The Riddler (Frank Gorshin) returns in Death in Slow Motion, and in a wonderful opening sequence does a great imitation of Chaplin while he and his gang steal the take from a box office showing some classic films.

His main plan is to steal payrolls (and make silent films) from around the city, or is that something to draw in Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward).

Written by Richard Carr this episode debuted on 27 April, 1966.

The Riddler gets everything recorded thanks to a famed director, Von Bloheim (Theodore Marcuse), and has a great time leading the Dynamic Duo on a merry chase around Gotham on a crime spree that includes disrupting a temperance party.

It is this party that devolves into fisticuffs that see Robin captured by the Riddler’s latest moll, Pauline (Sherry Jackson). Riddler sets up the cliffhanger that will see Robin being split in half by a buzzsaw if he’s not rescued in time!

This one despite its great opening with Frank Gorshin channelling his inner Chaplin, and its nod to silent films feels a little looser than other episodes of the season. It doesn’t feel quite as clever. That being said Gorshin continues to look like he’s having a fantastic time (despite the fact that he hated his jumpsuit).

Once again, as we race towards the cliffhanger it’s Robin who is in trouble and not Batman, so we know the Dark Knight will be able to save his old chum in time, it’s just a matter of how…

The Riddler’s False Notion aired the following night on 28 April, 1966 and was also penned by Carr.

The Riddler leaves clues to Robin’s location and Batman is able to get to Robin in time even as everything is recorded on film. But it’s not Robin, it’s a mannequin! Where’s Robin!?

Batman brings Pauline in (and if you didn’t notice in the first episode, this is very much the lovely Sherry Jackson from the famed Trek episode, What Are Little Girls Made Of). He takes her, along with Commissioner Gordin (Neil Hamilton) to the Batcave (after dosing them both) so that Batman and Gordon can figure out Riddler’s plan and where Robin is.

They are able to suss a couple of clues from Pauline’s confession, which Gordon is there to make sure is conducted within the law. But will they be able to figure out things before Robin plunges to his death thanks to Riddler’s schemes?

It’s going to make a heck of a film!

Happily, Batman shows up in time, and once reunited the pair are able to go after Riddler, but there’s a twist about what is really going on! But our heroes are more clever than the master criminal predicts as Batman and Robin are still able to put paid to the Riddler’s scheme!

There are nice nods to silent films but much like the previous story, doesn’t feel quite as good as stories earlier in the season.

It’s still damned fun though! Let’s see what happens when we hit the final story of season one next week!