Birds of Prey is available now on DVD and digital. The series can be streaming on DC Universe in North America.
Synopsis
Several meta humans are being killed. And it seems they were killed by their abilities.
Review
With both its pilot and second episode (reviewed here) out of the way, Birds of Prey is now free to get down to business and flex its metahuman muscles and it does so by bringing us a truly standalone villain-of-the-week episode.
Laeta Kalogridis clearly took a page out of The X-Files playbook by crafting the show to have episodes tied to its mythology and others which are purely standalone.
“Prey for the Hunter” instead takes a very 2002 look at sociological issues, in particular racial prejudice. In this episode Birds of Prey takes on some of the outlook of the X-Men franchise and looks at its metahuman characters as people outcast by society. Given that Batman and most members of the Bat-family aren’t powered this offers an opportunity which is unique to the series.
Enter guest star Joe Flanigan as Detective Claude Morton, from Blüdhaven no less. At first it seems his role is to inform Detective Reese (Shemar Moore) about Gotham’s past vigilantes but it soon becomes clear that his character serves another purpose.
Three episodes in and Birds of Prey has proven itself to open each episode with a tantalising teaser. When Helena (Ashley Scott) is confronted by a metahuman killed by another with the exact same power it certainly offers a conundrum for the team.
What interests me the most in “Prey for the Hunter” is how it is able to turn a derivative story into something much more meaningful. As the story twists and turns it becomes clear that Morton is a deranged metahuman who takes on the abilities of those close to him. The migraines caused by his powers slowly killing him as sent him on a crazy mission to eradicate all metahumans which, of course, leads him to New Gotham.
Call me cynical but if you’re reading this and haven’t seen the episode you’ve already guessed that Helen and the Birds are able to one-up Morton and stop his reign of terror. What you won’t have guessed is the method by which she does it.
As the episode twists and turns we’re taken to No Man’s Land bar, a clear nod to the comics run of the same name, run by Gibson (Robert Patrick Benedict) an old friend of Helena’s. The bar is a safe haven for metahuman’s and offers Helena a connection to her people, one which had been lacking prior to this episode.
Whilst it seems, at first, to be a plot device to help make the overall story more impactful, Helena’s connection to Frosty (Josh Waters) and the other metahuman’s becomes the core of the episode.
The final act see’s Helena set to sacrifice herself in order to stop Morton. But as she fights hand-to-hand with Morton powered up with her abilities, Gibson, Dinah and the rest of the metahumans join Helen and their collective presence overpowers the villain.
The solidarity the metahumans show is a perfect analogy for groups coming together in society to stand for their beliefs and is lightyears ahead of its time when it comes to challenging LGBTQ+ rights or racial stereotyping.
It stands the test of time well and is certainly one of the most forward thinking plot lines in the series. I would certainly recommend that any casual viewer watch this episode as a prime example of how the show could function well despite its setbacks.
Verdict
Birds of Prey hits its stride with “Prey for the Hunter”. The leads all feel comfortable in their roles and the writers craft a unique villain-of-the-week storyline which is both compelling and satisfying.
6/10
Birds of Prey stars Ashley Scott as Helena Kyle/Huntress, Dina Meyer are Barbara Gordon/Oracle, Rachel Skarsten as Dinah Redmond, Shemar Moore as Detective Jessie Reese, Mia Sara as Dr Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn and Ian Abercombie as Alfred Pennyworth.
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