Because The A.V. Club knows that TV shows keep going even if we’re not writing at length about them, we’re experimenting with discussion posts. For certain shows, one of our TV writers will publish some brief thoughts about the latest episode, and open the comments for readers to share theirs.
- Never Mind The Bullocks: This week the award goes to Bullock’s exasperated, unsurprised reaction to Jim’s question about Gotham moving all the Indian Hill bodies to another Wayne Enterprises-owned location.
- This is the best episode of Gotham this season by far, and I think a large part of that is due to the fact that the Jim/Lee drama is relegated to the backseat. Their fraught relationship works best as an addition to the main plot.
- Speaking of the main plot, Jerome is back in action, and so is Cameron Monaghan, once again reviving his Joker role—though nobody has officially uttered that title just yet—with all the presence and absurdity from the first go-round.
- One of the episode’s greatest strengths is its ability to balance comedy with darkness. Gotham doesn’t find the right mix too often, but here there’s a menacing quality to Jerome’s plan, and also a lot of laughs in Dwight’s inability to step into the shoes of his leader.
- As the opening scene confirms, never say “it must be my lucky night” when you’re playing cards. That just assures that something terrible is about to happen to you.
- So, Maria Kyle came back simply to get some money out of Bruce. Not exactly the story I was hoping for, but it gave Cameron Bicondova a chance to dig into some substantial material, and it also adds a nice layer to the Bruce-Selina romance. For all the misgivings I’ve had about their storyline, Gotham has done a good job of putting them into more emotionally complicated situations.
- Barbara needs Cobblepot to clean himself up for a meeting with the gang bosses: “Do that disco vampire thing with your hair.”
- The visual of Jerome stapling his face back on was quite something. When this show chooses to go gross, it gets the job done.
- Kudos to Gotham for going the “realistic” route with the whole face removal thing. Having Dwight show up at the rally with Jerome’s face on, only to be greeted by completely perplexed looks, was a nice, hilarious touch.
- The glee with which Tabitha executes Option B is a beautiful thing to behold.
- Great final shot in this episode, with Gordon looking out over Gotham as it sinks into complete darkness. If Gotham could regularly capture the magic this episode has, it’d be a welcome change of pace when contrasted with all the other superhero options on TV.
Join the discussion...