adding my two cents reticently into the nonsense Batman spouts about "taking Jason in as Robin because I saw so much anger and violence in him, and I wanted to steer him right and keep him away from a life of crime.”
I’m not even annoyed or angry about it, my feelings on the matter are best described as sheer bewilderment. holding up a big sign that says "ABSURD." the whole thing is so ridiculous that I just can't wrap my head around it.
look, I’ll be straight with you: I’ve read the story of Jason’s first meeting with Batman. in that scene, and in the ones that followed, I didn't see a single interaction suggests Batman seemed to detect "anger and violence" or a "risk of him becoming a criminal” in Jason. let’s try and take a look at those interactions:
1. the famous scene where Jason steals the tires off the batmobile. damn, the kid’s got the guts. and Batman was clearly amused by it. he literally laughed out loud. when he leaned down and asked if Jason was there to finish the job, he was obviously just teasing him (and look at Jay’s face here god he’s just a baby).
some other people's reactions to him stealing the tires. Ma Gunn was basically like, "this kid is incredible."
2. now Jason is clearly different from Bruce or Dick. even though Bruce kept insisting that Jason was "grieving his parents' deaths" and therefore "needed guidance to get on the right path," Jason had actually been living on his own for a while after his parents died, and he was doing just fine. it’s not exactly an ideal situation for a kid, but look at the way he talks to Batman and tells him about his parents, he isn't lost at all. this kid knows exactly what he's doing. lmao, the one who was actually lost after his parents died was Bruce, and probably Dick. I feel like he just insists everyone else is like that because that’s how he is.
3. when they meet again, Jason makes it clear to Batman that he just wants to do what’s necessary to survive
Batman keeps insisting that this tiny 12-year-old is destined to become a criminal and wreak havoc on the world.
Jason pulls off Batman’s signature vanishing act right under his nose. (I love him so much.)
and he even warned Batman about the museum heist.
4. isn’t it just wild– okay, I’ll keep this brief:
thinking Batman wouldn't believe him, he plans to go and stop the robbery all by himself. guys, this amazing, gutsy, brave, strong, ridiculous kid. I can't even express how much I love him. if batman hadn't shown up, what was his plan? stopping Ma Gunn's whole gang solo? it’s hilarious, I love him sm. and he even he sneaks in and out the same way as Batman did. my precious, amazing boy. look at Bruce, he’s clearly incredibly impressed by him. "destined to become a criminal," my ass.
he warned Batman about his blind spot, just like what Robin used to do.
he knocked out that boy on the ground over there. he's cool af.
the smile on his face when he hears Jason’s reply. I can't handle this.
in all the interactions between Jason and Batman before Batman took him in as Robin, I swear I never saw Batman react with anything like, "damn, this kid is a danger, he’s too violent and angry, and he needs me to save him!" even when Jason showed his rough edges like stealing the batmobile's tires, hitting Batman in the gut with a tool, or trying to force him out of his room, Batman seemed more amused than concerned. "man, this kid is awesome," I bet he was thinking. just look at this:
"You little son of a gun--"
it might sound like an expletive, but if you look it up, the phrase actually conveys a mix of astonishment, amusement, praise, teasing, and admiration. here:
basically, what he’s saying translates to, "damn, this kid is really something." it’s pure amusement.
"You are a scrappy one, I’ll say that much of you..."
that phrase can be positive or negative depending on the context, but given what he says next, it’s clearly meant as an expression of approval.
so, it’s obvious he really liked the kid so much and thought he was amazing.
yet when Gordon and Alfred asked why he took Jason on as Robin, this was his answer:
somehow, this is... ridiculously at odds with all the traits/ the impressions Jason displayed during those early interactions I mentioned earlier. I have to admit, I’m baffled. and what he told Gordon was total nonsense. Bruce, have you seen how tall he is? he doesn't even reach your shoulder?
yet Dick, through his persistence and stubbornness, demanded and finally extracted the real answer from Bruce ("how about the truth for a change, Bruce?"):
Bruce: I miss Dick so much, but instead of just call him and have a casual chat like a normal person, I’d do it this way. and since I just admitted I miss him, I’m going to kick him out of my house immediately.
Bruce: I’m lonely and I think Jason is incredibly cool (I find him badass af), but that’s not why I took him in as Robin; I did it for the greater good ("Fighting crime in Gotham city isn't a one-man job") and for justice ("I’m guiding him onto the right path,” “I’m saving his life”).
this guy is like, I miss Dick so much, but I can't accept or handle that feeling, so I’m gonna keep my distance with him because of that and try to push him away.
and then he finds himself liking Jason so much that it bothers him, and he hates that this feeling has become a driving force for him, so he has to pin the blame on Jason. he resents Jason for making him care so deeply, he hates loving him to the point where Jason's death left him utterly devastated, so he lashes out and blames Jason for that wreckage. his mindset is basically “you made me love you too much, and I hate you for it, for making me love you." especially after Jason comes back from the dead haha. It’s truly awful.
and Dick is like, "oh my god, he misses me so much…" totally touched. then bruce basically is like, "please get out of my house," and his face just goes, "seriously, Bruce?" it’s actually pretty funny...
“Oh he missed me 🥺…” -> “Fuck, really Bruce?”
and here’s a little thoughts Alfred has about the whole thing:
it’s not just because Jason is a kid from Crime Alley that he’s a liar, and it’s not as if every adult is a saint, either. Bruce, the liar, the unreliable narrator, seems to have lied to both others and himself, and genuinely believing what he was saying. *grimace*
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