Batwoman Review: Prior Criminal History (Season 2 Episode 2)

Once you’ve seen what life is like in the batsuit, how do you go back to normal? That’s the dilemma facing Ryan on Batwoman Season 2 Episode 2, “Prior Criminal History.”

As she gets back to regular life, Ryan finds herself trapped in the same cycle of rejection and suspicion. After a bad job interview, she breaks up a robbery, but Sophie assumes she’s the perpetrator until security footage shows otherwise.

The fantastical nature of superhero shows doesn’t often provide a chance for a serious look at the world’s problems. Particularly in the Arrowverse where the big issues revolve around magic, time travel, and mirror universes, it’s hard to get real.

At this point, we’ve seen and read every possible Gotham City story. By taking a more realistic approach to Ryan’s hero work, Batwoman is not only setting itself apart from Season 1, it’s creating a different, more inclusive Bat story.

With Ryan, the show is examining homelessness, the broken criminal justice system, and systemic racism. These are issues that other Bat stories have never taken the time to address, and we’re fascinated to see where Batwoman takes them.

Though she’s loath to admit it, Kate’s death has affected Alice much more than she expected. In her own twisted way she’s mourning Kate when she gets hundreds of toxic bats to attack a rally of support for Batwoman.

We all go a little crazy while grieving, but when insane is your default setting, that emotional overload becomes a problem for the whole city.

Rachel Skarsten is so good at keeping Alice’s crazy front and center, but she also never lets us forget that she’s brilliant. Alice is always several moves ahead of everyone, so even when it seems like her plan is thwarted, she’s already three plans down the road.

These are the sometimes overlooked elements that Skarsten uses to make Alice more than just an insane supervillain. It’s the reason we stay invested in everything she does.

Alice isn’t the only one struggling with grief. Luke doesn’t believe Kate is dead and is not at all ready to accept anyone else in the suit.

Luke is the keeper of the Bat. First for Bruce, then for Kate. This episode gives Camrus Johnson a chance to show what a responsibility that is for him.

Logically, he knows the city needs a hero, but it’s his job to protect the Bat legacy, and he’s not going to let just anyone wear the suit.

Luke stressing to Ryan that Batwoman doesn’t kill, is just one of the many ways Johnson showcases Luke’s burden to protect all that Bruce and his father have built.

Though everyone’s focus is still on what happened to Kate, Mary is the anchor holding things together, while she also still tries to deal with her emotions.

Through mourning Kate, we get to see Mary step up into her own. Nicole Kang’s understated yet memorable work as Mary has made her the heart and soul of Batwoman.

The way she doesn’t back down from Alice is a reminder that Kate was the only thing keeping her from getting justice for her mother’s murder.

As sad as losing Kate is for everyone, it’s becoming clear that she was actually holding her sister back from reaching her full potential, so we’re hoping to see Mary continue to grow as a character.

I just hope Kate’s disappearance doesn’t slow down the already glacial pace of a possible Mary and Luke romance. If anything, it should bring them closer.

If there’s one drawback with this story, it’s Jacob. Dougray Scott is way too good for the material he’s been given.

Jacob Kane is supposed to be this legendary leader in law enforcement, but honestly, every decision we see him make is wrong.

Not only is he ready to start arresting citizens who have peacefully rallied to support Batwoman, aka his daughter, but he’s also once again ready to go to war with the new Batwoman.

Other than the cops vs vigilante of it all, we don’t know what his problem with Batwoman is? He can’t deny she gets results, so is he jealous or just stubborn?

We understand he’s grieving too, but he’s been portrayed as so unlikeable, we’re having a hard time feeling any sympathy for him. If it wasn’t for Mary, he’d be a lost cause.

Jacob is haunted by the guilt of not saving his daughter Beth. Every choice he makes is informed by that guilt. Unfortunately, this has made his character extremely one-note.

Scott has done his best to add some layers to his performance, but the character as a whole feels unimportant to the action.

Without the connection of Kate being Batwoman, we’re left wondering if he’ll ever be more than the gruff authority figure the hero must battle?

After the initial big introduction of Ryan last week, Batwoman does a great job of showing us her real life on this episode. Now that she’s officially taking over, we can get into the learning to be a hero part of her journey.

Losing the lead character is always going to have a huge impact on a series. However moving forward, there needs to be a rather quick conclusion to Kate’s disappearance.

Having everyone stuck in this limbo where they’re grieving, but still hopeful for her return doesn’t do anyone, especially Ryan any favors.

We really don’t want to spend half the season hearing about how Kate is still out there somewhere.

As second episodes go, this moved the story along nicely, while also setting up the season’s arc with Safiyah.

We may only be two episodes in, but it’s already clear this season is taking much bigger swings story and character-wise, and we’re very excited to see where it all goes.

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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