“Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

It’s hard to refute Acton’s blunt thesis on the unequivocal truth of power, a toxic substance which defaces any who happen across it. In The Enemy Within, Gotham’s most sought after quarry is this endless dominion, taking on a variety of mangled faces with each rogue Bruce Wayne is pit against. Harvey Dent grapples with overpowering his darker facet, but as far as the player can tell, relegates himself to a life of submission against it. Harley Quinn will not yield at any roadblock in her path to overpower her disease, her manic insanity perhaps only slightly more deadly than the toxic power it provides. Oswald Cobblepot finds release and even some equanimity in revenge, in savoring power against his childhood ally.

And John Doe, the personification of an unhinged pursuit of ethics and upstanding amity, sees two roads before him. As The Enemy Within coaxes its climax, John is either pushed past the point of no redemption, realizing that power begets change, or comes to trust you to stand beside him in a joint crusade for justice.

The finale for Telltale’s second season stands as a testament to the daunting challenge of fulfilling their unique vision for the Joker, two radically different conclusions that demand character resolution and sufficient excitement. In this regard, did the creators of The Enemy Within defeat the strenuous pressure that would inevitably come with such an idea, and most importantly, is John Doe done justice?

“Anyone who comes into contact with us suffers.”

Commendably, the final episode is a magnum opus in visually stimulating, comic book-esque scenarios, both diverging paths filled to the brim with chilling shots and spectacular sights. ‘Same Stitch’ is a study in expert framing and palette design, to say the least. As campy as it may sound in writing, the marvelous choreography and panoramic camerawork of Joker and Batman side-by-side is evidence of a genuine passion among the entire Telltale staff to do this concept justice. ‘Same Stitch’ goes leaps and bounds beyond the average Batman narrative in relishing the world which makes this character so special, granting characters like Tiffany Fox the chance to cement themselves as developed elements of this society. Tiffany’s characterization was deeply appreciated, the implication of a more psychotic woman beneath the surface of a grieving daughter a welcome surprise.

Other important facets of this story, however, lack the time and resources to receive the spotlight they require. The allusion to Iman Avesta’s hidden backstory and knowledge of Persian language is a fascinating thread, but it is seemingly shelved in the wake of a hasty plot. John Doe and his motivation to bring Amanda Waller to her righteous end is a hindrance when it lacks the proper contextualization, and as John relentlessly kept defying his partner’s code, Bruce’s dialogue simply became frustrating to hear. It began to feel less and less like John’s misguided moral compass was the story’s crux, and more his inability to treat Bruce’s advice with even a hint of deference. John’s entire characterization hinged on his undying loyalty to Bruce, and even if that meant a divide in ethical understanding, Doe’s actions felt more like underhanded scorn as opposed to an evolving disconnect.

“You really love that word. Justice. You hide behind it. You think it forgives all your sins.”

This shaky middle arc is admittedly capped off with a bittersweet moment between Doe and Bruce, a culmination that I expected, but one that I still felt fully underscored the heartbreaking truth of this season. The harshest critique I can bestow on ‘Same Stitch’ is the brisk pacing, a severe disappointment when paired with the ingenious material being presented here. It’s easy to sympathize with and understand the dilemma of this entire concept, the daunting task of delivering two satisfactory endings and resolving a plethora of loose threads unimaginable and almost impossible with the rigid schedule and resources of the Telltale staff. Its quality is superior to what could ever be demanded of a task of this nature.

The villainous arc of ‘Same Stitch’ allows the plot and character development to stew slightly longer, and though it is a familiar premise, its own unique individuality in contrast to other Batman narratives is evident. Anthony Ingruber’s portrayal is even more tragic in this instance, the manifestation of seething anger and an unchecked mental derangement practically crawling its way out of the confines of the game engine. It is distinctly heartbreaking to feel the shame and remorse of manipulating John, treating these real people as if they were puppets, and it is a realization for the player that, being synonymous with Bruce, it is your fault. Never before have comic book fans been able to feel the staunch regret of creating history’s greatest fictional menace, and that is an achievement in its own right. It makes the sting of later lectures by Alfred even more palpable, and actively contextualizes the entire purpose of this journey, the goal of spotlighting the man behind the cowl.

With a third season, I do believe the John Doe narrative can be properly retreaded, and the passion of the Telltale developers can be coordinated into a more satisfying experience. The questions relating to major characters, whether it be Mr. Freeze’s jarring disappearance, Tiffany’s somewhat deranged history, Avesta’s ulterior network, or the future of Selina Kyle, these inquiries can all eventually be answered. I hope that the talented people at Telltale Games are proud of the universe they’ve cultivated, and the characters that many have come to deeply admire. Despite my personal faults with ‘Same Stitch’, I’m ecstatic to see a continuation of the lunacy and bittersweet warmth of the lost soul that is John Doe.

Utmost thanks to Joshua Ezzell for the visual additions to this article.

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