Carolyn quotes from Birds of Prey

Dinah

You're a SUPERHERO‽

Dinah, I can explain-

Dinah

And not just ANY superhero, you're the Black Canary! You're supposed to be some some big role model, a trailblazer, one of the first women to put on a crime-fighting cape!

Actually, I don't wear a CAPE, I... Never mind, how do you know all of this?

Dinah

Well, in case you haven't noticed, I'm living with Barbara Gordon also known as the Oracle. It's part of my training, sort of like Superheroes 101... The tradition and history you CONVENIENTLY forgot to mention before you DUMPED me‽ [Flippant] But, y'now, I guess being one of the greatest espionage agents in the world, having a 6-year-old kid kind of cramped your style.

I did not DUMP you. I was trying to protect you, I was trying to give you a NORMAL LIFE.

Dinah

[Angrily] So, it's normal for foster parents to lock their kids in closets until they promise to stop seeing things?

Dinah, When I left you with the Redmonds, I didn't think you had metahuman potential! You were six years old, you didn't show ANY signs! I hoped-

Dinah

You hoped that WHAT? If I was metahuman, they'd BEAT it out of me‽

...It was the WORST mistake of my life. I found out you ran away, and that's when I discovered... what had been happening. Dinah, please try to understand; I thought you were happy. I thought you were living like a regular kid... I had NO IDEA.

Dinah

RIGHT.

I'm retired, Dinah. I'm not Black Canary anymore. I'm just Caroline Lance. I came to New Gotham to find you and I would like to be your mother.

The life you think you want, Dinah, being a superhero is not what it's cracked up to be: [Dinah sighs in annoyance] It's DANGEROUS, it's UGLY, it is RELENTLESS, and it will WEAR YOU DOWN! I won't let you throw your future away.

Dinah

[Angrily] Oh, YEAH? Well, you gave up the right to make decisions for me a long time ago! [To Helena and Barbara] I'm staying at Gabby's tonight. We're studying. [To Carolyn] You know, like NORMAL kids? [Leaves]

Barbara

She'll be okay. She just needs to cool down.

I just don't understand how ORACLE, the source of all information, could have my daughter under her roof and not even know it.

Barbara

She gave us her foster parents' last name. I ran a background check, okay? She was clearly having problems at home. My God, Caroline, this is what we do. We take in and mentor those like us-

She's NOT like you!

Helena

How would you KNOW that? How would you know ANYTHING about her?

I'd appreciate it if you stayed out of this.

Helena

...You got a problem with ME?

I'm sure you're a nice enough person, but you ARE the daughter of a thief.

Helena

EXCUSE me?

Just stay away from my daughter. The last thing she needs right now is your influence.

Barbara

Helena, WAIT. [Grabs Helena's arm]

Helena

WHAT is HER problem‽

Barbara

It's not about you. Canary and your mom never really got along. I think it was some sort of bird-cat thing. Just let it go. [Leaves]

Helena

Bird-cat thing. Right.

Barbara

[Talking about Dinah] She could be every bit as great as you.

And she could get shot at before breakfast, tortured before lunch, and knocked unconscious for dinner also like me.

Helena

[Discussing Dinah] What are you gonna do when she's out past curfew? Blast her with your Canary Cry?

What did your mother do? Oh, that's right. She was too busy stealing your childhood.