It’s reunion time on Gotham and this episode delivered. With long awaited reunions finally happening between some of the characters. It was an episode that was a lot less crazy then last weeks, unless your Edward Nygma, it had a dramatic balance and every character showed brilliance in where the path of Gotham is leading us.

Master Bruce opens the case containing his viligante suit he removes the mask which Alfred made him and throws it into the fire. What does this symbolise? Bruce is done with being a vigilante even though he now has seen who he really is?

Alfred orders tea from the waitress at the diner. Bruce arrives an immediately thanks Alfred for meeting him. Not a word is spoken from Alfred. Bruce goes to tell Alfred about the upcoming Wayne Enterprises charity dinner but Alfred seriously does not want to chat about the charity event and definitely doesn’t think Bruce came to tell him about it. Alfred wants to know what Bruce wants from him as he can’t expect Alfred just to come back after what Bruce did. Bruce assures Alfred he has changed but Alfred wants Bruce to prove it but that’s for him to figure out. Bruce gives it one last attempt asking, he is asking Alfred as his friend. In an emotional honest answer Alfred reminds Bruce he isn’t his friend but his Butler and he fired him. Alfred ups and leaves with Master B to pay his bill.

The Sirens nightclub is closed, Bruce is waiting for Selina. She doesn’t give Bruce the warmest of welcomes as the last time Selina saw Bruce he was drunk. Bruce is desperate to talk to someone about what recently happened to him but Selina suggests Alfred. Which Selina soon realises Bruce did but Alfred didn’t want to listen either. Selina suggests like Alfred, Bruce needs to figure out his problem then say sorry to Alfred.

The Wayne Enterprises Foundation charity dinner is under way. Bruce is stood on the side when he is announced as their host. Bruce makes his way up to the lecturn and begins his speech he hesitates when he sees Alfred arrive at the back of the room, looking at his speech notes Bruce decides to change his speech and publicly apologise to Alfred. Bruce sees Alfred as the man that helped him survive his parents murder, also his teacher and become a father to him. Bruce really wants Alfred to see this. The crowd at the dinning tables clap quietly as Bruce leave the lecturn and makes his way to Alfred who thanks Bruce. But Alfred still can’t help Bruce because he needs to accept who he really is. Bruce confidently tells Alfred he knows who he is and he has seen it. Darkness and anger, beneath that is a heart that feels pain and Bruces heart should want to help people become that is Bruces strength. Denying darkness and acceptance is something Bruce needs to do on his own. It’s not really what Bruce wants to hear and feels stupid for reaching out he leaves Alfred looking on hoping that he has said the right thing.

Ivy Pepper has two agendas in this episode the first is when she sends a very public message like all good villains in Gotham on television. Ivy is basically going to kill everyone in Gotham because of the cruelty to plants. When Ivy introduces herself at the Wayne Foundation dinner there is gasps of horror and Alfred is still in the ballroom. He tries to sneak up behind her and whack Ivy over the head with a crow bar but Alfred is taken out by one her armed men. The GCPD arrive Jim asks Bruce as he is leaving if Ivy is in the ballroom. Screams can be heard as Ivy has just killed a handsome guest with one of her poisonous blooms. The GCPD storm the ballroom, Bruce watches from behind a door arch and sees a hooded mask man laying on the floor. Alfred wakes as the ballroom falls into darkness. One of Ivy’s men is taken down by a hooded figure who goes straight to help Alfred. It’s Bruce he wants to get Alfred out of danger but Alfred wants him to listen as this is who Bruce is. People in the ballroom need Bruces help, he puts his half mask back over his face and Alfred looks on proud as he disappears.

Bruce vigilante is waiting for one of Ivy’s armed men. Bruce manages to take him out just as Captain Jim Gordon arrives who shoots not realising it’s Bruce. Bruce falls to ground with the force of the bullet hitting his bulletproof vest takes his breath away. Bruce quickly runs up the staircase with Jim following. The stairs leads out onto the roof which by the time Jim arrives Bruce has disappeared.

