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'Pennyworth' seals the deal with Emma Paetz's Martha Kane as a woman who means business and teases the 'League of Shadows'

Over the course of the episode, Martha reveals that she is a spy, but doesn't work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), rather, she calls it a 'No-name League'
UPDATED AUG 12, 2019

This article contains spoilers for 'Pennyworth' episode 3 'Martha Kane'

Ahead of 'Pennyworth's release, lead actors Jack Bannon and Ben Aldridge, who play Alfred and Thomas Wayne respectively, were flooded with questions about the prequel. During the San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Aldridge hinted that his future wife in the series, Martha Wayne, would play an integral role in the show.

From episode three, it is clear she plays a key part in future chapters. The creators introduced Martha Kane (Emma Paetz) as a spy. Her mission — to rescue a scientist and his creation, a computer capable of solving complex calculations — from falling into the wrong hands. That is when she enlists Alfred to help out with the operation.

Despite approaching Alfred, Martha doesn't entirely trust him and reveals information on a need-to-know basis. While that irks Alfred, he understands the rationale behind the move and the two eventually get along as a team. Alfred also manages to gain her trust when he successfully fends off the Raven Society after they come in search of the scientist and his invention. 

Over the course of the episode, Martha reveals that she is a spy, but doesn't work for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), rather, she calls it a "No-name League". At the moment, we're yet to know what the new clandestine unit is and maybe the remaining episodes will help paint a better picture of the secret organization. 

It doesn't take long to figure out that Martha is a woman who means business. When she introduces herself to Alfred, she cements herself as a no-nonsense woman, who is highly motivated, uniquely trained and of course, as charming and coy as she can be. Barring the last two traits, the rest are a far cry from what we know about Martha Kane from the comics. 

As far as comic versions go, Martha is introduced as the heiress of a chemical company and seen as a socialite. She is also known to be humanitarian and that sums up her whole story before marrying Thomas Wayne. It looks like the creators have added a whole new dimension to her character by making her a spy and introducing the word "league" as her cover.

While it does seem far-fetched, the league could also point to the 'League of Shadows', an ancient and powerful secret society whose purpose was to restore balance to the world by enacting purges at various points in history. 

Given her son Bruce Wayne's stint with the League, it is possible that the show is attempting to explain the past of the secret society. What better way to connect the two than dropping a massive easter egg that Martha was one of the members of the League?

'Pennyworth' airs on Sundays at 9 pm on EPIX.

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