• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • FMTV
  • Socials
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • TRENDING TOPICS:
  • Star Wars
  • Marvel
  • DC
  • Physical Media
  • Write for Us

Gotham Season 2 Episode 9 Review – ‘A Bitter Pill To Swallow’

November 28, 2015 by Amie Cranswick

Martin Carr reviews the ninth episode of Gotham season 2…

Things kick off this week with Tabitha Galavan in a vendetta kind of mood after big brother gets locked away. To be honest it was good seeing her do more than just inflict pain and fulfil that dominatrix role she has been lumbered with. By placing a hit on Gordon sister Galavan has unleashed the beast we know this man can be. Which is no bad thing.

As reams of assassins attempt to take his head for their prize, McKenzie is able to do something denied him for too long. Namely kick arse and push those censorship boundaries. You get the feeling if ‘Gotham’ was post watershed, we would get a load more claret for our money. As it is we get cuts, only hints of a bloody struggle, while Barnes and Gordon do their best stone cold stare. What this pinned down location does give us though is the chance for Chiklis to give Nathaniel Barnes substance. In a rare moment of reflection he recounts ‘that’ incident where he crossed the line and killed a man, which adds poignancy. Which in turn provides a moment of calm amongst the bullets, piano wire and nameless henchmen.

Meanwhile with Galavan behind bars villainous duties rest with Nygma and Penguin. An unlikely but welcome pairing, who share an odd bonding session which culminates in a mutual understanding. Lord Taylor and Cory Smith make an engaging double act. Taylor has worked subtlety into his portrayal, while Smith continues to revel in his alter ego. There is almost an element of black comedy during the latter sequences, especially once Nygma has empowered his counterpart. Beyond the dark vein of villainous levity, there seems to be a real sense of fun on display between the two actors. Finally you sense that Gotham has found its alternate dynamic duo.

One other surprise this week came in the form of Sean Pertwee. Proving himself more than a match for the petulant trickery of an adolescent Bruce Wayne, Alfred made his position plain. Becoming more the guardian, Alfred steps up and deals with his young charge’s school crush diplomatically.

In those closing minutes as men clad in monastic robes advance on a nameless security guard, you get the sense of events concluding. A long-term score is looking to be settled and nothing is stopping it. As we move on to episode ten Gotham maintains the momentum. Proving once and for all that season two has learned its lesson. There is a clear dynamic, concisely orchestrated structure and one hell of a beating heart at the centre of this city. As we leave the identity of Martha Wayne’s murder burning brightly, Gotham has assured us a corking finale.

Martin Carr – Follow me on Twitter

FacebookTwitterFlipboardRedditPinterestWhatsApp

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Batman, DC, Gotham

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Most Iconic Cult Classics of All Time

The Most Incredibly Annoying Movie Characters

The Most Iconic Moments of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

Not for the Faint of Heart: The Most Shocking Movies of All Time

Modern Viking Movies To Watch If You Enjoyed The Northman

The Deadliest Killer Dolls in Movies

The Must-See Horror Movies From Every Decade

The Sandler Paradox: Seriously… Adam Sandler Could (and Should) Win an Oscar!

The Most Obscure and Underrated Slasher Movies of the 1980s

The Gruesome Brilliance of 1980s Italian Horror

FEATURED POSTS:

Crazy Vampire Tales from 1988: Vampire’s Kiss and Lair of the White Worm

Underappreciated Action Stars Who Deserve More Love

2023 Is All About Cocaine Bear

Trending Now

  1. Movie Review – Big Gold Brick (2022)
  2. 2023 Is All About Cocaine Bear
  3. Movie Review – Children of Sin (2022)
  4. Avatar 2 sails to seventh week at the top, while Infinity Pool drowns with $2.7m
  5. Lifeforce: A Film Only Cannon Could Have Made
  6. Kiefer Sutherland goes down the Rabbit Hole in trailer for Paramount+ spy series
  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • FMTV
  • Socials
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© 2009-2022 Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.