After the evening events Alfred is apply a bandage to Bruce’s arm. Alfred asks Bruce how he managed to get of the roof, which was a fire escape on the next building and why Bruce didn’t tell Gordon why it was him. In which Bruce thinks for a moment and doesn’t know why. Bruce wants to help people and admits to Alfred that if it means accepting the good and bad of himself then he will. It what his parents would of wanted and Alfred knows they are proud of him. In a moment where you need tissues these two wonderful characters are reunited Bruce offers Alfred to drive him anywhere in Gotham. Alfred announces to Bruce “i am not going anywhere sir I’m home.”

Ivy Peppers other evil agenda in this episode is to kill Harvey Bullock. This revenage goes right back to the pilot episode in which Ivy’s father Mario was believed to be the Waynes killer. Jim and Harvey went after him. Mario was about to shoot Jim when Harvey shot Mario instead. Ivy turns up at the bar which Harvey now works at looking for him carrying a plant pot. She is annoyed when the young bartender tells Ivy Harvey isn’t in today, he asks if she wants to leave a message in which Ivy does, they are the message and blows the petals of the poisionious flower over the three men in the bar.

Luicius Fox is already examining the bodies which bloom more of the poisonous flowers. The bar looks like a scene from a horror movie, he warns one of the police officers not to get too close. Jim arrives, Luicus immediately tells him that this is what the Lazarus water must be used for. But Jim is concerned about Harvey and his whereabouts as he tells Luicuis that it was Harvey who killed Ivy’s father.

The SWAT team break down Bullocks door with Gordon and Alvarez. Alvarez thinks they are too late as Harvey lays on his couch in a tshrit and his boxers in a deep sleep. Jim wakes Harvey who is instantly annoyed at having his door broken down. Jim explains the hit on his bar by Ivy was bad when her television accouncement about killing everyone in Gotham. Harvey now takes this seriously as he is Ivy’s first target. Jim and Harvey work out where Ivy is recording the message from as there is a restaurant sign in the background. Jim suggests Harvey gos to the precinct but Harvey isn’t going to hide like a coward. Jim is fine for Harvey to work with him on this case to have his badge back. Harvey is adamant that he still won’t work for Jim but he does have a lot of contacts in The Narrows so Harvey will find Ivy alone. In a classic Bullock moment Harvey puts on his leather jacket and hat and goes to leave remembering he still hasn’t put his trousers on.

The GCPD arrive at Ivy’s place to find lots of empty plant pots, Jim soon realises Ivy wasn’t bluffing and sends Alvarez into the other rooms for signs of where she is headed next. Jim is alone when Selina asks Jim what is he going to do to Ivy. Jim wants to know from Selina where Ivy is but she genuinely doesn’t know. Jim challenges Selina on the fact that Ivy killed four people and Selina knew all along where Ivy was staying these deaths could of be prevented. Selina is my character of the week Camren Bicondova has always been superb in the role as Selina but in this episode she stands out driving this dramatic side of Selina. Selina continues to tell Jim how could he prevent Ivy from killing more people when Jim could not prevent Ivy hypotistising his officers at the GPCD. Jim wants to know why Selina came to Ivy’s which Selina admits she came to reason with her, which Jim believes would of not worked as Ivy is a fanatic. Selina corrects JIm as Selina sees Ivy as her friend.

