Election Day (Gotham Eternal)

Episode 1 of the first season of Gotham Eternal. It follows the reemergence of a familiar foe, following a horrible attempt on Harvey Dent's life. Meanwhile, Robin and Batgirl protect Gotham by finding leads to the Black Mask's whereabouts.

Cast

 * Robert Pattinson as Batman/Bruce Wayne
 * Nick Robinson as Robin/Dick Grayson
 * Charles Dance as Alfred
 * Sophie Turner as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon
 * Lakeith Stanfield as Harvey Dent
 * Kevin Durand as Blockbuster
 * Jim Caviezel as Black Mask/Roman Sionis
 * JK Simmons as Commissioner Jim Gordon
 * Adrien Brody as the Joker

Story
Batman and Robin look over the city from the top of a building. They’re investigating the emerging Black Mask criminal enterprise, and see some of his goons making a deal in an alley.

Robin

That’s our cue.

The duo jump on the thugs, beating them with ease. Batman catches one of the thugs fleeing away, and grabs him by the collar.

Batman

Sionis. Tell me where his drug stash is.

Goon

Like I’d tell you!

Batman

What do you value more? Your loyalty to Black Mask or your functioning arms.

Batman raises his fist to threaten the goon

Goon

Alright! Alright! Listen, I just work for the guy! He moves his stash weekly, it could be anywhere now!

Robin

Well where was it last?

Goon

Yeah right, like I’m snitching for the birdie.

Batman throws him at a trash can and slowly approaches him. He puts his foot on his arm.

Batman

TALK!

Goon

He has a base set up in Old Gotham! Clock Tower, that’s your best bet! I swear I don’t know anything else!

Batman picks the goon up and walks him to the sidewalk, and handcuffs him to a streetlight. He calls Gordon through his comms.

Batman

Gordon. About 7 thugs working for Black Mask are over by Crime Alley. You should come pick them up.

Gordon

You’re making the job too easy Batman.

Gordon hangs up. The scene switches to the Batmobile driving into the Batcave, Alfred waits by the computer as the duo get out of the car.

Alfred

Master Bruce, Master Dick. I take it your patrol was successful?

Batman

We have a lead. Clock Tower in Old Gotham.

Alfred

Old Gotham? My, that area is a cesspool.

Robin

Won’t be for long, me and Batman got it.

Alfred

Well, I must remind Master Bruce that he has an event to attend tonight. As Bruce Wayne. You do remember Harvey Dent, don’t you?

Batman

His election rally. But I do need to-

Robin

Bruce, relax. You keep saying appearances are important, I can take this.

Jason Todd

And I can help him.

Batman

Absolutely not.

Jason

Come on, Bruce, how come? I’ve been in the AR room training for 3 years now! I’m basically just as good as Dick!

Robin

Wouldn’t go that far bud.

Batman

You’re 16 years old. You need to be focused on school.

Jason

Dick started at 15!

Batman

I didn’t find Dick in the streets, did I?

Jason

Ohhhh, I get it now! It’s cause I’m a street urchin right? You just don’t trust me?

Batman

When we agreed on your training, we agreed you would be using this in self defense only, you are not to seek out danger. I will not be having this conversation again. Alfred, I’m heading to the rally now, Dick you’re on Clock Tower. Jason, you are not to leave this house, do you understand me.

Jason

Whatever old man.

Jason walks over to the training room, while Batman heads over to the clock statue that leads directly to Wayne Manor.

Alfred

Master Dick, perhaps you should..

Robin

Way ahead of you.

Dick walks over to the training room to find Jason punching a punching bag.

Robin

You should lean more into your punches. More power.

Jason

Heh. What do you want, Dick?

Robin

Listen, I know he’s hard on you. It’s his own sick twisted way of caring.

Jason

Yeah, I sure feel the love. What is this a pep talk?

Robin

Listen to me, Jason. He’ll come around. It looks to me like you’ll be seeing action pretty soon.

Jason

What gives you that idea?

Robin

Because.. I’m retiring.

Jason stops punching

Jason

You’re what?

Robin

Yeah. After this whole Black Mask ordeal is over, I’m handing in the cape.

Jason

But how can you just quit? You’re Robin dude you work directly under the Dark Knight himself!

Robin

I’m 18 man, I can’t keep running around in his shadow. I need to be my own man, and I don’t think that man runs around in a mask and cape. I’m thinking of going to GCU, applying on a late admission.

