Batwoman season 1, episode 12 review: Take Your Choice

This week, Kate Kane, more so than her Batwoman alter ego, and her closest allies have to “take” a near-impossible choice and save either her sister Beth, from another Earth or her real sister, the menacing Alice.

When last we left our heroes, Kate Kane was reacting to a very “Un-birthday Present”: the sudden appearance of a stable version of her sister from an Earth erased by the Crisis event. Aghast and skeptical at first, she was getting used to having a sibling around, who turned out okay and doesn’t cause trouble.

That was until the onset of painful migraines shared by both Beths. Luke Fox and Kate’s stepsister, Mary, race to figure out what’s wrong, as Beth from another Earth suffers intensifying headaches and bleeding ears. Luke, Mary, and Kate deduce the alternate Beth’s presence (in a reality seriously not big enough for the two) is killing both her and Alice at the cellular level. Worse, the process is accelerating.

The Score

Brunette Beth, only having seven hours to live by Mary’s calculations, just sits and drinks her sorrows away instead of trying to solve her predicament. Alice, on the other hand, wastes no time and breaks into Crow lockup to see Mouse. Confused about who she is, he ends up telling her about the other Beth. She then sneaks into Wayne Tower and confronts the group.

Not only does she get an explanation of why there is a doppelganger of herself but Alice is brought up to speed on why they’re so different – that is to say, the fact one was saved by Kate and not the other. That doesn’t go over well. The Crows don’t help matters when a shoot-on-sight order for Alice is given and checkpoints are set up.

Jailbird

Meanwhile, Colonel Kane, Kate’s jailed father, thinks he has evidence to clear his name and get out of prison. He might be set free but, first, he has to fend off a knife attack, and his fortunes might not turn because his fate hinges on Mouse’s father, who is back from the dead pulling strings and masquerading as a plastic surgeon with the evidence the Colonel needs.

Mouse’s sadistic dad also wants to kill Alice pronto, and you can imagine how that ends. Speaking of which, the ending has a predictable twist that still packs a punch.

Choice and Cost

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“Take Your Choice” is a busy and active episode that brings the show back to its equilibrium. Batwoman is best when the characters are under the gun and faced with the toughest of choices — although this time the answer to the dilemma should be easy. Kate, designated Paragon of Courage during Crisis, always has trouble making the right call.  She can only spare one but wants to save both Beths. And, as difficult as the decision is, it’s ultimately made for her and a good outcome is ripped away.

There is a sufficient dose of Gotham’s oppressive, grim side and its ever-present danger again. The city is not a safe place and should never come across that way. They lost touch with that in the last couple of new episodes, which saw Kate crash a school dance and put up with selfies. Maybe that works in Riverdale but, in a Bat-family show, it feels out of place.

The Take

Admittedly, the writers do keep the surprises coming, but they’re predictable because they feel so inevitable. The conclusion of “Take Your Choice” is where things had to go, although wrapping up the two Beths’ subplot in two (almost three) episodes is somewhat a letdown. I would’ve liked it if it was dragged out a bit longer.

Still, Kate will be dealing with an Alice who is more vindictive than ever which is the right direction for any good villain.

Batwoman airs Sundays on The CW. What did you think of Ep.12? Was it worth the wait? Be sure to let us know down below in the comments.