OVERVIEW
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Gotham was great again this week, wasn't it? Yes, it was. :) Mad Hatter's SUPERvillainy, Penguin's feelings, and Nygma's psyche, oh my! Featuring appearances from classic moral dilemmas like the trolley problem!
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| The White Rabbit/Messenger for The Mad Hatter Source:http://cnema.me/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Gotham-Season-3-Episode-6.jpg |
LOWS
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None.
MEDIUMS
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1. Jim Gordon
I thought Gordon's scene where he kept hanging up the phone was hilarious. I'm glad he kept a bit of humor when faced with the horrible sorts of choices good people hope to never be faced with. I like that Gordon tried refusing to play Jervis's game and that Gordon tried changing the game by getting under Jervis's skin. Unfortunately, it didn't work either time, but I'm glad he tried.
What bugs me, though, is why not tell Bullock? Bullock seems like he, of all people, would be fine with not telling Captain Barnes and just going in alone with Gordon. And I didn't have time to think about it until Bullock asked the question himself. And Gordon simply answered with, "I couldn't." ...Why even bring it up if you have no good explanation, Gotham?
Also, Gordon picked Lee to save Lee, right? I sure hope so. I just feel his bond with Lee is stronger than with Vale.
2. Lee and Vale
I can understand that the lock-picking scene was there to show that Lee and Vale didn't just wait around helplessly, but if Vale knew how to pick locks, why didn't Vale pick the locks? Seems like it would have gone a lot faster that way.
Also, I hate to say it, but the actress who plays Vale is just not great. I mean, it was distractingly bad when Vale and Lee were seated across from each other and you could see Lee being visibly scared, as anyone would be, while Vale barely reacted to anything. Maybe it's part of Vale's character and she's fearless or something, but it didn't come off that way.
Now, I personally believe that Gordon picked Lee to save Lee. But even if that's true and Lee knew it, Lee's reaction at the end showed that, understandably, she can't exactly appreciate what Gordon did for her. Not while Vale's in surgery and on the verge of death anyway.
That not even Lee can be happy to be alive is heartbreaking. But understandable of course. And it shows you that just because you save more people doesn't necessarily mean you put more happiness into the world. It's especially true, if the person you threw under the bus survives (as Vale likely will, in my opinion) and has lost their trust and hope in you.
Nobody wins. It's all very sad.
I thought Gordon's scene where he kept hanging up the phone was hilarious. I'm glad he kept a bit of humor when faced with the horrible sorts of choices good people hope to never be faced with. I like that Gordon tried refusing to play Jervis's game and that Gordon tried changing the game by getting under Jervis's skin. Unfortunately, it didn't work either time, but I'm glad he tried.
What bugs me, though, is why not tell Bullock? Bullock seems like he, of all people, would be fine with not telling Captain Barnes and just going in alone with Gordon. And I didn't have time to think about it until Bullock asked the question himself. And Gordon simply answered with, "I couldn't." ...Why even bring it up if you have no good explanation, Gotham?
Also, Gordon picked Lee to save Lee, right? I sure hope so. I just feel his bond with Lee is stronger than with Vale.
2. Lee and Vale
I can understand that the lock-picking scene was there to show that Lee and Vale didn't just wait around helplessly, but if Vale knew how to pick locks, why didn't Vale pick the locks? Seems like it would have gone a lot faster that way.
Also, I hate to say it, but the actress who plays Vale is just not great. I mean, it was distractingly bad when Vale and Lee were seated across from each other and you could see Lee being visibly scared, as anyone would be, while Vale barely reacted to anything. Maybe it's part of Vale's character and she's fearless or something, but it didn't come off that way.
Now, I personally believe that Gordon picked Lee to save Lee. But even if that's true and Lee knew it, Lee's reaction at the end showed that, understandably, she can't exactly appreciate what Gordon did for her. Not while Vale's in surgery and on the verge of death anyway.
That not even Lee can be happy to be alive is heartbreaking. But understandable of course. And it shows you that just because you save more people doesn't necessarily mean you put more happiness into the world. It's especially true, if the person you threw under the bus survives (as Vale likely will, in my opinion) and has lost their trust and hope in you.
Nobody wins. It's all very sad.
HIGHS
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1. Penguin & Nygma
Ok, I'm on board the Nygmobblepot bandwagon. :)
If you remember from my last review, my two chief worries about Nygmobblepot were that 1) it would make the show seem too sunny if a full-on romance blossomed between Penguin and Nygma and 2) Nygma was still hung up on Kristen.
Well, Gotham has addressed both of those issues, at once, perfectly.
