Low Key

How well does the CW’s “Batwoman” fit into the network’s other DC shows and the Batman universe? And would we rather see a new standalone heroine with no ties to either?

Every week on “Low Key,” your co-hosts Aaron Lanton, Keith Dennie and I talk about pop culture moments we think others may have missed. This week, we revisit “Batwoman,” which we previously discussed over the summer, based only on the trailer. Now we’ve seen the show and want to give “Batwoman” its due.

First, the things we like: Batwoman does a stellar job of representing people who have traditionally been underseen in comic-book adaptations, and in entertainment overall: Women, people of color, LGBTQ characters. Ruby Rose's Kate Kane, the anchor of the show, is a step forward for lesbian visibility and could be an important role model.

What we're less sure about it how well "Batwoman" distinguishes itself from Batman. We want the storylines to make a harder break from the familiar Gotham tropes, and callbacks to past Batman stories. There are many promising elements of the show, notably Rachel Skarsten's portrayal of Alice, and we're curious to see where "Batwoman" goes.

Here are some of the main subjects of our talk, with time stamps.

2:30: "A lot of things about the show do work for me."

2:53: "I've always been a fan of 'Smallville.'"

4:40: Does the "Batwoman" pilot have too much backstory?

9:50: The Alice stuff is good, and how the second episode improves on the first.

23:10: Would Luke Fox be a good Batman?

24:50: Side note: How we feel about Zoe Kravitz playing Catwoman?

26:30: Some praise for "Zombieland: Double Tap"