In this episode of Gotham Selina and Bruce get to know one another, Jim struggles to balance his personal and professional life, Oswald continues to strengthen his arsenal of information, and we come face-to-face with Harvey Dent for the first time. Also, there are explosions. Spoilers start here.
1. Bruce and Selina Sittin’ in a Tree
What is the last honest man in Gotham to do with a baby street criminal who is a material witness in the biggest murder investigation in the history of the city? Why, drop her off at a civilian home with no protection except a sprightly butler and a kid with a chip on his shoulder, of course. To the show’s credit, they do make a solid effort to explain away the absurdity of Selina staying at Wayne Manor. Jim cites reasons like: there are moles everywhere in the GCPD, she needs to care about the victim of the crime if she is going to testify, etcetera, when he drops her off, but the choice is still pretty far-fetched and forced.
Once she is there, though, she and Bruce begin to establish a relationship that sheds light on how similar and different they really are. Bruce is obviously seeking to identify with Selina, believing that she, like him, has lost her parents. She rejects his attempts to find common ground, preferring her own fantasies about her mother’s identity and whereabouts to Bruce’s cold, realistic understanding of his situation. The two seem to speak different languages at times. Selina doesn’t understand Bruce’s pursuit of self-improvement. Bruce can’t seem to rationalize her distrust of authority or her survival-based outlook on life. There is a definite contrast between the two kids. Bruce is educated, disciplined and imperial, while Selina is savvy, experienced and adaptable. Their interactions reveal the two different worlds that exist within Gotham, the extreme privilege of the upper class and the challenging, almost hopeless circumstances of the less fortunate. She helps Bruce understand the ruthlessness of the city, and warns him about its dangers.
Despite their differences the pair seem to be kindred spirits. They’re both outsiders who are used to being alone. Eventually, they connect and allow themselves to be kids and enjoy each other’s company. It’s kind of cute; kind of too cute (like injecting pure sugar directly into your bloodstream while you stare at kitten videos, cute). Bruce and Selina become unlikely friends, and form a foundation for a lifelong game of cat and mouse.
2. Just a Quick Heads Up, Harvey Dent Is Already Bonkers
In this episode we meet a fresh-faced, young ADA, named Harvey Dent. He is hellbent on taking down the corrupt forces that seem to have all the power in Gotham City. Montoya and Allen introduce Harvey and Jim so that the two can work together to bring the Waynes’ real killer to justice. Jim shares all the information he has on the case, and Harvey seems very sure that they will be able to be able to find some justice. He’s as honest as Jim Gordon, but twice as hopeful. Self-assured, confident and optimistic, Harvey Dent is more than willing to take on the case. Employing questionable, unorthodox methods, he begins the work of brining the people behind the Waynes’ murder to justice.
Just when his chipper cheerfulness is becoming a bit grating, his righteous veneer cracks. Harvey has brought in local tycoon, Dick Lovecraft, to inform him that he has a witness that can tie him to the Wayne murder. Unimpressed, Lovecraft makes a thinly veiled threat toward the ADA, and things get interesting. The threat sends Harvey into a very dark moment of rage that seems completely out of character. As quickly as he loses his composure stifles his anger and returns to his previous demeanor. This little episode reveals that even before he became Two-Face, Harvey Dent had dueling, or maybe dual-ing, natures.
3. Penguin Smells Something Fish-y About Liza
Oswald Cobblepot is a man on a mission. He knows that Fish has an ally that she has positioned close to Falcone, and he is determined to figure out who it is. At this point in the series it has become clear that Oswald understands the importance and power of information. He has a unique skill for acquiring it and using it to his own benefit. This particular piece of information could be particularly useful for the Penguin in his pursuit of power. Following his instincts, he goes to Liza’s home to investigate her connections. An olfactory observation leads him to conclude that she has ties to Fish, and he recognizes the potential leverage this gives him.
Continued belowHe confronts Liza, letting her know that he is onto her, and taking control of the situation. Oswald has a knack for playing both ends against the middle. He has ties to Maroni, he’s working for Falcone, and now he has the upper hand with Fish. He’s positioned himself as an incredibly powerful player in Gotham’s underworld, and he has done so quietly. It seems everything he told Jim as he was begging for his life in the first episode of the series was true, a rare example of honesty for him. He is terribly clever, and a war is coming to Gotham.
4. Oh, Barbara, Honey, No
Barbara is quickly becoming intolerable. The episode begins with a ‘Dear John’ (or Dear, Jim, rather) letter, in which she explains that the threats presented by Falcone and Zsasz are just too much for her to bear. Never mind the fact that Jim begged her to get out of the city, warned her of the threats and did everything in his power to protect her. Forget that she put herself in harm’s way by going to Falcone in the first place. Ignore the fact that she undermined Jim’s plan to take out the conspiratorial forces that keep Gotham in turmoil. Suddenly, she’s thrown in the towel. It doesn’t make sense, she has gone from the most supportive, steadfast partner imaginable, to deserting Jim in no time flat. She doesn’t even open the topic for discussion, or do him the courtesy of saying goodbye in person. She leaves a note and walks out. This seems cowardly and abrupt, but it’s not the worst part.
The episode ends with her in bed with Renee Montoya. Her involvement with Jim’s fellow detective erodes the credibility of her reasons for leaving. Montoya has some of the same enemies as Jim. She is as involved in the fight against the very dangerous criminal elements of Gotham as he is. Barbara has not really lowered her stress level in choosing to be with Montoya. Her personal safety is still jeopardized by her relationship. it seems that she was just lying to Jim about her reasons for leaving, which is icky. Also, this choice leaves the show’s only same-sex relationship seeming illicit and nefarious. Montoya, who places a high premium on integrity and honesty, is betraying a man who trusts her. This compromises her character. Casting two of the few women on the right side of the law as a ‘home-wrecker’, and a liar; the show makes a pretty negative comment on female sexuality. We have not seen any exploits like this from male characters. Between Fish using Liza’s sex appeal to manipulate Falcone and manipulating Nikolai through their intimate relationship, and this, you have to wonder if this program is vilifying the sexuality of women on purpose.
5. Crazy for Arkham
What were the writers thinking? Arkham Asylum has opened its doors to the criminally insane. Now that these people are getting treatment for their mental illnesses, there is no chance that the criminal element will persist in Gotham. Whatever will they do in season 2?
Right… We all know that this isn’t going to go well, but the idea of all the possible ways it could go poorly is very promising.
