This is perhaps the greatest example in JL thus far of a great idea gone terribly bad. It only furthers the idea that the characterizations in JL are dependent upon the plot, rather than the other way around.
The "Injustice Gang," a team of super-villains, is shown to be inadequate right from the start. How are we to take them seriously as a threat when even they admit that they suck? Of course, the answer is (apparently) simple: make the heroes suck more, at random times and for no real reasons.
It's so sad, too, because the episode starts off with some of the most memorable two minutes of the entire series. In those few minutes, we get a very smart plot development, a partial resolution to a leftover plotline from STAS, and a "you just got owned" moment from the League. However, this doesn't last. We see Superman get blasted by a small missile and fall a few hundred feet before he can bring himself to continue flying. Seriously, one of the most annoying things in the first season of JL is the way that Superman is strong from a philosophical/moral perspective, but lacks all the cleverness and will that he possessed in STAS. It makes no sense, and only reveals the laziness of the writing staff. If you can't figure out a way to have a massively powerful character work in a show, then either go back to the storyboards and try again, or find someone more creative than you. Don't shaft character consistency for the sake of plot formula.
Even worse is the up-and-down characterization of Batman in this episode. At one point he tackles Luthor to the ground, yet is somehow beaten back? Since when can Lex (who now has terminal cancer) beat Batman in a fistfight? Fortunately, Batman's role in Part 2 was much better, as he basically manipulated the entire Injustice Gang against each other.
The Joker was a shining light in this episode. While the episodes of JL thus far have been rather devoid of any pure fun, the Joker brought a dark, wacky humor that the series was sorely lacking. It's too bad that he didn't stick around for more episodes, as he was undoubtedly one of the most entertaining characters the show ever saw.
Overall, this episode was terrible. I remember being very disappointed, even when I was twelve. The bad characterizations and boring scenes bring it to a low level, yet the take-down of Luthor and the portrayal of the Joker give it a smidge of credit.2/10
