The plot continues to thicken on Gotham! In a nearly Penguin less episode, which would seem quite boring, was all but. We were potentially introduced to the most notorious Batman villain in an otherwise uneventful hour. Spoiler alert!
A Contender for the Joker
Jim’s case of the week—which he obtains through happenstance on his date with Leslie—involves a homicide victim who worked for the circus. And, in an interesting plot twist, the son of the deceased ends up flipping out after learning the identity of his father; revealing a side of himself that dangerously resembled characteristics of the Joker—psychotic laugh and all. Of course, this is pure speculation on my part, but in the preview for next week’s episode it appears that the Red Hood comes to Gotham City. For DC comics fans who are familiar with the Batman story lines and many origin stories of the Joker, we know that the Joker was the very first Red Hood. Coincidence…I think not!
Mooney Stages a Standoff
There’s nothing like the power of a motivational speaker, and motivational speaking is exactly what Fish Mooney used last night when she convinced her underground cohorts to stage a standoff against their subjugators. In a tactical plan devised in typical criminal mastermind style, Mooney first appealed to the emotions of her fellow subjugated before using them to further cement herself as their newly elected leader and spokesperson. And it worked.
Not long after gaining the allegiance of her former equals, Mooney demonstrates her new position of power in a move that not only cemented her self appointment but also provides an opportunity for her to potentially escape her temporary home. The last we see of Mooney, she is being escorted to meet with the “manager” of the entire operation. Will Mooney escape? We shall see…
Jim Moves On
Though Barbara decided to resurface in Gotham City and stake her claim on Jim, it would appear that she may be too late to win back the affections of her former boyfriend. Jim has started dating Dr. Leslie Thompkins, the resident physician at Arkham Asylum in the female ward. And while their relationship is still very new, it is not without it’s unique challenges—particularly when their respective jobs begin to interfere with their romantic relationship. But, that’s not their only potential relationship altering problem. Re-enter Barbara.
With the help of two unlikely new acquaintances, Kat and Ivy, Barbara attempts to surprise Jim at work to perhaps rekindle their relationship, to no avail. Upon arriving at the Gotham City police precinct, Barbara finds Jim making out with Leslie. Obviously, she wasn’t happy about Jim moving on, but then again, she was the one who left the relationship several weeks back. We can only wait with anticipation to see whether or not Barbara will continue to pursue Jim’s affections once again or move on. But, if Gotham goes in the direction of the Batman comics, I think it’s safe to say we haven’t heard the last of the Barbara and Jim love story.
Gotham airs Monday nights on FOX at 8:00pm EST.