Meanwhile, Tavaroff is still hulking about when he sees Batwing and asks “What are you?” to which Luke replies, “Justice.” And WHEW, chile, the CHILLS upon watching Luke get to take down that overgrown haircut! *chef’s kiss*
Alice and Black Mask are arguing over who’s a better villain and spoiler alert: the answer is Joker because Alice whips out his acid flower and sprays it at Roman, cementing the black mask to his face.
And the In the Heights references just keep writing themselves, because Sophie is acting as the Benny to Ryan’s Nina (just go with it) as she walks her through the best route to take to get to Sionis mansion, where Circe is presumably headed. As Ryan and Circe maneuver through the streets, they use their vehicles’ weapons against each other until they reach a bridge that I’m fairly certain is THE bridge. Ryan’s confidence must have been bolstered by seeing the makeshift Batsignals because she tells Circe to call her Batwoman. Alice arrives and attempts to spray Circe with the Snakebite, but the two struggle and fall over the bridge in a gorgeous parallel to the event that began their estrangement.
“Check one, two, three. This is Sophie on the Dispatch, yo.”
The sisters sink, and Alice imagines she’s back in the subway car with Ocean (Alice hallucinating Ocean while under water is not lost on me) before Tatiana kills him. She tries to warn him and he tells her that he’s busy planning a future for them; one far away from Gotham where they can start over. She realizes that Safiyah made sure Alice would have to choose between her sister and her love, and she decides to choose her sister. She gets to say her goodbye to Ocean, who asks her to promise that she will chase this feeling that she now knows she’s capable of.
The Snakebite hits Circe a bit differently, and she is instead back at the house where her sister was kept. But this time she turns around, opens the door, and finds Beth. Back in the present, Alice wakes up and pulls her sister to safety.
Her sister’s keeper.
On shore, Ryan starts CPR on Circe and Alice looks back and helplessly pleads with Ryan to tell her what to do; how to help. They work together until Circe starts to breathe again, but it’s not Circe who speaks this time. It’s Kate, and she remembers Beth, her sister. Alice barely has time to process this before cops find them, recognize her, and drag her away. I don’t have a lot more to say about this scene other than Rachel. Fucking. Skarsten.
This was BRUTAL to watch.
The lights are back on in Gotham and Vesper is back on the air doing dumb shit like calling Batwoman “B-woman” and doing that thing white women do when they call Black women “sister.” Like, just stop it. She pleads with Batwoman to rethink hanging up the cowl and informs us that Alice and Sionis are headed to Arkham.
At Ryan’s parole hearing, nothing happened and I definitely didn’t cry. Nope. I’m lying. The board asks Ryan if she’s changed and how. She’s straight up with them — she’s still the same kind, honest, and intelligent person she was when they wrongfully arrested her, but she knows what they need to hear. She has changed. She stopped seeing herself the way they see her, and she started seeing herself for who she is. Let me say that one more again. She stopped seeing herself the way they see her, and she started seeing herself for who she is. She is a woman who has found her power.
I could barely type those sentences without getting misty-eyed again. I rewatched episode 201 while writing this, and specifically watched Ryan’s conversations with Luke and Mary throughout the episode. From the moment Ryan put on the Batsuit she knew what it meant. She may not have thought she was worthy at the time, but she knew how important the symbol across her chest was and thought maybe that symbol could help make a difference for people like her. In 201, Ryan notes that Kate was a hero both in and out of the suit, and she couldn’t see how she would ever live up to that; because she saw herself as the number the system told her she was. But she’s more than that and now she knows it and is standing proudly in it. The board votes unanimously to end her parole early.
“I am powerful.”
Back at Wayne Tower, Mary reads Kate my recap from the game show episode. Just kidding, but she does give her the play-by-play including Luke’s nerd flirting and wow is it nice to see them laughing and joking again. Luke tells them about his dad’s work on Batwing and they cryptically mention Kate’s Future Plans. Unfortunately, they don’t involve Alice for the moment. Even though Alice helped to bring Kate out of Circe, unless Alice wants to bring Beth out, Kate doesn’t think she can help her.
DIS A GAY SIT.
Ryan shows up and Kate quips about the two of them having the same taste WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY ABOUT BEING ATTRACTED TO SOPHIE AND DEFINITELY NOT ABOUT VEGAN PIZZA OR BEING BATWOMAN. Ahem. The Batwomen take the room, they joke about the Batmobile, and Ryan finally gets to thank Kate for the symbol and for subsequently changing her life. Ryan’s face is so genuine and grateful and sure, maybe I teared up again. And then, Ryan gets the approval that she’s always wanted; Kate tells her that Batwoman belongs to Ryan.
Ryan is the one who knows what the symbol means to the people who have no hope left. I keep thinking about how dope it is for this white Jewish woman to step back from the mantle she created, and hand it off to a Black woman because, in this moment, that’s who the city needs. Kate Kane was Batwoman and Ryan Wilder is Batwoman. Ryan earned this and she deserves it. Point. Blank. Period. And as if we needed further proof, Ryan promises Kate that she will take care of Luke and Mary because they’re her family now.
Thank you.
Kate enters The Hold Up with a swagger they should teach in Queer 101. She’s there to tell Sophie that she’s leaving Gotham to see her dad, A FRIEND IN NATIONAL CITY, and then to look for Bruce. Batmoore has been through a lot: Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, a husband, a secret identity, a new face; but the timing just hasn’t been right. Kate tells Sophie that they both deserve something a little easier. If Sophie agrees, she isn’t going out without a bang, and she tells Kate that whoever that person is, they better be able to compete with her. AND THEN THEY SHARE THE MOST PERFECT KISS AND DON’T YOU WORRY ABOUT HOW MANY TIMES I’VE WATCHED IT LEAVE ME ALONE. Ahem.
But really, I’m going to miss this version of Kate Kane, and hopefully we’ll get to see her again somehow in the back half of Supergirl or season three of this show. My poor starved shipper heart does hope that this opens the door for a nice Wildmoore slow burn next season, though. (Daphne, Natalie, Maya… if you’re reading this… PRETTY PLEASE!!!)
Get vaccinated, receive sweet lady kisses. I don’t make the rules.
Happy Pride, indeed.
Down in the Batcave, the team decides that their next plan of action is to find the villain paraphernalia from Batman’s trophy case. Ryan asks Mary to be the point person for the new community center above the medical clinic and Mary agrees. Before they get started, Ryan heads off to tie up some loose ends.
Ends that land her at Arkham Asylum where Sionis is yelling about “Janus!” over and over (surely that’s fine) and his cell neighbor Alice is looking better in a jumpsuit than anyone has the right to. All Ryan wanted was for the system to work just one time and she finally feels like she got justice for her mom. Ah but see it turns out, the mom Ry Ry thought was dead didn’t actually die in childbirth. LE TWEEST!
“Dammit, guess I’ll see Alice in season 3.”
On the shores of Gotham Harbor (I don’t know, I think I made that up), a hat and Penguin umbrella drift by, but the real item of note (to this recapper, anyway) is the magic ivy growing incredibly quickly so you can catch me screaming about Poison Ivy from now until season three, K BYE!!!
In all seriousness, I started this recap thanking some folks, and I’m going to end it the same way. To all of you who read these or share them on social or comment below, thank you so much. It still blows my mind that you’re here and I appreciate each and every one of you. Until next season on the same Batchannel, Nic out.
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Nic, thank you for all your hard work with these recaps this season. And what a season! Ryan and javicia have been the absolute rock the show needed at the end of season 1. Mary and Nicole are the heart- her line reading is genius – and the ensemble are just amazing together. As you said, a real found family. I would love Kate to pop back in from time to time, especially if it means Sophie wears boob window tops and we get kisses like that again! It’s up there with the Odess kiss as probably my fave of the present time!
This finale was amazing, just the perfect cap to an absolutely incredible season. Season 2 just went from strength to strength, and blew me away. It was one of the very few shows where I made each episode appointment TV for me, where I streamed it immediately.
And god, can we talk more about that kiss between Sophie and Kate?! HOLY WOW. Like jaw-droppingly powerful and sexy and loving and emotional and raw.
Also, addendum for the hotness that was Wallis Day sitting on the desk in Bruce’s office in that simple black v-neck t-shirt towards the end there. Damn.
I hope we get more of Day’s Kate Kane (beyond merely Supergirl) because I love all my queer peeps in this show, I do love love me some soft-butch representation.
And finally, thanks to you Nic, your recaps have also been appointment reading for me too, and I’ve loved every single one. I look forward to more come season 3!
Thank you so much for the recaps this season! I’m super excited about what’s coming next and to continue reading your awesome comments (and the amazing references)! Definitely yelled at the poison ivy plant! and at Batwing! I feel like this show has managed to do a lot with its 18 episodes, and I fell in love with the bat family even more!
I started rewatching the show from season one, and Kate Kane talks about becoming Batwoman so she can run towards herself. I love how that connects to Ryan’s speech to the Parole board.
Another thing I loved was the note she sent out to people through Vesper, gave me super season 1 Supergirl vibes. I love when heroes bring out the best in “regular” peeps.
Thank you for all these recaps, Nic. They have been a joy to read, and although you are probably more than a few miles from Portland I swear I can hear your fanperson screams.
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“…and visit a friend in National City.”
Maybe take the train this time, Kate… but seriously, if we don’t get a walk-on cameo I will be disappoint. And maybe some playful banter with Lena, because you know those two must have crossed paths at some point.
Speaking of the future, whom shall we cast to play Poison Ivy?
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BATWING!
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Mary has a bedazzled taser. Self defense, but make it fashion.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that Poison Ivy casting actually!! My very cliché idea was Annie Wersching but I wasn’t sure about age? Valerie reminded me though that Bruce is older than Kate so that might not be an issue… I don’t know! There are so many great redheads to choose from!!
I really liked how they tied up a lot of plot threads, although I really wish Kate had visited Alice in prison! Maybe she did and that’s what her comment was alluding too, but having Alice separated from Kate literally minutes after rescuing her and getting her back and deciding to try to love again felt like repeating the give and take away immediately that they did with Alice most of the season, which doesn’t really give an opportunity for character development. (And I wish Alice were in a prison where they don’t routinely torture people! She doesn’t deserve forgiveness but no one deserves human rights violations!)
That was really my only quibble with the episode though! I loved it, loved the fight scenes, loved the development of the season and am really happy to see where they go with season 3 when they don’t have to deal with a batwoman change and tying up those loose ends.
I loved Mary and Ryan being like “we understand how walkie talkies work” when Luke tried to explain, and Mary’s “oh my god, over” was perfect.
Thank you for your recaps, Nic. I always head over to read them immediately after watching the episode, and they’ve really deepened my enjoyment of the show! See you in season 3!
Loved this season, loved the recaps, thank you!
Yes to Wildmoore in season 3! Thank you for these recaps. Can’t wait for season 3!!!
I about fell out of my bed when Ryan told Kate they obviously have the same taste!
I’ve loved your recaps, Nic! Thank you!
Still think Kate is a shitty sister: Did she even check to see whether Alice wants to be Beth? But I guess I’ll take it if it is going to mean I get to keep seeing Alice in season 3.
Thank you so much!! Didn’t miss one recap this season. Loved them! See ya in season 3!!
Thank you for writing us these recaps Nic! They were truly a joy to read and I cackled with glee many times.
My favorite thing about this ep was that Batmoore was given a respectful/hot end and now I can ship Wildmoore with all my heart and soul.
Soooooo excited for Poison Ivy next season!!!!!!!! Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!
Am trying to make sense of my feelings here: please forgive me in advance if they don’t (make sense).
When it was announced that Ruby Rose was leaving, I was (of course) shocked—but not really that broken up. I watched S1 faithfully—loved the level of explicitness of lesbian sex that was presented (no tank tops!)—but not particularly enthusiastically. I didn’t buy the “OTP-ness” of Kate&Sophie, and Mary was far and away my favorite character (w/ Kate as a given, I was all “Well, Mary’s not a bio-sister, and weren’t they both teens when they met anyway?” ;-/ )
When it was then announced they weren’t recasting Kate, but intro’ing a new character, I was somewhat puzzled…but intrigued. Moreso when Javicia Leslie was cast! But still had my doubts whether this could work. [I was pleased, however, when the showrunner promised us “Kate is not dead”, because TV doesn’t need anymore dead lesbians.]
