DC Entertainment releases Adam West’s Powerless episode

NBC/DC Entertainment

In tribute to the late Adam West, DC Entertainment has released the unaired episode, “Win, Luthor, Draw,” that featured West as a guest star.

Adam West, Batman to a generation of TV fans, passed away last week. One of his final roles was a fittingly comic guest role on NBC’s Powerless in an episode which never made it to air. DC All Access is proud to present this episode in its entirety for a limited time as a tribute to West and his DC legacy.

In the episode, West played Wayne Enterprises executive Dean West.  Previously, West had narrated the pilot episode.  There was some humor at West’s expense.  He arrives because they need to make some cuts at Wayne Security.  Upon meeting Hudgen’s Emily, who is wearing a cat sweater on loan after her condo building was hit by aliens from the future: “Nice to meet you…Catwoman.”

Van asks if there were any board-related reasons for coming to Charm City.  West tells him, “Nope, that’s it.  I admit it’s a bit of a gratuitous cameo.”

After his initial appearance, he comes in again around the 10:20 mark when Emily asks if he’s looked at her budget.  As it turns out, the division can be profitable so Wayne Security sells it to LexCorp.  During an employee meeting, West breaks the forth wall, turns to the camera, and delivers a monologue on whether or not they keep their jobs and asks viewers to tune in next week.

Following the sale to LexCorp, the gang arrives for a tour and discovers the evil wormhole.  Jackie, who now has Flash-like powers, saves their lives after LexCorp threatens to kill them.  Finally, West makes his final appearance in the closing scene with yet another monologue on if Bruce Wayne will bail them out next week by saving their jobs.

It’s a fun episode to watch by Powerless‘s mixed standards.  It’s just a shame that it couldn’t live up to the DC series expectations that were set by the shows on both CW and FOX.

Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk, Danny Pudi, Christina Kirk, and Ron Funches starred in the series until it was canceled this past spring.  Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Len Goldstein, Marc Buckland and Dean Lorey executive produced the show.

Set in Charm City, Powerless had so much potential given that it was the first sitcom to be set in the DC Universe.  That being said, none of the epsiodes were based on any particular comic book in the Batman franchise.  Other than references to Batman and Gotham City, the only thing that really ties the show to Batman is Tudyk playing Bruce Wayne’s cousin, Van Wayne.  Created by writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff, the of Vanderveer Wayne, Sr. made his first appearance in Batman vol. 1, #148 (June, 1962).

Due to low ratings, the series was pulled with three episodes remaining on April 25, 2017.  There was a different pilot shot and it was shown during San Diego Comic-Con 2016.  Following SDCC, showrunner Ben Queen departed the series, which was also given a new premise.  This pilot was better received.  Whether Queen staying on would have saved the show remains to be determined.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.

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