Batwoman: 15 Times Mary Hamilton Was Gotham’s MVP
The CW’s Batwoman may be centered on its titular caped crusader, but we know it takes a village to protect Gotham City. Whether it’s Kate Kane or Ryan Wilder in the Batsuit, the Bat Team plays a critical role in all of Batwoman’s missions.
From the very beginning of the series, Mary has shown us the amount of value she brings to the Bat Team.
Whether she’s taking on critical medical tasks that keep her friends alive or going undercover to save them, she’s proven herself time and time again. And when she isn’t helping Team Batwoman with its missions, she’s running an underground medical clinic with the intention of helping Gotham’s most vulnerable.
There’s no shortage of amazing heroes on Batwoman, but Mary manages to fit the role without even wearing a cape.
Here are 15 times Mary Hamilton proved herself one of the best characters on Batwoman:
1. Opening a clinic to help Gotham’s most vulnerable (Season 1 Episode 1)
Mary is an inspiration from the moment we meet her.
It doesn’t take long for Batwoman to reveal that Kate’s stepsister has been running an underground medical clinic to help Gotham’s most vulnerable inhabitants. Anyone who can’t afford to visit a hospital — or would face other unpleasant consequences just for checking in — can receive similar services from Mary.
Mary runs her clinic despite the legal issues it could present if she’s caught, and she continues to stick to her guns even as Gotham’s villains begin showing up and putting her in harm’s way.
For someone who was raised in a wealthy, privileged environment, it’s a testament to Mary’s values that she’s so dedicated to ensuring anyone who needs medical care can get it.
2. Calling Kate after Sophie’s kidnapping (Season 1 Episode 1)
It’s easy to overlook after so many episodes, but Mary is technically responsible for bringing Kate back to Gotham (and thus, for Batwoman’s sudden appearance in the city).
When Sophie disappears during Batwoman Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” Mary reaches out to inform Kate of what’s happening. Not only does it underscore what a loyal sister she is — even if Kate hasn’t exactly kept in touch — but it serves as the catalyst for everything that happens next.
Without Mary’s interference, Sophie could have faced dire consequences following her run-in with Alice’s minions. On top of that, Kate may not have returned to Gotham or felt inspired to take up Bruce Wayne’s mantle.
Gotham would be worse off, and we certainly wouldn’t have an interesting series to immerse ourselves in.
3. Agreeing to help Batwoman with her plans (Season 1 Episode 4)
It’s not every day that Gotham’s newest vigilante shows up on your doorstep, but Mary takes the surprise fairly well. Admittedly, after running an underground medical clinic, there’s probably very little that would catch Mary off guard. (That’s Gotham for you, isn’t it?)
Still, with a father who is very anti-vigilante and no real reason to support Batwoman in the beginning, Mary could have decided to stay out of the hero’s missions and feuds.
Instead, sensing that Batwoman could present real hope for the city, Mary agrees to help her out. That she would do so before realizing it’s Kate beneath the wig highlights how much Mary wants someone to help Gotham.
4. Confronting Catherine Hamilton about the bones (Season 1 Episode 5)
Catherine Hamilton made a poor decision lying to Jacob and Kate about finding Alice’s skull bone, and it’s one that comes back to haunt her in Batwoman Season 1. A stepmother who was trying to help her new family navigate their way through unfathomable grief, she did what she believed was right at the time.
When the truth comes out, however, Jacob and Kate are understandably upset by her actions and even Mary chooses to be candid with her about the situation.
In standing up to her mother, Mary shows courage and compassion for her step-family. Although she loves her mom, she’s willing to stand up for what’s right, even if it means rocking the boat with her loved ones.
5. Attempting to clear Jacob’s name (Season 1 Episode 10)
Mary could have taken time to grieve after Alice killed her mother, but she chooses to focus on what she can change — namely, clearing Jacob’s name after Mouse and Alice set him up for Catherine’s murder.
Even though Mary would have been justified in stepping back and allowing herself time to fall apart, she does everything she can to get Jacob out of prison. Mary’s dedication to the people she cares about knows no bounds, and she’d never abandon them to unjust fates, especially if there’s something she could do to fix the problem.
6. Offering Kate her support and trust (Season 1 Episode 14)
Kate wasn’t always there for Mary, but Mary has Kate’s back throughout Batwoman Season 1, even after discovering that Kate is Gotham’s caped crusader and that she’s been lying about it the whole time.
Rather than get angry about her stepsister’s dishonesty, Mary attempts to gradually earn Kate’s trust. When that doesn’t work, she outright tells her stepsister that she knows and hopes she can confide in her one day.
Mary’s attempts to win Kate’s confidence are sweet, and they underscore her commitment to the people she cares about yet again.
With Kate dodging her and lying about her secret identity, Mary could easily have given up and moved on. Instead, she chooses to work harder to make sure Kate knows she has her back.
7. Going undercover to save Kate (Season 1 Episode 18)
Mary doesn’t have superpowers or fighting skills, but she’s willing to go undercover to save Kate during Batwoman Season 1 Episode 18, “If You Believe in Me, I’ll Believe in You.”
Not only does she put her socialite skills to good use to find out where Kate is being held, but she puts her own life at risk to save her stepsister. It’s what finally forces Kate to realize that, yes, Mary can be an asset to Team Batwoman. It’s also the first time we get to see her shine during a crisis (though certainly not the last).
Some of the characters on Batwoman underestimate Mary because she isn’t using physical strength and advanced tech to save the day. However, this episode proves that underestimating Mary is the wrong way to go and that she’s much tougher than her friends and family give her credit for.
