Batman '66: Riddle Me Love (Season 01, Episode 01)

Batgirl's Quest

Relaxing on her couch, Barbara's fixation on the television screen began to wane as the live broadcast of 'The Dating Game' inched closer. Despite the program's allure, it failed to fully captivate her attention, as her thoughts veered towards more substantial concerns.

In her eyes, the towering walls of Arkham Asylum loomed large, sheltering the city's incarcerated villains. As she contemplated their collective confinement, a question gnawed at her thoughts: Could these malevolent minds unite within the asylum's confines, plotting a scheme to break free and unleash chaos anew upon her beloved city?

Breaking her thought, a peculiar announcement crackled through the television speakers, instantly snapping Barbara's attention back to the screen. The unexpected revelation seized her focus, as the voice proclaimed, "Following tonight's 'The Dating Game,' prepare for an exclusive dramatized reenactment of the pivotal night when the Dynamic Duo decisively quashed The Joker's shenanigans, once and for all."

The screen came alive with images of actors donning the iconic costumes of Batman and Robin, while vibrant "POWs" and "BAMs" illuminated the scenes, cleverly concealing the underlying violence. Barbara couldn't help but scoff at the spectacle before her. "Oh, come on," she chimed in with a note of incredulity, "This is downright absurd. And where's Batgirl in all this? It's common knowledge that it was the Terrific Trio who put an end to Joker's antics that night."

Barbara wasted no time. With a decisive flick of her wrist, she silenced the television and made her way to her bedroom. There, a seemingly unremarkable desk adorned with stereotypical "girly" trinkets awaited her—a picture of conventionality. Among the hairbrushes, perfume bottles, and a particularly striking ornate mirror, she pressed a concealed button. Like a secret ballet, the desk's façade rotated swiftly to unveil a concealed alcove. Within, the distinct purple hues of her Batgirl costume hung with a sense of purpose, accompanied by a striking red wig that practically shimmered.

"While our thriving city may have seen a lull in the antics of supervillains, the streets remain plagued by a different breed—bank robbers, muggers, and all manner of ne'er-do-wells," Barbara mused thoughtfully. "Even as Batman and Robin take their well-deserved holiday away from crime, rest assured that the city has not been left defenseless. Batgirl is here, a steadfast guardian keeping vigil over our beloved Gotham."

Retreating into her concealed sanctum, Batgirl's practiced hands deftly engage another concealed switch. A hidden mechanism hummed to life, unveiling her unique arsenal—the Batgirl Cycle. The sleek and nimble counterpart to the elusive Batmobile stood ready, a testament to her preparedness and resourcefulness in the face of Gotham's challenges.

In the blink of an eye, Batgirl had vanished into the city's intricate network of alleys and shadows. Utilizing a discreet freight elevator, she seamlessly slipped into the bustling heart of Gotham's streets. Swift and purposeful, she toggled a switch on her helmet, gaining instant access to the encrypted frequencies of the Gotham City Police radio network. With a fluid grace that echoed her namesake, she glided through the city's pathways, her vigilant gaze scanning for any sign of disturbance or wrongdoing that dared to oppose the ever-vigilant pursuit of justice.

To the world at large, Barbara Gordon was perceived as a mild-mannered research librarian—an individual of cultivated intellect and diverse experiences. Yet, what remained veiled from outsiders, hidden even from her dearest friends and kin, was the secret origin that shaped her into a formidable crimefighter. The chronicle of her transformation commenced during her adolescent years, when an ordinary evening took an extraordinary turn.

Arriving home one fateful night, Barbara stumbled upon a scene that would forever alter her destiny. In the private sanctum of her father's den, she bore witness to an intimate conversation between her father and none other than Batman himself—an encounter that would set in motion her clandestine journey into the world of vigilante justice.