The Demon Head means Ra’s al Ghul ( Alexander Siddig ), this episode featured the character very heavily to understand how and what his purpose is in Gotham and why he wants the knife. This episode was directed by Kenneth Fink, who directed on of my favourite episodes in season 2 “Mommy’s little Monster.” What is extra special about this episode Ben McKenzie (James Gordon) has written this episode, it is exceptionally well written and an exciting progression of the characters.
Bruce and Alfred have taken the embalming knife to be examined by Dr Niles Winthrop ( Dakin Matthews ) historian curator of antiquities at Gotham Museum he complements how beautiful it is. The curiousity of Dr. Winthrop asks what is it you want of me Mr. Wayne, Bruce explains its supposedly a embalming knife he agrees for the knife to be left with him overnight. Alex Winthrop ( Benjamin Stockham ), Dr. Winthrop grandson arrives from the historical records room at Gotham Central library, where he does his homework. The Dr. Introduces him to Alfred and Bruce but his attention is already been drawn to the knife, he is also a historian enthusiast. Alfred pulls Bruce to one side for a word, Alfred’s concern is that he and Bruce have got one old geezer involved now a young man as Ra’s al Ghul is after the knife. Bruce feels very strongly that they need to know about the knife, he returns to Dr. Winthrop and Alex and asks them to keep the matter between them.
An empty bricked wall room lit with a yellow green glow sees a frantic Edward Nygma. The walls are covered of newspaper cuttings and drawings of Oswald Cobblepot. Ed stretches to refocus, he talks to himself to encourage the perfect riddle. As Ed screws up another bit of paper he grabs a knife and walks towards the newspaper cuttings. After picking a article he declares “tomorrow night Oswald is the night you die!”
Back at the museum Dr. Winthrop is studying closely through a magnifier he translates some of the writings. Alex asks him “What is the Demons head?” His grandfather corrects him it’s who! Dr.Winthrop asks Alex if he has ever heard of Ra’s Al Ghul, as he is explaining you see a dark shadow sweeping over the exhibits. Alex’s only knowledge of Ra’s al Ghul is that he is a warlord, but there has always been stories invented about them. Dr. Winthrop feels that Bruce has stumbled across something much more complex then he had imagined, and infinitely more dangerous. There is heavy knocking at the research room door, they look at each other as they are not expecting anybody, Alex takes the knife and hides. Ra’s walks in and apologises to the Dr. for the lateness of the hour as his business is pressing. Dr. Winthrop demands to know who he is or he will call the police. I really like how Ra’s goes about the room looking at different artefacts and picks up a few items and he has a different story about them from different centuries just showing how old he is. Ra’s explains he is looking for the knife that Bruce Wayne brought in earlier today, Dr. Winthrop quickly denies knowing no knowledge of this. After comparing the doctors lies to a brothel owner in Shanghai, Ra’s runs his hand over a frame photo of the Dr. with a young boy which we know is Alex, he sees his school cap and takes it. An alarm bell rings in the distance, the Dr. points out that the police are coming, Ra’s agrees and steps behind him and breaks his neck. Ra’s al Ghul looks around before he leaves, Alex is hid in a dark corner he is quiet, his breathing is trembling to what he has just witnessed.
Detective Harper ( Kelcy Griffin ) is taking notes of the dead body, Detective Jim Gordon turns up expecting to see Captain Bullock. Harper explains that Harvey has taken some sabbatical for a few days, Jim questions “are you babysitting me?” Harper answers back with “Do you need babysitting?” I already like Harper I hope she is around for a long time in Gotham. Harper explains who the victim is, Jim enquires if there is anything else apart from the body. Harper shows him a logbook the last entry was yesterday afternoon was Bruce Wayne, Jim sees Bruce with a police officer. Bruce looks concerned as he asks about what happened he see Dr. Winthrop dead body laying on the floor. Jim questions Bruce about his meeting with the Dr, he goes on to explain about the old knife he brought at auction and Dr. Winthrop agreed to examine it, Bruce is back to check up on his progress. Harper details that the Dr was killed after midnight, whoever did it slipped past security. Bruce remembers and asks about his grandson Alex, who is slightly younger then Bruce, but no one has seen him. Jim tells Bruce to slow down and agrees to tell Jim all he needs to know as long he can investigate with him. If the death of the Dr. Winthrop is to do with the knife then Bruce feels responsible with a man dead and a child missing, Jim doesn’t want Bruce playing detective he wants as much information as possible. All Bruce knows it’s an old knife, he payed a great deal of money for it as he was up against a very aggressive bidder. Barbara Keen, Jim’s reaction to hearing her name is not a positive one as he will have to deal with her, Detective Harper is assigned looking for Alex and Jim tells Bruce to go home.
