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Passing the Torch — The New Batwoman’s Introduction is Tropey, but Hopeful
Ruby Rose’s departure from Batwoman after just one season was a disappointment to many. It was also understandable; she was involved in an on-set accident that required surgery, and made playing such an intensely physical role challenging. She also explained that quarantine made her rethink some of her creative goals.
After initially considering recasting Kate Kane, the producers made the decision to replace her with a new character, Ryan Wilder, played by Javicia Leslie. The handover took place without Rose appearing on camera, and was both well done and…not. In fact, it centers around three tropes, two of which I’m okay with and the third I’m less sure about.
(Spoilers ensue, please go watch the episode before reading on).
Kate Is Comic Book Dead
If this was any other genre, Kate Kane would be dead. Her plane crashed and, of course, they can’t find the body.
This being a superhero series, we know she’s alive, leaving the door open for Rose to make a cameo appearance should she choose to do so. The dry erase tombstone trope is perhaps overly familiar, and I might have preferred some other write-out, but…it works for the circumstances, and gives the characters a mystery to rally around.