When the episode opens, we hear Johnny Cash in the background, while Jack Gruber (Christopher Heyerdahl) enters Irwin’s Electronics, with some type of electric machine. After he enters and subdues everybody, he requests “his stuff”. Sarah Essen (Zabryna Guevara) and Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) gives all of Gotham’s police officers a presentation on the asylum escapees. James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) enters and insists this is his case. Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) forces Gordon out, because Police Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari), who blames Gordon for everything, is coming.
The Commissioner notices Gordon and insists they have a chat. Meanwhile, Gruber gains access to his machine and quickly tests it out on his comrade. Gordon insists the commissioner needs him to track down Gruber and Aaron Helzinger (Kevin McCormick). Gordon makes a deal to bring the escapees back in 24 hours. If he succeeds, he’ll be reinstated.
Next, Carmine Falcone (John Doman) flashes back to a childhood funeral, before having one of his family members executed. Falcone walks the streets and reminisces with Liza (Makenzie Leigh). Falcone offers to set Liza up, if she wishes to get out into the world and marry, but she insists she likes being in Gotham. Next, Gordon tells Bullock how happy he is to be back, before Nygma arrives and cheerfully gives them some fingerprint evidence. Nygma scurries off, after he notices Kristen Kringle (Chelsea Spack). Nygma left a riddle for Kringle, a cupcake with a live bullet sticking out it. The awkward conversation ends abruptly.
Bullock and Gordon begin tracking down the men now that they know Jack Gruber is really a former bank robber known as Lester Buchinsky. They find the prison transport van, which is directly across the street from the electronics shop. They discover the dead bodies inside and Jack’s old comrade, whose brain has been fried. Liza is kidnapped, by Fish (Jada Pinkett Smith), who insists it is time to make her move on Flacone. The pair set up a trap, by making it seem like Liza has been abducted and is being tortured.
Back at the station, the team discovers Jack’s new name, The Electrocutioner. Since they’re playing with electricity, Nygma suggests they wear their special rubber insulated boots. Next Dr. Thompkins (Morena Baccarin) arrives to speak with Gordon. She gives Gordon a voodoo doll named Mr. M, which was cursed by Gruber. The pair agree the doll looks eerily similar to Sal Maroni (David Zayas). Next, an Irwin’s van is outside of Maroni’s restaurant. Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) receives a phone call from Falcone, who requests his help getting Liza back, which allows Oswald to escape the restaurant. Oswald insists he has Fish now, before leaving. When he touches the door handle, he is thrown back, before an electricity bomb goes off inside.
Gordon investigates the bombing and questions Maroni, who he insists took Gruber’s share, before selling him up the river. Oswald attempts to get off of the stretcher, but is still suffering from his injuries. Next, the pair are transported to the police station. Afterwards, Barbara (Erin Roberts) heads home to his mom (Caroline Lagerfelt) and dad’s (Richard Poe) home. Barbara decides to stay with her parents until the weekend. When asked about Gordon, Barbara lies.
At the station, Gordon insists Buchinsky will come after Maroni. Oswald awakes and tries to leave, but Maroni insists he stay. Maroni questions him about his business with Falcone. Next, Fish calls Falcone and insists she was contacted by the captors, who want to make a deal. Fish says Falcone can take Liza, if he agrees to leave Gotham. Falcone agrees. Butch is thrilled with the deal, but Fish insists it isn’t time to celebrate. Fish questions whether there is anything Liza isn’t telling her. Meanwhile, Victor Zsasz (Anthony Carrigan) is eager to help Falcone. However, Falcone only wants him to keep him and Liza safe.
Next, Nygma sneaks upon and scares Kringle. He tells her the riddle, which was a cupcake is sweet, a bullet is deadly and a beautiful woman is a dangerous thing. Another officer enters and works with Kringle to scare off Nygma. On his way out, Nygma is belittled by Kringle, before hearing Buchinsky’s electric machine outside of the police station. Oswald finally convinces Maroni to let him go, but he may have cursed his mother to a horrible death in the process. Before he can leave, the station is attacked by Gruber.
Buchinsky enters and discovers Maroni. Gordon, who is wearing his rubber boots, draws down on Gruber, but the electricity disabled his gun. Next, Gordon takes a beating from Aaron. Gruber prepares his machine to attack, but Gordon disables it with a coffee. The commissioner returns Gordon’s badge. Oswald finally makes contact with Falcone and apologizes for being late. Falcone admits Oswald was right, but Oswald tells Falcone everything about Liza. Falcone refuses to accept it. Fish calls and sets up a meeting to make the exchange.
Next, Falcone meets with Fish, who wants Falcone to sign papers. Falcone insists he be allowed to see Liza. After he makes contact with Liza, he questions their relationship and discovers the truth, before Victor and some comrades encounter and take Fish and Butch hostage, while Falcone apologizes to Liza, before strangling her. Falcone orders Fish and Butch to be taken in alive for the time being. Oswald enters and makes his peace with Mooney, before she is led away.
Dr. Thompkins checks in on Gordon and gets the voodoo doll back, before the pair kiss. The romantic scene is cut short, when an officer enters and informs Gordon about the shooting at Mooney’s place.
Review
All in all, this is one of the best episodes of Gotham yet. It is always a pleasure to watch Christopher Heyerdahl play a psychotic bad guy and it definitely worked here. On the other hand, Gotham finally started to develop some of the other characters, especially Cory Michael Smith’s Edward Nygma or Riddler. Despite being comical, it was slightly depressing to see him make a fool of himself. The episode was strong, when it comes to pushing the plot forward. Oswald is gaining more powerful with each episode, while Gordon may have finally found his mojo.
There were two slight odd aspects to the episode. The scene with Barbara with her parents seemed awkward and slightly out of place, but it was short enough to be forgiven. The other thing that irked me was the death scene of Liza. It was painfully obvious John Doman wasn’t applying any pressure whatsoever. Of course, these minor details can be forgiven. The episode deserves an 8.5 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.
