Following a nearly three-year absence, Bruce Wayne remains missing. His cousin, Kate Kane (Ruby Rose), returns to Gotham after a period of self-discovery. She encounters Wayne’s associate, Luke Fox (Camrus Johnson), and soon uncovers a significant family secret. Simultaneously, a new supervillain, Alice (Rachel Skarsten), emerges and begins to wreak havoc. Kate Kane realizes that she must assume the mantle of the Bat and protect Gotham as the new superhero, Batwoman.
Batwoman should not be confused with Batgirl, a distinctly different character. Batgirl is Barbara Gordon, the daughter of Police Commissioner James Gordon. Batwoman is Katherine Rebecca “Kate” Kane, cousin to Batman, Bruce Wayne. She possesses a unique suit and, arguably, a more hardened persona than Batgirl. Batwoman debuted in comic books in 2006, introduced as part of The New 52.
Ruby Rose’s portrayal of Batwoman is a significant strength of the series. Her interpretation of the role is compelling, and the initial setup is promising. However, the strengths are unfortunately offset by weaknesses in the script, editing, and direction. The series struggles to establish a consistent tone, oscillating between a dark, realistic narrative and a superhero spectacle. A major plot twist is revealed in the first episode, potentially diminishing its impact had it been developed over several episodes. Characters often appear conveniently, lacking plausible explanations for their arrival. The dialogue can be remarkably banal, and the actors’ efforts to deliver it convincingly are evident. While the overall acting performances are generally competent, the cast seems challenged by the script’s lack of credibility.
A central issue with Batwoman is the apparent lack of significant challenges or gradual build-up. For example, Kate Kane gains immediate access to the Batcave (now located beneath Wayne Tower in the city center, rather than Wayne Manor in the countryside) without facing any notable obstacles. Inconsistently, Batwoman can alternate between the campy silliness reminiscent of the 1966 Batman series starring Adam West and graphic depictions of violence, including cut throats and brutal murders. Compounding these issues is a trivial and poorly executed love triangle. Batwoman possessed the potential to be a compelling series, but ultimately becomes erratic and tonally inconsistent.
The Blu-ray edition offers good picture quality, with vibrant colors and deep blacks, within the format’s limitations. The DTS-HD audio is adequate. Given that this is a television series and not a feature film, the mix is satisfactory. The disc includes bonus content, such as clips from ComicCon and deleted scenes, but lacks substantial supplemental material.
In conclusion, Batwoman is a disappointing series, given its potential. The production appears to lack the involvement of top-tier talent. The final grade is a marginal pass, primarily due to the quality of the Blu-ray edition and Ruby Rose’s performance.