Barbara has been awaiting the return of Ra’s as his two guests have arrived and don’t really fit in with the vibe of her place. Ra’s apologies ( he’s very good at that ) for keeping her waiting, he does remind her that if Barbara had acquired the knife when he first requested it his guests would not be necessary. Again Barbara asks of the value of the knife or is it sentimental? “Only a destiny born of blood and magic of 2,000 years in the making.” That is all Ra’s will tell Barbara about the knife. Gotham has possibly introduced to us one of the creepiest bazaar characters, Barbara calls him Dog-Boy and he instantly hisses. Ra’s calls him Anubis ( Anthony Rodriguez ), he is given Alex’s hat to smell his scent so he can fetch the knife. Anubis stops hissing when Ra’s approaches him, he is accompanied with a very tall well built man who is a hunter who has been given permission to kill the boy. Barbara looks on with slight distaste whilst Ra’s does his best evil smile.
Edward Nygma’s hat sits on Oswald Cobblepots desk at The Iceberg Lounge, Oswald sits and stares at it as Zsasz interrupts his thoughts to announce the arrival of Sofia Falcone. Oswald enthusiastically welcomes Miss Falcone to Gotham and he insists she calls him Oswald. Sofia instantly tells him that she learnt from her father when the King of Gotham summons you, you go and see him. Oswald asks after Carmine but Sofia just wants to address why she has been summoned, she explains that the illegal businesses hold no interest for her she is back because of the Falcone family has a number of charities that need her attention. Oswald sat in his enormous luxurious chair looking relaxed comments that she can only do this personally in his city. Sofia expresses she knows Penguin may be concerned, Oswald answers with sarcasm “oh do you?” He then goes on to explain to Sofia that her father taught him many things, among them was to nurture a healthy paranoia. When Oswald took over some of Falcones old capos went underground, Oswald puts it to Sofia maybe they vanished or they are waiting for a Falcone to return. At this moment in the scene Oswald is sat right in front of Sofia. She shakes her head, Oswald continues to tell her he hears her fathers voice whispering in my ear. Oswald moves forward and whispers in Sofia’s ear “be careful.” Oswald asks again to make sure she isn’t on some fools errand to rebuild her fathers empire, Zsasz who has been in the room all along with perfect comedic timing whispers “I’ll stab you” and imitates stabbing Sofia. She stands up and makes her way to a window in Oswald’s office telling him she she was 13 when Falcone sent her away from Gotham, I really like Sofia’s dramatic emotions as she explains her father said Gotham was too dangerous. Gotham is her home, she wanted to come back, that is why Sofia Falcone is back in Gotham! Penguin is quite taken aback as she asks him “is that enough?” Oswald makes his way to her and agrees that Gotham is a mother to us all. Sofia still quite tearful, maybe she was seeing if she could get into his vulnerable side, as he feels maybe they have nothing to worry about. Sofia leaves in silence, Oswald looks on with a I am not so convinced look on his face.
