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TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Batwoman Season 1 Episode 14: Grinning From Ear To Ear

March 9th, 2020 by Todd Black Comments

“Grinning From Ear To Ear” was a very interesting episode from multiple angles, especially in regards to how it handled certain side characters.

Let’s start with the most important thing, Sophie. Yeah, I know right? Sophie has honestly been one of the weakest parts of Batwoman, but now, thanks to her separation and her suspension, she’s finally coming alive in the best way. And in this episode, we got to see that come to a head in two major ways. I’m sure some people will cringe at the meeting of her mother, including how she only didn’t mind Batman because he was straight, but because Batwoman is gay she’s ‘a criminal’.

But in truth..that is the truth, we just don’t like to admit it. The reason that many gay people DON’T come out (and I can testify to this based on people I know, including members of my own family) is because they’re afraid of what people will say, ESPECIALLY their parents and relatives. They fear what they’ll say, especially if they’ve been told that being gay is “wrong” for a whole host of reasons. Yet despite that fear, and a little pushing from Batwoman, she did tell her mother, and now she can move on.

Whether she moves on with Kate, or someone else? That’s unknown. But at least it’s something, a big something.

Meanwhile, I appreciated the arcs of both Mary and Jacob too. Mary trying to push Kate to open up to her about being Batwoman was a nice touch. And that speech she gave at the end was a very cool moment. As for Jacob, him finding out that some of his own Crowes might be dirty (again) was good, and that puts Sophie on a collision course back in with the Crowes which is what she honestly needs right now in some ways.

Meanwhile, the villain of week of Duela Dent, the NIECE (not daughter) of Harvey Dent, who is indeed still alive in this version of Gotham and apparently not Two-Face…yet.

Her story was rather straightforward, but effective nonetheless given the age we live in. And that twist with her face at the end? Wow.

Finally, Alice confronting her fears in respects to the ‘good doctor’ was a fun one, especially the part where she hired a shrink to help her get through it all. And the fact that Mouse is being bombarded with the Fear Toxin? Oh boy…that won’t end well.

In the end, “Grinning From Ear To Ear” was a solid return (again) for Batwoman, and pushed the side characters in a meaningful way.

Todd Black is reader of comics, a watch of TV (a LOT of TV), and a writer of many different mediums. He's written teleplays, fan-fictions, and currently writes a comic book called Guardians (guardians-comic.com). He dreams of working at Nintendo, writing a SHAZAM! TV series, and working on Guardians for a very long time!