Gotham 1.16 “The Blind Fortune Teller”

With lots of elements to explore, this episode really did deliver.

Coming just after a slow and slightly disappointing episode, “The Blind Fortune Teller” felt as if after the breather, the writers knew they had to push each character forward a couple of miles. And so they did.

We get to meet not only The Flying Graysons – the earliest origin story Dick Grayson could get in this series – as it serves to launch a carrousel of an episode where many players have their chance to gain some spotlight. Even the almost forgotten Barbara (Erin Richards) comes back into the fold, trying to win back Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), who is finding that Dr. Leslie Thompkins (Morena Baccarin) is a strong woman who wants to be a part of his policeman life, and won’t take no for an answer. Even if it means ruining a couple of otherwise great dates.

I really enjoyed how their relationship evolved here, with both accepting and getting to know each other, not just outside of the GCPD, but collaborating on a case as equals, as well. Baccarin’s portrayal is fresh and entertaining, bringing a boldness and a change to Gordon’s life that is certainly well-received.

Now, if only Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) could get some love…This is a great character that has been underused for the last couple of episodes, and who during this one only got two or three scenes, all of them accessories to help move the story forward.

The circus has always been an important part – both geographically and historically – of Gotham, so it made sense to shift the focus a bit to that part of town, with its own particular characters, governed by their own particular set of rules.

And it is one of these characters who, out of the blue, receives an unexpected and long-awaited origin: the Joker. Even as we only get to know him as Jerome (Cameron Monaghan), due to the weird exaggerated lips, his passive-aggressive stance, and the way he snaps when being questioned by Gordon, it is obvious we have been introduced to a young man who will eventually become Batman’s arch-nemesis.

Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) continue their own path, as predicted, and though it eventually will crash with Gordon’s, now it’s refreshing to see Bruce with his characteristic resolve, as he picks up on two story threads that seemed forgotten – corruption at Wayne Industries, both through Arkham and through their chemical subsidiary WellZyn — responsible for creating the first Viper virus that almost got the entire Board of Directors killed way back then. His confrontation with Wayne’s Board in a very tense meeting will surely set some wheels into motion, maybe even threatening the boy’s life in the next episodes.

Then there is the Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) story. Upon further consideration, maybe it was a good idea to take her out of the Gotham picture and use the situation to have her grow and start fresh from her own ashes. This time her subplot is very well driven, setting us up for the reveal of the big bad guy who’s pulling the strings – the Red Hood, maybe?

If things keep on this pace, I can only predict great things for Gotham. Great, bloody, crazy things.