Unsurprisingly, the only two that aren’t busy beating up random criminals are Harvey and Gordon, and even more typically, Gordon comes up with a brilliant plan to find Jerome. The fact that his plan involves talking to Lee was probably just a really nice bonus for him. Lee mentions that Jerome said his last plans were to kill Bruce (because apparently she was so caught up talking about her dead husband that she just forgot about Jerome’s mention of possible murder).
Okay, fine, I will look up what exactly Jerome was up to before he got killed to understand where his mindset is at. This research took me to the GOTHAM Wiki where I discovered that Jerome’s last name is Valeska (which means “glorious ruler”), and his status has been updated to “alive (resurrected).” More importantly, I got distracted from finding out why Jerome was trying to kill Bruce, so it’s probably just because someone always wants to kill Bruce and it was just his turn to be hit by that curse.
Of course, because the GCPD is the GCPD, they are too late to save Bruce. Jerome rolls up in a white outfit (where did he… why… you know what, it really doesn’t matter), ready to kill Bruce on the spot and destroying everything in his path (including the owl statue, and I’m glad we don’t need to look at that ugly thing anymore).
Bruce, our little genius, is disappointed in the lack of the showmanship. Last time, there was a show and an audience, and he deserves the same fanfare this time around too. Unlike Jerome, he only plans on dying once. Jerome knows that this is BS and Bruce is just trying to buy himself more time, but Jerome also can’t deny his flair for style. However, the butler doesn’t deserve a public death, and after a “strangely intimate” goodbye (to use Jerome’s words) between Alfred and Bruce, Jerome leaves Alfred to be taken out by his goons. For all Bruce knows, this is the last time he will ever see Alfred again.
I was never really that worried about Alfred, mostly because I refused to even think of the possibility that the writers would kill him off the show. I would strongly consider not watching anymore if they did. So even though I think Alfred still stood a good chance himself against all the guys, Gordon comes around to help Alfred out. They get out of it perfectly fine, and focus their attention on finding Bruce and Jerome.
Meanwhile, Jerome takes Bruce to a circus where they have replaced the game animatronics with actual people, and one fellow is having a great time playing whack-a- human. They gave Bruce some makeup, and I’m bitter because his eyeliner looked better than mine usually does. On the other hand, that eyeliner was so good it must have taken awhile, so Bruce bought himself a good amount of time with that. However, was it worth getting painted with blood? Debatable. For a moment, I questioned why Jerome wasn’t making himself up as well, but considering he has staples all around his face, he must have considered the makeup to be a bit much.
But what is the point of all of this? All these crazies can’t keep this up forever. Honestly, I would have just accepted it if the answer was Jerome just wants to have fun (I have let this show slide for a lot less), but instead Jerome provides us with an actual reason. The point is to show how quickly they would turn on you when given the chance. “Gotham has no heroes,” which cues Bruce’s dramatic moment where he considers being a hero, and then he shoves Jerome. I understand that “shove” isn’t the most heroic sounding action, but it is accurate to what actually happened. Bruce is still a teenager, you know. This action causes Jerome to kill a guy with piranhas (how did he get those? Where do you steal piranhas from?), and staple Bruce’s arm until he can’t handle it anymore (turns out 3 is his limit, in case any future criminals need to know that).
The show must go on, and turns out Jerome got himself a flashy outfit for the show at least, not the classic purple though (maybe he needs to get the green hair before he can get there). Bruce is at the stake as if he is about to be burned like a witch, but instead Jerome puts a huge cannon at his face. Why did I expect anything less from him?
However, the true plot twist of this entire episode comes from Gordon, Harvey, and Alfred showing up on the scene with the GCPD strike force. You don’t understand. The GCPD is actually being competent, and our boys aren’t just selflessly (and recklessly) risking their lives. This is a huge step for Gotham. Yet, none of our guys are actually going after Bruce himself, so he takes it upon himself to rip the staple out of his arm to use as a lock pick.
Why is Bruce considering himself the bearer of Justice? Why is Bruce taking this fight upon himself? There are literally dozens of qualified (and competent) police officers outside that are here to take care of this. An angry rich boy isn’t exactly who I would send in to go against the maniac. However, Jerome may not be the hardest person to fight, considering he can’t help but check his hair in the mirror.
Bruce reveals he is angry because he killed Alfred. For a moment, I questioned how Bruce didn’t see him, but with a cannon to your face I’m sure you miss a lot of little details like that. Bruce tackles him from behind (like a true hero), and I must admit those fighting lessons with Alfred are really paying off. He is absolutely ruining his face. However, he is going a little too far with all this. What starts as a fist fight quickly turns into a cruel beating where Bruce contemplates killing him. Thank God he is surrounded by mirrors so he could see how insane he looks. Being around Jerome for too long probably does that to you.
Now, I understand that Bruce was very startled with his mind, and probably a little scared of himself even, but after all his genius ideas this day, why would he just leave Jerome to escape? He may not be comfortable being alone around Jerome, but he has got the guy pinned down. Literally just scream for help, it’s that easy. Instead, Bruce just walks out of the place, giving the police no indication of where Jerome is. At least Bruce stumbles upon Alfred, and they have a “strangely intimate” reunion.
While they are busy hugging, Gordon is focusing on the real problem of Jerome on the loose with a weapon. And Jerome is looking rough. Bruce’s beat down makes him really hard to look at, with a face so bruised I’d prefer him without his face again. Apparently Gordon was thinking the same thing, as he literally punches Jerome’s face off. Basically, he deserves bragging rights for that for the rest of his life.
