Pennyworth Review: Martha Kane (Season 1 Episode 3)
Animals exist inside of us, if Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 3, “Martha Kane,” has anything to say about it.
The continuing trend of procedural episodes sets Pennyworth down a promising path, each piece able to comment on the larger story in bite-sized fashion. Martha Kane (Thomas Wayne’s future wife and Bruce Wayne/Batman’s mother) is a refreshing addition to the cast, a confident voice to show a little more of what the No-Name League is attempting to do.
Martha is a lot like Alfred, able to get results and prove herself as an assured presence, the police station a fun way to see how she works under pressure. Her employer certainly places a lot of confidence in her, and with that comes a large payday for Alfred.
The computer that’s the draw of so much attention is a strange contraption, Alfred’s comment of it looking more like a bomb than a computer perhaps a sign of it potentially having alternate purposes. Its sole function can’t be to find pi at the tenth decimal, not for the Raven Society to want it so badly. Hopefully it comes back at some point, as it’s a looming question now.
Alfred’s quick thinking and using fuel as a means of lighting up the plane runway is a clever image. Some of the tracking shots of Alfred and Martha driving into the countryside make for beautiful imagery, the show quite the looker at times. Its sometimes upbeat music paired with the darker tone and this unique visual style makes the show this off-kilter but entertaining romp.
Alfred’s talk with Esme’s father is a window into the life she comes from, her father seeing things in rather obtuse and black and white ways. His assertion that she’s attracted to the violence and danger of Alfred and not his true self is a striking comment to make, especially with how she appears fearful when someone is at the door every time.
Courtesy of Epix
The exploration of PTSD on the episode is its most striking moments, revealing how stress and trauma can affect people in different ways. For Alfred, it comes in his need of avoiding violence. Even when arguing with his father, one look at his mother makes him realize there’s no sense to the fighting, and decides for a more diplomatic apology, despite being in the right.
For Dave Boy, it comes through a need to entertain himself and drown out the pain bubbling just under the surface. Perhaps he’s too far gone, but the moment where he is able to admit his issue to Bazza, the emotional admittance of simply wishing to pass the time, is a sign he wants to do better. He’s even cleaned up during his last scene on the episode, looking much better than before.
Ryan Fletcher manages to take the most emotional scene to a high through the thousand-yard stare, his body almost like it’s full of pressure ready to explode. It comes as a surprising reveal in character, a disarming burst of reality on a show that is full of cool and calm, more even-keeled characters.
A check-in with some of the (currently) backburner characters: Lord Harwood’s journey continues to be a rough time, losing his nose and left in the streets. Being treated to the Barber will likely leave him a vicious enemy in the future. Bet’s laying low leaves her as pining to return to London and pay Esme a visit, though it’s hard to tell if her words of affection are actual affection or full of anger.
Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 3, “Martha Kane,” takes a more spy-centered gaze, showing Alfred as once again capable of turning the tide on the enemy and finding someone he works well with in Martha. His one-again, off-again relationship with Esme is a little too much of a rollercoaster and leaves something to be desired, but the show looks to still be trying to find its full voice.
It’s still a fun time, even if it can be a tad bumpy along the way.
What did you think of this episode of Pennyworth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Pennyworth airs Sundays at 9/8c on Epix.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.