Jim receives a telephone call from Harvey with a lead on Ivy. Jim meets Harvey in a room of barrels, Harvey figured that if Ivy was planning something big it would be the bar next door which is where you can hire muscle. Harvey points out the backdoor to the bar when it opens and Ivy appears, Jim and Harvey both draw their weapons but the twist in this Harvey has his gun pointed at the back of Jim’s head. Ivy has already got to Harvey and used her hypnotic perfume on him as he comments how beautiful Ivy is. Ivy asks Jim if he believes in fate as Harvey came looking for her and then realising she could also get his partner too. Jim tries to reason with Ivy suggesting she needs help but Ivy has plans for the evening with lots of people to kill. Ivy orders Harvey after shooting Jim then shoot himself in the head, she leaves Harvey and Jim alone. Jim manages to distract Harvey for a moment by asking what is the colour of Ivy’s hair auburn or scarlet? Harvey for a moment drops his aim and Jim grabs his gun and runs for cover. This next part in the scene is a clever way for Harvey and Jim to air their grievances. Harvey thinks Jim underestimates him, Jim stole Harveys job, but Harvey only got the job because one captain died and the other captain went nuts. Harvey believes he worked hard for the captains job. Jim then brings up the time Harvey shot Officer Patel, ( A Day in The Narrows episode 7) Harvey admits that was a mistake but Jim with  more harsh words gives Harvey credit as it was far away across the room, and didn’t have the courage to go and see Officer Patel. Jim calls Harvey a coward which while stalking each other  behind the rows of barrells Harvey fires more shots from his gun, but Jim gets to Harvey first and knocks him out.

Back at the GCPD Jim wakes up Harvey who is embarrassed that Ivy hypnotised him. Jim needs answers of where Ivy is headed next, all Harvey can remember is “getting rich by murdering plants”. Jim remembers seeing different evening gowns and shoes laid out so they now need to know which rich party Ivy is targeting. With the officers ringing around Alvarez comes with the answer The Wayne’s Foundation Charity dinner. Jim really could use Harvey’s help but he doesn’t trust himself as Ivy already got into his head. As Jim goes to leave, Harvey needs to tell Jim that he spent to long putting his mistakes on Jim when Harvey knows he only had himself to blame which is quite a momentous moment between Jim and Harvey.

Ivy returns home, she looks around as she can sense the house of been searched. Ivy goes over to plant and pulls a small bag out of the compost. Selina switches on a lamp and asks Ivy if she saw the news about crazy Ivy attacking the Wayne Foundation dinner. Ivy admits the evening didn’t go to plan, but Selina gives her credit for actually escaping and for always being a survivor. Selina wants to know what’s in the bag. Ivy reveals the last of the Lazarus water. Another reason why Selina is my character of the week is how she confronts Ivy about her plans to grow more killer plants. In a superb scene with these two ladies, Selina thinks they are past using words she unhooks her whip from her hip and uses it to grab Ivy around the wrist. Ivy calls Selina a hero in which Selina denies being no hero and sends the small bottle of the Lazarus water across the room. Ivy tries to stop Selina from getting it, Ivy tells Selina she will have to fight her but Selina wasn’t running she managed to get the Lazarus water. When Selina put the bottle under her foot and threatens to smash it Ivy panicks and can’t understand why Selina would side with the people of Gotham who are spewing out poison but all Selina can see is the insanity of Ivy. With this Selina breaks the bottle of Lazarus water her life in now in the hands of Ivy as she wraps them around Selina’s neck. With a clever move from Selina she tells Ivy to look down as Selina’s flip blade knife is pointed at Ivy’s stomach. Well what are the options for them both now? Kill each other?

Ivy felt Selina always thought she was better then Ivy which Selina believes not to be true as Selina saw them as true friends, but Ivy is a different person now. Selina drops her knife as she doesn’t want this, with Selina’s neck still in Ivy’s hands she warns Selina not to get in her way again. This was not a reunion but an end to friendship where respect for each other lives was shown.

Sofia Falcone shares a drink with her sister in law Leslie Thompkins. Lee knows Sofia hasn’t invited her over to look over photos of Mario, Lee’s late husband and Sofia brother. The Narrows is the only place in Gotham not ruled by an outside boss but there has never been anyone like Sofia ruling Gotham. Sofia wants a tax on The Narrows taking 30% of whatever it makes illegally and legally. Lee can see that this is not possible as the residents there live hand to mouth but Sofia feels sacrifices need to be made. Lee is even willing to bend the knee and kiss the ring as what Sofia is requesting is impossible. Sofia is confident that Lee will find a way, Lee brings up that she is family but Sofia points out not a happy family.

