Batman: The Animated Series Season 3 Episode 7 Make 'Em Laugh

Batman: The Animated Series season 3 episode 7, titled "Make 'Em Laugh," follows the story of a struggling comedian named Vinnie who turns to crime when he can't provide himself with enough income from performing at local clubs. It's up to Batman to bring him to justice and try to help Vinnie see that there are other options besides resorting to a life of crime.

The episode begins with Vinnie working his typical day job as a paper shredder operator at a large corporation. He's also an aspiring stand-up comedian, but despite his best efforts, he can't seem to catch a break in the industry. Meanwhile, a group of criminals approaches Vinnie and convinces him to provide them with access to his office at the corporation so they can steal from a safe.

The theft is a success, but Vinnie is caught and brought in for questioning by the police. Batman becomes involved when he realizes that Vinnie may know more than he's letting on about the criminals behind the theft. Batman interrogates Vinnie, who tries to play it cool and deny any involvement, but he eventually reveals the details of the heist.

Batman is not convinced that Vinnie is telling the truth, and he decides to keep a close eye on him to see if he's involved with any future criminal activities. He learns that Vinnie has started to make a name for himself by doing comedy routines that seem to glorify crime and violence. Batman knows that he needs to intervene before Vinnie's misguided attempts at fame lead him down a dangerous path.

Batman begins to monitor Vinnie's performances more closely and discovers that Vinnie is getting in deeper with the group of criminals he helped before. He learns that Vinnie's reputation as a comedian has earned him a place among this group, which is planning a major heist. Batman interrupts their plans and Vinnie finds himself caught in the middle.

Vinnie is conflicted about what to do next. He has always wanted to be a famous comedian, but he's starting to realize that his association with these criminals is putting his life in danger. Batman tries to help Vinnie see that there are other options for him besides a life of crime. In a heart-to-heart conversation, Batman tells Vinnie that he believes he has the potential to be a successful comedian without resorting to criminal activities.

In the end, Vinnie chooses to do the right thing and help Batman bring the criminals to justice. He also takes Batman's advice and decides to start fresh as a clean, law-abiding comedian. The episode ends with Vinnie taking to the stage at a local comedy club and delivering a heartfelt performance that connects with the audience in a completely new way.

Overall, "Make 'Em Laugh" is a thought-provoking episode that explores themes of ambition, temptation, and the struggle between good and evil. It offers a glimpse into the world of stand-up comedy and the challenges that comedians face in trying to get their big break, and it also highlights the importance of making responsible choices in life. The episode is an excellent addition to Batman: The Animated Series and is sure to resonate with fans of the show.