"The Penguin's Nest," like so many episodes from Season 2 of Batman, suffers from its share of unneeded campiness. But it is one of the better efforts for the season, because of casting and the script of Lorenzo Semple Jr.
First, the casting: ABC had canceled "The Addams Family" earlier in 1966, but it did not forget this great show. Here, we have Lurch the Butler, played by Ted Cassidy, make a Bat climb cameo; he is playing that show's theme on the harpsichord. And we also have frequent "Addams Family" guest star Vito Scotti as a henchman.
Now, to Lorenzo Semple Jr. He wrote several excellent scripts, including the pilot episode. Like so many of his previous episodes, he incorporates some unpredictable elements, and he also includes the use of firearms. Unlike some of the other screenwriters, his writing can take on a slightly darker edge, which he showed in Season 1.
While the show was on a downslide by this time, he still manages to give us something worthwhile. Even as this episode adheres to the usual formula, the details make the difference here. Certainly, this is one of the better efforts from Season Two.
First, the casting: ABC had canceled "The Addams Family" earlier in 1966, but it did not forget this great show. Here, we have Lurch the Butler, played by Ted Cassidy, make a Bat climb cameo; he is playing that show's theme on the harpsichord. And we also have frequent "Addams Family" guest star Vito Scotti as a henchman.
Now, to Lorenzo Semple Jr. He wrote several excellent scripts, including the pilot episode. Like so many of his previous episodes, he incorporates some unpredictable elements, and he also includes the use of firearms. Unlike some of the other screenwriters, his writing can take on a slightly darker edge, which he showed in Season 1.
While the show was on a downslide by this time, he still manages to give us something worthwhile. Even as this episode adheres to the usual formula, the details make the difference here. Certainly, this is one of the better efforts from Season Two.