Recaps

Killer Croc was thanked by the rescued hostages and formed a warm bond with Belle as Batman prepared the group to leave before the police arrived. Red Hood gave Killer Croc a motorcycle key to help him escape, while Batman took the still-hypnotized Mad Hatter away.

• The rescued hostages surrounded Killer Croc and thanked him for saving them.
• Belle learned Killer Croc's name, called him her friend, and asked if she could visit him.
• Batman ordered the Bat Family to remove their traces, seal the underground passages, and meet on the rooftop before the police arrived.
• Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn said goodbye to Miaomiao and escaped from the hideout.
• Nightwing gave Killer Croc a motorcycle key from Red Hood, who told him where the modified bike was parked.
• Batman scooped up the hypnotized Mad Hatter and escaped with his grappling gun.

Batman returned the Mad Hatter to Arkham Asylum after Miaomiao’s illusion ended, then confronted him alone in his secured room. The Mad Hatter was left trapped with Batman as the guards outside chose not to interfere.

• Batman brought the half-asleep Mad Hatter to Arkham, where the pain of landing on the concrete jolted him awake.
• The Mad Hatter panicked when he realized his tea party and Alice had been an illusion, and Batman dragged him to his designated room.
• The guards told Batman they had updated the room’s security measures to prevent the Mad Hatter from escaping again.
• The Mad Hatter discovered his Brainwave Control Device and top hat were missing, leaving him unable to hypnotize Batman.
• Batman shut the door and repeatedly punched the Mad Hatter while the guards outside pretended not to hear.

Batman confronted the Mad Hatter with evidence of his crimes and revealed that his perfect Alice and Wonderland had only been an illusion. The Mad Hatter broke down in despair as Batman left, while a green meteor fell toward the ground.

• Batman stopped beating the Mad Hatter and told him there would not be a next time.
• Batman explained that the Arkham guard had confessed and that evidence of the Mad Hatter’s escape and kidnappings had been sent to the Prosecutor’s Office.
• Batman told the Mad Hatter that the girls had been rescued and that his Wonderland and tea party were fantasies.
• The Mad Hatter accepted that Alice and Wonderland were fake and collapsed into despair.
• Batman left the interrogation room, and a green meteor streaked toward the ground.

After Batman had Miaomiao brought to the Batcave, she met Stephanie Brown, who teased Damian by using his special nickname for Miaomiao. Tim then told Stephanie about Miaomiao’s victory over Bane, prompting her to ask what had happened with Batman.

• Stephanie introduced herself to Miaomiao and asked if she could call her Little Fish, but Damian objected that he had chosen the nickname for her.
• Miaomiao agreed Stephanie could call her Little Fish, and Stephanie repeatedly used the nickname to provoke Damian until Miaomiao laughed.
• Tim checked that Miaomiao felt well and told Stephanie that Miaomiao had beaten Bane and become a subject of Arkham headlines.
• Stephanie hugged Miaomiao’s arm and asked Tim what had happened between Miaomiao and Batman.

Stephanie comforted Miaomiao about her past argument with Bruce and offered to show her around Gotham. After Alfred sent everyone to bed, a green shooting star arrived in Central City and urged Barry to go to Gotham.

• Stephanie reassured Miaomiao that arguing with Bruce was normal among the Batfamily, and shared stories about her own and Tim's conflicts with him.
• Miaomiao defended Bruce, saying he had snapped because he worried about the family getting hurt, while Dick agreed that Bruce cared deeply.
• Stephanie invited Miaomiao to visit Barbara and promised to take her exploring and to Chinatown; Jason warned that Miaomiao could not eat spicy food.
• Alfred arrived with warm milk and told everyone it was time to rest, offering Stephanie a room at Wayne Manor.
• The Green Man landed in Barry's Central City apartment and woke him, announcing that they were going to Gotham.

Hal Jordan, a fearless test pilot, became the first Green Lantern from Earth and rose to legendary status in the Green Lantern Corps. After returning from space, he woke Barry Allen at three in the morning and insisted they go to Gotham to see Bruce Wayne’s newly adopted Merfolk daughter.

