Primal Scream

Legend tells of a caped crusader Batman, guardian of New Gotham and his one true love Catwoman, the queen of the criminal underworld. Their passion left behind something extraordinary: A daughter, Huntress. Half-metahuman, she has taken up her father's mantle and under cover of the night, fights to protect the innocent and helpless. Joining her in this struggle, Oracle who was once Batman's protegee, Batgirl. She was caught in the crossfire of the war between Batman and Joker. Now she fights crime a different way: A master of the cyberrealms and mentor and trainer to heroes. Together, they have taken in a young runaway, Dinah. A metahuman herself with powers to open hidden doors to the mind powers that she is only beginning to explore. Together, these three are the protectors of New Gotham the Birds of Prey. My name is Alfred Pennyworth, and this is their story. That was quick. You trigger the Batring, I show up. That's the deal. What can I do for you, detective? Heh, I guess I just didn't realize it was gonna be so fast. I'm known for my response time. Well - You think about what I said? - About taking it to the next level? Yeah. I thought about it. Something a little more hands-on. - Mm. - You know, see if we're compatible. - See what kind of fit we are together. - Mm-hm. Just an experiment, though. I mean, no strings. Of course. I'm a little commitment-shy, myself. Hmm. I just figured it'd be a good way for us to you know, sort of get to know each other. Sounds good. Because the truth of the matter is, detective there's a lot of things you don't know about me. Let's get it on. Thirty seconds. Welcome to tonight's show. Price for admission, your valuables. All right, time for fun. Remember, kids, giving is its own reward. Cash, jewelry, watches and handbags. And please, no knock-offs. We're a class act. Let's dance. Twenty seconds. That's right, boys, yeah. Come on, give it here, give it here. Time, we're out. Time flies, snatching and grabbing. Heh, grinning and winning. Save the poetry, boys. Let's wrap it up. Giddyup. Rock and roll. Hey. You know, you could show up in front of me every once in a while. That would undercut the whole broody, mysterious thing. Were you expecting me, detective? All the time. Here. The surveillance cameras took these at Gotham Deep. - Is there something you wanna tell me? - Yeah. Do these pants make me look hippy? - Why is everything a joke to you? - It's not a joke. Fashion in combat is a very serious issue. Look, I brought you in on this case because I wanted us to try to work together not so you could run around town, enjoying a few nights of terrorizing civilians. You brought me in on this case, detective because you needed someone with a little bit more of a, shall we say casual relationship with the law. This gang would've spotted one of your undercover people in a heartbeat. - What's your point? - The point is, detective, you need me. And we didn't terrorize anyone, we just aerated the ceiling a little. - When I asked you to come work for me - With you. I don't work for anyone. With me. I thought we both understood that we were gonna do things by the book. You were supposed to call me before you hit the next target. I would have if they had told me where they were going. I was still in the out-for-coffee stage of the relationship with these guys. Okay, great. Do you have any idea when we're gonna move on to heavy petting? Before you got all grouchy, I was just about to tell you. After last night's performance I think I made it to second base. So, what, you got the heads-up on next target? Gobu, tomorrow night, 10 p. m. Well, all right. All right, that's good. Huntress, listen to me, we have to catch these guys in the act if we're gonna make it stick. - You think you're ready for that? - All the time. - Hey. - Hey. Here you go. Coffee and company. Both of which I could use. - How did you know? - I did a little research. You know, A Thousand and One Things to Know About Dating The Academic Professional's Dating Guide to Survival. Some other lesser-known works. - Wade, um - No, I'm kidding. No strings attached. Is it bad that I think we should, um well, just sort of stick to the friends thing? No. No, not bad, it's just that, um - That? - Uh, you. You're way cuter than my other friends. - Heh, heh. - It'd be distracting for everyone. Okay, well, we'll have to take it slow. My favorite speed. Slow it is. Gear changes totally at your discretion. - Slow, right? - Molasses. Good morning. It is, isn't it? You know, the funny thing