Martin Carr reviews the twelfth episode of Gotham season 2…
‘Long is the way and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light’ (Milton ‘Paradise Lost’)
I have procrastinated for too long. There is only so much pie and Oreo cookies one can eat before hitting critical mass. Therefore I find myself weighing up the return of Gotham season two. By assessing what can best be described as one dark slice of matter, comprising of liquid helium lunatics and an equally strange doctor with unorthodox treatment methods. Which insures episode ten continues mining that pitch black vein which has made this new run so interesting.
In scenes which reminded me of classic B-movie horror series Re-Animator, Nathan Darrow brings to life a deranged individual with honourable intentions. Consumed by a passion that quickly diminishes judgement and reason. Darrow brings a vulnerability and desperation to the role which goes beyond the two-dimensional. Compare that to BD Wong’s introduction of Hugo Strange and it’s clear that season two is shaping up to be the best yet.
Wong who recently reprised his role from the original Jurassic Park to good notices in Jurassic World, adds an underlying creepiness to Strange. Chrome domed and sinister we share only a small amount of time with him, but know in minutes that his approach is less than suitable. If anything it seems to be Lord Taylor’s Penguin who will see the most of Strange in the coming weeks. From being on the lam to incarceration in Arkham, it will doubtless be he who suffers while the finger of suspicion hangs over McKenzie’s Jim Gordon.
In the first ten minutes we get a quick catch up on past events, with the demise of Theo Galavan neatly seguing into the aforementioned court room scene. Before we watch a stony faced Gordon bend the truth in open court and illustrate his moral ambiguity. Proving as ever that McKenzie alongside Logue, Lord Taylor and Chiklis remain standouts amongst a sea of riches. As well as the intriguing prominence of Indian Hill being teased which implies there is more to come from within the walls of that research facility before season end. Hopefully pushing the boundaries of censorship, just as the Dollmaker did back in season one. Which in turn should elevate Nygma’s character who now teeters on the brink of madness. A fox in the chicken coop if such a comparison should be made.
In my opinion if the strength of this opener is consistently carried through to season end, then not only is Gotham guaranteed another go round. But we may even see a fourth run come to fruition, which surely bods well for the fan faithful and fresh convert alike.
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Originally published March 3, 2016. Updated November 29, 2022.
