Roush Review: ‘Batwoman’ Is Slow to Take Flight
Review
Holy diversity, Bat-fans!
Breaking new ground for superhero adventure on a network overrun with costumed icons, The CW’s Batwoman introduces Ruby Rose (Orange Is the New Black) as reluctant vigilante Kate Kane, who’s a proudly out lesbian—though this being the CW Arrowverse, she’s also tormented and unhappy and dour.
Kate also happens to be Bruce Wayne’s cousin, only slowly realizing that this makes her kin to a Batman who’s been missing from Gotham for three years when this latest DC Comics adaptation begins.
Rose certainly looks the part. Spiky and prickly, gorgeous eyes flashing in defiance, at ease on a motorcycle like a rebel with more causes than she can count, Kate blows into Gotham after years of mystical survival training. Unfortunately, a little dramatic coaching might have been helpful as well, because she delivers every line with the same monotonous flatness. Moody is one thing, but numb isn’t a particularly engaging vibe.
Dougray Scott as Jacob Kane and Ruby Rose as Kate Kane (Kimberley French/The CW)
Although who can blame her, because we’ve all been down this stylishly violent road to mayhem so many times before. Besides, Kate has enough chips on her shoulder to weigh an Atlas down. She was drummed out of the military after being outed for kissing her girlfriend and fellow cadet, Sophie (an appealing Meagan Tandy). She is still haunted by a childhood tragedy in which she escaped a car accident that claimed her sister and mom, for which she blames Batman. She’s estranged from her father, Jacob Kane (Dougray Scott), who leads a private army known as Crows, to protect Gothamites when the local police aren’t enough. He won’t let Kate play with the boys, though Sophie is one of his most trusted soldiers.
The action begins when Sophie is kidnapped by the joker in this muddled deck: a psycho madwoman (Rachel Skarsten) fashioned after a twisted Alice in Wonderland, who’s terrorizing the town in Batman’s absence. Sophie’s dilemma captures Kate’s attention, and before long, she has stumbled into absent cousin Bruce’s underground lair, instantly fancying that legendary bat-suit and accompanying gadgets. “The suit is literally perfection,” marvels second-generation tech guru Luke Fox (Camrus Johnson.) To which Kate quips, “It will be — when it fits a woman.”
Never doubt it. This is Batwoman, watch her soar. If only the show would let her. Even after several bruising battles that should come with their own “oofs!” and “kapows!”, Kate isn’t ready to let the rest of the world in on the bat’s gender switch, and a general malaise hangs over the proceedings as Alice continues to target the Kanes for reasons that become way too obvious way too soon.
Ruby Rose as Kate Kane (Elizabeth Morris/The CW)
Riddle me this: Is there a limit to the number of superhero shows The CW is willing to juggle? I know I’ve already reached mine.
Batwoman, Series Premiere, Sunday, Oct. 6, 8/7c, The CW
Conversation10 Comments
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I'll admit I quit Arrow itself a couple seasons ago, but if someone's looking for something that's isn't dour in the "CW Arrowverse", Legends of Tomorrow is having a ball these days.
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LOT is great.
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O
Yeah well those 'critics' are idiots and obviously have a clear bias lol.
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On the flip-side, the 'critics' rated it higher than Joker.
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O
I had a feeling this would be a trainwreck. The trailers beyond the insulting dialogue just felt... bleh. The lead actress seems very stilted I guess because she may have never been a lead before maybe she's nervous? idk but anyway If you want actual quality on a CW show of all places I recommend Black Lightening. I haven't started the third yet but the first two seasons are solid gold imo. Quality writing, acting, cast and chemistry that actually feels genuine. Very great work on that show and a unique premise.
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My weekly cw shows are The Flash, Legends of tomorrow and Black Lightening.I tried watching Supergirl but hard to get into.I haven't watched Arrow other than crossover episodes but i might watch the last season.
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O
I would suggest you go back and watch seven seasons because this final one will have you lost as hell if you haven't seen all seven.
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Gee Matt, we guess you didn't like it?
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He's not alone, only 8% of viewers liked it.
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I have never seen that before. That is BAD. Good lord.
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