is, when I look at you What's that? - I just wanna take care of you. You had sex with Wade. Shh! Don't say the word "sex" in front of Alfred. Oh, please, he's heard it. Or at least heard of it anyway. - So was it good? - It was really good. - Uh, that's not the point. - Oh, yeah? Since when? Look, the point is, yes, it was great. But what if he's wrong for me? Did he say he want to take care of me because I'm in a wheelchair. Okay, let's think about what he didn't say. Things like, "Um, what was your name again?" You and Wade are branching off into a new phase of your relationship. That's it. I can identify. And how are things going with the good detective? The plan is to arrest the gang in mid-robbery when we hit Gobu tonight. I slip out the back door, the cops come in the front. Hey, guys. Sounds like crime-fighting plans. What did I miss? Bringing down another group of lawless villain-types. The usual. I'm in. Dinah, are you sure you're ready to get back to your training? - I mean, it hasn't been very long since - The Black Canary died. You know, you can say it. It's not just Black Canary, it's your mom. Which would've probably carried more weight if I'd known her at all. Look, guys, of course I'm sad but the truth is to me, I lost my mom when I was 6 when she gave me up. I mourned her for years. And I guess that's why I can handle it so well. - Dinah Look I appreciate your worrying about me but I am fine. Really. So, um, I'll see you at school, okay? Heh. Okay. I'm at the house of sin. Found anything more on Mick Winters? Before he became the leader of the pack, Foxboy was an extreme-sports fanatic. Motocross, racecars anything that can go fast and crash. So your basic adrenaline junkie. No wonder you get along so well. Going in. Nice shot, Cat. Really speaks to the inner you. Gotta make your presence known. And in honor of you doing just that, we got, uh, something for you. Go on, Cat. You've earned it. I've earned a lot of things but I've never gotten this kind of recognition. When do I get to break the lady in? Tonight. Boys and girls, it's party time. Saddle up. Wolf, you're on communications. And, uh, just in case Remember, people don't intimidate people, guns do. Police response time should be under five minutes. Then we don't try anything fancy. Clean, fast, in and out. I usually like my fun to last a little bit longer. But, uh, I'll see what I can do. It's gotta be quick. Sure you don't wanna bench the rookie tonight? No, it's nothing but high-end purse-snatching. We need something to keep things interesting. So, Cat, you know what this means? That my pile of unpaid speeding tickets is gonna get a whole lot bigger? It means you're one of us now. No more trial run, no more dress rehearsal. This is the real thing. The rest of the world, they live in their little boxes drive into work every day, punch in the clock. Society's a cage, they just can't see it. You know those people, don't you? The ones who live by everybody's rules but their own. - By the book. - Exactly. Question is: Whose book? So, what do you say? - Wanna go looking for a little trouble? - Why just a little? Thank you. There's no sign of them yet, but you know what the soup's pretty damn good. Make sure everybody stays put until I give the word. All units, stay in position, wait for my signal. Repeat, wait for my signal. Put your sushi down and your hands up. All right, folks, don't be alarmed, you're not gonna be hurt, just robbed. Now. Go. - Hey, Reese. - Move in. And turn off any electronic equipment as it is currently being jammed and has been from the moment we walked in. If you can you hear me, God Go, go. That's what I like. Well-behaved rich people. What happened to you? - Tequila happened. But guess what. I'm in. They gave me my own bike. - I hope you weren't drinking and driving. - No. The drinking came after the driving and armed robbery. But before the dancing and strip poker. Okay, so you spent the evening working on your cover. Kind of. - Have you checked in with Reese yet? - No. And I'm not looking forward to it. He's just gonna lecture me about procedure and rules. Why you shouldn't have knocked him out cold. - That's what I'm guessing. - Yeah. Right. Let's take a break, huh? Why, are you worried about me? Worried because you're attacking me like a rabid rottweiler? Why would I be worried? Not sure I like that visual image. Dinah, you haven't nailed a move the whole session. You're all fury and no focus. Your anger's overpowering your skill. I am not angry. Look, it's a natural part of