Review: Gotham Season 3 Episode 8, Blood Rush [SPOILERS]

OVERVIEW
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Everyone's a middle man, until Barnes forces individual responsibility on the city of Gotham in a glorious, badass origin story.

Barnes' "evil" side

LOWS

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1. Face off
Ok, isn't it a little much to cut off people's faces before killing them? Isn't it a little much to cut off people's faces when there are other ways to get a new face?

I mean, I get the point of it, story-wise. It's the kind of horrible, awful crime that would make you want to literally rip the bad guys' heads off (which Barnes does). And I know that Gotham has been a pretty dark show right from the start, but...I just really didn't like the face cutting off stuff, ok? Sue me.

MEDIUMS

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1. Nygma
At first, I thought Gotham was very efficiently answering all the questions I laid out in my previous post.

When Nygma hallucinates Kristen, she says "Face it, you're a killer." And I thought that was an answer to my question of why Nygma killed Kristen.

He's just a killer. Ok, then. We're covering a lot of ground already. We might actually get to all the questions on my list! Woo!

But the conclusion of this episode negates the proposition that Nygma killed Kristen simply because he's a killer. So we end up with no answers whatsoever.

Nygma didn't kill Kristen for looking like Kristen. There was never any indication that that was the reason. Hence, so what if he didn't kill Isabella for looking like Kristen?

(Maybe if Isabella had genuinely threatened to get Nygma thrown in jail and he let her live, that would mean something.)

However, I do think it would have been better if he had strangled Isabella, because that would force him to answer my questions more quickly than he likely will now. (I still think we're gonna get answers to some of my questions...eventually...sometime in the series.)

Isabella was willing to go pretty far into moral gray zones and risk her life, and it made her seem like a real contender for Nygma's heart. And I wondered for a split second, "Do I like this pairing?" But no.

When Nygma told her to keep the glasses on, it was so close to necrophilia and so disrespectful to Kristen's memory that I lost a fair amount of respect for both Nygma and Isabella.

What's more, Nygma showed very little sympathy or remorse toward his mind-Kristen, so once again, he didn't really deal with the actual murder of an actual person.

So, instead of answering the question of why Nygma fell in love with Kristen, this episode made me think he never loved Kristen at all. Which would have been an ok conclusion to present IF it had been properly built up to and explored.

As it was, however, I lost a lot of sympathy for Nygma since his whole origin story seems a lot less twisted and harsh now.

I thought he was dealing with the repercussions of murdering someone he loved. I thought it was driving him crazy every day. I thought if he realized that he possibly never even loved Kristen, he would plunge even deeper into insanity.

But it all seems rather simple and shallow now. His love for Kristen seems simple and shallow. And therefore, his love for Isabella seems simple and shallow too.

And it makes me think that maybe Nygma deserves to lose Isabella. It's not such a terrible fate anyway, since he probably didn't love her very deeply and he'll probably be over her soon. Plus, Nygma's done some pretty awful things (like killing Kristen and framing Jim). If Nygma wasn't in horrible mental anguish the whole time, I can't feel sorry for him.

2. Penguin
It just seems like killing Isabella is the most predictably thing Penguin could have done. I totally understand why he did it, and it's totally in character, especially after Isabella challenged him like that.

But I was hoping for more. A little growth in Penguin. A little surprise for the audience. A little ingenuity in the plan to win Nygma's heart.

That said, I don't see this as a definite end to their relationship.

Don't get me wrong. Nygma will definitely find out. But there are several ways Penguin and Nygma's relationship could still go forward. It's the job of the writers to put roadblocks in the character's way, to make it difficult, to make it interesting.

Right now, I feel like the Gotham writers are like Jervis Tetch in Follow the White Rabbit. They're laughing at our impatience and our lack of sense for stagecraft, like Jervis laughed when Jim demanded Lee and Vale instead of this random journalist and freaking doctor.

Well, I DO appreciate the stagecraft...I'm just struggling right now because the happy feelings from Anything for You were so fleeting. I miss it so much. Happier times. Happier times.

But how could Penguin and Nygma go on after this? Well, it's possible that Nygma will realize the parallel between what Penguin did to Isabella and what Nygma did to Tom Doherty. Maybe Nygma and Penguin are more alike that Nygma and Isabella were.

Especially if it turns out Isabella had foul intentions for Nymga, which is still possible. I mean she says she knew to dye her hair red from looking at newspapers, but newspapers are usually black and white. And like I said last time, Isabella is just a little to miraculous to be real, don't you think? I dunno. Guess we'll have to see.

HIGHS

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1. Captain Barnes
You know when Barbara was talking to Lee about Jim? Barbs was all like, "It's hot to be so close to so much darkness and light in someone who's always at war with himself."

