Batwoman Review: Antifreeze (Season 3 Episode 4)
When one of their own is targeted, the Bat team goes up against a powerful secret society on Batwoman Season 1 Episode 4, “Antifreeze.”
By the high standards Batwoman has set for itself, “Antifreeze” feels somewhat average. Yes, it introduces new villains, reveals more about Jada, and adds a fun new character to the mix, but we still spent the whole episode waiting for the action to start.
Batwoman has done such a great job setting its own tone, an episode that feels like something we’ve seen on other Arrowverse shows is a little disappointing.
It looks like Alice’s plan is working, as Luke is too mad, and Ryan is too wrapped up in her new found publicity to hear Mary figure out how she ended up sleeping on a bench in Gotham Park.
Between Luke’s avoidance, Ryan’s family drama, and Mary’s growing connection to Alice, we can feel the team slowly drifting apart.
This storyline isn’t new. In fact, it’s an Arrowverse rite of passage. Every single superhero team in the franchise has had an emotional split, before a problem so big they can only solve it together comes along. We thought Batwoman would avoid the usual traps.
Sophie’s sister Jordan is kidnapped and frozen like one of Mr. Freeze’s experiments. She planned to out the members of the Black Glove Society. A rich, powerful, creepy group who are trying to find a way to become immortal. As such, they use Jordan and her friends as practice experiments.
And of course, it turns out Jada is working with the Black Glove to target Marquis to be frozen. So she’s not just a bad mom, she’s straight up evil.
Robin Givens’ cold indifference about Marquis’ “leave of absence” rivals the franchise’s best villains. Though we’re not privy to it yet, she clearly has a plan, and her children are not part of whatever it is.
Batwoman goes hard on the Sophie/Ryan “Wildmoore” ship in this episode. There are longing glances across a crowded room, complicated dreams, and emotional confessions. At this point, it’s a TV certainty that we’re going to see them get together sometime this season.
Fan favorite Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) shows up as Wayne Enterprises’ Head of PR. He’s been there forever, taking to Ryan very quickly. He wants to support her, because he likes her, but his No. 1 priority is protecting the company.
His dry wit combined with hilariously honest reads fit right in with the rest of the team, so we hope this isn’t a one off. Plus, the way he asked about Ryan solving a crisis makes us think he knows more than he’s letting on.
With Jordan’s life on the line, Meagan Tandy got to show off her range in a way Sophie doesn’t usually call for. She flipped from despair to guilt to anger, then finally settled on relief when Mary saved Jordan.
Sophie spent the first two seasons of Batwoman in the background, away from the action. Including her in the team, and strengthening her relationship with Ryan has made her a far more interesting character.
“Antifreeze” does a good job of introducing a new threat to the team, while leaving time for emotional stories involving Alice, Sophie, and Luke. However, despite the set up for future arcs, it left us wanting more for this specific episode.
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.