Jason

Okay but what about your Young Justice League?

Robin

They’ll pick it up without me.

Jason

Okay but even if you do quit.. How do you know he’d give the mask to me? I mean, Barbera is right there for him to choose.

Robin

She’s always done her own thing more or less. Besides, Jason.

Robin unmasks himself.

Dick

I want you to be Robin. If things went differently, I could’ve landed right where you were over in Crime Alley. You deserve this mask more than I do.

Jason

Jesus Dick, I don’t know what to say.

Dick

Then don’t. Keep training, you’re going to need it after I put in a good word with Bruce. How can he say no to his favorite son?

Jason

Hilarious. And thanks Dick. Thank you for trusting me.

Dick

Don’t think I’m the only one, Jason. We all do.

Dick leaves the training room, the scene switches to a high brow outdoor event. Bruce Wayne exits his car to a flurry of paparazzi

Multiple Papparazzi

Bruce, how are you doing? Are you here to support your friend Harvey Dent? Do you think he’s actual mayor material? Etc..

Bruce

Please guys! No more questions, I’m only here to support my friend. Speak of the devil..

Harvey

Brucie! How the hell are ya!

Bruce

Hey friend, you excited to become the Mayor?

Harvey

Don’t jinx it now! The results aren’t for two more hours.

Bruce

Like Hill stands a chance.

Harvey

I mean, he has been the mayor for four years. And four more years before James term.

Bruce

Listen, Hill is as corrupt as they come. Gotham is sick of getting bullied, Harvey, you’ll have no trouble getting in.

Harvey

Well, here’s hoping you’re right.

Harvey flips his lucky silver dollar coin.

Harvey

Seems like luck is on my side Bruce. I’ll see you later, gotta go make a speech.

Bruce is watching Harvey walk on to the stage, and a man in a hoodie bumps him as he walks by. He thinks nothing of it, his friend’s speech is more important. At the podium, Dent taps the mic.

Harvey

(Jokingly) Is this thing on?

The crowd laughs and cheers

Harvey

Friends, citizens of Gotham! I can not tell you how much it means to me for you all to come out here! I can not thank you all enough, especially your pockets (jokingly)

Crowd laughs some more

Harvey

I’m joking! Only kidding! Listen, you may all know me from my decorated career as your District Attorney, but why don’t I tell you how I came to be? How does that sound?

The crowd cheers

Harvey

When I was a kid, I was raised to follow the ideals of justice. Law. What’s right. So as a kid.. Well I never really much liked bullies. Well, Mayor Hamilton Hill is the biggest bully in this city!

The crowd cheers

Harvey

While you sleep, he takes your money! While you enjoy a night out with friends, there stands a good chance that you will get mugged. What does Hill do about it? He rakes in the profit!

The crowd boos, gets more excited

Harvey

Well, I say no more! Tonight we take Hill down, tonight we reclaim Gotham in the name of what’s right! In the name of the law! In the name of Just-

Gunshots are fired nearby, Harvey turns his head towards the chaos. Bruce looks at that way too until a gun is pointed at his head. As Dent has turned towards the chaos, acid squirts out of the microphone and burns off half of his face.

Harvey

AGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Bruce

HARVEY NO!

Thug

Get on the ground, rich boy!

Another thug with a clown mask takes center stage, firing rounds into the air.

Thug

EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND! WE WANT EVERYTHING YOU HAVE IN THE BAG NOW! STAY CALM AND WE WON’T HURT NOBODY!

One of the thugs shoots one of the rich people in the head.

Thug

Okay, I lied. We might hurt some of you.

The crowd screams while doing as he says, Bruce scowls and looks up at them.

Meanwhile, Dick has arrived near Clock Tower. He grapples up to the roof, with an opening on the armed criminals and the drug stash. Barbera plops in right next to him.

Robin

What the- Babs?

Batgirl

I swear I told you to stop calling me that.

Robin

How did you- Batman told you to trail me didn’t he.

Batgirl

What? Not that’s- (sighs) he did.

Robin

I swear to God, there’s no trust!

Batgirl

So that’s why you’re retiring?

Robin

I don’t really wanna talk about it.

Batgirl

I just don’t get it, Dick! You’re helping out here so much

Robin

I can’t live the rest of my life under his shadow, especially when he’s gonna be pulling shit like this! No offense.

