Now, “traumatized and evil ex-girlfriend comes after ex-boyfriend and his new love” isn’t exactly innovative, but it’s the kind of succinct storytelling that Gotham needs as it tries to escape its first season struggles.
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Following his reinstatement, Gordon is thrust onto the high-profile case tracking the deadly inmate escape from Arkham Asylum.
Be sure to catch “Gotham” season 2 episode 2 tonight at 8:00 pm EST here or here. From Galavan’s opulent penthouse to the claustrophobic bus battle, this episode was no exception, and the precinct shootout was equally weird, wild and exciting. The next morning the front page of the newspaper is running the story. Given what we have seen from Mayor James, the choice to run away rather than let the possible bluff play out is obvious. Detective Alvarez gets his first shout-out of the season as he’s appointed as Gordon’s coordinating officer, and we’re on our way with the investigation. They still have no idea who helped them get out though. They have a lengthy list of crimes including rape, murder, and even cannibalism.
When did you find out that Essen was going to die? The episode’s weakerst plot concerns Bruce Wayne. But in return, Alfred has to fix the computer he broke.
In the caves, Bruce (David Mazouz) is unable to stop Alfred (Sean Pertwee) from destroying the computer.
Meanwhile, Bruce is still in his dad’s bat secret cave trying to make his bat secret computer work.
The scene where Bruce apologizes to Alfred and asks him back does a great job of showing young Bruce’s maturity. Jerome keeps pulling the trigger and becomes the leader. Or the so-called Maniax as they christen themselves by tossing innocent bodies to the street to spell out their title.
In typical Gotham fashion, The Maniax target a bus full of cheerleaders. The cops show up, and Jerome and his rag tag group of Maniax fire with reckless abandon, since they know that the cops can’t shoot at the bus. By the time he gets another the police show up. In it, Bruce discovers a letter addressed to him from his father. Before Dobkins can give up Theo’s name, a sniper shoots him in the head and kills him.
By the time Gordon makes it back to headquarters, the Maniax are gone. Maybe not as far as Bruce thinks he should, but Alfred’s actions do lead to someone else joining them in looking into what his father knew. Alfred says, turning excited. But when Bruce goes to turn his father’s computer on, Alfred smashes it with a hammer.
At the headquarters, Gordon receives a phone call from Barbara Kean. Again, still not the biggest fan of Kean’s character, yet the blood on her lips after kissing the battered Gordon is a cool visual. Barbara watches as the maniac beats the pulp out of Gordon.
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Back at the police station, the maniacs are shooting and killing everyone – they take the commissioner hostage. Jerome taunts that he is not insane, he just wants to rule the world. Jerome can’t get the lighter to light which was very reminiscent of when the Joker from The Dark Knight tries to blow up Gotham General but the button doesn’t work. Jim saves the day…for a moment anyway. Telling him not to leave, Bruce asks Alfred to train him. Alfred apologizes for the way he behaved and is greatful he is alive. That plan involves unleashing psychopaths on Gotham and creating chaos, driving the citizens to seek comfort and solace in the protection and security that Galavan and his psychopaths will then offer.
