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| Scene from Batwoman (2019) |
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
By this point, The CW's Arrowverse has produced enough content to be more than the b-sides to Warner Bros.' D.C. movies. With producer Greg Berlanti once again in tow, there was much anticipation for the appearance of Batwoman. After all, the channel has had Supergirl going on four years now, and it only makes sense to have the female counterpart to Batman. After being introduced last season in a major crossover event, Batwoman a.k.a. Bruce Wayne's cousin Kate Kane (Ruby Rose) comes to the screen with the dark side of things. Rose as an actress has developed a reputation for playing hard-nosed women who complement the action movie genre flawlessly. Even in Orange is the New Black her brief time on the show created a memorable rift between characters. It's why there's so much to look forward to with her first full-length outing, free of serving as second fiddle to any action star.
Does it work out? Well, the show follows a formula not unlike Supergirl's early run. It's a period where it's not totally distinguished from the bigger mythos of Batwoman, who hasn't had an iconic portrayal since the 1960's version played by Yvonne Craig. She's also tougher, meaning the tone has to be grittier, placing her inside a prism that is more in line with the D.C. Extended Universe instead of shows like The Flash. Rose has the gift of delivering a snarl with the best of them. She can intimidate just by arching back her shoulders. However, tonally the show still feels like it needs to separate itself more from who Batman is and what Batwoman will be. By the end of the first episode, it's still not clear given that her trademark red wig hasn't even been mentioned yet. The show has plenty of room to grow.
Of course, a lot of the catalyst for Batwoman is that Kate is filling in for Bruce and the world of Gotham needs to be reintroduced as a result. Every supporting character needs to be introduced, and lines that promote a strong and independent streak come up. As Kate witnesses the Batcave and sees Brue's old Batman suit, she comments that she'll like it "when it fits a woman." Speaking as films like Captain Marvel have been harping on this imagery, it's not a total shock to see it here. Still, the first episode does little to separate her from Batman's legacy. It's sort of the point, as her presence of putting on the suit and saving Gotham is something that is seen as heroic after a long dark period of crime running amok. Those that lookup don't see her but think they see Bruce.
It's a conflict that the show will have to work on going forward, and this is mostly setting the table for whatever personal identity Kate will forge throughout the season. In that sense, it's another drawn-out origin story, of which D.C. properties seem to do at exhaustive rates these days (see: Gotham, the movie Joker). What is there really to gain from another dark story set in Gotham? The Arrowverse's comparative lightheartedness has been a strong benefactor to its success, and Rose has yet to be seen as anything more but a prototypical heroine. She has fleeting moments here to give hope that this show is something more, but at the end of the day it feels like this season will be about Batwoman being distinguished from Batman, and maybe get more "fits a woman" style encouraging dialogue in the process. It's not a bad thing, but as far as Arrowverse pilots go, this one is lacking an urgency besides an inspired piece of casting.
The only saving grace comes from villain Alice (Rachel Skarsten), who is not unlike Batman's nemesis The Mad Hatter in her affinity for Lewis Carroll literature and saying "Curiouser and curiouser" whenever she becomes intrigued. She plants a mystery about someone missing from Kate's past, and it gives a hook for what's to come. Alice is eccentric, playing a Hot Topic-style goth with yellow hair whose henchmen do her bidding. As much as she feels like yet another Carroll-based eccentric in pop culture, she at least sticks around for the next episode, promising to make what follows into a mystery. Will Batwoman differ from the other series by focusing largely on one villain? Alice has the potential to be something grander, provided her anarchic streak compliments the plot and adds tension. Still, it depends on how the show adjusts its tone going forward. If Rose is stuck being dark and brooding, it will only make Alice seem more impressive as she giggles her way through an episode.