grief. Barbara, I am not angry. Listen, the worst mistake you can make is going into a fight when you can't control your emotions. That's where I think you are right now. - That's enough for today. - Fine. I'll monitor the Delphi system. Ms. Dinah certainly is enthusiastic. Give me a villain hell-bent on world domination, and I know what to do but a 16-year-old A super-powered teenager burying her grief, driven by anger and vengeance. We've certainly never seen that before. Alfred You told me to hide Mr. Brixton's flowers not throw them away. I take it the case is not going well. Honestly, I think Helena and Reese are gonna kill each other. The more frustrated she gets, the more tempted she is to have too much fun in the underworld. A vigilante working with a policeman? Never an easy alliance. Certainly Master Bruce had his disagreements with your father. You see, Batman and Commissioner Gordon, that was a team. I just don't know if Helena and Reese are gonna be able to work together like that. Mm. Their differences are great. She's part Batman, but she's part Catwoman as well. I've always found it interesting that the woman Master Bruce chose as his greatest love that part of him was lured, seduced by her lawlessness. - You think it runs in the family? - The appeal of life outside the law? Always. She is her father's daughter after all. Read them and weep. I wanna see what's under those boxers. Wolfie, feel free to fold next time. Okay, this is just pathetic. You people truly need to learn how to bluff. - You wanna play? - Sorry, Cat, I've got a drop-off to make. And the boss don't like to wait. Since when do we have a boss? Someone's gotta have the vision. We're part of something here, Cat. - Something big. - And that's all you need to know. Something big, huh? So when do I get to meet the boss? Those meetings are off-limits. Boss' rules. But every rule has exceptions. Maybe next time, Cat. Don't play too hard, we hit Club New Gotham tomorrow night. I want everybody sharp. - Especially you. - Not a problem. It's very important you not withhold anything. How have things been since we last met? I gotta say profitable. All this money. Hmm, not one death. Seems like such a waste. You are a difficult lady to please but I know the way to your heart. Courtesy Gotham's upper crust. Ooh, look at these. Oh, I could buy such pretty things with these. Guns, bombs, shoes. Planning the fashionable overthrow of a city is so expensive. We've got a new member, you'd like her. A natural-born thief. Come D-day, a woman like that could prove useful. Perhaps I should meet her when the time is right. McNALLY: Seems like a waste of time, if your source is really on the money. Man, who is this guy that you're so sure of his information? Look, I trust this source, McNally. Let's just leave it at that. They were right about Gobu, weren't they? Would've been better if they'd mentioned the cell-phone jammer. Yeah, well, it would've been better if they'd done a few things differently. We're gonna nail these punks one way or another but we gotta do it by the book to make it stick. We're out of coffee. It was your turn. - I don't think so. - Oh, trust me, I think so. - You think so? - Yeah. Call it. Heads. Ha, that's right. - No detours, big man. - I told you, I'm cold turkey. Another donut shall never pass these lips. Beat it. - Damn, McNally - Now, that hurts. You know I dress better than him. What are you doing here? You'd better get back or you'll break your cover. Look, there's something you should know. Mick isn't the top dog of this outfit. There's someone else. Sounds like someone really big. Did you get a look at him, name, anything? Come on, Reese, the amount this gang's been stealing we could be talking about someone with major crime-lord potential. Whoever Mr. Big is, I think we should go after him. No, no, no. Whoa, wait a minute, no. Reese, we can do this, we can nail this guy. No, it's too risky. We hold off on busting this group, we get distracted, people can get hurt. - It's the Animals that we're after. - Are you kidding? This could be major. Huntress, this is my party, and I brought you into it. So I'm gonna say this to you one last time: We're sticking to the original plan. Let me guess, standard police procedure. Did you get the next target or what? No. They're gonna lay low for a while, no plans. I'll, uh, give you a heads-up when I hear. Hey, uh sorry about your jaw. I was just trying to help. Yeah, yeah. Remind me later to thank you for knocking me out. What are you doing? Looking