• Hal Jordan became Abin Sur’s successor after the Green Lantern Ring chose him on Earth.
• Hal woke Barry Allen in the middle of the night after racing back from space.
• Hal told Barry they were going to Gotham to see Bruce Wayne’s adopted daughter, a Merfolk girl.
• Barry protested that it was three in the morning and warned that Bruce’s manor security was difficult to get past.
• Hal urged Barry to go before daylight, hoping Bruce would be too embarrassed to throw them both out.

Hal Jordan and Barry Allen broke into Wayne Manor at four in the morning to see Miaomiao, but Bruce caught them and confronted them for trespassing and treating his daughter like a curiosity. Hal realized his mistake and began apologizing when someone inside called out to Bruce.

• Bruce detected Hal Jordan and Barry Allen approaching Wayne Manor and disabled some defenses to avoid waking the household.
• Hal and Barry crept through the bushes toward the pool, hoping to see Miaomiao.
• Hal slipped, setting off the pool lights and revealing Bruce waiting for them.
• Bruce accused the pair of unlawful entry and intending to spy on an underage girl, calling out Barry's responsibilities as a police officer.
• Bruce reminded Hal and Barry that Miaomiao had personhood and dignity, and Hal recognized that he had treated her like a spectacle.
• Hal started apologizing to Bruce as someone inside asked whether anyone was there.

After Hal and Barry startled Miaomiao by sneaking into Bruce’s home at night, they apologized and gave her gifts. Miaomiao accepted their apology, and the three men were left ashamed of having disturbed her.

• Miaomiao woke in the pool and greeted Hal and Barry after Bruce introduced them as his colleagues.
• Hal and Barry apologized for arriving uninvited and sneaking over to look at Miaomiao.
• Miaomiao offered to show them her tail and leaped out of the pool, revealing its shimmering blue-purple scales.
• Hal gave Miaomiao a glowing alien flower, and Barry gave her a colorful Rainbow Stone.
• Miaomiao said she knew they meant no harm, thanked them for the gifts, and accepted their apology.

After the Mad Hatter’s defeat, Hal and Barry said goodbye to Miaomiao and left, while Bruce sent her and himself back to sleep. Gotham’s residents learned that heroes and villains had joined forces in the rescue, and their fascination with the rescuers flooded the city’s trending topics.

• Bruce accepted Hal and Barry’s apology, sent them home, and urged the tired Miaomiao to return to sleep.
• Hal excitedly praised Miaomiao as a merfolk girl and suggested bringing her candy next time, while Barry warned that Batman would punish them if they returned.
• The Gotham Daily reported that Gotham’s heroes and villains had joined forces to defeat the Mad Hatter and return him to Arkham in less than two days.
• Gotham residents speculated about why the factions had cooperated, and rescued victims praised Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Killer Croc, and Red Hood to reporters.
• Gotham’s feeds filled with trending topics celebrating the rescuers and their growing fan followings.

Penguin and Black Mask reacted to Gotham’s growing praise for Killer Croc and the other recent heroes, each suspecting a hidden scheme behind the public sentiment. Black Mask decided to counter the perceived threat and set his own game in motion.

• Penguin saw Gotham’s posts celebrating Killer Croc and, remembering their shared mistreatment and Croc’s betrayal, grew furious.
• Penguin ordered his men to investigate Killer Croc, the three women, their recent movements, and any connections to Batman and the Bat Family’s new member.
• Black Mask found himself absent from Gotham’s trending topics and concluded that someone had deliberately shaped public opinion.
• Roman Sionis reasoned that the campaign aimed to weaken established underworld powers by making Gotham’s citizens trust villains and vigilantes.
• Black Mask declared, “Let the game begin,” and prepared to act against the perceived scheme.

As Christmas approached, the Wayne family decorated Wayne Manor while Bruce warned them that Gotham’s villains often caused trouble during the holidays. Alfred explained to Miaomiao that the family traditionally spent Christmas Day together, leaving the story with the manor preparing for the season.

