Torture, at its Most Bizarre and Terrible

by twof


The Siamese Human Knot has been called "too hokey to be believed" and "not a real Bat-Trap." Cinefantastique magazine in Joe Desris's Batman episode guide calls the episode in which it appears "close to unbearable." Others have called it boring, while some find it humorous. Yet, to me, the Siamese Human Knot is far and away the best Bat-Trap of all, sublime in its concept and beautiful in its execution. I'll try to give you some insight as to why I feel this way.

I will attempt not to repeat too much of what I've already covered on my Siamese Human Knot Web Site. It was my sincere wish that someone else would write the analysis of the SHK (Siamese Human Knot, of course!) Again, I would encourage anyone so inclined to submit an analysis of any Batgirl trap, whether it has already been reviewed or not. It would be great to be able to present different points of view . . . but, I digress.

The following dialogue sets up what is to come:

Evelina - "But what about Batman and Robin, boss?"
Nora - "Those masked menfolk? Pshaw."
Angelina - "And what about . . . Batgirl?"
Nora - "Oh, yes! I forgot about her. With a woman helping them, Batman and Robin might just give us some trouble . . .
but all we have to do is make a call and lead them into a trap."

Here is the remarkable statement that Ms. Clavicle forgot about Batgirl! She wasn't going to bother trapping just Batman and Robin. This also leads to the conclusion that the Siamese Human Knot was not a trap specifically designed for the Terrific Trio, but one Nora had in mind for some time. Perhaps Nora, Evelina and Angelina had previously tied themselves into a version of the SHK for fun???

The SHK sequence itself starts with Nora Clavicle choosing Batgirl to capture and threaten with a razor-sharp knitting needle. One wonders if the choice of Batgirl by the radical feminist is:

  1. A recognition of the greater physical strength of the Dynamic Duo;
  2. An effort to humiliate Batgirl - a woman joining forces with men against Nora or
  3. Just due to the fact that Batgirl happens to wander closest to Ms. Clavicle's hiding place.

It is interesting to note that after Nora says, "Don't make a move, Batgirl," she never again addresses Batgirl directly.

Angelina, the taller of Nora's two assistants, advances towards Batman while Evelina moves in the direction of Robin. I assume Ms. Clavicle manipulates Batgirl's body as, off-camera, the SHK is tied.

One of the other Bat-Trap analysts acknowledges that the SHK is the ultimate in minimalist Bat-Trapping. No ropes or any restraints other than Batman's, Robin's and Batgirl's own bodies are used. While some object to the presence of Batman and Robin in a Batgirl Bat-Trap, I find it appealing that the SHK involves Batman, Robin and Batgirl. The three of them were rarely all in the same trap (the Alvino Ray Gun and the Fear and Tear gasses the only other examples), but the SHK is the only one that required all three of them to be there for it to work.

The name Siamese Human Knot undoubtedly came from Siamese twins. Siamese twins are two people born with their bodies joined together, most often at the hip or the head. Only through the miracle of modern medicine have some of these individuals been able to be successfully separated. The idea of the SHK may have been that the victims were so intertwined that they would find it "completely impossible" to become disentangled.






Here are Chang and Eng, the famous Siamese twins joined at the ribcage. The term Siamese twins originated with them. The brothers were born in Siam (now Thailand) in 1811 and died in 1874.









Interestingly, the Human Knot is a contortionist's position, as shown here. Figure out some way to join two or three people into such an arrangement, and you might have a Siamese Human Knot that cannot be untied!





Batman uses the term "Siamese Human Knot" twice, while Nora and Robin say the full name of the ordeal once each. Twice Ms. Clavicle calls their torment a "Human Knot." Batgirl and Batman both refer to the torture they are suffering as "this" one time.

I believe this was the only time any of the Terrific Trio ever used the word "torture." King Tut used "the Ancient Theban Pebble Torture" on Batman and Catwoman's Giant Echo Chamber that the Dynamic Duo were in was "a variation of the legendary Chinese Water Torture," but this is the only time on the series the heroes admitted to being tortured. I'm sure it made Nora quite happy to hear Batman's comment! I'm also sure Angelina was unhappy to be sent away to get the truck!

After Batman implies that he, Batgirl and Robin are checkmated, Commissioner Clavicle proceeds to explain her mad scheme. Watch Batgirl's reaction after Ms. Clavicle delivers her parting blast ("Don't . . . move!) You can almost hear Batgirl thinking, "You bitch!" The camera then zooms in on the helpless heroes, as they are forced to sit there, waiting for Gotham City to be destroyed.

BTW, this is one time it makes sense for the villain(ess) to leave the heroes to their fate. Nora and her gang have to get away before the bombs go off, one-half hour after sunset. I daresay this is the closest anyone came on the Batman TV series to demolishing Gotham City.

Let's move on to the trap ratings . . .


  • Physical Torment - The SHK hurt as much as any Bat-Trap. Batgirl experienced terrible cramps in her legs. Not only were the trio at risk of strangulation, but they were told that as the Human Knot was drawn tighter, their bones would be crushed! This ties in with the villainess' name, as clavicle is the formal name for the collarbone.