Jerome is apprehended, and the doctors have to reattach his face before they send him to Arkham. Does Gotham have a really strict ban on the death penalty? I would really think that would be his fate in our society after this mess. Harvey certainly wishes that he was dead, but Gordon seems to have forgotten about all of this already as he looks longingly at Lee (STOP IT), and Harvey pulls him away for some breakfast (GOOD. STOP THEM, HARVEY. I’M COUNTING ON YOU).
Bruce is having an existential crisis after nearing killing Jerome. He talks about how the idea of killing Jerome felt like justice, and he kind of sounds like Barnes after he was infected with Tetch’s blood, if Barnes were calmer about it. And while I never had these moral dilemmas when I was sixteen, I think that Bruce handled his introspection quite well, before coming to the conclusion that he will not kill. Alfred also handles this situation quite well, considering that listening to a teenager debate murdering someone must be the most surreal thing to overhear. Of course, we have to leave Bruce with a dramatic shot of him staring into the distance. All heroes dramatically stare into the distance. It’s a rule.
What about the owl statue that broke, though? What is the Court of Owls going to do once they find out their prized position is ruined? Alfred and Bruce aren’t really worrying about that right now, and the Court of Owls are blissfully ignorant as they put their own plan into motion. They have been watching the entire Jerome mess from afar today, but gave the GCPD a chance to intervene first (and of all people, they were the last ones I assumed to have faith in the GCPD). Soon, it will be time to call upon Clone-Bruce (I totally forgot about him), and it is time to send in Uncle Frank to visit Gordon. Of course, it is Gordon’s time to get all messed into this Court of Owls business. He has avoided it so well for so long.
But what was the mayor doing today while the city was in complete shambles? Well, Penguin was a little preoccupied at the moment, tracking down Nygma only to witness the dramatic reveal of Nygma’s intentions all along. Nygma explains it all to him as he straps him to Isabella’s car. He even mentions that his father’s remains are in a dumpster, but Penguin still forgives him.
Penguin admits that he killed Isabelle (will he ever learn that her name was Isabella? Well, I suppose there is no point to anymore), but he did it for him because Nygma would have killed her in the end and he would have hated himself for it. While this is a good point, Nygma has only killed the one girl. I’m not sure if that is enough to say he is ALWAYS going to kill the girl he loves. But considering that the relationship could end in murder, it might be a good idea to cut that off.
Penguin says “I did it for love,” which is a little hard to believe, since he was just blaming Nygma for his murderous tendencies. Nygma calls him out on this, saying love is sacrifice, and Penguin would sacrifice anyone to save his own neck. How would Nygma know what love is? Has he had a relationship that lasted for more than a few weeks? Nonetheless, Nygma is convinced that he won’t change, and leaves him to die.
At the time, I really didn’t think about it too much, but the fact that Nygma just left was very odd. Why would such a smart and vengeful man not stay around to see the job through? This thought dawned on me the moment a police officer conveniently passes by in order to save Penguin. Granted, he was the worst officer I’ve ever seen, from asking Penguin who he was (he has very distinct disco vampire hair, how could you not recognize him as the mayor?) to asking what he had done before saving him.
Now free, Penguin marches back into his mansion demanding Nygma dead, only to be faced with Butch and Tabitha who also want Nygma dead. Essentially, Butch and Tabitha really just dig the last of his self- esteem into the ground before physically knocking him to the ground. To be fair, Penguin’s one comeback saying that Butch would always just be the muscle still rings true as Butch has to carry Penguin’s unconscious body to Barbara.
Barbara is looking just as good as she was in the last episode; clearly she must have gotten herself some nice dresses in preparation for this moment. She is asking for Penguin’s help in tracking down Nygma so she can kill him, or Penguin dies. In a sense, this is a test of Penguin’s love for Ed.
I want to point out that he came in his mansion asking for his death like a second ago, but suddenly Penguin’s mindset has entirely changed (I understand that time and distance makes the heart grow fonder, but it has only been like an hour at most). Penguin realizes that he may not have loved him before since he wouldn’t sacrifice his happiness for him, but now he will sacrifice his life if it means keeping Nygma safe.
This changes everything. Nygma comes in the room entirely stunned, since his plan has not gone accordingly. Nygma wanted him to die knowing he was unable to love another person, but now he doesn’t know what to do. He doesn’t know what it means. Feelings are difficult, Nygma, I relate.
However, he makes up his mind quite quickly as Nygma has a gun to him as Penguin says that he loves him. Nygma says “I don’t love you,” and I admit, while I have had some pretty bad rejections, I have never been rejected with a gun pointing at me, so Penguin must be having a hard time here. Usually declaring your love involves begging someone not to break your heart, not begging for your life, but I guess these things work differently in Gotham.
The point is that Penguin killed Isabella, Penguin killed who he loved. Honestly, it would be more fitting if Nygma killed himself to punish Penguin. Instead, Nygma straight up shoots him and pushes him in the water. But, if we know anything from this show, it is that Penguin has come back from being shot and pushed in the water before. Not only that, but he became king after that ordeal, so who knows what he will be up to if he comes back this time. Overall, I’m considering his death to be questionable. However, I would love to see Fish Mooney’s reaction to his death (she is still around, somewhere, please don’t forget about her).
Without Penguin around anymore, it is the Riddler’s time to shine, probably to Barbara’s disappointment. She had her outfits ready and everything. However, looks like Nygma also has his outfit ready as well, as the previews show him wearing a green suit. While Penguin’s rise to King is what pulled me into the show in the first place, I am still excited to see where they go with Nygma’s storyline.
GOTHAM will be back at the end of April, with the “Fallen City,” focused on the Riddler.
Written by Nicole Teeters, GOTHAM Beat Writer -- Click to read Nicole's posts
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