For the first time this season Jim visits Barbara, he enters through the impressive doors to a busy gathering of people. Barbara already knows it Jim, she has her back to him playing solitaire. Jim remarks how she always lands on her feet, and she seems different. Barbara teases “you like this me better?” Jim doesn’t answer he wants information on the knife as she bid on at auction. He explains that the knife is missing and the person who had it is dead, Jim wants to know where Barbara was around midnight, she insists she has witnesses and that she was at her weapons shop. Jim also wants to know who is bankrolling Barbara for her to be able to bid on the knife and set her up in her new place. With more teasing Jim “A client and now even though tempting I can’t give you the name.” Bruce appears and asks is it Ra’s al Ghul? He warns Barbara if it is she doesn’t know what she is dealing with. Barbara turns confidently to face Bruce and denies any knowledge of him. Jim take Bruce with him and Barbara carries on playing cards turning over the Jack of Hearts which has a very joker like smile on his face.
Jim sounds off at Bruce for following him, but Bruce feels responsible for the death of the Dr. Winthrop. This relatively small scene between Jim and Bruce I thought was excellent as there was an intensity between them. Jim asks Bruce who Ra’s al Ghul is and why Bruce didn’t mention him before, but Bruce wasn’t certain he was involved. Jim now knows Ra’s is the real leader of the Court of Owls, he is responsible for the virus and Bruce being kidnapped. The conversation comes back again what does Ra’s al Ghul want with the knife? Detective Harper informs Gordon that there is no sign of Alex his parents are travelling so his grandfather was looking after him. Jim needs more details on the Dr. and Alex, so if Bruce wants to play Detective he needs him to think, Bruce remembers he studies at Gotham central library in the historical section. Between them they figure Alex is in hiding, Jim decided to take Bruce along as he will need a friendly face not a cop.
The Edward Nygma has two men from off the street to beatbox and rap a riddle to Oswald. He requests to hear it again, Oswald looks totally perplexed, Zsasz grooves along and Oswald comes the conclusion of not knowing what the hell it was, and Zsasz just wants to torture them so he find out where Nygma is. Oswald tells the two men to leave, he remembers Mrtyle telling him that Ed is not himself, but Penguin feels he is up to his old tricks. Zsasz is told to prepare his men and hide then attack when ready. Oswald makes it clear not to kill Ed, he wants Victor to freeze him again. This confuses Zsasz as he is also called Victor, in a very funny scene Oswald tells Zsasz “not you, the other Victor.” Earth meets sky, water flows, birds fly, to Oswald this means Ed is waiting for him at the pier.
Jim and Bruce arrive at Gotham central library, they make their way to the historical records room. Bruce calls out to Alex and ensures it’s safe, he asks Alex once more, he comes to the door tentatively looks out he sees Bruce and Bruce introduces him to Jim. He nearly closes the door Bruce tells Alex that he can trust Jim. Nervously Alex lets them in the room he is still trembling and clutching the items his grandfather gave him, he mentions the man that killed his grandfather. Jim asks if he saw his face, but he only saw him from behind, Alex does know he came for the knife. He asks Bruce “did you know it was dangerous ?” Bruce’s answers with honesty “No.” Jim wants to take Alex down the station to protect him but he is apprehensive as he knows he will keep coming for him until he gets the knife. Bruce wonders if he has the knife with him but he hasn’t he hid it. They are interputed by women screaming, Jim pulls out his gun and goes and sees what the disturbance is, Jim tells Bruce to go ahead to the police station. Anubis launches himself at Jim pushing him to the floor. The Hunter arrives and has a fight with Jim who sent him but he answers in a accient language, Jim is none the wiser, Alex is attacked by Anubis and Bruce uses a large book to knock Anubis of Alex. Jim shouts to Bruce to run, the hunter is proving hard to take down so Jim manages to push a bookcase down causing a domino effect.
When Jim arrives at the GCPD he asks if Bruce Wayne has called in, Jim is carrying Alex’s rucksack. Harper explains she could not find out anything about the name Jim gave her. A man approaches Jim it’s Ra’s al Ghul and in a different disguise. He introduces himself as Master of Antiquities attached to the consulate of Nanda Parbet. Jim sees Ra’s check out Alex’s bag as he recognises the school badge on it. Jim knows that Nanda Parbet is in the Himalayas, Ra’s is impressed as not many people have heard of their tiny nation. Jim invites Ra’s into the captains office, Harper doesn’t understand that he is the guy they are after for murder why would he just walk in? Jim thinks Barbara must of told him, that Jim was looking for him. The two thugs at the Libary must be working for Ra’s and told him they have contacted Alex, and Ra’s could think they have the knife. Jim grabs Alex’s school bag and tells Harper to call Alfred to see if he has heard from Bruce.