• The Wayne family decorated the manor for Christmas while Tim handled emails, Damian complained about the decorations, and Miaomiao helped Alfred check on the cookies.
• Bruce emerged from the study and warned everyone to keep patrols and security plans unchanged because Gotham’s villains often struck during holidays.
• Dick, Jason, Tim, and Alfred complained that Bruce was spoiling the festive mood, though they took his warning seriously.
• Miaomiao asked Alfred about Wayne Manor’s Christmas traditions, and he described the charity gala before the family’s quiet Christmas Day together.

Miaomiao learned why Bruce and the Bat Family kept protecting Gotham despite the toll it took on them, and she resolved to keep troublemakers from ruining Christmas. Damian suggested there might be a way to make that happen.

• Alfred told Miaomiao that the Wayne family would gather at Wayne Manor for Christmas, and she grew excited to give everyone their presents.
• Miaomiao saw Bruce worrying about Gotham’s holiday dangers, and Dick explained that the Bat Family protected the city because its institutions often failed its people.
• Miaomiao realized that Bruce and the others rarely got to rest, and she decided the troublemakers should not ruin their Christmas.
• Damian told Miaomiao that Gotham’s criminals usually became more active during holidays, but said it might still be possible to keep them in line.

Miaomiao persuaded Damian to try keeping Gotham’s villains quiet for Christmas so the Bat Family could celebrate together. The family planned the Gotham Silent Christmas Eve Operation and divided up several groups of villains, leaving the toughest targets to address.

• Miaomiao proposed that everyone put vigilante work aside and enjoy Christmas together, and Damian reluctantly agreed to try.
• Miaomiao gathered the Bat Family to plan the Gotham Silent Christmas Eve Operation, aiming to prevent trouble from Christmas Eve through Christmas.
• Tim reviewed Gotham’s villains and crime data, while the family ruled out Catwoman and Red Hood and identified several villains who might cooperate with Miaomiao.
• Damian and Tim suggested approaching lower-risk villains through Catwoman and Killer Croc, offering incentives instead of threats.
• Jason volunteered to handle Gotham’s small gangs and petty thugs, and Tim crossed their names off the list.
• The family reached the remaining villains, whom Tim described as the tough nuts they would have to crack.

Miaomiao proposed using her illusion song to keep Arkham’s prisoners asleep over Christmas, and the Batfamily worked out a safer way for her to do it. They then turned to plans for the major villains still loose in Gotham, beginning with Penguin and Black Mask.

• Miaomiao was overwhelmed by Arkham’s villain list, and Tim explained that most of the listed criminals were already imprisoned there.
• The family discussed Joker’s recent unsettling laughter and Mad Hatter’s breakdown after Miaomiao’s earlier illusions.
• Miaomiao proposed putting all of Arkham to sleep over Christmas, and Dick warned that the effort could harm her.
• Damian suggested that Miaomiao sing from the sea, and Tim confirmed the Underground Cavern beneath Arkham Island could let her reach the whole facility.
• Tim proposed using legitimate business to keep Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, occupied and compliant.
• The group moved on to Black Mask, Roman Sionis, as Jason studied his photograph.

The group discussed how to handle Gotham’s remaining villains, with Jason taking responsibility for Black Mask and Dick proposing to reunite Harvey Dent with Gilda. Tim explained Victor Fries’s devotion to Nora, and Damian offered to fund Victor’s research so he could focus on finding a cure.

• Jason volunteered to deal with Black Mask and promised he would not cause trouble by Christmas.
• Dick offered to handle Two-Face and explained that Gilda Grace Gold remained Harvey Dent’s enduring love.
• Dick told Miaomiao that Gilda lived in a Gotham Uptown mansion and studio, and suggested bringing her and Harvey together for Christmas.
• Tim warned the group that Victor Fries would violently defend Nora’s stasis pod and research if anyone threatened them.
• Damian offered to establish a foundation with League of Assassins money to give Victor funding and equipment for his work.