See, the heart of story is conflict, and I couldn't see any serious way conflict could ensue if Penguin and/or Nygma fell in love. They're a good match for each other.
But ok, granted, I didn't try hard to find ways there could be a battle within and/or FOR Penguin and Nygma's relationship. I didn't try hard because 1) I didn't want Penguin's heart to be broken again, and 2) I didn't want Gotham to start running around in circles with Penguin again.
Last season, I felt like that's what the Gotham writers were doing: having Penguin just go through heartbreak again and again with no purpose. How happy I was when I realized that (probably) there was a purpose to all that suffering. It brought Penguin to Nygma. I think we'd all like to believe that our suffering has a purpose, and it feels great to experience a confirmation of that hope, even if it's vicariously through our favorite characters.
So, why am I ok with the conflict the writers did cook up for Penguin and Nygma? Because, if I'm right (which, admittedly, is a sizable 'if'), "Isabella" is just a figment of Nygma's imagination, created to help him deal with his feelings for Kristen, whom Nygma is obviously still in love with even though he murdered her.
Why would this hallucination pop up at this exact moment in Nygma's life? Well, quite possibly, Nygma is having trouble processing his feelings for Penguin in light of the fact that Nygma murdered the last person he was in love with.
Oooooooh!
It's all so juicy and psychological! I can't wait to see Nygma's mind explored more deeply than ever!
If I'm right about Isabella, it could mean that Nygma will have to get rid of her by working through his feelings and THEN he and Penguin can be together. I would be fine with that, since that's how a lot of love stories go. You know, there's the initial conflict and then a peaceful relationship that is simply back burnered until something interesting can continue to evolve it. I mean, seeing as the Gotham writers have already found a way to add conflict without breaking Penguin and Nygma apart completely, I trust they can do it in the future.
Alternatively, if I'm right about Isabella, it could mean that Nygma will never be able to get rid of her, and she will always pop up when he's getting close to Penguin, and Penguin/Nygma will never officially happen. I would also be ok with that, since then Penguin and Nygma will be back to being friends and they're actually pretty happy that way. Also, I'm very enamored with the idea of Nygma being forever in love with someone he murdered, like a ghost that haunts him.
If I'm wrong about Isabella, then...I dunno. How is it possible that there's a real woman who looks just like Kristen and also randomly spouts riddles? I guess we'll find out, if I'm wrong about Isabella.
Also, Penguin was just so freaking cute this episode. And just so relatable. I'd be totally in love with Nygma, too, after what Nygma did last episode. And I'd be filled with such hope that I would make speeches at breakfast about choosing courage over cowardice, too. I love Penguin! He's definitely regained a lot of his warmth in this episode.
2. Mad Hatter
Ok, Mad Hatter. Wow. I mean, he's still as scary and hate-able as he was in his previous episodes, but now he's super-hate-able because he's a supervillain!
To quote Megamind, the difference between a villain and a supervillain is "presentation!"
And Jervis Tetch's presentation is on point.
He doesn't just go around killing people anymore. He murders with panache. He builds up to a grand finale. He keeps his villainous word, cross his heart and hope to die.
He holds all the cards this episode, and what does he choose to do with that power? Put on a good show!
I felt like I was watching one of the classic cartoon supervillains in living color and with actual death happening.
That poor married couple! I was terrified for them when they got kidnapped. Not to make light of it at all, but the shots of them standing on the ledge were beautiful, just like all of Gotham. The visuals and music always work together beautifully to create the atmosphere.
Also, I think it was pretty brilliant how each choice Jervis had Gordon make was closer in character to the final choice.
1. The newlyweds vs. the child
A symbol of love vs. a symbol of innocence. It seems to represent Lee vs. Vale in several ways. Gordon and Lee's relationship is older and they used to be engaged. Gordon and Vale's relationship is young. As Jervis says near the end, Lee still has love for Gordon while Vale still has hope for Gordon because she doesn't know who he really is yet (says Jervis), and that is innocence in a way.
The newlyweds vs. the child choice also ties into Gordon's psyche too, since like Jervis said, the last time Gordon saw a woman in a wedding dress, it was Barbara and she was trying to kill him. Additionally, Gordon and Lee recently lost a newborn child. And, who knows? Maybe it was some subconscious association that swayed Gordon's choice.
Or maybe he just doesn't like climbing stairs. Haha. Sorry. I'm not trying to be funny. That was actually a serious suggestion.