Bruce is seeing to Alex’s bite wound from Anubis at the bottom of a staircase, Bruce wants him to go to the hospital, but Alex is too nervous that they will find him. He admitts he is scared Alex asks Bruce how he can fight those men as he just froze just like when his grandfather got killed. This scene becomes a really important and one of my favourites in the episode. It is wonderful to see Bruce talking with someone of his own age and assuring Alex that fear is normal. Recalling the moment his parents were killed Bruce was terrified and he just stood there, he wants Alex to believe there is nothing wrong with being afraid, “once you feel it’s normal, then you can put it in its place. Then you can act. Fight back!” Alex tells Bruce he felt bad for him what happened to his parents, all the kids at school kept talking about Bruce. Bruce is curious about what they said, that he lived alone in a big mansion, doesn’t go to school, fly around in jets, they made Bruce sound weird which Alex thinks he isn’t. Alex disagrees he thinks Bruce is cool, he thinks of himself as weird, but maybe a little weird too but Bruce is weirdly cool. They sit in silence at the bottom of the stairs, then Alex agrees to take Bruce to the knife.
Ra’s al Ghul is certainly a great addition to Gotham, when he sits down with Jim he doesn’t hold back on the information that Barbara Keen who is a acting on behalf of his government to procure a certain property. Jim asks why he didn’t bid on the knife himself, but Ra’s uses the excause there was competing claims so it was better to do it quietly. He regrets Ms.Keen failed and there has been a murder. The reason Ra’s is there is to press his claim on behalf of his government and entreat Jim to return the knife. Jim wants more explanation why this knife is important, Ra’s goes on to tell a ancient story among his people of a man who could not die, in his time committed terrible acts and raised a kingdom and then vanished. If a legend is to be believed he walled away and vowed he would return to complete his destiny but that would require a particular knife. Ra’s hopes this helps with his curiosity but his main is concern, there is a boy and he is being hunted because of the knife or perhaps the killer thinks he saw something, Ra’s asks if he did, Jim confirms that he didn’t but he isn’t willing to release the knife either as it could comprise the case but Ra’s would like to see the knife to put his mind at rest.
Alfred storms through two police officers furious, he wants to talk to Gordon on the whereabouts of Bruce. Alfred sees Ra’s al Ghul and punches him, Jim is trying to calm Alfred down, Harper interrupts to tell Jim that Ra’s has disappeared. Which means he knows they have not got the knife.
Sofia Falcone asks Falcone loyalists not to call her Donna Falcone she insists them to leave as she didn’t invite them but they want her to hear them out. They feel because they served Sofia’s father for years, when Penguin took over they had to go underground. When they heard a Falcone was back in Gotham they knew it was time. Sofia insists they leave again but they want to know when Carmine is returning, “its Penguin city now” Sofia tells them she wants them gone before Penguin finds them, but its too late as Oswald arrives with Zsasz. “How many graves did you dig Victor?” Penguin asks. With gunshots being fired Sofia sits at her table facing Oswald, she flinches with every shot. Oswald sighs a satisfied smile when the last shot is fired, Oswald’s paranoia is put to rest. Sofia emotions run deep as she knows Penguin used her, he doesn’t deny it, she asks Oswald if he trusts her now, he answers “you’re alive aren’t you?” In the way Oswald only does he advises her to plant roses as they cover up the smell, he goes to leave Sofia explains to Oswald the differences between him and her father in a wonderful dialogue “My father wouldn’t have killed those men, he would of invited me to his club as you did then gone further. He would have invited me to dinners, had us seen in public, sent me the message of the old order supports me. And those men you killed would have pledged you loyalty. Now they are fertilizer, my father built on the strength of others.” Sofia watches Oswald leave, she wipes away a fake tear, she knows which path, game plan she is going to take with the Penguin.