8. Putting Jacob in his place (Season 1 Episode 20)
The Season 1 finale sees the Crows pitted against Gotham’s hero, but Mary’s attempt to intervene is admirable. During Batwoman Season 1 Episode 20, “O, Mouse!,” she uses the Bat-signal to get Jacob’s attention, then delivers a speech that showcases Nicole Kang’s acting at its best.
Watching Mary tell Jacob that he needs to trust Batwoman is a powerful moment for a lot of reasons, the most notable being that it’s one of the first times we see Mary truly fighting for what she believes in.
“O, Mouse!” also gives Mary the opportunity to support Kate the way she’s always wanted to, finally making her an official member of Team Batwoman. It’s a well-deserved development that allows her to shine even brighter during Season 2.
9. Pushing for Ryan to take up the mantle (Season 2 Episode 2)
When Ryan first puts on the Batsuit, Luke and Mary immediately demand she gives it back. Knowing nothing about the girl who found Kate’s hero costume in the aftermath of Kate’s plane crash, it makes sense they’d be hesitant to let her keep it.
However, while Luke remains reluctant about a new Batwoman for several more episodes, Mary is the one who pushes for Ryan to take up the mantle.
Despite growing up in very different worlds, Mary and Ryan develop a bond with one another early on. Part of that has to do with both of them losing their mothers to Alice, but Mary is also willing to give Ryan a chance despite not knowing her very well.
She’s a welcoming and supportive presence when Ryan joins the team, and she continues to be that as the two grow closer.
10. Replicating the antidote for Alice’s poisoned bats (Season 2 Episode 2)
Mary has yet to suit up and fight villains (it’s the Arrowverse, so give it time), but she does get the opportunity to save Gotham’s citizens during Batwoman Season 2 Episode 2, “Prior Criminal History.”
When Alice unleashes poisoned bats throughout the city, she gives Mary the antidote afterward, a strange move for someone who caused all the chaos in the first place.
Mary quickly has more of the antidote made, using her pull at Hamilton Dynamics to get it distributed. With her connections, quick thinking, and ability to stay cool during a crisis, Mary manages to prove how valuable she is to Team Batwoman yet again.
Alice’s scheming could have turned out much worse if Mary wasn’t around to help.
11. Protecting Ryan’s plant (Season 2 Episode 8)
When Ryan entrusts Mary with her plant, she probably didn’t think her friend would have to defend it from an assassin. That’s exactly what happens on Batwoman Season 2 Episode 8, “Survived Much Worse,” when Luke and Mary are attacked and Mary thinks to save Ryan’s plant as they run off to safety.
This demonstrates how committed Mary is to doing right by the people she cares about, and it’s a good thing, too. After all, the plant in question winds up being the Desert Rose — the key to curing Ryan’s Kryptonite poisoning.
12. Refusing to compromise on her own ethical standards (Season 2 Episode 12)
When Jacob finds out about Mary’s underground medical clinic during Batwoman Season 2, he urges her to shut the whole thing down. Wanting his stepdaughter to take the legal route, he even offers to help her get a degree and fund the place.
However, Mary refuses, knowing the people who need free, anonymous care won’t benefit from such a thing.
Even when Jacob convinces Mary to compromise, she sticks to her guns and sets her clinic up in a way that ensures the safety and privacy of her patients first. Mary’s decisions highlight that she has a moral code that she refuses to go back on, especially when it comes to her patients and their care.
13. Treating and confronting Jacob after his overdose (Season 2 Episode 14)
Thanks to Gotham’s villains giving him a dose of Snakebite, Jacob grapples with addiction during Batwoman Season 2, something it takes him a while to confront.
In fact, it takes an overdose and Mary saving his life for Jacob to finally realize how far things have gone — and it’s with his stepdaughter’s help that he’s able to address his addiction and move forward.
14. Easing the tensions between Ryan and Sophie (Batwoman Season 2 Episode 13)
With Ryan’s history with the Crows, it’s understandable that she doesn’t trust Sophie for the majority of Batwoman Season 2.
However, this inability to trust Sophie becomes a life-threatening problem during Batwoman Season 2 Episode 13, “I’ll Give You a Clue,” when Ryan is reluctant to let Sophie into the Bat Cave — despite her already knowing about Ryan’s secret identity and the fact that she and Mary could die if Sophie doesn’t help them.
Mary is the one to confront Ryan about this, questioning why she’d risk both of their lives because of a grudge against Sophie. Her willingness to be honest with her friend is admirable, and it’s the first step to bridging whatever tensions exist between Ryan and Sophie.
15. Getting the Desert Rose to Luke (Season 2 Episode 15)
Mary springs into action after Luke is shot on Batwoman Season 2 Episode 14, “And Justice for All,” spending the entirety of Batwoman Season 2 Episode 15, “Armed and Dangerous,” trying to get Desert Rose into his hospital room.
This gets complicated when the Crows attempt to cover up what’s happened, but Mary and Ryan do everything they can to ensure he survives the ordeal.
After Luke’s near-death experience on “Armed and Dangerous,” he also needs time to cope with everything that happened to him. This, understandably, means taking a brief break from Team Batwoman.
With Ryan in need of assistance, Mary fills in for him. It’s clear Luke is just as important to Mary as anyone in her family, and she’s willing to go just as far to ensure that he’s OK.
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What are your favorite Mary Hamilton moments? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Batwoman airs on The CW.
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