2. The doctor vs. the journalist
This choice obviously represents Lee and Vale's roles in society and really drove home the point that Gordon could lose both Lee and Vale if he didn't choose one. ALTHOUGH, the first choice drove home the point that Gordon wouldn't feel good choosing just one, and the second choice drove home that he wouldn't feel good making no choice. Summarily, then, the first two choices drove home how you just can't win in situations like this. You're going to feel like utter crap either way.
This choice also took it up a notch by asking Gordon to more actively harm one of the people by shooting one of them, which is closer to what he had to do in the end: naming one person to die (though that might be half a notch down from this).
3. Lee vs. Vale
And this is where Jervis was at his most supervillainous. But I say that not because he shot one woman. Ironically, I say it because he actually left one woman unharmed. Most modern villains would have shot both, unless there was some strong contrived motive for leaving one alive. But Jervis isn't just a villain. He's a supervillain. He plays by the rules that he set, arbitrary as they may be.
Furthermore, the fact is that, in the end, it may have led to more suffering for Gordon this way and thus better served Jervis's main goal. Suffering is inherent in life, not necessarily in death, see? More life actually equals more suffering. More life actually equals more of a lot of things. It's simply impossible to say whether it will end up being worse or better for Gordon that one woman was left alive.
Yes, Jervis is turning out to be just as great and terrible a supervillain as I expected.
3. Barbara
I'm glad this episode showed Barbara doing more as a villain than being super fun. She actually poses a real threat to Gordon because of what she knows. If she feels so inclined, she could get him or someone he loves hurt, and she did.
Also, how sad is it that she told Jervis that Gordon is in love with her and Jervis didn't buy it at all? LOL. Maybe Gordon is totally over her now.
I laugh, but poor Barbara. Poor crazy Barbara.
4. Classic Moral Dilemmas in a Cinematic Style
Ok, I'm on board the Nygmobblepot bandwagon. :)
If you remember from my last review, my two chief worries about Nygmobblepot were that 1) it would make the show seem too sunny if a full-on romance blossomed between Penguin and Nygma and 2) Nygma was still hung up on Kristen.
Well, Gotham has addressed both of those issues, at once, perfectly.
See, the heart of story is conflict, and I couldn't see any serious way conflict could ensue if Penguin and/or Nygma fell in love. They're a good match for each other.
But ok, granted, I didn't try hard to find ways there could be a battle within and/or FOR Penguin and Nygma's relationship. I didn't try hard because 1) I didn't want Penguin's heart to be broken again, and 2) I didn't want Gotham to start running around in circles with Penguin again.
Last season, I felt like that's what the Gotham writers were doing: having Penguin just go through heartbreak again and again with no purpose. How happy I was when I realized that (probably) there was a purpose to all that suffering. It brought Penguin to Nygma. I think we'd all like to believe that our suffering has a purpose, and it feels great to experience a confirmation of that hope, even if it's vicariously through our favorite characters.
So, why am I ok with the conflict the writers did cook up for Penguin and Nygma? Because, if I'm right (which, admittedly, is a sizable 'if'), "Isabella" is just a figment of Nygma's imagination, created to help him deal with his feelings for Kristen, whom Nygma is obviously still in love with even though he murdered her.
Why would this hallucination pop up at this exact moment in Nygma's life? Well, quite possibly, Nygma is having trouble processing his feelings for Penguin in light of the fact that Nygma murdered the last person he was in love with.
Oooooooh!
It's all so juicy and psychological! I can't wait to see Nygma's mind explored more deeply than ever!
If I'm right about Isabella, it could mean that Nygma will have to get rid of her by working through his feelings and THEN he and Penguin can be together. I would be fine with that, since that's how a lot of love stories go. You know, there's the initial conflict and then a peaceful relationship that is simply back burnered until something interesting can continue to evolve it. I mean, seeing as the Gotham writers have already found a way to add conflict without breaking Penguin and Nygma apart completely, I trust they can do it in the future.
Alternatively, if I'm right about Isabella, it could mean that Nygma will never be able to get rid of her, and she will always pop up when he's getting close to Penguin, and Penguin/Nygma will never officially happen. I would also be ok with that, since then Penguin and Nygma will be back to being friends and they're actually pretty happy that way. Also, I'm very enamored with the idea of Nygma being forever in love with someone he murdered, like a ghost that haunts him.
If I'm wrong about Isabella, then...I dunno. How is it possible that there's a real woman who looks just like Kristen and also randomly spouts riddles? I guess we'll find out, if I'm wrong about Isabella.
