"Split" 1.7 - Original Airdate: 11/20/02
  
Story by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
Teleplay by Adam Armus and Kay Foster
Directed by James Marshall
Here's my thoughts on tonights episode of Birds of Prey:
I really liked the character of Darkstrike and whole plot concerning the Crawler. I realized that Darkstrike was really Crawler early on, but I still liked the way the episode built the two of them up. I now see why they forgoed the use of Nightwing for this episode, since most fans would have been up in arms had this story been done with Nightwing.
Oh who am I kidding? All of fandom would have been seething.
Anyway, I also liked the Crawler. Brian Thompson was a great choice for this part. He really played the part of the hulking brute well, and seemed appropriatly menacing. I hope that if the series survives we see an eventual return of Darkstrike/Crawler.
By the way, was I the only one who got a kick out of Helena's explanation for Darkstrike's name? "He strikes in the dark." I also liked how Reese asked where these names come from too. It added a level of realism to the proceedings.
Speaking of Reese, I liked that Helena asked about McNally's health after last week. It's the little bits of continuity from week to week that really help you get into the show. Most sci-fi series usually try to be self-contained from week to week, so the continuing storylines really make things more enjoyable.
It seems despite evidence to the contrary, the Black Canary die indeed parish in episode 5. While I lament the death of a potentially interesting recurring character, I appreciate that we're seeing some of the impact that the Canary's death had on the superhuman community.
Harley's scene with Reese was nice. I'm glad she doesn't always have to show up as a behind the scenes villain which gets repetitive. Her growing association with Reese should be interesting to follow as well.
You know, it's watching an episode like this that'll really make me miss Birds of Prey if it is cancelled by the WB. It had a great guest star, a terrifying villain, fine acting all around and good action. This was a really good episode.
WB Summary for "Split"
"Already frustrated with her relationship with Reese (Shemar Moore), Helena is intrigued when she meets Darkstrike (guest-star Kristoffer Polaha), a metahuman who has come to New Gotham on the trail of a serial killer. Meanwhile, Barbara and Dinah (Rachel Skarsten) discover that Darkstrike has a dangerous alter ego."
TV Guide Summary for "Split"
"The ladies get some superhero help as they track down a twisted villain who targets women in love. Already frustrated with men thanks to her relationship with Det. Reese, Helena (Ashley Scott) is none too pleased when a metahuman calling himself Darkstrike (Kristoffer Polaha) visits New Gotham to team up with her and Barbara (Dina Meyer). However, Helena warms to the enigmatic stranger when he explains his history with the Crawler---a nefarious criminal with the nasty habit of murdering his abductees. When the fiend kidnaps an innocent teen, the crimefighters must race against the clock to ensure that the latest victim doesn't meet the fate of her predecessors."
Comicology for "Split"
At one point during the creation of this episode, Darkstrike was called "Nightstrike". The name change likely came about from the similarities between Nightstrike and Nightwing, the moniker currently used by Dick Grayson, the original Robin.
Darkstrike hails from Central City, the bustling metropolis where the Flash resides in his self-titled DC Comic. I may be wrong, but I think that Central City has been referred to on Smallville, BoP's companion show, as well.
Ratings for "Split"
11/20/02 - 3.4/5
101 (tie) out of 129 programs for that week, 5th in it's timeslot (out of 6)
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