“Doesn’t anyone die in Gotham anymore?”
Apparently not, but Harvey’s sarcastic one-liners are on life support as he again assumes the role of Acting Captain while Barnes acquaints himself with the finer linens and silverware Arkham Asylum has to offer. What appeared to be dead, or at least on death’s doorstep in Season Two was quality storytelling. That has been resuscitated in the first half of Season Three and continues here in the winter premiere. Most hour-long TV dramas present the audience with multiple storylines at the same time – fairly common nowadays. Gotham upped the ante, juggled five storylines in this episode and pulled it off rather successfully. Mad City: Ghosts picks up where the fall finale left off, and instead of holding back certain storylines for later, the writers went all out, reminiscent of the Magic Johnson-led L.A. Lakers, and included all of them. Was it a risky move? Of course, but to quote William Shatner, Canada’s greatest thespian, “Risk…is our business.” Channelling their inner Kirks paid off for the writers, as Ghosts was full of emotion, action, and exciting developments that look to make things interesting for the remainder of the season.
Gordon has to be the dumbest smart guy in Gotham. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know you don’t attend the funeral of the man you just killed. But Gordon’s not a rocket scientist so off he goes, only to be headed off at the pass by Harvey, who as Acting Captain has traded one-liners for wisdom, and off they went. So no dramatics at the cemetery, but Gordon did exchange Spinozean bon mots with Victor Zsasz, who promised Gordon he would never see it coming when Falcone orders the hit. Not seeing is going to be a theme that runs through the episode, as Gordon also failed to see Lee storming into GCPD accusing him of murder. Pleasantries were the last thing on her mind, as Lee carves Gordon like a Sunday roast in front of the entire precinct, then gives Falcone her blessing to have Gordon killed.
But methinks the fair lady doth sneer too much, for as Huey Lewis sang, the power of love is a curious thing. Lee visits Barnes in prison and finally understands the full extent of how the Mad Hatter’s virus can destroy a good man. She then learns Mario was chock full of the virus, realizes she was wrong about Gordon and tells Falcone to cancel the hit. Falcone’s been around the block and understands Lee is still in love with Gordon, but he agrees and calls off Zsasz, but not before a nice Mexican standoff in Gordon’s now shot up apartment. But calling off a hit and fixing Lee and Gordon’s issues are two different things, and either they get back together or they don’t. Or have we become a little fatigued at the back-and-forth, will-they-or-won’t-they have a future together. Pretty much everyone knows they love each other from the audience to the characters themselves, but Gordon did kill her husband on her wedding day and that has to be somewhat of an obstacle, doesn’t it? Time will tell.
Meanwhile, Gordon had other matters to attend to other than his ex wanting to have him killed. Turns out the dead have been walking out of the GCPD morgue, which can be bad for business seeing as Gordon makes it his job to keep the morgue well filled. Gordon and Harvey’s investigation of a twice dead body leads them to morgue attendant Dwight Pollard and his participation in an underground Joker cult, complete with worshippers dressed like Jerome chanting his words on a makeshift screen as a film projector replays the GCPD massacre in an abandoned cinema. Just when Gordon and Harvey are about to get their man, Zsasz attacks and Pollard gets away. Holland then reveals his plan to reanimate Jerome’s body. Cameron Monaghan created a compelling Jerome, and to see him as Jerome Mk II with the maniacal and chilling dials turned to eleven will be some entertaining television for sure. And anyone who dismisses this with casual indifference is a pants on fire liar, just sayin’.
On to the underrated Penguin story which, in my opinion should occupy more screen time. Turns out Penguin is a competent mayor, with rising employment, a bullish economy, and low a crime rate. As George Harrison sang, all things must pass, and here, friends, we witness the beginning of the end, at least for Mayor Cobblepot. Nygma disposes with any notion of civility; no quarter is given as he seeks revenge on Penguin for having killed Isabella. In a beguiling that would make Machiavelli and Iago jealous, Nygma manipulates Penguin into believing he sees the ghost of his father, Elijah Van Dahl. The con is on as Penguin slowly becomes unhinged and paranoid to the point he kills Stemmel, his chief of staff, and insults Gotham’s citizens on live television. This is the opening move in Nygma’s chess game, with poor Penguin as the pawn. Turns out Nygma wants Penguin destroyed, then killed, and Babs and Tabs are more than happy to play along. Fun times ahead, but is there sympathy for the devil that is Penguin? Only you can answer that. For the record, I believe this should be the main story with the Gordon/Lee tug of war secondary, maybe even behind the Court of Owls depending on how much of an influential force the writers give them.
In the minor story, Selena enjoys some quality bonding time with returning mother Maria after an eleven year absence. Turns out Maria was running from various kinds of trouble and a five year old Selena along for the ride would have been difficult, so she ditched Selena to ensure her safety. I will let you decide if “her” at the end of the previous sentence refers to Selena or Maria. Nevertheless, Maria is back to reconcile because she loves her little bundle of joy and apologizes. Naturally, Selena wanted no part of it, but after Bruce speaks with her, we have a mother and child reunion worthy of Paul Simon, complete with tears and hugs. I guess a guy who can never see his parents again can talk some sense into our little street Muppet. Hold the tissue paper, though. My Spider Sense is tingling; I know what you’re thinking, I’m mixing my superheroes. It’s all good, as I received permission from the editor – thanks bossman. Back to the tingling at hand; the chances that the man from Maria’s “past” who shows up to get the money she “owes” him are worse than betting on a three-legged rocking horse in the fifth at Los Alamitos. As one who knows about the con, hopefully Selena doesn’t get taken in. My money’s on the rocking horse.
Bruce and Alfred, in the fifth storyline, try to figure out why the Court of Owls was super protective over the glass figurine of an owl. That is, when they are not entertaining mother/daughter thief/con artists, and Alfred is not making googly eyes at Maria; although when she is played by Ivana Miličević, it’s easy to understand. In all their humming and hawing about, Bruce and Alfred didn’t see the mysterious map projected from the figuring when light hits it at a certain angle. A minor bit of story, but a tidbit for us to nibble on until next week.
Less sarcastic Harvey again; I think I’m going through withdrawal. A good episode, except the Penguin/Riddler feud should be more prominent.
Tune in next time – same Bat-time, same Bat-channel.
