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Mayhem of the Music Meister!
"Mayhem of the Music Meister!" is an episode of the Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series. The episode features the villainous Music Meister (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris), who uses his power to control people through song to try to take over the world. Written by Michael Jelenic and directed by Ben Jones, the episode premiered on October 23, 2009, the 24th of the first season. The musical episode, which has been compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's "Once More, with Feeling",[1][2] was generally well received by critics and viewers. Unlike other episodes of The Brave and the Bold, the episode does not feature a traditional cold open. PlotThe Music Meister, a villain capable of controlling others through song, induces Black Canary, Green Arrow, Aquaman, Black Manta, Gorilla Grodd and Clock King to hijack a United Nations communications satellite ("I'm The Music Meister"). When Batman intervenes, he orders them to attack the hero, which they do in a dance style reminiscent of West Side Story. His plan successful, the Meister frustrates Batman once more, escaping by forcing his captives to dance towards the rocket blast, leaving Batman to rescue them rather than apprehend the villain. Meister escapes to an empty opera house where, in a reference to "The Phantom of the Opera", he plays the organ to a cardboard audience. Batman tries to capture him on a cross-town chase, as Meister releases the inmates and villains of Iron Heights and Arkham Asylum ("Drives Us Bats"). Having heard Black Canary sing about her unrequited love for Batman ("If Only"), the Meister has fallen for her, but not enough to give up villainy, and she rejects him. Meister captures Black Canary and Batman and puts them in a death trap ("Death Trap"), in an industrial-style set. They escape as Music Meister uses the satellite to hypnotize the world with his music. ("The World Is Mine") When Black Canary becomes his slave, Batman tricks Canary into singing as high as him, using the satellite to transmit her sonic scream and break Music Meister's mind control. Batman finally defeats the Music Meister, and rejects Black Canary's advances. Though Black Canary gives up on Batman, she finds love with Green Arrow, who had unrequited feelings for her. ("If Only (Reprise)") Reception"Mayhem of the Music Meister!" screened on June 24, 2009 at Comic-Con,[3][4][5][6][7][8] where supervising producer James Tucker noted that he believed that the show would be successful after seeing people wearing Music Meister costumes after the episode's debut.[9] The episode received a standing ovation at its debut,[9] in part because of the humor of the Music Meister's dance-inducing powers.[2][10] The episode was nominated for an Emmy Award[9][11] and has been called one of television's best musicals.[12] The episode has been used as an example of the merits of Batman: The Brave and the Bold.[13] Soundtrack
The soundtrack of "Mayhem of the Music Meister!" was released on October 23, 2009 as Batman: The Brave And The Bold: Mayhem of the Music Meister! (Soundtrack from the Animated Television Show).[14] It contains 8 tracks from the episode and has been praised as being fun while criticized for its brevity.[15] Track listing
References
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