Batgirl

Didn’t take any until you said no offense.

Robin

Look I just mean. It’s been different. It’s not like when I was a kid, ready to follow every single order like a good little solider. I’ve grown out of being Robin.

Batgirl

Then don’t be Robin. Look at me! I barely even report to Bruce! I’m my own hero.

Robin

I just, I don’t know Barbera.

Batgirl

Just think about what I said, okay? Make the decision that’s best for you. You ready Dicky?

Robin

More than you know Babs.

The duo jump in the room, dodging gunfire and eliminating the crowd. Soon they are surrounded by more gunned men, and Blockbuster is behind them.

Robin

Blockbuster.

Blockbuster

The little birdy. I’ve been waiting on this rematch for a while.

Meanwhile, Bruce sneaks out of the crowd by exploding a smoke bomb.

Thug

Who did that? Make sure to check for Batman!

He quickly grapples on the roof, and contacts Alfred.

Alfred

I’ve been watching sir. I’m sending a bat suit to your location now.

Batman

Thank you Alfred. Also have a drone scan for vitals in the crowd.

A jet comes to drop a capsule w his suit on the roof. A drone also deploys and flies over the crowd. Batman suits up and inconspicuously takes out the guards, using different gadgets and methods.

Batman

Alfred, scan?

Alfred

Aside from the poor man who was shot in the head, no casualties sir. Although, you may want to check on Mr. Dent.

Batman runs over to Harvey.

Batman

Dent.

Batman nudges his unresponding body.

Harvey

Batman? (Wheezing) Batman, what’s happened?

Batman

You’ve been severely burned, an acid attack.

Harvey

Where were- (wheeze) where were you?

Batman is silent.

Harvey

It doesn’t (wheeze) it doesn’t matter (wheeze), you failed me. (Wheeze). Batman, you (wheeze) you failed me.

Batman is silent some more.

Batman

Wait right here. I’ve called the paramedics.

Batman finds a calling card in his suit pocket, it’s a joker card with a cartoon joker with green hair painted over the card. Batman grapples upwards.

Back at the Clock Tower, Robin and Barbera are surrounded by armed men.

Batgirl

You know him Dick?

Robin

Yeah, Blockbuster. He’s kinda my bad guy.

Blockbuster

You cost me 20 Ms birdie. For that, you and your little girlfriend’s gonna pay with your lives.

Batgirl

Girlfriend?

Robin

Somehow, I doubt that blockhead.

Robin drops a smoke bomb, clouding the armed men’s vision. They easily take them out, and Blockbuster grabs the drug stash and jumps out the window.

Robin

He’s on the move!

Robin and Batgirl both glide safely towards the ground. Blockbuster throws cars away as he causes massive collateral damage.

Robin

Stay back and deal with crowd control, I’ve got Blockbuster.

Robin grapples away.

Batgirl

You owe me!

Dick is chasing Blockbuster from the rooftops, jumping from building to building

Robin

This would be so much easier if you just (jumps) gave up!

Blockbuster

My ass!

Robin throws two explosive batarangs at him, and they explode off his back easily, but Blockbuster has to take a second to stop in the smoke.

Blockbuster

Won’t be that easy!

Robin swoops in and kicks Blockbuster in the face.

Robin

I’m counting on it.

Suddenly, an armed helicopter comes to shoot at Robin. He finds a car to hide behind on. Blockbuster grabs onto the ladder.

Blockbuster

Later chump!

Robin throws a batarang at the helicopter, placing a tag on it to track. He could’ve sworn he saw the pilot wearing a clown mask.

At the Batcave, Batman scans the card. Robin and Batgirl arrive.

Robin

Bruce, we ran into trouble.

Batman

What’s trouble?

Robin

We were at the location, but so was Blockbuster. He got away with the drugs.

Batman

Then we’ll catch him. At the rally.. at the rally several armed men took hostages in the crowd. Harvey Dent was severely injured.

Batgirl

Jesus Christ! What happened?

Batman

Half of his face was melted off by acid. The only clue on the scene, aside from the Thugs in the clown masks, was this calling card. A Joker.

Batgirl

You don’t think he’s-

Batman

I’m double checking, but I think he is. There’s no fingerprints on the card, not even Harvey’s. I think the Joker’s back.

Robin

Is he capable of orchestrating something like this? He was robbing banks with a pistol and two other men when we caught him.

