Why So Serious?

The Dark Knight had one of the biggest 3 day weekend openings this past week, despite a 2 1/2 hour run time, and an oppressive heat wave, the movie still managed to rake in 155 million dollars. It smashed box office records like the unstoppable Juggernaut long awaited summer blockbuster it is.
I left the theater euphoric-like, unable to stop reiterating scenes and dialog, imagining all the possibilities of the next installment in the franchise. Could the riddler (my personal favorite bad guy) be in the next one? Imagine if you will the possibilities of a less goofy jim carey-esqu riddler.....
But still......
I couldn't help but feel...unsatisfied?
depressed?
disappointed?
Heath Ledger's joker was that good. Believe the hype. From the first snippet of his portrayal I saw I knew his performance was going to be good. I guess deep down I knew it was going to be great even. A part of me really wanted to be proved wrong. Unfortunately I wasn't. He stole the movie in ever scene he was in. At times truly terrifying in his psychotic brilliance, tempered with bits of humor here and there for good measure. The joker was the most riveting character. When he told Batman "we're destined to do this forever" I was right there in the moment
Until...
I realized there will never be a repeat performance.
The joker will never be in a future sequel.
And despite everything else.
Despite already being cognizant of this fact,
I couldn't help letting that fact bring me down
It's still a great movie, and I want to go see it again in the theater, (just cause the second time is always better)
But still
still...