Batwoman 2x18 : Power review

 

            Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it.

Batwoman's second season finale has come and gone and with it we were treated to the introduction of a new hero in Gotham, having to say goodbye to someone very special and a big clue who the villain of season 3 may end up being. The episode begins with Black Mask who has hijacked all TV stations in Gotham allowing him to broadcast to all of the city across all TV stations. As Black Mask is talking about over throwing those in higher powers and the like we see Kate (Circe Sionis) suit up in a batsuit that is infused with Black Mask colors and a mask. It's a really cool design as Kate gears up ready for combat. We hear from Ryan soon after who is writing a letter to Gotham expressing her appreciation for allowing her to be Batwoman thus protecting the city. We're then back with Black Mask and Kate who are seen looking over the various gadgets and weapons that were stolen from the bat-cave in last weeks episode. Things like the Joker's flower which is filled with acid and a plant belonging to Poison Ivy. But most important right now is Venom and the vial that Black Mask along with Snakebite injects into Tavaroff who is seen strapped to a chair. As the Venom and Snakebite fuse together he soon flatlines and ends up being rushed to Hospital. Things aren't look much better on the streets of Gotham as various thugs, goons and even normal everyday people are seen causing chaos and destruction after Black Mask's demands and claims earlier. 

But just what is Black Mask's end goal here? well as he explains to Kate and even Alice later he wants to be the man who kills Black Mask in person in front of people so that he can be seen as some sort of hero. It's overly silly and rather stock but okay let's roll with it. Earlier after Black Mask's broadcast the entire city was thrown into a blackout leaving everyone with no power. Luke is seen at the bat-cave where he, Mary and Ryan use walkie talkies to communicate with. Luke stumbles upon some old drawings he made when he was younger of a black man as Batman. With he finds next absolutely floors him as not only does he find more drawings and designs done by his father but also he finds a completely new and untouched Bat-suit. Sleekly designed the chest piece lights up with a striking blue color when he touches the bat-symbol. Batwing is born in this moment and even though this felt a bit rushed it was beyond cool to see it happen in motion in front of my own eyes. As chaos continues to rage on the streets Mary ends up getting into an encounter with a now fully fledged Venom and Snakebite raged Tavaroff. It's Batwing who saves Mary who is blown away when Luke reveals himself to her. He does get lucky when doing so which was a nice touch given it's an entirely new way of life for Luke who is usually just sat back at the bat-cave on communications. While Luke and Mary are busy with Tavaroff Ryan very reluctantly teams up with Alice as the two don False Face Society masks to get inside of Black Mask's main base of operations. Can the two work together to stop the villain and ultimately save Kate Kane?

The episode and season draws to a close as Alice deals with Black Mask while Ryan goes after Kate in the bat-mobile. Alice makes pretty short work of Black Mask but it's done in a really comic accurate way. Alice uses the Joker flower seen earlier to burn Black Mask's face with acid. It ends up fusing the mask onto Roman Sionis's face permenantly as we see later at Arkham Asylum. I never though I'd see this happen in live action either but here we are. As for Ryan will she have more luck dealing with Kate? just before leaving to go after her Mary came up with the idea of putting Snakebite into an gas like form which when sprayed on or around Kate should jog her memory again, this time doing it properly. Ryan soon catches up to Kate and a fight breaks out between the two on a bridge which is highly intense. Alice soon arrives and ends up being the one to spray Kate in the face with the aerosal Snakebite. Twin sisters end up falling over the edge of the bridge into the freezing water below. The two are seen below the water drowning and seemingly dying? well no they're shown memories of their lives seemingly flashing right before their very own eyes. Alice's is one of Ocean moments before his murder and Kate's is that of her when she was younger actually finding Beth at the Cartwright home and getting her out of there. Alice is seen waking up and drags her sister to the surface where Ryan is waiting. The two revive Kate but it takes some time. What doesn't take time is the GCPD response as Alice is soon taken away and along with Black Mask sent to Arkham Asylum. We're back at Wayne Enteprises before long but not before Ryan gets the good news that she is no longer on parole and is allowed to live her life whatever way she sees fit. Beeming with the news she arrives at the main office room and sees Kate having a drink with Luke and Mary. The original three sharing a cute moment together that ends when Kate asks for her and Ryan to have some alone time. Kate thanks Ryan for all that she has done and continues to do. She also says that Batwoman belongs to her now and that Ryan is the hero the city really needed all along. This was a passing of the torch moment that in my mind solidifies Ryan Wilder as the ultimate Batwoman going forward. Kate has another thing to mention though and that is that she is leaving Gotham. Ryan is understanding and says that she will look after both Mary and Luke who are her family now too. Ryan even has a partner now in Luke (Batwing) which should be an interesting dynamic going forward in season 3. The episode doesn't even end there it ends with two further big developments. But before that we see meeting with Sophie one final time before she leaves Gotham. She tells her that she is leaving to go and find Bruce Wayne who she believes is still alive but just missing. Could we see that unfold in season 3 too? could be an interesting side plot. She also says that unless Alice is willing to become Beth again she can no longer help her sister. The two kiss for the last time as we transition to Arkham Asylum. Ryan payed off one of the security guards to let her see Alice who is in a room right next to Black Mask who is seen going insane as his face is just a Black Mask now. Alice drops a bombshell on Ryan within moments stating that Ryan's birth mom didn't actually die during child birth but instead she is still alive. What could this mean? and who could Ryan's real mom be?? the episode ends on a big clue for season 3's villain as we see the shoreline where Kate was saved by Alice and Ryan. Various weapons, gadgets and clothing belonging to villains can be seen floating down the river. We see a hat belonging to The Mad Hatter, an umbrella belonging to Penguin but most importantly we see the vines belonging to Poison Ivy still inside their glass jar. But not for long as soon the vines burst through the glass and begin to spread onto the shoreline seemingly heading straight for Gotham. Could Poison Ivy be season 3's big bad?? and were the umbrella belonging to Penguin and the hat of the Mad Hatter all clues to them appearing next season? we'll have to wait and see but this was a great episode and finale to wrap up season 2 of Batwoman. Ryan finally embracing who she is as a person and as Batwoman was great and her getting the validation from Kate that she so craved was also really good. The introduction of Batwing was a tad sloppy and rushed but it was just so amazing to see that I'll let it slide. An enjoyable episode and equally enjoyable season. See you in Season 3 Ryan and team!

And that was Batwoman season 2. A major step up in overall quality compared to season 1. Yeah it wasn't perfect but what show is? the introduction of Ryan Wilder as the new Batwoman was a very risky move to take but I think they absolutely nailed it here. Javicia Leslie really had the acting chops and was practically flawless as our new hero. Black Mask was a fine villain not nearly as good as I expected however. His demise being the best part which was quite odd. As for Alice her storyline this season was fascinating at times. It's all surely leading to an anti-hero style character arc for her is what I'm guessing in Red Alice and to be honest I'm okay with that. Sophie Moore who last season I didn't quite care for was so much better this season. She really stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park on plenty of occasions. The entire Snakebite drug story arc was the perfect prelude to them introducing Venom but at the end of it all Venom was just a throwaway plot line in the finale which was a shame. All in all though Batwoman season 2 featured plenty of solid episodes with a few even being better than that. It was a good season and a season that has me excited to dive into season 3 when it premieres sometime in the fall. 

Episode ★★★★

Season overall ★★★