By Kevin Miller
SPOILER FREE - Ok, before we begin let me just say that I am not claiming this show is the best. The writing is questionable and some of the acting is a bit cringe-worthy at times but it’s not as bad as the reputation it has.
I really like what the show is trying to do with the topics it tends to focus on like child abuse, racial discrimination, mental health, the foster system and LGBTQ+ rights. I get the sense that the majority of the show's reviews focus on everything the show is not, and not enough on what the show actually is.
It's a superhero show and not a superhero show with the targeted demographic that Netflix's Daredevil and Punisher have. It's not written and directed by Christopher Nolan or Zack Snyder, it's made for television with children and teens in mind. Wanting it to be darker, more serious and mature than what it was intended to be, doesn't make it a bad show. It's very true to its television rating and genre.
With that said, that doesn't mean I don't see what people have issues with. I've caught up on seasons 1 - 2 and noticed that there isn't much improvement in its weak points. The overall show seems to be trying too hard to make its point covering a range of cultural topics while also sending wise moral messages. Every film and television show has its share of setups and payoff's but usually they aren't that obvious and in your face. Batwoman fails to slide those elements in a subtle fashion. This could be because of its targeted audience but as an adult who loves all things superheroes, it is hard to watch at times due to that. In addition many of the more emotional scenes I found to be cut short and not focused on enough, and scenes that aren't quite impactful seem to be forced to be more emotional or more dramatic than what it was.
(Image Courtesy of CW)
The acting is also a bit questionable at times, most likely due to the writing and obvious setups, however there are some surprises. Rachel Skarsten outshines everyone with her portrayal as Alice. At first I was actually expecting her to be over-the-top and embarrassing but as she graced the screen, I found myself really digging her performance! I really look forward to whenever she steps in front of the screen and even found myself getting a bit emotional during her darker scenes.
(Image Courtesy of CW)
Ruby Rose, who was arguably the most popular member of the cast, played a typical superhero from Gotham; reserved, serious and emotionless out of the suit and more lively in the suit, which is what makes Javicia Leslie a refreshing addition to the cast with a more animated performance on her end as the new woman to dawn the cowl. (Leslie is Batwoman's replacement upon the event that Rose left the show after one season.)
The visual effects aren't bad but aren't always cinema quality. Some scenes have excellent effects with CGI while others looked to have been worked on for a short amount time, most likely due to the TV deadline each episode has. What else is great is the cinematography, lighting, production design and costumes. It's nothing short of what you'd expect from a CW show.
Overall, without giving too much away, the show isn't something I focused all my attention on with the exception of Alice scenes. It was nice background noise and very easy to keep up with without having to listen and watch every second. The show is fun, progressive and easy.
Overall Score: 7.0/10 = 70% (C-)
Catch Batwoman on The CW (and app), HBO Max and Hulu (with Premium Subscription).
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