What I’m Watching: Batwoman

Batwoman: Season 1, Episode 9 “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two” (B+)

This was a considerable improvement over the first installment of this mega-crossover that still wasn’t perfect but at least shows that we’re going somewhere. The much-hyped appearance by Tom Welling from “Smallville” finally happened, seemingly just to allow him to show up rather than to really add to the storyline. It’s also confusing that Erica Durance, who played Kara’s mother on “Supergirl” after taking over the part from Laura Benanti, also appeared as that earth’s Lois Lane, though we got quite a bit of that in this case. I’m curious whether Michael Rosenbaum, who ultimately turned down the opportunity to be a part of this because he wasn’t given any information about what his role would be before he committed, would have portrayed the Lex who wanted to kill all the Supermans, replacing an excitable enough Jon Cryer. I liked seeing Brandon Routh as another Superman, a nod to his breakout role in “Superman Returns,” but what I appreciated most was the chance to highlight some supporting players, like Mick the author and baby-charmer, the voice of Leonard Snart as the computer on the Wave Rider, and Iris helping Clark and Lois warn the Supermans. Since the “Batwoman” universe is least developed and involved in all this, I liked that there was a chance to see an alternate version of Luke who was much cooler and less friendly, as well as Kevin Conroy’s dark Bruce Wayne. In other news, apparently Oliver is alive again and the fate of the universe isn’t looking that much brighter.