's Eyes"
"Devil's Eyes" was originally scheduled to air January 15th 2003 as the second half of a Birds of Prey finale send-off. It later aired on February 19th, 2003.
At one time a rumor concerning this episode circulated on most Birds of Prey websites and message board. Though this was proven to be false, it remains here as an item of interest.
This the the rumor circulating for this upcoming episode:
(taken from the Birds of Prey Message Board.)
"From out of the past comes Sarah Grayson, daughter of the once-famous hero Robin, comes to New Gotham city in search of Barbara for her own safety. Her father, Dick, trains a group of young heroes known as the Titans, a shadow of the former life he had at Batman's side - until he was demoted as the Robin. Although hateful of the man he once worked with, Dick followed in Bruce Wayne's footsteps by loving a criminal and having a child with her.
Sarah takes after her father and her mother, a villain who passed on to her daughter certain metahuman abilities involving lethal toxins. Sarah can absorb poisons and use them against people, and has lived a life isolated from most 'normal' people out of the fear that she may inaverdently hurt them with her highly toxic blood. In Gotham, Helena befriends Sarah, who feels more at home with the trio of crimefighters than she ever did with her estranged and bitter father and the Titans, who hold her lineage against her.
Secrets are revealed when Sarah explains to her new friends about Dick and Bruce's falling out, and Helena is confronted with the unpleasant side of her father's demeanor. They are also shocked to learn that Bruce was involved with another woman while Selena was pregnant with Helena - and the woman eventually became Sarah's mother.
The women must band together to fight a villain known as 'Ras', who may hold a dark secret connected to Sarah. It is possible that Ras is a take-off on the Batman villain Ra's Al Ghul, which would tie in to the continuity displayed by bringing in the other famous characters : Robin, the Titans - and Sarah's mother, the villain with a command of poisons, certainly sounds familiar."
WB Summary for "Devil's Eyes"
Coming soon.
TV Guide Summary for "Devil's Eyes"
"In the two-part series finale, a guard begins turning to stone from the outside in after a toxic compound is stolen from a chemical plant, so Helena visits the incarcerated Clayface to inquire about a cure. But Helena finds the criminal may know about more than chemicals, as he only answers her questions after she reveals some painful personal information. Elsewhere, Barbara disappoints Wade by canceling their trip to the Bahamas."
Comicology for "Devil's Eyes"
Harley Quinn is a psychiatrist by day and the Joker's twisted girl-friday by night. Harley first appeared in a 1992 episode of Batman the animated series and later crossed over into the comics. Harley was once considered a possible villain for a live-action Batman movie.
"Master Bruce" is Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman. In the Earth-2 comics, he fathered Helena Wayne, the Huntress, with Catwoman, providing the inspiration for Birds of Prey.
Robin is Batman's teen sidekick. The men who have been Robin over the years, Dick Greyson, Tim Drake and Jason Todd, were mentioned in "Slick".
Ratings for "Devil's Eyes"
02/19/03 - 3.3/5
??? out of ??? programs for that week, 6 in it's timeslot (out of 6)
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