Bruce and Alex are at the hiding place of the knife, he hid it in plain sight. Alex goes on to explain the legend and the terrible things that happen because of it. Alex questions maybe it’s not a lengend as his grandfather is dead. He pleads to Bruce that the man who wants the knife can’t have it, Bruce promises he won’t give it to Ra’s. They are startled by a noise, they run as Anubis appears and is following their scent he hisses and chases after them through the museum. The whole sequence of how it has been captured and the cinematography is beautiful and incredibly creepy. The use of colours from the warm amber highlighting the stuffed dead animals to the cool blues that highlight the floors. Anubis sniffing everywhere and his senses are heightened, he just misses Bruce and Alex hiding in one of the exhibits.
The Nanda Parbat consulates is giving the GCPD the runaround and they can’t get in there without a warrant, Jim asks Alfred if Bruce has been in contact, which he hasn’t. Alfred is annoyed with Jim for letting Bruce tag along on a murder investigation. This becomes very heated when Jim points out that Alfred does not get to lecture Jim about the lack of honesty and openness. Because Bruce and Alfred have been up to something for weeks, Jim asks what have they got themselves into. With frustration Jim tells Alfred he is on their side, Alfred thinks its up to Master Bruce what he decides to tell. As Alfred is Bruce’s guardian Jim thinks he can violate his privacy if it’s going to keep him out of danger! Alfred just wants Jim to stick to the point what is he doing to find Bruce? Jim has every cop on alert in the city but now Ra’s thinks he has the knife, Alfred asks about Alex did he tell Jim where he put the knife? Jim is assuming that Bruce is taking Alex to get it. Alfred unzipps Alex’s back pack to look for clues he takes out a silver decorated box, Jim touches it he knows where they are. Alfred is told to stay at the GCPD and Jim won’t give him any access as he won’t be honest with Jim, Jim gives instructions to Harper if Alfred tries to leave then arrest him.
So Oswald went to the pier and he waited, Ed didn’t show. Oswald tells the two guys that are back with another riddle to get on with it. The riddle makes no sense Oswald is exasperated as it could mean anything. Zsasz wants to torture them, Oswald agrees.
Whilst Bruce and Alex are in hiding the knife falls to the ground, The Hunter and Anubis hear it. Bruce and Alex run in an opening of the museum, Bruces gets leaped on by Anubis. jim tells Alex to get down as he fires his gun. Bruce’s leg is injured, Jim is attacked by the Hunter and Anubis. jim gets thrown against a glass box protecting some prehistoric bones. Bruce comes behind the hunter, but he is to strong and starts to throttle Bruce, Alex stabbs the hunter in the leg with some glass, then he gets knocked flying. the funniest part of this scene is when jim picks up a bone, Anubis stops for it and begs then jim throws it through the window, where that bone goes Anubis goes to. A fight continues between Jim and the hunter, Jim grabs another bone and stabs him in the stomach. As Jim asks Bruce why is this knife so important, why are people dying for it Ra’s appears telling jim he has asked an excellent question. Ra’s has Alex with a knife to his throat, give Ra’s the knife and Alex can be set free. Jim asks Bruce for the knife, but he doesnt respond, jim asks again, Bruce is still not handing over the knife. He tells Jim that he doesnt understand, Ra’s killed alfred the water brought him back to life. Alex’s grandfather was afraid of this knife so Bruce won’t and can’t give it to Ra’s. Jim pleads with determination that if they don’t hand it over Alex is dead, Bruce’s wants Jim to understand that he doesn’t know who Ra’s is, Ra’s congratulates Bruce as he is starting to see things clearly, with this Ra’s slits Alex’s throat, who falls to the ground. Bruce yells with distress, Jim gives Ra’s an order to drop the weapon and to his knees but Ra’s requests to be arrested. Back at the GCPD Bruce is distressed as he blames himself. Ra’s is on his way to Blackgate prison, my question is was this in his plan to end up there as he gave himself up so easily? Jim comforts Bruce saying Ra’s is a psychopath and Bruce is not responsible for his actions. Jim wants to help but doesn’t believe what Bruce has told him about Alfred coming back to life and magical waters. Alfred express this is why they held back, Bruce still extremely upset says to Jim no matter what he says Bruce believes this is all his fault, Alex is dead because of him, Bruce believes he killed him.
