EDITORIAL: What if Talia Al Ghul was an Ally in The Dark Knight Rises? Part II

In part one of this piece I described how an alternate version of Talia Al Ghul would have fit into the plot of the Dark Knight Rises had she been an ally. As I had to describe how the plot would have shifted with specific scenes and descriptions that article became so long that I decided to put my ideas on how this version of Talia could have helped seal plot holes and reinforce larger themes into their own separate articles. Part II covers the plot holes and Part III (the last part which I’ll write up later this week) will cover the thematic aspect.

So first the plot hole aspect. Anyone who read Part 1 will probably be able to see how this version of Talia can fix some of these but I write this as a way to clarify if it was unclear. Now before I start I just want to say that I tend not to lose my mind over some logic flaws in CBMs as I’m willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of the movie and the plot holes I’ve listed below didn’t bother me enough to take me out of the movie but I’ve noticed they did throw some of my friends out of the experience so I figured other people were thrown as well and I found a way to use my alternate version of Talia to fix some of them.

Loose Ends from The Dark Knight: Coleman Reese discovered who Batman was in The Dark Knight and Anna Ramirez was the only one who survived Harvey Dent’s rampage besides Gordon’s family but neither of them are ever mentioned again. Talia as an ally would explain that Reese disappeared 14 months prior to the events of Dark Knight Rises under mysterious circumstances and later on it would be revealed by Talia that Ramirez committed suicide over her guilt over Rachel’s death.

(I do not consider the lack of Joker reference to be a plot hole. I respect Nolan’s decision to not include any reference out of respect and I’m assuming Gotham would have given him the death penalty and executed him anyway so even if Ledger had lived I would not have wanted Joker to team up with Bane or for Joker to get Harley Quinn as his assistant because it would have just been villain overload or a rehash over material thoroughly covered in the Dark Knight.)

Bane’s Knowledge of Applied Sciences: I would have Bane mentioned in passing while he’s escorting Fox and Talia to the reactor that Coleman Reese gave him the location after Bane kidnapped him and then killed him.
Selina Kyle’s Friend Jen: Jen would be the one that sells out the Special Forces operation. Since Talia would be an ally in this version she obviously wouldn’t do it so you would need a character that had reason to not want Gotham to be freed from Bane. This would also further distance Selina from the revolution mentality. Just an establishing shot of Jen watching Blake and the Special Forces Captain from a distance would be needed.

How He Got Back To Gotham: Talia would get them back in the States through her money and status as Miranda Tate and Bruce would show her his alternate route into Gotham demonstrating that Bruce planned for a situation in which Gotham was sealed off.

Barsad Maintains Order: Bane’s right hand man Barsad would actually turn out to be Talia’s right hand and he would update her on Gotham’s status when she and Bruce return. We would see he helped Talia fake her death with a coma inducing drug. He would explain that Bane (who would be depressed after Talia’s faked death) is planning on dying with the city but has only told him and not the rest of the League as he believes Barsad to be the only one loyal enough to die along with him and not try to flee. Barsad would explain that Bane has handed much control over to Barsad and with that control he has managed to maintain some form of order in Gotham ranging from killing some of the escapees to helping Lucius Fox repair the reactor stabilizer and develop the sleeping agent Batarangs Bruce uses later on when rescuing Gordon. He would also make sure the cops were fed well and provided razors.

Flaming Bat Symbol on Bridge: The members of the league loyal to Talia would place the symbol on the bridge as welcome back gift and a signal to prepare for the final battle. Bruce would just light it up.

John Blake’s Training: Talia would also find the Batcave and it would be her that would train John Blake to be the next Batman. She would deliver the “if you make yourself more than just a man” speech to Blake just as Ra’s Al Ghul did to Bruce in Batman Begins.