Wednesday, 25 March 2015

TV Watch: Gotham Episode 13: Welcome Back, Jim Gordon



After dealing with a kind of super-villain last week, the latest episode of Gotham saw Gordon dealing with a more banal and real kind of villainy: police corruption. After a suspect is killed in interrogation, Gordon uncovers a ring of corruption led by Flass, based on the character from Frank Miller's Year One. Facing resistance from the cops, Gordon is forced to turn to Oswald Cobblepot, who now runs Fish Mooney's bar, for help. Oswald has his own problems when Fish is freed from captivity by Butch and the two seek Oswald out for revenge.

While I still think it was too soon to put Gordon back on the force, it was interesting to see how the character's zeal in bringing down criminals could cause problems. Had he moved more slowly and strategically, he may have saved himself a beating and not had to resort to getting help from a criminal. I loved the look on Gordon's face at the end of the episode, when a corrupt cop begs Jim for mercy and he realises what his deal with the Penguin has led to.

Gordon himself has only just returned to the force and is full of zeal at bringing down the cops. I have to admit that I agreed more with Harvey Bullock, who felt that Jim was moving too quickly. Although it was important that those criminals should be brought down, it might have been  The ending, with the corrupt cop begging to Gordon for mercy was a great scene. Ben McKenzie expressed well Gordon's feelings about having to turn to criminals for help.

Oswald Cobblepot was over confident at taking over the Bar, so when Fish returned to the bar for revenge it was an important for him that things could still go sour at any moment. Although he was grovelling at Fish's feet at first, I liked that Oswald eventually stood up to her, gloating that he had outfoxed her at every turn. Fortunately for him, Victor Zsazz showed up and captured Butch while Fish got away.

The sub plot of this episode revolved around Fish Mooney who is rescued from torture by Butch.  We're used to seeing her as a woman in charge so it was interesting to see her in same position as Oswald was at the beginning of the series, with few friends and relying mostly on herself. Even then she is bold enough to go back to her bar to confront Oswald.

Butch is becoming a surprisingly interesting character as he seems genuinely loyal to Fish, even when they are both in low positions. I'd like to know more about where that trust comes from but I'm not sure the show will ever make viewers privy to this, which is a shame. He is taken away by Victor Zsazz and his crew, so who knows what will happen.

Another person loyal to Fish was Harvey Bullock. For most of the episode he was the voice of caution to Gordon, but it was good to see him helping Fish as it was nice to get a reminder of his relationship with her. Which has stayed strong despite her attempt to kill him.

With Gordon owing a debt to Oswald, and Fish on the run, things are looking interesting. I for one am certainly looking forward to seeing where the show goes from here.

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