Gotham: Season 3/ Episode 14 "Mad City: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies" – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyjcGhTjeZg

Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

It all comes to this. Will Penguin meet the fate that Barbara, Ed, and Tabitha planned? Will Jerome get to live to fight another day or killed off once again? See below to know.

Topic 1: But I Love You (Tabitha, Butch, Barbara, Edward, and Penguin)

To make a long story short, after torturing Penguin, even trying to get him to turn on Ed to prove that he could never love someone and did everything out of selfishness, he doesn’t. Penguin doesn’t take the opportunity he could to turn on Ed and have Barbara, Butch, and Tabitha kill him. Which, so it seems, they weren’t planning to do for we see him very much alive as the episode ends. As for Penguin? Well, while he didn’t snitch to save his own life, he still killed Isabella so he is shot and sent into the river.

Commentary

With it being where no one truly dies in Gotham, but simply transition from one part of their character to another after each rebirth, it will be interesting to see what happens when Penguin returns. However, until then, based off previews, it seems Riddler is going to be taking over Gotham. Leading you to wonder, with Edward not dying as planned, what does this mean for Butch, Barbara and Tabitha? While Edward doesn’t seem fond of the idea of ruling the underworld, does this mean that circus troupe will? Much less, without Nygma and Penguin, who will they be fighting against? Because, honestly, them fighting each other, Jim, or the Court of Owls, isn’t that enticing. Especially since they are on the B, if not C, team.

Topic 2: Where To Draw The Line (Bruce & Jerome)

With the last thing Jerome remembering he wanted to do being killing Bruce Wayne, he fulfills his old dying wish. Well, he tries to anyway. Thanks to Bruce manipulating Jerome, he delays his death long enough for not only the GCPD to bust up the party but get an upper hand on Jerome. However, he doesn’t kill him, nor does Jim surprisingly. Jerome may get his face knocked off but he lives to fight another day – well, live to fight his way out of Arkham again.

Commentary

While Jerome and Bruce may not have the chemistry of Selina and Bruce, you have to give it to Cameron Monaghan and his mix of Joker and Pennywise persona. However, I am beginning to wonder if, like the Undertaker in WWE, Jerome will only be brought from the dead, or some hole, when it is time for a finale or even sweeps? After all, while this episode establishes the birth of Bruce’s, soon to be Batman’s, line where he may cripple you but won’t kill you, arguably who would push him to that point and test him besides Jerome?

Though another thing I was wondering during all of this was, where was Selina? She usually hears anything and all that happens on the streets, so I kind of wondered where was she as Gotham went to hell? Getting some jewels for a rainy day or was her fight with Bruce more serious than perhaps what I took it for? Either way, her presence was definitely missed.

Topic 3: The Court of Owls Is Always Watching (Jim)

As Jerome sends the city into flames, Kathryn, alongside a man named Frank, who knew Jim’s father, watch alongside what assumingly is Bruce’s clone. Though, it seems the clone won’t be enough for them to reassert their rule. Frank, who Jim refers to as his uncle, pays his would-be nephew a visit. One which may change everything for Jim.

Commentary

Doesn’t it seem Jim should have been promoted by now? After all, he pretty much is doing Harvey’s job, is the person everyone seems to come to for a decision, and pretty much has all the responsibility but without the official titles. Granted, it is because he talks over Harvey and overplays his position, but come on. Is Harvey actually respected anymore as anyone’s boss or is he just Jim’s yes man? I mean, recognizing they have been partners and how Harvey has many times put his neck on the line for Jim, you’d think he would remind Jim of his role every once in awhile.

However, with this whole “Uncle Frank” thing, and Frank working with Kathryn, you know Jim is about to become an unknowing pawn and perhaps move up in the world. Well, at least on the police force.

Things to Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Speaking of Selina, whatever happened to Ivy? She was such a big to do earlier in the season then she exited stage left and was barely spoken about.

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