for a Pop-Tart. What are you doing up? - You said you'd be here for dinner. - I had to go blow off some steam so I went out with the guys. - The guys? As in the criminals we're pursuing and trying to put away? Yeah, them. Found something out. Something serious. There's a big boss taking all the profits from the Animal Gang. They're just foot soldiers, sound familiar? Do you think this could be the woman we've been looking for? Seems like a real possibility. Cash-heavy crimes, mysterious, unseen boss. Big and conveniently vague master plan. - It's gotta be her. - Do you think the gang could lead us to her? Yeah, I do. So I lied to Reese. Didn't tell him about the next target. If he arrests them now, then we lose our chance to follow them to the boss. And you think that's a good idea? What's the big deal? So it takes them a little bit longer to get arrested. They're not that dangerous. You're basing this on what? How much fun they are to party with? They're harmless. All they do is steal from rich people that blow their money on raw fish. - No one gets hurt. - You're defending them. We're not that different. We all live outside the law, at least they have fun. And Reese makes everything so dire. Why does crime-fighting have to be so serious? It's not serious. - I mean, it is serious, but it's not - Hey. Metaphysical discussion later. I have a party to rest up for. Picked up some snacks at the corner on my way over. Man, I was really hoping for Cool Ranch. While I was there, I saw a dumpy guy in a cheap suit grabbing some coffee and sneaking a donut. Mm. Cops. Found their ride, a surveillance van. Let's break out the welcome wagon, Wolf. Don't tell the others. I don't wanna ruin the mood. McNALLY: It's quiet. Yeah, I know. My source says they're laying low. Mm. Too quiet. Maybe your source isn't being straight with you. McNally, I said I trust her, all right? Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa. Her? - Oh, great. - What? - Nothing. Nothing at all, man. - Hey, hey, hey. - Don't, don't. - I'm thirsty. Flip it. - See you. - "Her. " Heh. All units, 10-31 in progress, Club New Gotham suspects armed, considered dangerous. Aw, damn it. McNally, meet me at the van now. Slam, bam. Thank you, New Gotham. Now, that's what I call a night on the town. No, no, no. McNally! - Barbara - Helena, wait. Someone put a bomb under a police van near the Animals' headquarters last night. - Reese? - No, he's fine, he wasn't in it but his partner was too close. He's in ICU at Gotham General. Helena, listen to me. It looks like he's gonna make it. Yeah. No thanks to me. Reese. Reese, I am so sorry. You lied to me. - There was a reason. - My partner's hanging on by a thread because somebody packed our van with explosives. I got a damn good reason never to trust you again. Am I wrong? I know it's no excuse, but I thought they were harmless. I did whatever I had to do to get to their boss. Their boss is not more important than my partner's life. We had a plan and you didn't stick to it. I run on instinct, Reese. Yeah, well, your instincts almost cost McNally his life. I know. That's why I work alone. Because the only one I'm risking is me. - I'll get these guys, Reese. - Fine, fine, you do whatever you have to do. And so will I, my way. Reese. - It wasn't your fault. - Oh, yeah, it was. I trusted you. You know what? I'm not gonna need this anymore. I'm not about to make the same mistake twice. The Animals are going down. And if you happen to be with them, then so are you. I screwed up, Barbara. Look, you and Reese were working together for the first time. You were learning how to do things as a team. We're not built for this, Barbara, either of us. What we do, what we know is how to go it alone. You're going after the Animal Gang by yourself? - I have to, Dinah. - Well, you can't. It's too dangerous. It's what I've always done before. It's a stupid idea. You're not going after them without backup. - All right, Dinah, calm down. - I am calm! I am calm. You're just not going anywhere without me. Hey, Cat. Like what you see? That was you. The one and only. I've been thinking. Never a good idea. Myself, I try to avoid it. I want in. All the way in. I wanna meet the boss. Funny thing, the boss wants to meet you. Tonight, 11. - Count on it. - All right. Then afterwards, we'll figure out something to do. I got a few ideas. I've just gotta know what it's like. Not bad, Miss Kitty. Not bad at all. Wait until tonight. - Huntress, you ready? - Let's do this. - Dinah? - Ready. Are you sure you don't wanna