Batwoman Review: Freeze (Season 3 Episode 3)
Ryan finally confronts Jada, while a cold blast from the past returns to Gotham City on Batwoman Season 3 Episode 3, “Freeze.”
Honestly, we can’t get too deep in analyzing the story of “Freeze,” because there wasn’t much to it. It was really basic rogue of the week nonsense. Luckily, the episode was saved from being a complete mess by Batwoman’s stellar cast.
Without Ryan’s emotional reaction to meeting Jada, Mary and Alice dealing with complicated family connections, and Nora deciding she doesn’t want to be trapped again, this would be one of the show’s rare misses.
Remember when we said we were concerned about the show getting “too bogged down in retelling Batman stories?” This episode is going to be exhibit A at the trial. The trophy of the week is connected to Mr. Freeze, and there’s a fight at ACE Chemicals.
As fun as the Bat trophies are for longtime Batman fans, having three episodes in a row focused on them feels like Batwoman is getting away from itself. Where’s the show that spent Season 2 tackling police violence, missing children of color, and racial profiling?
Other than protecting people, these cases don’t feel connected to Ryan, because they’re all based on someone else’s past.
While Ryan’s arc is great, it feels like Batwoman is taking a few steps back storywise.
Jada makes it very clear she wants nothing to do with Ryan, however, her son Marquis has other ideas. He approaches Ryan wanting to partner with Wayne Enterprises.
Nick Creegan makes a memorable entrance as Marquis is overflowing with confidence and attitude. This is obviously cover for his insecurities about having such a tough, cold mother. That being said, his sudden appearance and knowledge of his long lost sister scream do not trust.
Ryan decides she can’t risk Jada’s wrath, but Marquis is impulsive and spoiled, so he’ll be a problem for both of her identities.
Alice moves on from escaping to divide and conquer. She cozies up to Mary, then plants seeds that the team doesn’t really appreciate her. Of course, this is all a means to get the nanotrackers out.
They’re never going to be conventional sisters, but the argumentative, exasperated fights between Rachel Skarsten and Nicole Kang are captivating and hilarious.
As much as they hate each other, the duo can only confide their deepest feelings to one another. There’s a weird understanding they don’t have with anyone else.
Luke’s PTSD from being shot is interfering with his ability to operate his Batwing suit. Mary confesses this to Ryan, which makes Luke mad. It would be too easy if he faced everything head on, but his cold reaction to Mary is devastating.
Mary and Luke’s slow burn flirtation is one of Batwoman’s best continuing storylines, so we’re heartbroken to see anything come between them.
He should understand how important it is that everyone be functioning at their best. The fact that both Ryan and Luke essentially ignore Mary’s concerns is definitely going to drive a wedge between them and end badly.
We’re not sure how long the Bat trophies are going to occupy Batwoman, but if it’s too much longer, the show will continue to lose itself in Bat mythology, a mistake this incarnation has been able to avoid so far.
What did you think of this episode of Batwoman? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Batwoman airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Stephanie Holland
Stephanie Holland is a nerdy lover of Star Wars, Disney, Doctor Who, Arrowverse, Star Trek and WWE. Is living the dream of turning a lifelong obsession with TV into an actual job. Still waiting for a reboot of the '80s classic Small Wonder.