    Although I speculate in Nora Clavicle's Return that Batgirl's position is the most painful, at least initially she appears to be at the least risk of being strangled. I can imagine Batman protesting Batgirl being placed in the worst position, although if involuntary muscular contractions in the middle victim's legs are necessary for the escape, it might have been fortunate that Nora did not put Batman in the middle.

    Though one might argue that it's not relevant, I think it is pertinent that the SHK seemed to be the most painful Bat-Trap for Yvonne Craig, Burt Ward and Adam West. Yvonne is quoted as saying that "We had to stay that way for rather a long time and he (Burt) was complaining that it hurt. I said, ‘It's supposed to hurt.'"

    Ward in his book wrote, "Being in that position on the floor for so long left Adam and me with aching muscles. Recently I spoke with Yvonne, and she remembered what I said when they pulled us apart. ‘Oh! I'm so sore I'm gonna die. I'm not used to having my legs in this position!'"

    I give it a 10.


  • Mental (Psychological) Torment - Batman calls the SHK "torture, at its most bizarre and terrible." Look at the expression on Batgirl's face when Batman says the word torture. Imagine the stress of knowing that making even the slightest move could kill not only you but your two closest friends. Talking is "dangerous enough" and "a deep breath might prove fatal." Only blinking and swallowing seem risk-free. Then, add to the situation, that even though you are told that escape is completely impossible, if you don't escape you and your loved ones will all be blown up!

    Finally, there's the sexual tension inherent in this trap. The SHK threatens to strangle the Terrific Trio. The Human Knot allows its victims to press bodies against each other, but in a most frustrating way - look . . . touch . . . but don't . . . move!

    There are indications that Robin and Batgirl are cracking up. Robin asks, "Do we dare breathe?" Could the answer be no? Batgirl, too, shows signs of the strain. She admits that she "can't stand this much longer," but then objects when Batman instructs Robin on how they might escape - "He might stangle us all!

    This has to be a 10 as well.


  • Duration (How long the trap or peril lasted or was designed to last) The pure form of the SHK would seem to possibly be of very long duration. If the victims don't move enough to be strangled, they might survive until they die of thirst.

    In the episode, however, Nora's plan calls for the destruction of all of Gotham City, including the Dropstitch & Company warehouse, "as soon as night falls." So while the SHK, even as applied by Ms. Clavicle, lasts far longer than most Bat-Traps, it does not deserve the 10 it would have earned without the impending threat to the city.

    Compared with what might have been, I'll have to call it an 8.


  • Fatality (Danger of death) Between strangulation and being blown to bits, the SHK presents very unpleasant alternative ways for our heroes to die. By its very nature, they cannot avoid death in the SHK unless they escape.

    So, here's another 10.


  • Believability (Realism) A female fan of the SHK admits that "they are basically hugging each other. It is very fake . . ." The same fan has told me that there really is a "Siamese Human Knot" but, if there is, it cannot be as shown in the episode. Through first-hand experience, I've observed that it is possible to arrange three bodies in such a way as Batman, Robin and Batgirl are posed, but unless the participants willingly hold hands, they will not stay in that position. Batman moving his left arm during the commercial break and, to a lesser extent, Batgirl slipping lower as the Knot tightens, also hurt the trap's credibility.

    Only by comparing it to the Alvino Ray Gun can I say the SHK merits a 2 for realism.


  • Ease of Escape (A low rating means it was too easy to escape) If, as I speculate, escape by the Basic Formula was not possible until Batgirl admitted that her legs were cramping, then at least Batman couldn't have released the Trio from the trap immediately. The naming of the "Basic Formula," however, necessarily implies that other means of escape are known to exist.

    The "wiggling of the ears" really hurts the reputation of this trap. Extremely silly, it certainly lends credence to those who find the whole concept stupid.

    I contend that Batman knew all along how to escape, but couldn't put the formula into action until Batgirl said she had terrible cramps in her legs. He couldn't tell Batgirl for fear that she would move trying to force the cramps. With this in mind, I'll generously give it a 4.


  • Sensuality (How did the trap present Batgirl or an overall response to the trap) Batgirl is the centerpiece of this trap. After the commercial break (and once Batman's left arm is moved!) we are treated to a clear view of her magnificent chest. Yvonne's ballerina legs seem to be the focal point of the SHK.

    Let me quote another Human Knot fan, "The positioning of Batgirl in between Batman's legs is part of what makes the Knot great. The fact that Robin is there, too, in a bizarre menage a trois, makes it even better. Add in Yvonne Craig's great looks and sensational outfit and WOW!!!"

    More Great Moments in the Knot:(click for pictures and sound bites)

    You know I'm going to rate this a 10!


    It may ultimately boil down as to either one appreciates the satire in Nora Clavicle and the Ladies' Crime Club or one finds it to be insulting to women. In much the same way, some of us buy into the concept of the SHK, while others find the whole thing ridiculous.

    By the way, I offer no excuses for the closing set in this episode!


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