sit this one out? Would you both stop worrying about me? I don't need to sit this one out. I don't need more time. I am dealing with this. And I would very much appreciate it if you would just let me do my job. Okay. So I think we've definitely moved on to the anger stage of grief. You mean there's another one? Oracle, Huntress is going in. Copy that. Stay sharp. So where's Mr. Big? Right this way. Reese! - What's that? Give me a second. Meeting's been rescheduled, Cat on account of your close and personal relationship with New Gotham's finest. Oracle, what's going on? I'm not showing their jamming device in use. Could be interference maybe. Or a malfunction. - Is Huntress all right? - I think she is. Probably. - Okay, you know what, I'm going in. - No, not yet. - It could be nothing. We wait for her signal. - Barbara. Go in too soon, and you risk blowing her cover. Wait here, doing nothing, and we risk her never coming out again. Just like what happened to my mom. I have been through that before. And I'm not letting it happen again. - Dinah, wait. - I'm going in. Damn it. I'm disappointed in you, Cat. I mean, what's this detective here got that I don't, huh? Wolf saw you with him at the hospital. And the first thing, uh, Dudley Do-Right here did was come straight back for us. You had to do it your way. Oh, yeah, and your way seems to have worked out so much better. Yeah, nothing like chains to bring out the romance between people. And all that crap you fed me. We're harmless, we don't hurt people, right? Oh, that. I was just trying to get you into bed. You really didn't know about the bomb? Of course I didn't know. How could you think I'd be a part of something like that? Half the time with you I don't know what to think. Hey, lovebirds. Believe it or not, we're not here for you two to work things out. It's time for something a lot more fun. This isn't about interrogation, Cat. It's like sex. It's all about losing yourself in the moment. So let's skip the foreplay. How was that for you? I'm gonna enjoy this. Huntress, are you okay? Yeah, I think I blew my cover though. Go ahead, run! Reese, wait. Looks like your partner's come to lend a hand, huh? She's not my partner, and I don't need a hand. - Don't do this, you're a cop. - Not tonight I'm not. I know everything inside you wants to see this guy dead. But if anybody should do it, it should be me. She's right, who are you kidding? You don't have it in you. Can't you see this is what he wants? One last thrill, one more rush. - Anything to keep him out of a cage. - I don't give a damn. I know I've been riding you hard to loosen up but for God sakes, don't do it now. Why should I listen to you? Because you're wrong about one thing. We may just be learning how to work together but like it or not, we're already partners. You gonna let her tell you what to do? Come on, she's just some stupid bitch. That wasn't by the book. Yeah, well, he was getting on my nerves. So you and your policeman friend worked things out? We came to an understanding for the moment. It was a beginning for us. First times are hard. Compromise, give and take. Yeah. I don't play well with others. You know, there's nothing wrong with not compromising with people. No. Except the potential of ending up lonely, friendless and isolated, no. But why worry about other people? You'll always have me. They look good there. Wade. L I just, um, really wanna say I'm sorry. No, no, no. It's my fault. I never should've pushed this. No, it's mine. I should've called you back sooner. I should've just talked to you. L I think part of me was just worried that you didn't understand the real me. I don't. Yeah. We're just starting this, Barbara. Getting to know you, the real you that's the whole point. This was my mother's. - Do you miss her? - I never knew this part of her. She gave up being Catwoman when I was born. You know, that was the thing about running with a gang the thrill, the rush. It was like I was finally getting to spend time with her. The side of my mother I never knew. To give that up she must've loved you so much. Canary loved you, Dinah, you know that. She loved you so much, she gave her life for you. And yet I can't even cry for her. You know why? Because I didn't really know her. The woman who died, we were complete and total strangers. I feel like we were just getting the chance to get to know each other. To really know each other. And it was just snatched away. - And the thing you miss - Is the woman I'll never know. It's okay, kid, I understand. I understand.