And I'm like, "Yeah, Barbara, I totally get what you're saying. But forget Jim! Have you met Barnes lately?"

It was so satisfying to see Barnes dish out justice like that. I know he was super conflicted about it, but that's what made it so relatable. Barnes has a strong desire to punish the bad but also a strong desire to be good himself, and he can't do both.

At the end, he realizes that most of Gotham is complicit in the heinous crimes committed within city borders. Even that girl he saved from getting her face cut off. She (probably) got paid off. And Barnes is tired of all the excuses. "I'm just the guy who disposes of the bodies." "I just hire criminals to change my face." "I just provide new faces to meet the demand."

Barnes is ready to just murder everyone. And I love it!

I feel you, Barnes. I feel you.

RATINGS

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General: 8/10

Compared-To-All-The-Content-I've-Ever-Loved: 7/10

Review: Gotham Season 3 Episode 7, Red Queen [SPOILERS]

OVERVIEW
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Gotham defers exploring Nygma's brain, while Gordon explores his own brain with Barbara as his guide. Wheee!

Elevator Operator Barbara with Jim Gordon in Jim Gordon's Mind Elevator
Source: http://i2.wp.com/tvrecappersdelight.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Gotham-Jim-Gordons-Trip.jpg

LOWS

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None.

MEDIUMS

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1. Nygma
I'm disappointed with what we didn't get to explore with Nygma. We didn't get to explore Nygma's psyche right off the bat because Isabella wasn't a figment his brain created. However, I cheated and watched the promo for next episode before writing this review, so I know there's definitely hope for next episode.

I HAD wanted to see Nygma deal with his murder of Kristen. I mean, the first time he "dealt" with it...he didn't really deal with it. His mind just sort of...broke. That made perfect sense, too. I would also go insane, if I killed someone I loved. How could anyone's brain deal with that?

But the more time passes, the more distance Nygma puts between himself and the murder, the more you'd expect it to creep up on him and demand to be looked at again, more objectively. This expectation is especially valid if Nygma can bring himself to love someone new. It's especially, ESPECIALLY valid if Nygma can bring himself to love someone new who looks like Kristen.

In this episode, Nygma seems to have come to terms with his murder of Kristen as "an accident." But it's more complicated than that.

It all started when Nygma murdered Tom Doherty because Tom was abusing Kristen. Actually, it all started when Nygma fell in love with Kristen. But I mean... immediately before Nygma killed Kristen, he revealed to her that he killed Tom.

She wasn't grateful or relieved. She was horrified. She tried to run, saying that she was going to tell the police.

And her fear was justified. I'd have run away in terror, too, if it turned out my boyfriend was a murderer. I personally wouldn't have said I was going to the police though, Kristen, because 1) it's stupid to say that and 2) I would probably have actually felt a bit of gratitude. Also, I wouldn't have continued dating Tom after he abused me, so Nygma wouldn't have had to kill Tom in the first place. Anyway, sorry. I don't mean to victim-blame. I reiterate that Kristen's reaction to Nygma was understandable.

In fact, it was Nygma's reaction to Kristen that had me going "What?" Actually, it still has me going "What?" But that's part of the brilliance of it. I doubt Nygma has any more of a clue why he did what he did than I do.

Yeah, he was trying to explain himself to her, but why was he so desperate to speak his piece that his grip on her was tight enough to strangle her in mere seconds?

Was he desperate to be understood by her? Was he desperate to keep her from leaving him? Was he desperate to save his own skin from the police?

And I say again: it wouldn't have happened if Nygma hadn't killed Tom.

So should Nygma have interfered in Kristen's life and murdered Tom? And why did Nygma fall in love with Kristen in the first place if she was never that nice to him and had nothing in common with him? Was Kristen right to be afraid of Nygma after he told her about Tom since Nygma DID end up killing her?

If Nygma had known he was dangerous to Kristen, would he still have dated her? Should Nygma have known he was dangerous to Kristen? Did Nygma know he was dangerous to Kristen? Was Nygma a bad person? Even before his Riddler personality took over?

These are the questions Nygma should be asking himself, and most of all, he should be asking himself how to keep himself from killing anyone else he loves. Is he a danger to everyone, no matter how good, kind, sane, and in love he is?

Fingers crossed we'll get to see Nygma explore these questions in the next episode.

2. Isabella
I know it's weird to say this about a show that features zombie supervillains and such but my suspension of disbelief is being tested. I mean, Isabella looks exactly like Kristen, speaks in riddles, showed up right before Penguin could express his love to Nygma, and she isn't a figment of Nygma's imagination?

Well, then there needs to be some other explanation for such a huge set of coincidences. I'd even take the "secret twin" explanation at this point. We'll see what happens next episode. If no explanation comes, I fear I may never accept the miraculous existence of Isabella.

