In the return episode of Gotham, Gordon (Ben McKenzie) attempts to adjust to his new job at the Arkham Asylum. A guard is murdered, which forces Gordon to return to detective work and meet with Dr. Leslie Thompkins (Morena Baccarin). During this time, Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) expands his army.
The show opens, with a play at the Asylum. During the performance, a riot breaks out, which forces Gordon to take action. After the attack, Gordon is belittled by the hospital’s director, Dr. Gerry Lang (Isiah Whitlock Jr.). Gordon speaks with Dr. Leslie Thompkins, who refers to him as the famous detective. Afterwards, Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) roams the streets, until she runs across a sick Ivy Pepper (Clare Foley). In an act of kindness, Selina takes Ivy to Gordon’s penthouse, where she’ll be able to recover.
Next, Cobblepot meets with some potential business partners, but they’re obviously not impressed with the “Penguin”. The cops arrive, knock out and arrest Cobblepot. Back at the Asylum, Gordon discovers an unconscious guard. After speaking with Gerry again, Gordon is tasked with investigating the attack. Gordon speaks with another guard, who tells him his keys went missing, but he doesn’t know who took them.
Next, Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) speaks with Savinao (John Enos III) about the possible demise of Carmine Falcone and his successor. Next, Gordon interrogates Jack Gruber (Christopher Heyerdahl, Hell on Wheels) about the keys. None of them are able to point Gordon in the right direction. Eventually, he speaks with Aaron Helzinger (Kevin McCormick), who killed his family with an axe. Yet, Nurse Dorothy Duncan (Allyce Beasley) takes up for the inmate.
Mooney speaks with Butch Gilzean (Drew Powell), who says he will try to help Fish become Falcone’s successor. However, she doesn’t fully trust him. Meanwhile, an inmate is tortured at the asylum. The attack turns the man into a mindless zombie. Dr. Thompkins inspects the inmate, before Gordon warns her about her own safety. Next, Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) speaks with Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) about their relationship. Renee insists Barbara is toxic and needs help.
Next, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) pays a visit to Gordon at the Arkham Asylum. Gerry enters and attempts to belittle Gordon, but winds up being pushed around by Bullock. Next, Butch speaks with a mobster in hopes of helping Fish rise to the top. Of course, the mobster tries to get Butch to become the new leader, but he leaves, without giving an answer. Next, Cobblepot speaks with Bullock from behind bars. Despite Cobblepot’s charm, Bullock refuses to give him a phone call. Next, Butch gives Fish an update of the situation.
When the show returns, Bullock speaks with Gerry about electroshock therapy. Bullock insists Gerry is hiding something. Gordon speaks with Nurse Duncan about his investigation and getting into the basement, but she says nobody can get down there, since it is closed off. In the basement, Gordon discovers Duncan isn’t a nurse, but is an inmate. She manages to escape and releases all of the inmates. Dr. Thompkins and Gordon are cornered by the inmates, but manage to lock them inside of a gate.
Afterwards, Barbara attempts to call James, but Ivy answers and causes trouble. Next, Bullock, Gordon and Sarah Essen (Zabryna Guevara) speak about Nurse Duncan, who poisoned five kids with candy. Maroni (David Zayas) visits Cobblepot and tells him he is responsible for putting him behind bars, since he was acting behind his back. Cobblepot apologizes and agrees to never do it again, before Oswald is released. Oswald is visibly angry at Maroni.
Essen, Bullock and Gordon discover that it was Gruber, who was the attacker, but he is able to escape the asylum, with the help of Aaron Helzinger. The pair kill Gerry Lang, before making their escape. When Gordon makes it to the Arkham Asylum, he discovers a confession from Gruber. Butch meets with the mob boss (Anthony Grasso) and kills him.
Review
All in all, the episode was a decent return for Gotham and helped to set up the rest of the season, with the addition of the brilliantly psychotic Christopher Heyerdahl. On the other hand, Oswald appears to be ready to make his move sooner rather than later. At the same time, Gordon is obviously eager to escape the Asylum and get back to real detective work.
On the negative side, Selina and Ivy’s adventure felt awkward and out of place. Meanwhile, Barbara’s relationship with Renee was unnecessary. Sadly, the episode was fairly forgettable. Hopefully the season will grow stronger quickly. The episode deserves a 6.5 out of 10.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.