Also, Penguin was just so freaking cute this episode. And just so relatable. I'd be totally in love with Nygma, too, after what Nygma did last episode. And I'd be filled with such hope that I would make speeches at breakfast about choosing courage over cowardice, too. I love Penguin! He's definitely regained a lot of his warmth in this episode.
2. Mad Hatter
Ok, Mad Hatter. Wow. I mean, he's still as scary and hate-able as he was in his previous episodes, but now he's super-hate-able because he's a supervillain!
To quote Megamind, the difference between a villain and a supervillain is "presentation!"
And Jervis Tetch's presentation is on point.
He doesn't just go around killing people anymore. He murders with panache. He builds up to a grand finale. He keeps his villainous word, cross his heart and hope to die.
He holds all the cards this episode, and what does he choose to do with that power? Put on a good show!
I felt like I was watching one of the classic cartoon supervillains in living color and with actual death happening.
That poor married couple! I was terrified for them when they got kidnapped. Not to make light of it at all, but the shots of them standing on the ledge were beautiful, just like all of Gotham. The visuals and music always work together beautifully to create the atmosphere.
Also, I think it was pretty brilliant how each choice Jervis had Gordon make was closer in character to the final choice.
1. The newlyweds vs. the child
A symbol of love vs. a symbol of innocence. It seems to represent Lee vs. Vale in several ways. Gordon and Lee's relationship is older and they used to be engaged. Gordon and Vale's relationship is young. As Jervis says near the end, Lee still has love for Gordon while Vale still has hope for Gordon because she doesn't know who he really is yet (says Jervis), and that is innocence in a way.
The newlyweds vs. the child choice also ties into Gordon's psyche too, since like Jervis said, the last time Gordon saw a woman in a wedding dress, it was Barbara and she was trying to kill him. Additionally, Gordon and Lee recently lost a newborn child. And, who knows? Maybe it was some subconscious association that swayed Gordon's choice.
Or maybe he just doesn't like climbing stairs. Haha. Sorry. I'm not trying to be funny. That was actually a serious suggestion.
2. The doctor vs. the journalist
This choice obviously represents Lee and Vale's roles in society and really drove home the point that Gordon could lose both Lee and Vale if he didn't choose one. ALTHOUGH, the first choice drove home the point that Gordon wouldn't feel good choosing just one, and the second choice drove home that he wouldn't feel good making no choice. Summarily, then, the first two choices drove home how you just can't win in situations like this. You're going to feel like utter crap either way.
This choice also took it up a notch by asking Gordon to more actively harm one of the people by shooting one of them, which is closer to what he had to do in the end: naming one person to die (though that might be half a notch down from this).
3. Lee vs. Vale
And this is where Jervis was at his most supervillainous. But I say that not because he shot one woman. Ironically, I say it because he actually left one woman unharmed. Most modern villains would have shot both, unless there was some strong contrived motive for leaving one alive. But Jervis isn't just a villain. He's a supervillain. He plays by the rules that he set, arbitrary as they may be.
Furthermore, the fact is that, in the end, it may have led to more suffering for Gordon this way and thus better served Jervis's main goal. Suffering is inherent in life, not necessarily in death, see? More life actually equals more suffering. More life actually equals more of a lot of things. It's simply impossible to say whether it will end up being worse or better for Gordon that one woman was left alive.
Yes, Jervis is turning out to be just as great and terrible a supervillain as I expected.
3. Barbara
I'm glad this episode showed Barbara doing more as a villain than being super fun. She actually poses a real threat to Gordon because of what she knows. If she feels so inclined, she could get him or someone he loves hurt, and she did.
Also, how sad is it that she told Jervis that Gordon is in love with her and Jervis didn't buy it at all? LOL. Maybe Gordon is totally over her now.
I laugh, but poor Barbara. Poor crazy Barbara.
4. Classic Moral Dilemmas in a Cinematic Style
I know that, before seeing this episode, plenty of people probably already knew of the thought experiment where you can either kill one person and save five people or do nothing and let the five die.
But I think it's a great service to society to present such classic moral dilemmas in a vivid story with realistic characters we empathize with. It's different when you feel like you're actually experiencing it.
It's easy to make your choice when you're not really seeing it happen. It's easy to say, "It's better to save more people." It's easy to say, "It's better not to push a person in front of a train."
But when you're actually in it, doesn't it feel gross for Gordon to choose to do nothing and let two people die rather than shooting just one? Doesn't it feel gross for Gordon to say, "Kill Lee"? Doesn't it feel gross when Lee declines to talk about it with Gordon?
It can and should make the viewer question whether either choice is objectively better.
RATINGS
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Compared-To-All-The-Content-I've-Ever-Loved: 9/10
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