On the other hand, Isabella is working quite well as an obstacle for Penguin and Nygma's relationship. A little TOO well. I'm really sad and frustrated for Penguin at this point. To think this is what I wanted: for there to be some conflict that keeps Penguin and Nygma from turning into a fairy tale couple.

Thankfully, I already see how Nygm and Isabella could fall apart. She's already a bit creepy, saying that Ed is the Anthony to her Cleopatra, the Romeo to her Juliet, the Othello to her Desdemona. As Nygma said, all those characters died. If I didn't know any better -- and I don't -- I'd think Isabella kind of LIKES the fact that Nygma is a murderer. It excites her. She wants some tragic, death-destined romance and she wants Nygma to fit a certain mold of character. Not a good sign.

3. Vale
Ok, I feel really mean for what I said about Vale's actress last time (even though I stand by it), so I'll say she did alright this episode. She was smart enough to realize that Gordon was trying to save Lee, self-respecting enough to break up with him, and like I predicted, she lost her hope in him because of the incident. Very sad.

4. Tetch's Scheme
A little anticlimactic, the way his scheme ended. (No one got poisoned, and Gordon didn't get to bring Tetch down.) I know that's probably the point, though, and it's actually a good twist that Captain Barnes will be the real threat to Gotham, rather than Tetch with Alice's blood.

It's just that the writers are going to have to really come through with Barnes, making his story more fascinating than the story that would have played out if Tetch had successfully poisoned the heads of Gotham.

HIGHS

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1. Penguin 

I like that he seemed genuinely upset to have to get in the way of love, since he mentions it twice, first to Nygma and then to Catherine/Katherine, whom he had no reason to lie to. I'm glad he DID get in the way of love though. See, that's one of things that I love about Penguin: he's always been the character you could do crazy things vicariously through.

Remember that time he attacked a guy who booed his mom? That's the kind of thing real people know better than to do, because it usually only upsets the loved ones we think we are defending. (Nygma knows it. Just look at the thanks he got for killing his girlfriend's abusive ex who she was terrified of, lol.)

Penguin's mom didn't seem to mind though. That's why I miss the duo of Penguin and his mother, and it might also be why Penguin doesn't know any better than to try and drive Isabella away. He thought that he was a better match for Nygma and that Isabella would be "a disaster." Real people know that driving Isabella away would hurt Nygma and likely hurt Penguin and Nygma's relationship. So we wouldn't do it, if we were Penguin. But we wish we could, so we love watching Penguin do it.

In other news, Hugo Strange apparently actually had plans for Penguin! Strange worked for the Council, and in this episode, the Council revealed that they have a purpose in mind for Penguin. So, that's probably what Strange meant when he said he had plans for Penguin. I must say this is a fulfilling twist, especially since I gave up on Strange's "plan" for Penguin ever being relevant.

I wonder if Penguin will discover the existence of the council, realize he's not actually the King of Gotham, and start scheming to get to the top. Scheming, ladder-climbing Penguin was my favorite part of Season 1. I love that side of Penguin. I'd love to see it again.

2. Bruce & Selina
I'm glad Bruce didn't just let Selina get away with being so late. He wasn't so desperate to be with her that he would sweep his own feelings under the rug, and his relationship with her will be healthier because of it. I mean, I guess I know their relationship won't last, or it'll be on-again off-again, from what I know of the characters. Whatever, though. If it were to last, it would be better off because of Bruce's self-respect.

3. Jim Gordon
I like that Barbara wasn't just one of the stops on the ride. She was in the elevator on the journey with Jim. I mean, Barbara's been around since Season 1 Episode 1, and like I said a couple reviews ago, Jim and Barbara have a lot in common. For instance, they both cut off their engagements and came back to their exes too late and let it kill their spirits.

Also, disturbingly, they have similar tendencies toward violence, as seen when Jim tried to force Barbara to open the elevator doors and she came back at him with a broken glass. Jim may want Lee more than he wants Barbara, but he relates to Barbara more.

I like that Penguin appeared during Jim's first stop on the elevator, which also featured a war zone and Bruce. It seemed like Jim was going back to his roots. Not only did Gordon used to be a soldier, but also, just like Barbara, Penguin and Bruce have been around since Gordon first arrived in Gotham. And Penguin has actually been on Jim's side of the "war" the whole time.

I'm glad that Jim found his way back and rejoined the police, but I did think the stops on the elevator could have been explored further. They all seemed a bit rushed, but I understand there's only so much time in an episode.

Now, prepare for the "dead relative is still alive" twist. Even when you find your way back, Jim, there'll be something new to lead you astray. I think it's once you get used to that fact that you'll get yer sea-legs.

RATINGS

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General: 8/10

Compared-To-All-The-Content-I've-Ever-Loved: 7/10