Welcome back to Gotham! Between Black Mask’s power continuing to grow and Safiyah one step closer to rebuilding her island paradise of assassins, the city is closer than ever to collapse. But at least Kate Kane is back to help make things right! With the return of the first caped crusader, things seem more uncertain than ever with Ryan and her role in the team. But with trouble brewing, she might be the only one to help! So don your cape, grab your crossbow, and join us as we give you five thoughts on season 2, episode 17, “Kane, Kate.”
1. Trust is a two way street
While trust has been a significant theme in Batwoman’s second season, “Kane, Kate” takes it to the next level. The return of Kate Kane has shifted the pieces in significant ways, but the biggest impact is on Ryan’s role on the team. Everyone fell into bad habits this week. Luke, Mary, and Sophie are a little too eager to trust Kate, even after she attacked Mary and struggled to fight against Nygma’s control. Luke even gives Kate her journals about her time in the suit. While Ryan initially suggests a slower pace trusting Kate, Ryan quickly goes back into solo mode when she sees the rest of the team happily chatting with their former partner. Even after weeks as Gotham’s hero, Ryan quickly relinquishes the role.
This ends up working against Ryan as Roman Sionis discovers her identity and has the GCPD arrest her for drug possession. Roman has not only infiltrated the GCPD, but he’s ready to remove any threats to enacting his cleansing vision. Trust plays an integral part in “Kane, Kate” because once Ryan can get her parole officer to trust that she is truly Batwoman, she can go and help her friends. The action sequence in the GCPD headquarters is also incredibly engaging. Watching Ryan kick ass without the suit and watching her parole officer put the pieces together kicks ass. Her trust in Ryan saves not only her life but also Gotham as well.
2. Bullies always find a way to land on their feet
In possibly the least surprising aspect of “Kane, Kate,” Agent Tavaroff and his ilk of dirty Crows have found their way into the employ of Black Mask. Honestly, this seemed like a pretty foregone conclusion as soon as Jacob Kane dissolved the Crows. But, unfortunately, Tavaroff and his cronies had a distorted view of justice, one where might makes right and extreme force is the only thing to “protect their city.” Of course, Roman Sionis has a similar idea, one that makes the two a logical pairing.
Honestly, there was a brief moment in “Kane, Kate” that was worrisome. Tavaroff doesn’t immediately jump to support Sionis after delivering a rousing speech about if they put on the mask, they would be able to “keep the city safe” without criticism. There was a brief moment it seemed as if they were going to try and redeem Tavaroff. But, instead, he wanted a more prominent role in Sionis’ plan. He no longer wants to be a pawn. He wants to be a full partner in a reign of terror. Bullies always seem to get their way free of consequences.
3. Circe Sionis’ clever infiltration
So while it seemed that Kate was able to fight against Enigma’s control, it was simply Circe Sionis playing the part to gather information for her father and Safiya’s plot to “cleanse” Gotham. While the decision to bring back Kate still ultimately feels strange, Wallis Day does an excellent job of making both sides feel distinct. While not precisely doing an impression of Ruby Rose, Day brings some mannerisms that Rose used when portraying Kate. There are moments when the rest of the team feels justified in trusting their former ally, but when Day goes into Circe mode, everything about her performance changes. In “Kane, Kate,” we see how Circe can use her team’s connection to Kate against them.
It’s in subtle ways, like how she exploits Sophie’s feelings for her, or how Mary doesn’t feel like she has a solid connection to her sister or Luke’s enthusiasm to have his old team back. In all of these cases, Day brings slight subtle shifts to her acting to show just how in charge of her situation. Who knows if Kate will have a redemption arc by the end of the season? Who knows if we’ll be dealing with either two Batwomen or one of the heroes filling a new role next season. In any case, by the end of “Kane, Kate,” it seems like Circe might be a threat for a bit longer.
Continued below4. A showdown of two long term schemers
After thinking she has won it all, Alice was quickly knocked down a few pegs by Safiyah, who took everything from her. Not only did Alice lose Ocean, but it potentially prevented Kate from remembering who she is. As a result, Alice is at her lowest point in “Kane, Kate,” pushing away possibly her last chance of redemption with the Bat-family. It’s in this lowest moment that Safiyah comes back to offer her an opportunity to return to the island and help her rebuild her kingdom.
As with most episodes of the show, Rachel Skarsten’s performance in “Kane, Kate” is exhilarating, watching her toy with Safiyah and play up the vulnerable, broken girl, only to finally (and literally) twist the knife of the final betrayal. Again, it’s unclear what Alice’s plan truly is, who she is working for or against, but she seems to have some larger plan we don’t know. Alice as a wildcard agent has been fun. Hopefully, it pays off well in the finale.
5. Fighting against a stacked deck
Circe Sionis now has unfettered access to the Batcave and all the goodies that lie within with access to her old journals. However, in the climax of “Kane, Kate” Ryan, without weapons or gadgets, needed to take on Circe to save her friends, and while ultimately successful, they come to a troubling discovery. Not only has Circe cleared their weapons cache, but she has also removed many of the dangerous tools and weapons used by Batman’s foes. This not only includes Bane Venom or the Joker’s poisoned flower, but something potentially more dangerous, Poison Ivy’s plant growth hormone, hinted to be part of what’s going to give power back to Safiyah. By combining the Desert Rose with Ivy’s serums, she can grow her power at double speed.
In any case, things are looking pretty grim for our heroes leading into next week’s finale. They are going up against a literal army, a crew that not only has the manpower but now all kinds of destructive gadgetry. But, on the other hand, Ryan and her friends have each other. Let’s hope that will be enough.
So there we have it. Next week everything comes together in the season 2 finale. What did you think? Sound off below, and see you next week!