Then S2 began . . . cue rejoicing! Javicia NAILED it as Ryan/Batwoman 2.0, and soon Batwoman S2 became appointment television every week (started talking it up out there on the intertubes, beyond fandom or lesbian sites). I also loved that JUST as the extended Bat Team/Kane family became convinced Kate was dead–we were shown that she wasn’t [And w/ the casting of Wallis Day, whom I know at least one lesbian Batwoman podcaster had urged be the new Kate Kane, virtually the day after RR quit!]
The way S2 wove all these plots together: Alice, Safiyah, Sophie, Ryan, Julia, Black Mask, and then Kate again: {chef’s kiss!}
…and all building to the final episodes: Kate w/ her new face (and “Circe Sionis” inside), Alice’s fight to reclaim her sister, Ryan’s duty to Kate, while having grown into Gotham’s protector she deserved (even more than she needed).
And now, after ALL this . . . Kate is gone again (w/ no apparent return foreseen), per here: https://ew.com/tv/batwoman-caroline-dries-season-2-finale-spoilers/
Compared to a year ago, and Ruby’s announced departure—this just cuts different. I really didn’t know I needed Wallis Day as Kate Kane in my life, I really didn’t (I wasn’t familiar w/ her work prior to this). A year ago was “making the best of a bad situation”, and finding out that the “best of bad” was actually BETTER! This feels more like…per Jacob(is the worst! And good-bye!) being force-injected Snakebite, and then having the supply cut off. And I didn’t (1.0) buy the OTP-ness (yikes to the pronunciation of the acronym, LOL) of Kate&Sophie, but now (2.0) I do? [And meanwhile my shipper heart for Mary&Ryan has never abated, and when Mary told Ryan to look up to the windows of Gotham, believing in her—as Mary ALWAYS did? Sigh, am I doomed to never ship the ships that showrunners want to ship?]
Don’t get me wrong: I’ll be back here in October for S3, absolutely. But as Batwoman S2 (brilliantly!) solved a problem, I can’t help feeling Batwoman S3, by writing Wallis-as-Kate out, is creating one. And after a season of Batwoman Happy, this makes me sad. [My 2c/FWIW/YMMV]
I’ve so enjoyed these recaps all season, Nic! Can’t wait to rewatch S2, which exceeded so many of my expectations, and to speculate wildly about S3 (*cough* WildMoore rise*cough*).
Lots of thoughts and feelings, but perhaps none more pressing than my fervent hope and belief that all roads lead to a (hopefully slightly unhinged baddie with a gold-flecked heart) milf in S3 who becomes the new singular parent figure that we spend time with onscreen. And maybe she’s Poison Ivy.
I’m sure lots of people feel lots of ways about Kate’s exit from Gotham, and that’s valid, but I do appreciate the sort of ruthless pragmatism of this show w/r/t character exits.
Once a character isn’t super connected to either a main plot or central characters in interesting ways, they’re efficiently dispatched. There’s no attempt to fold them into a complex new plot if it won’t serve them and they won’t deepen it, no writing just to make one character at a time shine alone.
Julia, Angelique, Imani, Tatiana, Ocean, Jacob (who I suspect will have a way scaled back presence in S3
if at all and might actually stay in jail for a while), Safiyah, and now Kate. While some of them we might see again in time, I appreciate the show resisting the urge to bloat the cast (even with very talented, very hot ppl) so that we can focus on Ryan and Sophie and Mary and Luke (and Alice) the most.
Really signals for me a sort or restraint that I think lots of CW supershows specifically lack, and I’m hoping it means keeping these impactful character beats and these sort of contained plots (more save a Gotham citizen and fight a local baddie of the week or an institution and less getting into world-endy, universe collapsey, or random one-off topical issues stuff) that allows us to invest in and connect to and understand not just these characters, but what our heroes are fighting for.
I’ve also got enough trust in this show to see at least 5 queer women characters leave, 1 no takebacks dead, and to still anticipate meeting a bevy of new queer women. I would’ve love to see more women smooching this season (with all due respect to decisions made for safety), but I’m not worried about this show suddenly scrubbing itself of queerness in its hiatus, and what a relief that is.
Same goes for it’s newfound connection to Blackness and variations on Black identity. Can’t wait to see how Ryan’s (very sexy, I’m calling it right now) mom complicates and challenges what we’ve been allowed to see so far of Black experience in Gotham. Esp if she’s a lil evil and navigating happily doing crime in a post-Crow Gotham while her daughter dons the cowl.