After leaving off on such a shocking, life-changing twist by having Beth, not Alice, approach Kate at the end of the previous Batwoman episode, Batwoman season 1, episode 11 begins to explore who this familiar stranger is.
I say this with almost every passing episode, but Batwoman season 1, episode 11 is by far my favorite. The Batwoman writers, once again, outdid themselves and gave us quite an unforgettable episode that will make you laugh, cry, and scream… and that’s only in the first ten minutes.
We, obviously, had a chance to view Batwoman season 1, episode 11 early, and this is an episode that you cannot miss. Certain stories are further explored, which could very well change your opinion or a character or two, and it’s one of Kate’s most emotional episodes yet (and, I mean, that’s a lot to say considering her twin sister helped organize the death of her stepmother and framed her father for it).
We’ve put together a few teases about what’s to come on this incredible Batwoman episode, and as always, if those aren’t your thing, scroll down for our spoiler-free review!
‘Batwoman’ season 1, episode 11 screener secrets
Her wish came true
After fighting to save the universe from the Anti-Monitor on “Crisis on Infinite Earths” with the multi-verse’s other heroes, the Earths merged, leaving behind a few aftershocks. Of those, we saw several Brainys on the post-crisis Supergirl episode, and now as showrunner Caroline Dries has confirmed, this version of Beth is another aftershock.
Batwoman season 1, episode 11 teases a little of the life that Kate and Beth would have led under different circumstances. How Beth’s life progressed on her Earth is discovered during the episode, which sparks some very intense emotions within Kate. After all, not saving Beth is her biggest regret.
Kate isn’t the only one to interact with this version of Beth either. There are one or two other characters who figure out who she is, even if they don’t quite understand how exactly it’s happening. The story of the episode gives really great insight into how much of Gotham was changed because of what happened 13 years ago when the car went over.
Sophie and Alice
With Alice in the custody of the Crows, as we saw at the end of previous episode, Batwoman season 1, episode 11 delivers on some very interesting content between Alice and Sophie.
As we know, much of Alice’s fun comes from playing mind games with others. She knows exactly how to get under others’ skin (in more ways than one, like we’ve seen with Mouse). Interacting one-on-one with Sophie proves to be quite intriguing as she taunts — and, surprisingly, relates to, but not in the way you’re thinking — Sophie with the secret that Sophie’s worked so hard to keep hidden: her sexuality.
As we see how her life would have unfolded with the other versions of Beth, more flashbacks show us what happened to our Beth while she was in hell, as Alice begins to let someone other than Kate see a bit more of her while detailing her life story.
Mary and Kate
Throughout the season, there’s been some tension between Mary and Kate for numerous reasons, but the primary one being, as Mary would put it, Kate’s “obsession” with Alice. On the episode, Mary finally has a breakthrough when it comes to her relationship with Kate, which is really good in terms of their future relationship.
‘Batwoman’ season 1, episode 11 spoiler-free review
Batwoman season 1, episode 11 proved without a doubt that Rachel Skarsten is one of the most talented actors currently on television. Not only does she pull off playing the insane, creeping-on-the-line Alice with just the right amount of swagger and madness, she gives an effortless performance as the new version of Beth Kane that has actually had quite a good life. (And we may or may not see her tackle another version of this character… what can’t this talented woman do?)
Rachel Skarsten and Ruby Rose have great chemistry on-screen, so seeing the two very different relationships between the two Beths and Kate is fascinating, and it’s hard not to root for Alice. Even after all she’s done, this episode will leave you rooting for her to come back to the good side even more (if you have been) and might convince the few who thought her inner Beth was completely gone otherwise.
All in all, a great episode, and I am absolutely loving how Batwoman is changing their formula and not following in the footsteps of previous Arrow-verse shows. The focus on Alice, with how intertwined she is with everyone and everything in Gotham, is brilliant, and I could not be more thankful to avoid the near-constant, sometimes, villain-of-the-week stories.
Batwoman season 1, episode 11 airs Sunday, January 26 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW!
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.