Batwoman Review: Power (Season 2 Episode 18)

Ryan and the team have one final showdown with Black Mask and the False Face Society on Batwoman Season 2 Episode 18, “Power.”

With Team Bat out of the way, Roman takes over the airwaves and encourages Gotham’s citizens to rise against the city’s institutions. It definitely has a The Dark Knight Rises vibe.

The season finale is a roller coaster of emotions that includes anger, sadness, exuberance, and relief. It’s fitting considering that’s the ride Batwoman has been taking us on all season.

There are moments where the finale feels a little rushed as if the show has forgotten it had so many questions to answer. However, it makes up for those with incredible performances and fan service.

Every member of the Bat-family has a crisis where they wonder if they can be a hero without the suit, gadgets, and cave. “Power” features Ryan doubting her capabilities as a hero.

While we understand where she’s coming from, it’s hard to be invested in this story when she’s been dealing with the same feelings all season. Didn’t we already see her overcome her insecurities and claim her identity as Batwoman?

The one difference this time is that she’s forced to work with Alice, and their chemistry is combustible in the best possible way. Alice tries to say she understands how Ryan feels now because Ocean is dead. Unsurprisingly, Ryan is having none of it.

Javicia Leslie and Rachel Skarsten are so good together. Their balance and the way they play off one another is like watching Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal play at Wimbledon. It’s fun, beautiful, and endlessly entertaining.

And did we mention Alice drops the bombshell that Ryan’s biological mother is still alive?

We’ve spent the second half of the season wondering if Kate Kane will ever be herself again, or will she be an altered Kate/Circe version of the character?

Though we don’t spend enough time with a recovered Kate to get a definitive answer, for the moment it seems like she’s original recipe Kate. During her latest goodbye with Sophie, Kate explains she’s headed off to find Bruce, leaving the door open for one or both of them to return to Gotham.

Wallis Day didn’t spend a lot of time this season playing Kate Kane, but we saw enough to like the small changes she made to the character. Her Kate feels less petulantly rebellious, and more like the intelligent, expertly trained soldier she is.

Kate mentions she’s also going to visit her friend in National City, so maybe we’ll get a surprise on Supergirl when it returns.

Like any good season finale, “Power” offers a few Batwoman Season 3 teases. The Batman trophies will seemingly play a role as the episode ends with a glimpse of a top hat and umbrella alongside moving roots.

While we’re not expecting The Penguin and Poison Ivy, we may get some version or copy of the infamous rogues.

Season 2 not only introduced a completely new lead character, but it also developed a new perspective on a world we thought we knew everything about. It was a huge hill to climb — a feat the show did a great job with.

We had fun discovering this new hero’s journey, and now that the series has done the work of establishing its universe, we’re fascinated to see where Batwoman goes in Season 3.

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Batwoman is now streaming on The CW, with Season 3 set to premiere Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c.

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