The Batwoman pilot was shown to few. And liked. But is the series even worth it?
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Pilots are rough; so is the Batwoman pilot.
Most pilots are rough. They need to get their footing. The vibe, feeling, and point of a show is unclear. From the TOS Star Trek pilot in the 60s, to The Big Bang Theory, pilots are an unrefined product trying to find their place. Some aren’t even released.
So rough edges in the Batwoman pilot are expected.
Batwoman day 1 should be rough
It’s expected that in the Batwoman pilot, Kate Kane, makes a lot of mistakes and has numerous flaws on day 1. She’s needs to fill in the shoes of the “world’s greatest detective.” (How, exactly?) And, a character who is a vigilante, feared by criminals, and possibly hunted by the police. It fits in the production value of the show, and character. A fish out of water trope can work. As can in media res. All believable, all common in stories.
But what shouldn’t be rough, or, medicore? The acting.
Even inclusive fans of Batwoman found the Batwoman pilot mediocre
Alex Cranz of Gismodo’s io9 posted The Mediocrity of Batwoman Also Feels Like One of Its Biggest Strengths.
The surprise is Ruby Rose. I am usually not a fan of her acting (I found her very wooden in both Orange Is the New Black and Pitch Perfect 3). She might be great looking, and her Batwoman might look awfully Batwomany, yet Rose has limited range. When she’s given emotional heavy lifts in the episode, she stumbles. But she doesn’t fall. That’s crucial.
So an actress that has limited range, is a strength? I don’t believe that’s what she’s saying. It’s the bias toward inclusivity, or women, or lesbians, which clouds this critics judgment.
And you also get why it’s hard to really rag on this show too much.
The author goes on to continue that despite the actress being mediocre, it’s still excellent. This is the problem.
One isn’t concerned for the motivations of the character, or their depictions; no, instead, it’s the idea of the character. As a lesbian superhero. Which is foolish. That is like saying the idea of pineapple on pizza is more important than the actual experience. Why? Because we’ve never had it before! We’ve never seen it! This is new ground! This fits in with my ideology! It must be good!
As Kate Kane makes her way through a fairly rote superhero pilot you just keep being mindful of that fact that as average as everything is, it has never really been seen before either.
Now that your eyes and ears have absorbed the Batwoman pilot, you can then evaluate it. Ruby Rose’s acting is still robotic. Her range is limited. Sometimes, overacted.
This is the equivalent of voting for some politician because they’re different, or new, or this racial property, etc. That is not how you should evaluate media, or, anything for that matter.
Things work because they function well. Objective critique requires a dispassionate view. Letting go of emotions and biases. You can then see if such a character depiction looks and feels believable.
But it’s really the men and script that make the Batwoman pilot bad
Continuing:
Luke Fox (Camrus Johnson) is similarly a refreshing change of pace as the dorky protector of Batman’s secrets. Johnson, in particular, has to get through some cringey exposition, but does it with charm and candor.
Dougray Scott isn’t obnoxious as Kate Kane’s work-obsessed dad despite the script
So not only do the two males in the story have cringey exposition, it’s also the script which is bad.
So here we have an author who admits the lead actor is mediocre at best, and the script is bad. And the male lines are cringey. (While to non-biased viewers, the advertising of a lesbian Batwoman was cringey enough.)
But the show is still good, because it features a lesbian lead.
It’s ideology
The Batwoman pilot has to sell itself. Either on ideology, or production value, or just general entertainment. Will the straight white males appreciate it, or just cringe? The feminists most definitely will. But will the average TV viewer care about another CW DC superhero story?
It’s hard to say.
Goodbye Arrow, hello Batwoman
As a replacement to the CW’s Arrow show, which is ending this year, it features another vigilante who returns to brood and fight crime. This time, as one who (supposeldy) doesn’t kill, and has a large female cast. Showing off their strength, and trying to fit into the Batman mantle? Those are big shoes, capes and cowls to fit into.
So far, the future looks grim, cringey, and at best, mediocre.
Here’s my corresponding video:
