Gotham
Episode Title: “Penguin's
Umbrella”
Channel: Fox
Director: Rob
Bailey
Writer: Bruno Heller
Genre: Crime,
Drama, Thriller
Runtime: 42 min
Rated: TV-14
Original Air Date: November 3,
2014
Last week Gotham
finally gained a little momentum for me, this week we dive right back
into the coming war that Cobblepot has been warning us about during
the opening sequence. Not only did the show manage to maintain the
momentum it had gained, it actually built on it a bit more in my
eyes. First and foremost, there is no oddball vigilante running
about in this episode, the bad guys here are really bad, not just an
excuse for various characters to opine on the virtues and dangers of
taking the law into one's own hands.
Anthony
Carrigan comes in, fresh off his appearance in The Flash,
to tackle the role of Victor Zsasz. His performance as The Mist in
The Flash could best
be described as lackluster, but it seems this was due more to the
poor script than his ability, as he delivered a memorable performance
as one of Gotham's preeminent serial killers. This was the first
introduction of a known Batman villain, besides Penguin, that didn't
feel overly forced. Sure the writers have apparently messed with his
origin/early career, but he seemed to fit here. He seemed like a
barely controlled destructive force that will inevitably turn into a
killer hellbent on increasing his bodycount, just what he should be.
After
a brief argument Bullock is on board for whatever Gordon has planned.
The quick changes in his relationship with Gordon have me wondering
if they intend to follow through with a storyline similar to the one
in the Crisis on Infinite Earth's
storyline. In that story Bullock is ordered by the mayor to sabotage
Gordon's attempts to bring real justice to Gotham, in doing so he
thwarts Gordon's plans by being overly clumsy. I could see the
revelation of this and the subsequent redemption as something
interesting they could tackle down the road.
Jim's
plan to push all the corruption to the forefront is ruined when
Falcone reveals that Barbara has been captured. The ending bothered
me at first, as it seemed like a return to the status quo. Maroni
and Falcone seem like they're willing to work together. Then
Penguin's full role in the events leading up to this point is
revealed, and it leaves plenty of room for more excitement going
forward. It was too early in the season for things to be forced to a
head already, and I'm glad they found a way to make the episode
exciting without rushing things too much.
Conclusion:
Gotham
finally seems to be hitting its stride. Where a week ago it seemed
like Falcone might be loosing his grip on the city, now he seems to
be firmly in control, with an ace up his sleeve know one suspects.
The introduction of Victor Zsasz made for a good addition to what
will be Batman's future rogues gallery.
Rating:
7.75/10
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