Weekly TV Reviews: Batwoman

"Batwoman" originated through a crossover event for the Arrowverse and introduced the character of Kate Kane who is Bruce Wayne's cousin. This set up the next Arrowverse show which follows Kate as she rises to the status of Batwoman in the wake of her cousin's departure from Gotham which left the city without a hero. The show has the same gritty and dark tone as familiar with the world of Gotham with a different spin with the characters introduced. The show also took part in the last official crossover that said good-bye to "Arrow." 

Batwoman: Season 2 Episode 1: Whatever Happened to Kate Kane?

The first episode of season two was tasked with a big job. Just as the pilot had to establish itself as a new show and now the premiere of season two is no different. With the departure of Ruby Rose, "Batwoman" was tasked with how to continue on without their Batwoman. This came with the casting of Javicia Leslie ("God Friended Me") in the role of the new character Ryan Wilder. The story continues on where season one left off just minus Kate and establishes where the characters will go forward from there. 

1.) What happened to Kate?

The first episode kicks off right with Kate's disappearance as her plane is seen crashing with her stuff in the wreckage but no sign of her body. This mystery has all of the characters reacting to the possibility that Kate may not have survived the crash. The disappearance of Kate sparks the characters in new directions for the season with Sophie grieving (and exploring the possibility of the feelings that went with Kate), Alice is facing her own grief and anger over her brilliant vengeance plan going up in smoke, Mary and Luke are facing the loss of their hero, and Jacob is facing the loss of yet another daughter (one he refuses to make the same mistake with). Given the surprising departure of Rose, it's nice to see the loss is addressed in a way that can bring the characters moving forward. This is also a clever way of setting forth the journey of new addition Ryan. 

2.) Meeting Ryan Wilder 

Leslie was brilliant and emotional in her role in "God Friended Me" so it was exciting to see her cast as the new Batwoman. The decision to create a new Batwoman was a great way to give a new voice into the show which comes from an immediately complex character of Ryan Wilder. Ryan is seen at the beginning living in her car but she reacts instantly to the plane crash and attempts to save a life right before she finds the Bat-suit. She decides to take it upon herself to don the suit and take the place of Batwoman to catch the ones responsible for killing her mother. The dynamic layers to the character are appreciated, especially since the character has a great weight placed upon her shoulder to lead this show as its titular hero. She's a character that was adopted and was moving into her new apartment only to be jumped by squatters who beat the Landlord and her mother to death. From there, Ryan's life fell downhill, and ultimately, she's fallen into a dead end where she can't get a job because she's a former convict yet can't pay the fine without a job. Leslie brings strength to the character while also showing her vulnerability and innocence in this character. 

3.) Bruce Wayne 

The show has yet to see the real Bruce Wayne. Just as "Supergirl" sidestepped showing Superman until season two (successfully spinning the character off for "Superman & Lois" on February 23), "Batwoman" has refrained from answering the big question "Where is Bruce Wayne?" The character was seen from the beginning as having suddenly disappeared from the city with no explanation much in the way that Kate Kane has now disappeared. The show briefly explores the character through a bit of identity theft at the hands of Mouse who takes the place of Bruce with his mimicry abilities. This goes well for a time until he slips up and Julia Pennyworth catches onto him, leading Luke and Mary to figure out the truth. This is a good way to explore Batwoman by keeping Batman sidelined and letting the character stand on her own two feet as a hero. 

4.) A City Needs a Hero 

A city without a hero is doomed. This is a theme that Batman has always established from every incarnation of the films to the darker-toned series "Gotham." The first season picks up with the question of what is Gotham without its hero? That's where Kate picked up the mantel and became Batwoman as a way to be the hero that the city needed. This same question is asked at the beginning of this season which is now up to Ryan to answer. Though she was seen at the end returning the suit to Mary and Luke, there's no doubt that her heroic journey has only just begun and we are excited to see the hero she will be.

Last Thoughts: 

• Mary and Luke: The two characters each supply heart and comic relief to the show so seeing them as a dynamic duo is a must-have. We love seeing how the two interact and work together. The banter between them is some of the best on the show with the two actors both excelling at heart and humor. 
• Julia and Sophie: Their connection was subtly teased last season and the connection still seems to be there, which leaves us wondering if more could be around the corner for the two characters? 
• Alice's Next Plan: She may have failed in her plans for revenge against Kate and their father, but that doesn't mean that Alice isn't without other plans nor does this mean she'll stop being a huge threat to the town.