Bruce and the Bat Cubs prepared Gotham for a quiet Christmas Eve, while Miaomiao used her Illusion Song to lull Arkham Asylum into sleep. After Damian checked that she was well, Miaomiao took him on a bubble-protected swim through a beautiful underwater world, leaving him pleased to be the first person besides Bruce she had invited along.

• Bruce praised the children for putting family first, while Alfred teased him about his expression.
• As Christmas Eve arrived, Miaomiao sang from the Underground Cavern and peacefully put everyone in Arkham Asylum to sleep.
• Tim, Damian, Dick, and Bruce confirmed the plan had worked, and Damian gave Miaomiao an energy bar as she recovered.
• Miaomiao made a protective bubble for Damian and led him on a deep-sea swim through clear water filled with glowing fish and coral.
• Damian learned he was the first person besides Bruce whom Miaomiao had taken into the ocean for fun and switched on his communicator.

Miaomiao and Damian returned to Wayne Manor, where she met more of Bruce’s family and friends. The family gathered for a warm Christmas Eve dinner, leaving Miaomiao feeling at home among them.

• Damian teased the others over comms about being the first to take Miaomiao swimming, while they called him childish and jealous.
• Miaomiao and Damian changed into dry clothes and joined the family gathered at Wayne Manor for Christmas Eve.
• Bruce introduced Miaomiao to Kate Kane, and Stephanie introduced her to Barbara Gordon and Cassandra Cain.
• Duke Thomas and Lucas Fox greeted Miaomiao, and the family settled around the dinner table.
• Alfred served gingerbread men and roasted apples as everyone shared a festive meal, and Miaomiao enjoyed the warmth of the gathering.

The family exchanged Christmas gifts, and Miaomiao received thoughtful presents from everyone. The gathering ended with Kate placing a practical, elegant hair ornament in Miaomiao’s hair.

• The family relaxed together as they exchanged gifts, while Bruce watched them and Cassandra gave Miaomiao a handmade dolphin brooch.
• Dick gave Miaomiao a glowing seashell bracelet, prompting everyone to gather around and offer their presents.
• Stephanie gave Miaomiao a box of plush sea creatures, Barbara gave her upgraded communicators, Jason gave her kitten-ear earmuffs, and Tim gave her a customized tablet.
• Damian gave Miaomiao a carefully carved merfolk figurine resembling her, and she thanked him warmly.
• Duke and Luke gave Miaomiao underwater toys, and Kate fitted a waterproof fish-tail hair ornament with a distress signal into her hair.

Miaomiao received loving Christmas gifts from her family at Wayne Manor, including Bruce’s gemstone necklace, and cried tears that transformed into Blue-Violet Pearls. As the family comforted her, snow began falling over Gotham, giving her a rare white Christmas.

• Alfred gave Miaomiao a warm sea-blue knitted shawl, and she opened Bruce’s Purple-Black Diamond necklace, which he said matched her eyes.
• Bruce told Miaomiao that Wayne Manor was her home, and she told the family she loved them even more than the gifts.
• Miaomiao cried from happiness, turning her tears into Blue-Violet Pearls as Bruce, Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian tried to comfort her and catch them.
• Someone pointed out that snow was falling, and Miaomiao watched her first real snowfall through the windows.
• Kate remarked that Gotham might not have a white Christmas even once in ten years.

Miaomiao celebrated her first snowy Christmas surrounded by her Wayne family and gifts from friends across Gotham. After opening Penguin’s expensive music box and exclusive Iceberg Lounge membership card, she learned it reflected the olive branch Wayne Enterprises had offered him.

• Miaomiao watched Gotham’s rare Christmas snowfall with her family, and Bruce welcomed it as her first White Christmas.
• On Christmas morning, Miaomiao learned that friends and acquaintances from across Gotham had sent her gifts.
• Miaomiao opened gifts from Clark’s family, Diana, Aquaman, Barry, Hal, Commissioner Gordon, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Two-Face.
• Miaomiao opened Penguin’s music box and exclusive Iceberg Lounge membership card, which Dick and Tim examined.
• Tim explained that he had negotiated a profitable deal with Penguin on behalf of Wayne Enterprises and Drake Enterprises, and Jason said the gift represented Wayne Enterprises’ olive branch.

