When Clayface infiltrates Arkham to get revenge on Joker, Batman is able to capture him and he returns to Ethan Bennett in captivity. After a hearing, he is released on probation and Bruce gives him a job at Wayne Industries. But many people still distrust Ethan, and the ever-present temptation to use his powers — a temptation which might lead him down a path of no return — is only intensified when Joker starts another crime spree.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Asshole Victim: The Joker almost becomes this at Clayface's hands in revenge for turning him into Clayface, but Batman intervened.
- Bittersweet Ending: More bitter than sweet, though. Clayface and Joker have been captured and put in Arkham, but Ethan Bennett has seemingly been lost forever.Ellen Yin: We've really lost him this time, haven't we Wayne?
Bruce Wayne: Ethan's past the point of no return. Now... only Clayface remains. - Bring It: The third time Clayface comes after Joker, Joker smiles and says “Let’s dance, drippy” eager to throw down with the shapeshifter.
- But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Subverted. Joker remembers Ethan Bennett and what he did to him, and he couldn't be prouder. He also tells Ethan that he never forgets a face he’s tormented.
- Can't Stay Normal: Ethan tries to adjust to a new life without using his powers, but the Joker and his trauma mess it up.
- Character Witness: Bruce and Yin testify that they have known Ethan for a long time and still trust him, claiming they believe that he can return to life as a normal person.
- Contrived Coincidence: Of course the Joker has to break into Wayne Enterprises on Ethan's first night as a security guard. And of course Joker remembers Ethan Bennett and tries to kill him, which forces Ethan to use his Clayface powers to save himself.
- Didn't See That Coming: Clayface didn't expect Detective Yin to toss an ice pellet at him. It also reveals to him that Batman is her new partner.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Hugo Strange appears briefly as a witness in court; he'd play a far bigger role in later episodes.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Even though he was the one who dropped him, Joker looks visibly disturbed when Ethan splatters all over the ground, not knowing he's Clayface.
- Good Is Not Soft: Both Batman and Yin use ice pellets to incapacitate Clayface and have to return him to Arkham. Neither of them are happy about it but they have their jobs to do.
- I Work Alone: When Joker tries convincing Clayface to become a supervillain and team up with him, Clayface does decide to be a supervillain, but he steals Bruce’s art collection for himself and leaves Joker behind, claiming that he works alone.
- Institutional Apparel: Joker wears his old tie-dyed straitjacket in this episode instead of his purple suit.
- It Only Works Once: Subverted. When Batman tosses a second ice pellet at Clayface, the latter hardens his body so it won't freeze him like the first pellet did but Detective Yin shows the trick still works if Clayface doesn't see it coming.
- Jerkass: Webber, the day shift supervisor for security at Wayne Industries. He makes a rude remark to Ethan about how it must be nice having a billionaire friend to “fix his mistakes”. Later, he calls Ethan a freak behind his back.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Webber complains about having to work the night shift because of Ethan, calling him “Wayne’s pet freak”. Joker, who broke into Wayne Industries to steal Bruce’s art collection, then knocks him out with a boxing glove gun.
- Like a Son to Me: When he sees Clayface attack Batman, Joker comes to see Clayface as a son since he’s the one who made Clayface what he is now, as Clayface pointed out earilier.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: At least before he cements his Face–Heel Turn, Clayface ends up setting the Joker loose by accident while trying to murder him.
- No Good Deed Goes Unpunished: Since Ethan can't return to his job as a cop due to his attempted murder of Chief Rojas, (of course that's mostly Rojas’ own fault), Bruce gives him a job as a security guard at Wayne Enterprises. When Ethan falls off the wagon and becomes a supervillain again, he tries to steal Bruce’s art collection.
- Reformed, but Rejected: Ethan Bennett. It was part of the reason why he returned to being Clayface.
- Revenge: Bennett/Clayface wants this against the Joker for torturing him and turning him into Clayface.
- Save the Villain: Batman saves the Joker from Clayface.
- Take a Third Option: When Batman once again catches Clayface using his powers and tells Clayface he has options, Clayface thinks the only options he’ll have are going to prison or Arkham. He chooses “Eliminating witnesses”, and tries to kill Batman.
- That Man Is Dead: Ethan Bennett.Ethan: Look, here’s the problem as I see it. Being Ethan Bennett is hard, REALLY hard! Being Clayface…is cake. So, say your goodbyes. This is the last you'll ever see of him.
- That Was Objectionable: Actually, the courtroom scene demonstrates a far-more proper way to do this.
- Then Let Me Be Evil: After Ethan is released, he finds that people are scared of him and say that he shouldn’t have been let out. It’s part of why he goes back to being a villain.
- Title Drop: Once, after falling to temptation, Bennett protests that "I'm not headed for a meltdown."
- We Can Rule Together: Joker suggests this to Clayface, but he prefers to work alone.
- With Great Power Comes Great Insanity: Using his shapeshifting powers causes Bennett's mutated cells to replicate, affecting his mind as well as his body.
