Batwoman Review: A Narrow Escape (Season 1 Episode 17)

Finally, Kate and company are back, and Batwoman Season 1 Episode 17, “A Narrow Escape,” is one hell of a return episode. Bombs are going off, Kate and Luke are both working through some serious issues, and Julia’s around having chemistry with absolutely everyone and everything.

One of the most exciting aspects of the hour, personally, is the expanding teams. It’s an exciting way to shake things up as we go into the final stretch of this shortened season.

Julia appears to be sticking around, which is fantastic. Aside from the chemistry aspect, her new position co-running the strike force with Sophie makes Julia a link between Batwoman and The Crows.

This way there’s no more secret rendezvous with Batwoman and Sophie — the drama has pretty much been played out there. Sophie has already been through the consequences of associating with Batwoman, and Kate and Sophie have done the weird romance with Batwoman dance before.

Now, their storyline and their relationship can take on a new shape and new tension can emerge, like Sophie realizing that Julia and Kate are kinda currently a thing (maybe).

Everyone else sees the shock and hurt that jumps off of Sophie when she learns Julia has another associate, right? Sophie definitely seems to like that she and Julia are partners, and the thought of sharing isn’t sitting well with Sophie.

Luke: Look, the bat team doesn’t have an HR department, so as your co-worker, partner, and pretty much the only person you see on a regular basis, shouldn’t I know what the hell is going on with you?

Seriously though, it is great that Sophie is getting a partner. Giving her a new dynamic to play with helps make her storylines a bit more interesting. Jake Kane as a partner isn’t the most compelling TV, but Julia? Oh hell yes. Are you excited that Julia is sticking around?

The other team that’s growing is the bat-team now that Mary has clued Kate in on the fact that she knows the truth.

After Mary didn’t just immediately confront Kate on Batwoman Season 1 Episode 14, “Grinning From Ear to Ear,” you start to wonder just when Mary would let slip that she knows the truth and how. With each episode that passed, the anticipation kept building, and you needed the wait to be worth it.

Mary: It couldn’t be more obvious. Batwoman is the same person I’ve looked up to my entire life, and now this city needs you as much as I do.

“A Narrow Escape” does not disappoint.

Mary is the one who finally gets through to Kate, who gives her the push she needs to get back out there. It’s a relief that Kate at least confides in Julia about what’s going on, but it’s even better that Mary is the one that gets through to her, especially given her speech.

The fact that Mary gives pre-Batwoman examples as proof as to why Kate is Batwoman is the most heartwarming thing, and it tells a lot about their relationship. Alice and Kate’s relationship has been the focus for the majority of the season, and so it’s nice that we learn more about Mary and Kate’s during “A Narrow Escape.”

Kate: Sometimes I feel like you think I’m some infallible hero that makes the right choice every single time. I just, I didn’t want to see the look on your face when you realized you were wrong.

Luke: I’m not wrong.

Kate: I broke Batman’s code.

Luke: You think you’re the only one? Ever wonder why the Joker hasn’t reared his head in five years? He’s not in Arkham, Kate. Both you and Bruce stared into the abyss. The question is, how long are you going to let it stare back at you?

Mary’s words and seeing someone dressed as Batwoman in the clinic is a believable push to get Kate to suit up again and get back out there. What’s even better is Kate isn’t all of a sudden “cured” either.

She’s still struggling, still fighting the panic, but she’s able to keep going, and letting Luke in seems to also help things as well. I’ve missed their heart to hearts, and I’m going to need a lot more friendship moments between Luke and Kate.

Hopefully, we continue to see Kate have moments of panic and work through the feeling of being a fraud in her suit. No one has panic attacks for a day or two and then never struggles with anxiety again. Like Luke says, she shouldn’t let the abyss stare back at her forever, but it’s not believable if this is the last time it does.

Stray Thoughts

• It’s nice to see Tommy Elliot again, if only for the fact that I love Nolan Ross so much.
• Alice being happy about being in Arkham and plotting is worrisome but exciting.
• Robles being the bad guy is a little obvious, as he is the only other Crow we have really seen and has spoken.
• Paul Wesley does a fantastic job directing this episode.

What did you think of this episode of Batwoman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

 

Batwoman airs Sunday at 8/7c on The CW.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

36 Greatest LGBTQ+ Television Couples from the Past Ten Years