Batman
The Bird's Last Jest (2)
TV Flash files “The Bird's Last Jest (2)” as hour 62 of 120 in the TV Flash guide — Batman (1966–1968) on ABC, season 2, episode 28, aired 1966-12-08, 30 min.
From the desk
How this hour is filed
This leaf is S02E28: listed hour 62 of 120 in the Batman guide, hour 28 of 60 in season 2. It aired 1966-12-08 (30 min). The listed hour before it is “The Penguin's Nest (1)” (S02E27). Next is “The Cat's Meow (1)” (S02E29).
Catalog log
Broadcast listing — not a TV Flash recap.
Attempting to save Chief O'Hara from drowning inside a metal trunk, Batman and Robin find themselves under fire from the Penguin's henchmen. Batman instructs Alfred to pose as famous forger Quill-Pen Quertch (complete with false fingerprints), but the Penguin recognizes Alfred as soon as he puts on his glasses. The evil Bird-man and his cronies then visit stately Wayne manor brandishing a giant Butler-pie.
Viewer FAQ
Where does The Bird's Last Jest (2) sit in the Batman guide?
S02E28 is listed hour 62 of 120 — hour 28 of 60 in season 2, season 2 episode 28.
When did Batman S02E28 air?
The Bird's Last Jest (2) aired 1966-12-08 and is listed at 30 minutes.
Where should I start?
Season 1's twice-weekly cliffhangers are the full candy-colored contract: West, Ward, onomatopoeic graphics, and a guest villain. The 1966 feature film sits between seasons as a longer dose of the same style.
In the series
Why this series still plays
ABC's Batman is camp as a national style guide: Adam West's deadpan virtue, Burt Ward's earnest Robin, and celebrity villains between freeze-frame fight bubbles. Twice-weekly cliffhangers and Pow! graphics locked comic-book TV into prime time. Required viewing before you pick a side in every later dark-versus-fun Batman war.
The freeze-frame is the argument. ABC's *Batman* (January 12, 1966–March 14, 1968) does not wink after the fight; it prints the onomatopoeia on the air itself — Pow, Zap, the candy-colored grammar of a color-TV generation. Adam West plays Bruce Wayne / Batman as deadpan virtue. Burt Ward plays Dick Grayson / Robin as earnestness without an exit. Sincerity is the gag; the gag is the point. William Dozier leaned into camp until camp became a national style guide.
Filed against
- Adam West as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Adam West’s Bruce Wayne / Batman made ABC’s twice-weekly camp a national style guide — deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains between freeze-frame Pow! bubbles. Cliffhangers locked comic-book TV into prime time. TV…
- Burt Ward as Dick Grayson / Robin
Burt Ward's earnest Robin made ABC's Batman a national camp style guide — Adam West's deadpan virtue, celebrity villains, freeze-frame fight bubbles, twice-weekly cliffhangers. Pow! graphics locked comic-book TV into prime time. TV Flash…
- Alan Napier as Alfred Pennyworth
Alan Napier’s Alfred Pennyworth kept Wayne Manor mannered while ABC’s Batman went twice-weekly Pow! — Adam West’s deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains, freeze-frame fight bubbles. Camp as a national style guide.…
- Neil Hamilton as Commissioner Gordon
Neil Hamilton’s Commissioner Gordon kept ABC’s Batman from becoming only freeze-frame fight bubbles — 1960s camp as a national style guide, Adam West’s deadpan virtue, Burt Ward’s earnest Robin, celebrity villains, twice-weekly…