Review: ‘Batwoman’ Episode 9 “Crisis On Infinite Earths” Part Two

“Crisis On Infinite Earths” – Part Two

Writers: Don Whitehead & Holly Henderson

Director: Laura Belsey

Starring: Ruby Rose, Melissa Benoist, Camrus Johnson, Grant Gustin, Tyler Hoechlin, Bitsie Tulloch, Caity Lotz, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, Dominic Purcell, Matt Ryan, Katherine McNamara, Candice Patton, Kevin Conroy, Jon Cryer, Tom Welling, Erica Durance and Wentworth Miller

Review by Steve J. Ray

“Crisis On Infinite Earths” – Part Two: This article contains HUGE SPOILERS after the main review. This is for fans in the U.K who do not have access to this chapter. Also, you MUST see Supergirl Season 5 episode 9 before reading further.

Thy Kingdom Come

Yes, we finally see (a) Bruce Wayne in the Arrowverse, and it’s none other than the legendary Kevin Conroy! This is an all-new version of the character and is almost a mix of the Batman Beyond and Kingdom Come iterations. The big spoilers are coming at the very bottom of this review, so all I’m saying here is that this is the darkest Batman we’ve ever seen on-screen… in fact, I’d go as far as to say that he’s second only to the Batman Who Laughs.

I know that many Kevin Conroy fans may well be up in arms at this portrayal, but I think it was brave, shocking and totally unexpected. I loved it because it shows us just how great a hero the “true” Batman really is.

Superman (Supermen?) Vs Lex Luthor

This episode also sees the return of Jon Cryer’s Lex Luthor. Many scoffed when Cryer was cast, but he silenced all his critics and has rapidly become one of the greatest Luthors of them all. Of course, what is Lex Luthor without Superman? This episode features not one, not two, but three Men of Steel! It’s no secret that I’m a huge Batman fan, but I absolutely adore the amount of Superman love in this episode.

Tyler Hoechlin and Brandon Roth are both incredible, and seeing Tom Welling return as Clark Kent made my heart jump for joy. Seeing my personal two favorite Lois Lanes – played by Bitsie Tulloch and Erica Durance – was the icing on the Kryptonian cake.

Conclusion

This wasn’t high art, or deep, dark psychology… no. Batwoman episode 9, “Crisis On Infinite Earths” part two was pure, adrenaline pumping, action-packed comic-book craziness, and I loved every second. From the buff, mean and moody Luke Fox to the hilarious antics with Mick Rory and baby Jon Kent, and the super sarcastic alternate waverider Gideon, this story had me grinning like a loon, from start to finish.

The episode also contained some of the best CGI and flying action ever seen on TV. Brandon Routh in particular looked great in the Super suit, and his battle with Tyler Hoechlin’s Man of Steel was phenomenal. Add in Lazarus Pits, John Constantine, magic and cosmic carnage and this was some fine entertainment indeed.

SPOILER ALERT – Online episode breakdown:

Harbinger recruits Earth-74’s Mick Rory and his Waverider. In the wake of Oliver Queen’s death, the Monitor consults the Book of Destiny and learns of seven Paragons. Two have already been found, Sara Lance and Kara Danvers, but to find two more, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and Iris West-Allen must locate another Superman, while Kate and Kara locate a Batman.

Complicating matters, Lex Luthor steals the Book and traverses the multiverse to kill Supermen; though he changes tack after encountering Earth-167’s Clark Kent. When he finds Earth-96’s Superman at the same time as Clark’s team, he forces the Kryptonians to fight until Lois stops him.

Meanwhile, Kate and Kara locate Earth-99’s Bruce Wayne. Kate tries to convince him to join them, but Kara learns he’s a killer; leading to a confrontation wherein Bruce is accidentally killed.

Elsewhere, Sara, Barry Allen, Mia Smoak, and John Constantine take Oliver’s body to a Lazarus Pit on Earth-18 to resurrect him; but the soul-restoration doesn’t work.

Back on the Waverider, Ray Palmer builds a “Paragon detector”, which identifies Kate as one of the Paragons. Meanwhile, Unbeknownst to everyone, Harbinger is approached by the Anti-Monitor.

This episode continues the “Crisis On Infinite Earths” crossover event that began in Supergirl season 5 episode 9, continues on to The Flash season 6 episode 9 and Arrow season 8 episode 8, and which will conclude in a DC’s Legends of Tomorrow‘s special.

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