After a pretty busy and sometimes shaky start, is Gotham ready to come back strong for the 2nd half of their freshman year? The first episode of the new year has a promising title “Rogues Gallery.” Are we finally going to get some forward momentum going?
Season 2B (for the record I hate entire concept of two part seasons, but as long as we get the final 10 or 12 episodes without a break, then, eh) kicks off with Gordon getting used to being in the looney bin where he meets another Batman staple – Doctor Leslie Thompkins (Guest star Morena Baccarin, R). Barbara is still shacking up with Montoya and Cat helps out a sick Ivy. Penguin gets arrested for shaking down dock workers.
GOTHAM: James Gordon (Ben McKenzie, L) consults Dr. Leslie Thompkins (guest star Morena Baccarin, R) about a case in the “Rogues’ Gallery” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Jan. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2014 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Jessica Miglio/FOX
Gordon has to find out who is experimenting on inmates. Fish tightens her grip on Falcone and makes a play to become next in line in case something happens to Falcone. One of the bosses refuses to go along with the program and Fish questions Butch’s loyalty. He asks if she’s joking and then walks away with a smirk. After all the hints dropped in this episode; my insane theory is Butch is going to eventually become the Joker.
Gordon tells Director Lang he thinks a staff member is behind the illegal operation. Barbara finally gets out of bed and Montoya has regrets about their relationship and breaks it off saying they are toxic together. I don’t understand why Barbara is on the show the writers don’t have anything for her to do.
GOTHAM: Detective Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue, R) pays James Gordon (Ben McKenzie, L) a visit at Arkham Asylum in the “Rogues’ Gallery” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Jan. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. ©2014 Fox Broadcasting Co. Cr: Jessica Miglio/FOX
Bullock shows up against Lang’s wishes to help Gordon out. Butch gets an offer to make a move on Fish. Lang tells Bullock that shock therapy is outlawed and that he doesn’t think any of the inmates have any surgical ability. He tells Bullock that there are other things going on at Arkham that he can’t tell Bullock and he needs to stop digging. Bullock says he only cares about solving this case and doesn’t give a rats butt about the deeper mysteries of Arkham.
Gordon realizes that one of the inmates was posing as staff, she gets trampled to death in a riot and Gordon is once again is hailed as a hero. Seems like his stance is starting to have an impact on the Gotham PD, he’s treated like a conquering hero. Barbara calls Gordon, but Ivy picks up the phone and pretends to be Gordon’s new squeeze.
Turns out the inmate wasn’t responsible for everything going on at Arkham, by the time Gordon and Bullock realize their mistake they are too late to save Lang and to prevent the real culprit from escaping. The guy behind everything is trying to build a clone of mindless foot soldiers. He leaves after finally succeeding in his tests and leaves Gordon a note taunting him.
Moroni makes Penguin spend a few days in jail to teach him a lesson about his hubris. Gordon returns home to see that someone was there, he thinks it was Barbara. Turns out Maroni has a soft spot for fishermen. Butch proves his loyalty to Fish. Or does he?
Comments
After a two month break, this episode was a very disappointing return and felt like more useless filler. The writers really need to decide what they want this show to be and to start trimming some of the fat. Every week we’re told there are more, deeper mysteries to everything going around, but the writers aren’t doing much to progress any of them.
Episode Grade – C