> > > The "CSI: Gotham" nature of exhaustively grounding even the most improbable plot devices in potentially attainable technology and forensic science was very clever and fun, but, yeah, it did kind of highlight the disconnect between the deliberately non-stylized style of this world's reality, versus the costume-wearing vigilantes and criminals who appeared in it. That being said, I actually quite liked the idea that the Joker would be deemed a "terrorist" in the post-9/11 world, as well as the questions about security-versus-liberty that the story was smart enough to acknowledge, at least.
> >
> > Yeah, but thinking through the terrorist analogy led me to some unpleasant associations. Essentially, this movie comes across as George Bush's wet dreams of himself. First, and most obvious, is that Batman is completely willing to tap and spy on every citizen in Gotham if it will help him catch this dangerous terrorist. He doesn't hesitate to resort to torture in order to get information... Not just intimidation, mind you... actual torture. What's more, his main objection to Harvey himself torturing that one guy is that it would be bad if the public found out about it. (Note that neither he nor Harvey ever have qualms about using information gathered through torture committed by shadow agents (aka Batman himself), so it's all about the political appearance rather than any inherent immorality in the act itself.) And in the end of the film, the most noble thing that Batman can do is withhold the truth from the public and allow them to hate him, all for their own good. I'm sure this is going to be a favorite in the White House.
>
> You'd think, but Batman himself comes to realize his methods are dragging him further down into the depths here. He knows he's wrong, which is why he destroys the spy rig at the end, therefore keeping Lucius as an ally.
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Except that they go through with using it... which means they felt it was justified at least that one time because of the danger the terrorist posed. Oh, sure... it's not the kind of thing they'd leave around to use during
peacetime, certainly, and so when they were done with it they destroyed it. But while the Joker was out there, they used it.
If they wanted to send the message that it wasn't acceptable, then Lucius should have quit on the spot and left the room, showing that Bruce had already gone too far. Agreeing to do anything "Just this once" never sends the message that something is truly forbidden, and always leaves the door open to doing it again.
