The Arrowverse officially returned to The CW on Sunday night with the much-awaited season 2 premiere of Batwoman. It was the first episode of the series without Ruby Rose’s Kate Kane and marked the debut appearance of its Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder.
When the show announced last year that it was introducing a new character that would take up the mantle of Batwoman following Rose’s exit, a lot of fans were against the idea. But now that the first episode of the new season has aired, fan reactions on social media seem to suggest that most viewers are actually loving Leslie’s performance and her character.
I have to say I wasn’t happy at first with the announcement of not recasting Kate Kane in #Batwoman but after watching the season 2 premiere, I have changed my mind! The way it was written was really well done and I like Ryan Wilder as the new Batwoman. Tbh, she has more —
— ⚡️Jae Sunbaenim⚡️ (@Fengxian) January 19, 2021
Ok. So I was less than happy at the time about the decision to revamp rather than recast the role of Batwoman for s2. But I gotta say, I REALLY liked Ryan Wilder. A solid repilot for the show. I’m on board #Batwoman pic.twitter.com/cCRgafNxV8
— Christian_S (@chrise17) January 18, 2021
Really liking @JaviciaLeslie as Ryan Wilder/Batwoman. Giving me a Robin/Batgirl vibe which I think perfectly fits. Interested to learn more about her backstory as well.
Season 2 starting off really well. #Batwoman pic.twitter.com/gFRndm7Ewt
— ⚡️ Pagey ⚡️ (@Pagmyst) January 18, 2021
Just wanted to take a moment to say, once again, that @JaviciaLeslie absolutely killed it in #Batwoman’s season 2 premiere.
Ryan Wilder is already one of my favorite Arrowverse characters and we’re all so excited to see her journey!
SO. MUCH. LOVE. ❤️? pic.twitter.com/ypjI8QdEO6
— Bam Smack Pow (@BamSmackPow) January 19, 2021
Have never, I mean NEVER seen a show have to recast it’s lead and have the incoming actor pick up the reins that quick and get the audience onside so well before. Ryan Wilder is Batwoman, that’s it. Love her. #Batwoman
— Grant Menmuir (@GrantMenmuir) January 19, 2021
I LOVE how they made her a legit rookie at this! She has no idea what she’s doing, and she’s doing it for selfish motives! So they can develop her!!! #Batwoman pic.twitter.com/ZkwEFDubEF
— THE Gentleman (@Abovethelaw187) January 18, 2021
Im not even into superheroes but #Batwoman got me!! Ms Ryan Wilder is EVERYTHING! ?? pic.twitter.com/OxZZz9RVK2
— Shawn (@Seanstweeting) January 19, 2021
@JaviciaLeslie‘s debut as Ryan Wilder, the new #Batwoman was Beyond Awesome!!! She’s beautiful & a Total Badass!!! Ryan has a lot to learn about being Gotham’s new Dark Knight & continuing Kate’s legacy, but she’ll get there. Welcome to the game & the @CWBatwoman family, Javica!!
— Arrowverse Guildsman (@WestAllenStorm) January 19, 2021
I liked #Batwoman season one, but yesterday’s season opener felt like a show with a whole new lease on life. Already a huge fan of Ryan Wilder!
— Charlie Jane Anders *Victories Greater than Death* (@charliejane) January 19, 2021
Naturally, there are some fans who can’t help but compare Leslie’s Ryan to Rose’s Kate, and it looks like more viewers prefer the newcomer over the OG.
RYAN IS AMAZING!! LOVE HER ALREADY!! WOW!! Javicia already has more #Batwoman comic book energy than Ruby ever had, sorry not sorry. ???? x pic.twitter.com/LlfeESj1No
— Siobhan ?? (@slinehan1) January 18, 2021
A few minutes into this “new” #Batwoman and I can honestly say I already really like this actress. Everything else is still a mess but she’s already more fun to watch.
— Jess C is hyunjin’s lil ponytail ? (@abrownreclusive) January 18, 2021
Last Sunday’s episode, titled What Happened to Kate Kane?, opens with Ryan witnessing a plane explode in the air, and amidst the wreckage is the Batsuit. She thinks it’s just what she needs to get revenge on Alice (Rachel Skarsten), whose Wonderland gang is responsible for the death of her adoptive mother. So when Ryan comes face to face with Luke Fox (Camrus Johnson) and Mary Hamilton (Nicole Kang) for the first time, Ryan refuses to give the suit up.
Ryan’s emotional soliloquy about why she’s worthy of keeping the suit is the highlight of the episode, and it’s one of the scenes that make several viewers realize that the show made the right decision to introduce a completely new character to step into the role of Batwoman rather than recasting the character of Kate.
Holy shit, Ryan’s soliloquy for why she’s worthy of the suit is probably the best justification for membership in the Bat-Family I’ve heard/read. I think I’m sold on Ryan as Batwoman and IF the comics had half this amount of courage, I might start reading again. #CrusadinginColor
— Dr. Johnathan Flowers says “Fuck your Democracy.” (@shengokai) January 18, 2021
RYAN’S ENTIRE SPEECH TO MARY AND LUKE EXACTLYYYYYY I LOVE HER SO MUCH ALREADY @JaviciaLeslie #batwoman
— jenn (@adcswifts) January 18, 2021
Though Ryan returns the Batsuit to Luke and Mary after facing off against Tommy Elliot (Warren Christie) at the end of the episode, the synopsis and the trailer for next week’s episode reveal that it won’t be long before Ryan wears it again. Check out the synopsis and the trailer for Prior Criminal History below:
“After her quick spin in the Batgear, Ryan Wilder is back to facing the daily challenges of life as herself. Meanwhile, Alice has a new, devious plan to get the attention of both Gotham and Safiyah (Shivaani Ghai). With Kate still missing and the city in an uprising, Luke and Mary are desperate to find a stand-in. In a pinch, Ryan dons the suit again and comes face-to-face with Alice for the first time. Back at Crows Headquarters, Sophie and Commander Kane try to uncover who may have had a vendetta against Kate.”
Batwoman season 2, episode 2 airs on Sunday, January 24th at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.