Photo Credit: FOX
The last episode of Wrath of the Villains iteration of Gotham saw a plethora of “monsters” permeate throughout the city. If there was anytime that the city could use Batman, now would be the time. The second half of the season seemed to catch and hold it’s footing amongst all the chaotic and sometimes head-scratching narratives that reveal themselves.
“Better to Reign in Hell…”, the first episode of the new season where the volatile nature of chaos acts as a strength on the show right off the bat. Six months have gone by and it seems that each Gotham character has something to do. They are either entangled into each other’s path somehow or other characters have their own meaningful story line. There are also a boat load of easter eggs (Killer Croc, The Siren’s Club, Man-Bat) that come off as a “a ha!” moment and not just thrown in for effect. They are efficiently woven into the story line to have their own moment.
Jim Gordon has come back to Gotham heartbroken and in a new role as a bounty hunter. The unhinged, free-floating instance of Gordon works as a better depiction of a man who has just lost the love of his life and works better free from the confines of conventional police work. It will be interesting to see how the dynamic of Gordon and Bullock works itself throughout the season. Bullock has to act in the confines of the law where Gordon can be the hand that can operate outside of it.
The fight for Gotham’s underworld is well in tow with everybody using each other like chess pieces. Oswald Cobblepot indirectly gets Gordon to go after Fish Mooney by indirectly getting the word of the one million dollar bounty to him through Valerie Vale, the aggressive Gotham Gazette journalist. Selena Kyle, in true Catwoman fashion plays both sides acting as a liaison for Vale and a hidden hand for Mooney.
One of the best scenes in the entire episode is the conversation between Oswald and Edward. There are little hints of who they will become down the road (“penguins eat fish” comment, the green lighting on Edward). Barbara and Tabitha Galavan’s Sirens team up is another interesting wrinkle. They are working together for now, but will that union stay together?
Mooney is on the search of making an army, but you have to think her days may be numbered. You see, there are caveats to her unfounded power as in she gets weaker as she uses it. Goodbye Ethel – we will miss that scowl. It is essential for Mooney & crew to find Dr. Strange in order to sustain their abilities, but with Ethel gone (wearing the Council of Owls necklace), who will stop the onslaught of this group – Oswald or the Council?
Bruce Wayne has trouble on two fronts – the Council of Owls who have integrated into the Wayne family enterprise and his doppelganger that is meandering around Gotham who Ivy thought was the real Bruce. One of the main intriguing things about the show is seeing Bruce Wayne get put into these types of situations with bad guys. He’s still a teenager and with Alfred being the muscle, does not always win the battle. The growing pains are an essential part of the story.
You wonder how, especially with Gordon in his own mission, the situation will resolve itself. We know that Bruce will eventually become the Caped Crusader, but the “how” is an interesting prospect knowing all the adversity he is going through. This episode of Gotham set the stage for what will be an eventful few events down the road. My only hope is that the power struggle does not wrap up too quickly.
Main Picture Credit: FOX Networks