Ed enters through the double doors of the iceberg lounge looking for Oswald, Ed calls Oswald a coward for not showing up. The brilliant part of this scene as Ed is walking around the Iceberg lounge we get to see the full scope and decor. The ceiling has upside down umbrellas for light shades, Ed calls out again to find Oswald, who has just come out of his office “here I am. I may be many things but I am not a coward.” Ed turns and points a gun at him, Oswald tells Ed that his riddles suck as his last riddle described a range of human behaviour. The answer to the last riddle was Stoker cemetery which Ed thinks was clear as only an idiot wouldn’t see that. Oswlald chuckles at Ed as he can’t write riddles to save his ass anymore! Oswald realises Mrtyle was right there is something wrong with Ed, it took him a while to believe it but Ed isn’t smart. Ed believes he is smart and calls himself The Riddler, Oswald can’t stand that name he wants Ed to tell him how long it took him to come up with those riddles? Ed confesses it took him six hours for two bad riddles! Oswald asks “does that sound like the old you?” Ed puts it down he’s still recovering from being frozen in a block of ice, but revenge will certainly make him feel better. Oswald is confident that Ed will never revenge him, Ed points his gun at Oswald, he drops his head with a sigh. Oswald agrees that Ed may shoot him, kill him, but only “he” can get revenge on me. The man that Oswald froze at the pier, the man who would’ve killed himself before writing those idiotic riddles. The man whose name Oswald will not speak. Oswald believes he is gone and just Edward Nygma stands before him, and not even Ed Nygma would of noticed something. Ed doesn’t understand what Oswald means, the temperature of the room has dropped as Oswald’s other Victor shoot the gun out of Ed’s hand with ice. Oswald decides he is going to put Ed on ice, again. Victor asks does he want a different pose or the same. Ed admitts he isn’t The Riddler he agrees to be frozen, but Oswald has changed his mind as he would only be freezing Edward Nygma and one cares about that. A better revenge is having Ed live knowing that he ins’t The Ridddler and he will never be again. Oswald says goodbye to Ed. Which leaves Ed questioning himself “Who am I? This scene is my favourite in the episode as it ties up the ongoing feud between these two brilliant characters. Robin Lord Taylor and Cory Michael Smith are alway incredible together on screen. The light and shade of humour and despair was brilliantly written, acted and directed. Anyhow I did feel for Nygma as he really needs to find himself and I will look forward to his next story arc.
Sofia and Jim are having drinks at the Falcone Mansion, Sofia goes over a memory when she was seven years old she snuck downstairs to find her father with a man before him begging for forgiveness. Sofia saw her father stab him in the neck. The next morning there was no trace of blood and she had breakfast it’s him as nothing had happene. Because of this you would think Sofia would want to stay away from Gotham but the house, the city is in her veins, she is home. Jim mentions he heard word on the street three Falcone capos have gone missing. Sofia explains they were in hiding and Penguin used her as bait to draw them out and kill them. Jim is shocked that Sofia let Penguin do this, she tells Jim not to act the innocent as he knew when he came to Carmine Falcone for help it was never going to be bloodless. Jim questions her plan, get close to Penguin, gain his confidence what will she do after that? Jim wants to know what Sofia is going to do but she refuses, Sofia reminds Jim he wants the city back from Penguin and she will give it back to him. Sofia asks for trust, when palces her hand on his cheek, Jim pulls her hand away and they end up in a passionate embrace.
The familiar sight of Blackgate Prison with its moving floodlights, police cars and announcement is made “get ready. Prisoner walking.” Ra’s al Ghul is lead in chains by two prison guards and he looks rather happy about it.
The next episode of Gotham is called “The Blade’s Path ” will air on Thursday 19th October . Get ready for the return of Drew Powell as Soloman Grundy.
