Batwoman Review: I’ll Be Judge, I’ll Be Jury (Season 1 Episode 6)
Batwoman Season 1 Episode 6, “I’ll Be Judge, I’ll Be Jury,” is all about processing the new state of things.
For Kate and Jacob, it’s about processing the Beth news and the guilt and blame that comes along with it. For Sophie, this is the beginning of her processing the Kate is Batwoman news, and for Tommy, it’s processing that Alice has changed because of her reunion with Kate.
Oh, and there’s also an executioner going around killing corrupt officials. That is, however, the least entertaining part of the hour.
The best thing it does is allow us to learn more about Luke. We don’t know much about him, and the executioner creates a new storyline, which will provide a chance to learn more about Luke and his dad.
The investigation into Luke’s father’s death will be re-opened, and Luke’s already preparing by looking into it himself. It would be great if he lets Kate in, and the two of them could work on it together.
Or, perhaps, Luke could go the unexpected route and turn to Mary for help. She doesn’t have the kickass fighting skills, but she can help him piece things together, and then we could explore their dynamic some more. It would be fun to see them interact when Mary’s not wasted.
The events of Batwoman Season 1 Episode 5, “Mine is a Long and a Sad Tale,” force Jacob and Kate to face the fact that they were so close to saving Beth.
No two people process things the same way, and it’s intriguing to see Kate and Jacob each try to make their peace with their part in Beth’s trauma.
Jake: We looked everywhere for Beth.
Kate: I looked everywhere. I held on hope for the both of us, despite the lack of evidence, despite the police giving up, despite the fact that everyone thought she was dead. I hoped when it was hard. And you just gave up.
Kate could have placed the blame all on Jacob, straining their relationship even further. It would’ve been easier, like Jacob blaming Batman.
However, it’s a better character moment that Kate is able to accept part of the responsibility for what happened to Kate. Plus, the last thing Kate and Jacob’s relationship needs is more tension.
Investigating who kidnapped Beth could bring the two of them closer together, and that newfound closeness could provide some turmoil for Kate as she continues to put on the suit and do something that she knows her father doesn’t support.
So basically, mend fences now to create inner turmoil and potentially more drama later. It’s good TV.
We really need to take a minute to discuss Kate getting run over by the car at the warehouse. That is laugh out loud funny. It probably isn’t supposed to be, but wow, I needed that tonight. So thanks, Batwoman.
Let’s add that to things Kate needs to work on, Batwoman-wise. She also needs to distance herself from Batwoman a bit more.
The conversation with her dad makes it very obvious that she’s on the same side as Batwoman, and it doesn’t help that later, as Batwoman, she remarks that it’s good Jacob is actually going after the right guy.
While it could be a reference to Batwoman saving the falsely accused executioner from The Crows’ grasp, it is also a continuation of her conversation with him, as Kate.
She really needs to tighten it up. Sophie knows, and we don’t need anyone else figuring it out.
Mary is hardcore the MVP of the hour for her talk with Sophie. It’s so fun watching them interact, especially when Mary manages to knock Sophie down off her pedestal.
Sophie needs someone to call her out, and Mary is more than happy to oblige. Their interactions help make Sophie a bit more grounded, a bit less perfect (and therefore a bit more likable), and they make Mary into even more of a fan favorite. Seriously, how could you not love Mary?
Then, lastly, there’s Alice and Tommy.
Alice: Because she’s still my sister!
Tommy: Real family doesn’t abandon their own!
Tommy’s a bit of a wildcard right now. It’s hard to figure out what to think of him other than he’s a bit odd, but then again, so is Alice.
The most interesting thing about their storyline is that Tommy can tell something is different about Alice, and it’s all Kate’s fault. We can’t really tell the difference because we haven’t known Alice as long as Tommy has.
Sure, she hasn’t killed anyone recently, but that’s hardly a sign that she’s reforming. But for Tommy, it’s a sign that something is not right with his dear, old sister.
It’ll be interesting to see how Tommy and Alice continue to get along. I’m predicting that he’s going to try to kill Kate in order to keep Alice all to himself and to get her back to what he considers normal. What do you think?
What did you think of this episode of Batwoman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Batwoman airs Sunday at 8/7c on The CW.
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Allison Nichols
Allison is in a love affair with television that doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. Slightly damaged fictional characters are her weakness. She loves to spend her free time curled up with a cat and a show to binge-watch. Allison is a Tomatometer-approved critic (Rotten Tomatoes).