Spoilers, naturally.

The ending of The Dark Knight bothered me. Why, I wondered, does Batman take responsibility for the murders committed by Two Face? Surely the deaths can be written off as general criminal bastardliness, or perhaps a Joker sub-scheme? Thematic reasons be damned, as a part of the story it made no sense to me.

Huzzah then, for I have found* a satisfying explanation that deserves more airing than it will get on this blog. There’s two aspects – firstly, the copycat vigilantes near the start of the film that are getting in the way and endangering themselves. Secondly, what Sal Maroni says to Batman just after getting his shins snapped: “You got rules. The Joker, he’s got no rules. No one’s gonna cross him for you.”

By taking the blame for the murders, he achieves two things beyond protecting Dent’s reputation. Firstly, the city turns against him – who would want to be a copycat now? Secondly, those that would prefer to cross him rather than the Joker need to think again – looks like he doesn’t have rules after all. Lovely. Now if someone could explain where the horses disappear to just before the final battle in Return of the King, maybe I’ll be able to get some sleep.

* found, and lost – should I manage to track down the link again I’ll post it, but suffice to say I wasn’t smart enough to work all this out myself.