Batman

I wouldn’t underestimate him. I predict a long couple of weeks.

Robin

Speaking of which.. Batman, I’m going to head over to Jump City.

Batgirl

Jump City??

Robin

Yeah. The Young Justice League and I, we can do some good over there. It doesn’t look like it, but it’s crime infested. I could.. I could also use some space, Bruce.

Batman

I understand.

Robin

Wait, really?

Batman

When I was your age, I was in the middle of my journey to become the Bat. I left everything I knew, my own home, to travel the world and master it. What you’re doing now.. it’s very similar. So yes, I understand.

Robin

Wow.. alright! Wait.

Batman

What is it

Robin

When I’m gone, you’ll need a partner.

Batman

Batgirl.

Robin

I was thinking more Jason.

Batgirl

What a vote of confidence Dick.

Robin

Sorry okay? I just think it’s time Bruce. He’s ready.

Batman

I disagree. He’s hotheaded, unstable.

Robin

And I wasn’t?

Batman

This is too important to me to go out on the field with an untrained partner. Batgirl and I will be able to neutralize the threat easier.

Robin

Okay. But after this.. Bruce promise me. When I leave, and I’m going to, make sure Jason gets the mask.

Batman

We’ll see.

Alfred

I believe that’s as far as you’re going to get with him, Master Dick. Good luck in Jump City.

Robin

Thanks Alfred. Batman. Barbera.

Robin leaves the Batcave. Outside of the Manor, he gets ready to drive away. Batgirl isn’t far outside.

Batgirl

Dick, wait!

Robin

Barbera, listen-

Batgirl

No, it’s fine. I get it, you need time to get away. It’s going to be good for you.

Robin

Thanks. Really, since I started, you’ve been my closest friend.

Batgirl

Sweet. Jump City’s pretty far away, you driving the whole thing?

Robin

Hell no! I’m meeting Kid Flash in metropolis, he’s got the rest of the way for me.

Batgirl

Why not just have him meet you here-

Robin

Can’t stage a dramatic exit and risk getting caught being swept off my feet and carried away now can I?

Batgirl

I guess not. Guess I’ll catch you then, birdie.

Robin

You can try.

Robin speeds off on his bike, as Barbera watches. Meanwhile, Batman and Alfred discuss the Joker clue.

Batman

Clown masks at the rally, clown masks at Black Mask’s camp.. our only in is Sionis.

Alfred

I don’t imagine he’ll be too cooperative.

Batman

He’ll talk. I’ll make sure of it.

After Credit Scene
Black Mask sits at a desk with Mayor Hill.

Mayor Hill

He’s not dead.

Black Mask

But he’s out of the race. There’s no way he can come back from that, he’s unqualified to lead. You make a late arrival to your acceptance campaign to show how "bad you feel" about what happened to Dent, then Gotham is ours.

Mayor Hill

Just as well.. which monster should I thank?

Shadowy Figure

That would be me.

Hill

And who the hell is that?

Shadowy Figure

Ha! Wouldn't you like to know?

He shoots him in the stomach, watching him bleed out, head slumped on the desk

Black Mask

YOU IDIOT!

Shadowy Figure

You shouldn’t stress so much! It’s bad for your skin. Besides, I’m only joking.

The camera pans in on the figure, and it’s a smiling Joker.

Black Mask

Do you know how many men he came with?

Joker

What are they gonna do? They’re too busy dying!

The scene cuts to guards in the car, dead and smiling from laughing gas.

Black Mask

The last place the MAYOR OF GOTHAM visited was MY tower. Now he’s dead. Hunched over my Italian maple desk.

Joker

You don’t know who you’re playing games with, do you kiddo? Let’s just say I know a guy who knows a guy who knows a top of the line plastic surgeon. I can refer him to you if you want-

Black Mask

Be very careful with your next words.

Joker

Mayor Hill is fine. Turn on the TV! Let’s see what’s on, why don’t we.

Black Mask

What are you-

Joker

Turn it on Romey.

Black Mask switches on the news, and Hill is accepting his victory onstage.

Hill

-I sympathize with Dent and his family during these troubling times. But I would like to make it clear that I will still be the best mayor that I can, I will put Gotham first-

Joker

What a showboat! Let’s see what else is on!

Black Mask

What’s going on?

Joker

What’s going on is that Mayor Hill is fine. Better than fine, he’s now under our control! Romey baby, we just won the election! HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!

Episode End.