As a whole, the pilot for Batwoman is a decent start given how impossible it is to separate the show from its more popular counterpart. That is something that will take time (and a wig) to come close to achieving. With that said, the casting of Rose and Skarsten makes for enjoyable sides to the coin, leaving room for potentially more intellectual stimulation. With that said, Kate's reliance on being tough makes it difficult to think that the show will have a sense of humor about itself - which it sorely needs. Those who trust the Berlanti formula will have enough to like here, though those who want something sillier and rooted in the lighter side of humanity this might not be the show for you. Hopefully a lot of surprises come along soon, because this show desperately needs it.
Does it work out? Well, the show follows a formula not unlike Supergirl's early run. It's a period where it's not totally distinguished from the bigger mythos of Batwoman, who hasn't had an iconic portrayal since the 1960's version played by Yvonne Craig. She's also tougher, meaning the tone has to be grittier, placing her inside a prism that is more in line with the D.C. Extended Universe instead of shows like The Flash. Rose has the gift of delivering a snarl with the best of them. She can intimidate just by arching back her shoulders. However, tonally the show still feels like it needs to separate itself more from who Batman is and what Batwoman will be. By the end of the first episode, it's still not clear given that her trademark red wig hasn't even been mentioned yet. The show has plenty of room to grow.
Of course, a lot of the catalyst for Batwoman is that Kate is filling in for Bruce and the world of Gotham needs to be reintroduced as a result. Every supporting character needs to be introduced, and lines that promote a strong and independent streak come up. As Kate witnesses the Batcave and sees Brue's old Batman suit, she comments that she'll like it "when it fits a woman." Speaking as films like Captain Marvel have been harping on this imagery, it's not a total shock to see it here. Still, the first episode does little to separate her from Batman's legacy. It's sort of the point, as her presence of putting on the suit and saving Gotham is something that is seen as heroic after a long dark period of crime running amok. Those that lookup don't see her but think they see Bruce.
It's a conflict that the show will have to work on going forward, and this is mostly setting the table for whatever personal identity Kate will forge throughout the season. In that sense, it's another drawn-out origin story, of which D.C. properties seem to do at exhaustive rates these days (see: Gotham, the movie Joker). What is there really to gain from another dark story set in Gotham? The Arrowverse's comparative lightheartedness has been a strong benefactor to its success, and Rose has yet to be seen as anything more but a prototypical heroine. She has fleeting moments here to give hope that this show is something more, but at the end of the day it feels like this season will be about Batwoman being distinguished from Batman, and maybe get more "fits a woman" style encouraging dialogue in the process. It's not a bad thing, but as far as Arrowverse pilots go, this one is lacking an urgency besides an inspired piece of casting.
The only saving grace comes from villain Alice (Rachel Skarsten), who is not unlike Batman's nemesis The Mad Hatter in her affinity for Lewis Carroll literature and saying "Curiouser and curiouser" whenever she becomes intrigued. She plants a mystery about someone missing from Kate's past, and it gives a hook for what's to come. Alice is eccentric, playing a Hot Topic-style goth with yellow hair whose henchmen do her bidding. As much as she feels like yet another Carroll-based eccentric in pop culture, she at least sticks around for the next episode, promising to make what follows into a mystery. Will Batwoman differ from the other series by focusing largely on one villain? Alice has the potential to be something grander, provided her anarchic streak compliments the plot and adds tension. Still, it depends on how the show adjusts its tone going forward. If Rose is stuck being dark and brooding, it will only make Alice seem more impressive as she giggles her way through an episode.
As a whole, the pilot for Batwoman is a decent start given how impossible it is to separate the show from its more popular counterpart. That is something that will take time (and a wig) to come close to achieving. With that said, the casting of Rose and Skarsten makes for enjoyable sides to the coin, leaving room for potentially more intellectual stimulation. With that said, Kate's reliance on being tough makes it difficult to think that the show will have a sense of humor about itself - which it sorely needs. Those who trust the Berlanti formula will have enough to like here, though those who want something sillier and rooted in the lighter side of humanity this might not be the show for you. Hopefully a lot of surprises come along soon, because this show desperately needs it.
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