Gotham Harvey Dent Review

In S1.E9 of Gotham, James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) teams up with Harvey Dent (Nicholas D’Agosto) to attempt to discover the murderer of Bruce Wayne’s parents. Meanwhile, our favorite character, Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) aka Penguin, makes contact with Liza (Makenzie Leigh).

At the beginning of the episode, Gordon becomes Selina Kyle’s (Camren Bicondova) orphan father. It seems Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) has packed her bags and ran for the hills. Young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) is getting a sister, in Selina, the cat girl! With the help of a sketch artist, Selina and Gordon put together a composite of the murderer.

Meanwhile, at the Blackgate Penitentiary, Ian Hargrove (Leslie Odom Jr.) is being transported out of the prison. Selina and Bruce become acquainted. It appears to be puppy love. The transport van is attacked and Ian is set free, by the Russian mob.

Next, we’re introduced to Harvey Dent. He allows a youngster to escape justice using the flip of a coin and a double headed quarter. Harvey and Gordon begin working together. Harvey is very uppity and says he’d bet his career on Dick Lovecraft (Al Sapienza) having something to do with the Wayne murders. With the support of Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) and Crispus Allen (Andrew Stewart-Jones), Harvey gets Gordon’s approval to publish a news article regarding Dick’s involvement.

Meanwhile, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) and Gordon get the case of Ian. Bruce is attempting to learn how to box. Selina questions Bruce’s motives for learning to fight. Alfred (Sean Pertwee) begins to pick up on Bruce’s interest in Selina. Alfred suggests Selina is trouble.

Finally! It is Oswald! Penguin begins to grow suspicious of Liza. He goes through her purse and sniffs her clothes. What is this? Stalker? Whoops! Liza returns and almost catches Oswald in the act. She notices that one of her articles of clothing is missing. Meanwhile, Gordon and Bullock interview Ian’s brother, John (Luke Forbes), who insists his brother isn’t a murderer. He also mentions Ian’s mental issues.

During this time, Ian has completed a bomb for the Russian mob. The bomb blows and wipes out some security guards.

Bruce and Selina share a chat in the morning. Selina refuses to speak about her parents. Instead, she gets upset and runs off. Meanwhile, Bullock and Gordon discover that HMX was stolen from the bombing site.

Meanwhile, Oswald pays Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) a visit. Although Oswald is having a good time, Fish is upset by Oswald’s presence. Gordon finally tells Bullock that Barbara has left. Bullock suggests she will be back. Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) questions whether either of them play video games. He provides them with information, which sends them to a metal factory. When they arrive, they encounter Ian. He says the Russian mob is planning something again Falcone.

Bullock and Gordon are ambushed. After a shootout, the mobster flee, with Ian. Afterwards, Selina considers leaving Wayne Manor. Bruce apologizes for asking about her parents. Bruce questions Selina about what she saw on the night of the murder. Bruce questions what he could have done. Selina reveals her mother is a secret agent, who poses as a Hollywood celebrity, which is likely nonsense. Selina propositions Bruce for a kiss, but Alfred interrupts and insists Bruce needs to do his studies.

Mayor Aubrey James (Richard Kind) pays Gordon a visit. Gordon blames the Mayor for Ian’s current condition. Dent continues flipping his coin. He says he is prepared to file charges against Lovecraft. Dick laughs off the allegations. Dent goes a little berserk and scares everyone.

Fish and Butch Gilzean (Drew Powell) meet up with the new Russian Mafia leader, Gregor Kasyanov (Steve Cirbus). Fish provides with a location to attack. Little to his knowledge, Gregor is being played like a fiddle.

Bruce continues his training by holding his breath under water. Selina belittles his efforts. She suggests he needs to become mean and tough. Meanwhile, Edward is working on something, while listening to a game show. He gets all of the answers right, before setting off an explosion. He delivers his findings to Bullock and Gordon. The explosives are going to be used to blow through iron.

The Russians blow the door and begin stealing the money. However, Bullock and Gordon show up to stop the robbery. The police try to take Ian into custody, however Butch blows up the truck.

Bruce and Selina start a food fight. Alfred enters, but ignores them and calls Gordon. He says Selina is a breath of fresh air. It seems he is beginning to take a liking to Cat. Meanwhile, Oswald speaks with Liza. Oswald threatens to expose Liza to Falcone. Oswald suggests Liza continue working for Fish. It seems he might use her as double agent.

Harvey tells Gordon about his talk with Lovecraft. It is revealed that all of the mental inmates from Blackgate are going to be moved to Arkham. Butch returns to Fish and tells her that everyone is dead. She seems happy, regardless that the money is all gone. As the mayor delivers a speech about reopening Arkham, Ian and other inmates are moved to the facility.

Gordon calls Barbara and begs her to come back. We see that Barbara has gotten back with Renee Montoya.

Review


At this point, it seems Gotham is adding a new character each week. Last week, we got “The Mask” and this week, we got Harvey Dent. Is the cast beginning to grow too large? So far, it hasn’t had a negative impact. However, some of the characters could use some more action. I would really like to see Cory Michael Smith get a more creative plot. He was fantastic in Olive Kitteridge. Of course, Robin Lord Taylor continues to steal the show as Penguin.

The animosity between Bullock and Gordon is all but gone, which is making their characters a little dull. Perhaps once Gordon finds out about Barbara’s lesbian tryst he will become more crazed and interesting? Still, this was a good episode. Of course, much of the show’s success should be credited to Taylor and his role as Oswald Cobblepot. An 8 out of 10 should be suitable.