Batwoman Review: Time Off for Good Behavior (Season 2 Episode 10)

With Angelique behind bars, Ryan takes the fight directly to Black Mask on Batwoman Season 2 Episode 10, “Time Off for Good Behavior.”

Less investment in the rogue of the week and more time with the characters’ personal lives leads Batwoman to feel like two separate episodes cut into one. It’s not that the end product is bad, it’s just a little disjointed.

Normally, Ryan’s two lives blend seamlessly but this hour demonstrates her double life is more labored than usual. With Angelique in deeper trouble than before, we have to assume Ryan’s focus will continue to be split.

We have discussed how Batwoman Season 2 is taking on issues that we would never hear about in the typical Bat-mantle stories. This episode continues that trend with the evil head of a for-profit prison destroying community centers so more kids will turn to crime.

Since it’s not the central focus of the episode, team Batwoman solves the case relatively quickly. The storyline’s true purpose is to once again showcase how this is a completely different show this season.

We love how the series is using superhero stories to highlight real-world systemic problems. Plus, it’s all done in an entertaining, non-preachy way.

When she’s not saving the city, Ryan is desperately trying to save Angelique from herself. Just when she finally convinces her ex to give up the names of her co-conspirators, Black Mask has Angelique kidnapped because he needs a new chemist.

We readily admit we’re not Angelique’s biggest fans. It’s always felt like Ryan loves her more than she loves Ryan. However, time in prison has changed her, and she seems ready to truly commit to Ryan.

Sadly, this is the moment in every comic book story where it becomes clear these two aren’t getting a happy ending. We have a terrible feeling Angelique will sacrifice herself to save Ryan, and it’s going to be heartbreaking to watch our girl deal with that pain.

Beyond sadistic killer, we don’t have a good feel for who Roman Sionis/Black Mask is. This episode features Black Mask once again keeping his gang in line with violence, while Roman’s true devious nature is on full display.

Knowing that Jacob has been dosed with Snakebite and is fighting withdrawal, Roman shows up in his office with fresh vials under the pretense that they were in an employee’s locker.

The slimy way he hands Jacob the drug he’s craving perfectly shows us the barely concealed hate brewing beneath his real mask.

Peter Outerbridge is giving two different performances here. It’s clear Black Mask is the real him, while Roman is the secret identity.

In the past, we’ve seen the character as a violent mob boss or a one-note, over-the-top psychopath. Here, we’re getting a combination of these in a manner that feels authentic to Batwoman.

We’re not ready to completely invest in his motivations, however, this hour is certainly a better showing than his debut. We like the show slow playing him, though more time with Roman will certainly help us understand him better.

As for everyone’s favorite villain Alice, she’s on the hunt for Enigma so she can forget her family and move on from Gotham. Even with nothing to do, she still manages to be the most interesting person in town.

As she breaks into Dr. Rhyme’s office, it’s the little things like replacing a used tissue that make her so fun to watch. These are the moments that keep us captivated with Alice, her wild plans, and the pain she so desperately wants to forget.

Also Happening In Gotham City:

• Dr. Rhyme, the Crows Snakebite expert, is really Enigma. Julia is the only one who figures this out, so Enigma “convinces” her to forget and leave town.
• Rhyme also knows Jacob is on Snakebite, information she will definitely use when the time is right.

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

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