Gotham 1.18 “Everyone has a Cobblepot”

After delivering some very interesting villain introductions during the past few episodes – a supposed Joker, Scarecrow and, finally, Red Hood – which, let’s be honest, comprise the most surreal and comic-book-y part of Gotham’s mythology, the series takes an obscure turn, focusing this time on how Gordon’s personal crusade to let some justice be done ends up leading him down a very dark, dangerous path.

What that means in the long term, however, is yet to be revealed.

This episode is full of good news, so let’s start summing them up, shall we?

The plot is intelligent, taking advantage of some of the nearly unexploited traits of characters such as Detective Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), Arnold Flass (Dash Mihok) or, more importantly, Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari) to pull off a fun, full-of-action continuation of some of the themes that have make Gotham a hit, centered on already-touched-upon issues such as police corruption, making dangerous deals with mobsters in order to save the day, and, sadly for poor Detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), the personal cost that this comes with.

We have already seen the dirt of many of Gotham’s characters, but it was about time the focus shifted towards Commissioner Loeb and his ways. And, where at the beginning of the episode (with Flass’ release after being exonerated of all the charges dropped upon him for the crime ring he had been running while in charge of the GCPD’s Narc department) Loeb seemed this untouchable figure of power above good and evil, after just forty minutes we see how human he is; how defeatable. It certainly adds a couple of layers to the character, who, according to Gordon’s wishes, is not going anywhere.

That doesn’t mean, however, that by the end of the episode, the dynamics between those two characters haven’t completely changed, creating a new status quo where the power balance has shifted, as Gordon now has in his hands precious information that remained secret until now, and that, if revealed, could potentially destroy Loeb’s career.

Bullock had already grown on us viewers as a very likeable character, with the perfect mix to work in Gotham without going nuts – a seemingly not-giving-a-crap-about-it attitude, a heart of gold, loyalty to his partner, and an underground knowledge that lets him move like a fish under water – and, if on recent episodes it seemed as if the character was changing, his smoother traits becoming more prominent, here we are reminded that an error from a dark past cannot be erased so easily, and may always come back to haunt you.

Bullock’s predicament was shown in a much more subtle, serious way than on the first episodes, where maybe we got a bit of over-exposition when it came to stating the obvious: everyone is corrupt in Gotham, or as the title of the episode aptly gives away, “Everyone has a Cobblepot.”

Speaking of whom, what a great Penguin episode! You’ve just got to love Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), and how, after always being on the losing end, he manages to get back up, more empowered than before.

Every sequence he’s in is relevant and dials the creepy-cruel Gotham dial up a notch. Maybe that’s why he’s such a likeable character, because, even if at the heart of it all he’s a loser, a nobody, he’s made himself so sure that he has to overcome his origins that he is portrayed as a character with absolutely no morals, always playing two or three cards at the same time.

And, just in case he needed a morale boost, now he knows that Gordon owes him a favor. And that might be even more dangerous than what Jim realizes, as it may be one more step for Gordon’s dangerous relationship with the Penguin, and the second time he comes to him for help with a case.

Funny, though, how Gordon wants to fight corruption in Gotham so fervently, while at the same time he’s becoming part of the wheel, little by little.

This time around, maybe on a clever note, Bruce (David Mazouz) and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) only made brief appearances, which still mattered, as Bruce realizes that some of his investigation was stolen and that it might mean that the attempt on Alfred’s life means Wayne’s Board wants the boy to shut up, for good. However, until now, they decide to keep all this information to themselves, even if it means lying to Gordon, who might suspect something but doesn’t have time to reflect upon it.

Finally, on the longest subplot until now, Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), meets the Dollmaker (or his dad, portrayed by Colm Feore), and discovers that the name is more literal than she would have ever thought. Pinkett Smith’s portrayal of an over-the-top Gotham mobster has grown on me, and she clearly made the most of all her appearances this time around.

As if it wasn’t enough with all these moving pieces, we’ve got the promised introductions of Killer Croc and the Court of Owls coming before the finale…what a blast!