Oswald Cobblepot learned that a little girl from the Bat Family had softened Gotham’s villains and made them beloved by the public, stirring his longing for the acceptance he had never earned. When Tim Drake offered a business agreement, Oswald welcomed him and reconsidered what strength and respect could mean.

• Oswald reflected on his upbringing, criminal career, and lifelong desire for status and respect.
• He investigated the public’s changing view of Killer Croc, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn, and learned that a little girl from the Bat Family had helped them change.
• A subordinate told Oswald that Tim Drake had arrived to discuss a mutually beneficial deal.
• Oswald received Tim courteously and heard Wayne Enterprises’ proposal for a long-term agreement on commercial-district security and Christmas supplies.
• Seeing how the other villains had gained public affection, Oswald recognized that acceptance and respect were what he had always wanted.

Oswald asked Tim to let the Cobblepot Family become true partners with the Wayne and Drake Families, hoping for a chance to earn genuine respect. Tim refused to gamble with Miaomiao but agreed not to bar Oswald from approaching her, and Oswald asked to send her a Christmas gift.

• Oswald reached out to Tim and proposed a lasting partnership between the Cobblepot, Wayne, and Drake Families.
• Oswald explained that seeing Waylon’s situation had made him want to gamble on a different future for himself and his family.
• Tim said he believed Oswald was sincere but would not risk Miaomiao’s safety or force her to interact with him.
• Oswald pleaded for one chance to prove himself and earn respect openly, like Waylon had.
• Tim said Miaomiao could decide for herself and warned that she could sense good and evil in people’s hearts.
• Oswald thanked Tim and asked to send Miaomiao a Christmas gift, and she began to understand that he envied the friendships Little Croc and the others had made.

Miaomiao decided to meet Oswald Cobblepot before choosing whether to be his friend, and Bruce arranged for Dick to accompany her to the Iceberg Lounge. They arrived at Cobblepot’s office, where he was waiting for them.

• Miaomiao asked Bruce whether she should be friends with Penguin, and Bruce told her she could decide for herself.
• Miaomiao chose to meet Oswald Cobblepot first, and Dick volunteered to go with her.
• Dick drove Miaomiao to the Iceberg Lounge, where the staff recognized them and escorted them to a private elevator.
• Miaomiao and Dick reached Oswald Cobblepot’s office, and his voice invited them inside.

Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot met Miaomiao and nearly lost his temper when she called him “Little Penguin.” Miaomiao offered to call him “Mr. Os” instead, and her explanation about names left Oswald unexpectedly moved.

• Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot formally introduced himself to Dick and Miaomiao.
• Miaomiao admitted she could not remember Oswald’s full name and suggested calling him “Little Penguin.”
• Oswald stiffened at the nickname, while Dick moved in front of Miaomiao to protect her.
• Miaomiao apologized and asked if she could call him “Mr. Os” instead.
• Miaomiao explained that a surname represented a family while a given name represented a person, and Oswald accepted that “Mr. Os” did not sound so bad.

Miaomiao’s open kindness prompted Oswald to set aside his schemes and promise the Cobblepot Family and Iceberg Lounge would be her friends. Their conversation was interrupted when Poison Ivy called to say Harley had gone wild and was determined to find Joker.

• Miaomiao and Oswald talked freely, and Oswald reflected on how he had treated Killer Croc.
• Oswald bowed to Miaomiao and promised that the Cobblepot Family and Iceberg Lounge would always be her friends.
• Dick watched Oswald’s unusual show of sincerity toward Miaomiao.
• Miaomiao answered a call from Poison Ivy, who urgently told her that Harley was trying to find Joker.
• Harley shouted that nobody could stop her and demanded that Ivy release her from the vines.