Lee discusses with Ed that it doesn’t make sense as there is no money in The Narrows, so it must be all about power. Lee confesses to Ed that she even offered to bend the knee as Sofia is asking for something that she can’t give. Lee knows Sofia wants to punish her but for what she doesn’t know. Ed decides to recruite some spy’s, a group of children from The Narrows to find out why Sofia Falcone wants to punish Lee and whoever finds out get a set of encyclopaedias minus the T. The children aren’t impressed until Ed ups the offer by adding $20.

Ed has information for Lee from his spy’s. The news that Jim and Sofia were having an affair until Jim ended it. Lee sees Sofia sleeping with the captain of the GCPD as a power play and it failed as Lee is her next step. Lee decides to give Sofia what she wants power over Jim Gordon. Ed is surprised Lee would do this but it’s not to get back at Jim, Lee sees it as her job to protect the people of a The Narrows are safe.

Sofia arrives at The Narrows. Lee places the offer of something more valuable then 30% on the table to Sofia who is intrigued as what it could be. Lee’s offer is Jim Gordon as she knows about crimes that Jim has committed that nobody else does, then Sofia would have full control over Jim. But Sofia has her own dirt on Jim but it’s obvious to Lee Sofia can’t use it otherwise she would not be sat in front of Lee threatening her. With guns hidden under the table two of Lees men are shot, Sofia’s men get hold of Lee as a familiar face from The Narrows appears, Samson. Samson has helped Sofia with everything she needs to know about The Narrows. As Lee is family Sofia decides only to use the hammer on one of Lee’s hands. In a brutal scene which shows you how dark Sofia is. Sofia hits Lee’s hand with the hammer four times and tells the men to throw Lee out on the streets so the people of The Narrows can see their queen now.

Jim receives a call about Lee being in the hospital whilst looking in on her a doctor asks who he is. The doctor explains that Lee would not tell them who had done this to to her. Whilst Jim knows exactly who has done this. Jim goes back to the precinct, Harvey is still there. Harvey congraultes Jim and can see why he is captain and considers himself to be a fifty year old screw up. There is a reason why Jim is captain but it’s not what Harvey thinks. Jim admits to Harvey he screwed up as Sofia hired Professor Pyg, Jim knew and he covered it up. Jim needs Harvey help as Jim is now going to take Sofia Falcone down. Another great reunion in this episode.

Edward Nygma’s life has certainly turned out differently since he defrosted after being a human popacle on display at the Iceberg Lounge. Becoming friends with Grundy and settling into life at The Narrows and helping their new Queen Leslie Thompkins run it. With no cure needed to make Ed’s brain function how it used to, just confidence The Riddler soon made his appearance and even made an assassination attempt on Lee without Ed realising. Nygma’s story arc in this episode is my favourite it’s intriguing and I did not see the end result happening. Ed is frantically going through some pill bottles which his Riddler ego calls his cuckoo pills, these have stopped The Riddler from going out and harming Lee without Ed knowing. Riddler encourages Ed to open his mail. Ed reads the letter from Oswald and thinks it ridiculous as he will never forgive him just like Oswald asks in his letter. Ed rips the letter in anger and The Riddler leaves him with a riddle “what has two eyes but can’t see?”

The Riddler comments on how Ed doesn’t look good as Ed sits on the end of his bed with his head in his hands tembling. Riddler continues to torment Ed by reminding him that as soon as Ed lets him out the fun will begin but Ed won’t let him as he knows Riddler will kill Lee. Ed thinks there are things he can do to stop Riddler but actually the only way to protect Lee and stop The Riddler coming back is killing himself.

The Riddler is shouting this is crazy at Ed as he prepares some rope ready to hang himself. With The Riddler desperate not for Ed to kill them both he admits that Ed wins, Ed beat The Riddler which is all very well but Ed still feels he needs to end their life. As Ed walks down some steps  The Riddler comes up with another way but Ed doesn’t believe him. The Riddler is frustrated that Ed won’t hear him out. Riddler does have a way of saving Lee and mostly importantly stop Ed from killing them both, now Ed is listening.

Ed is filling out forms to voluntery put himself back in Arkham Asylum. The new inmates Officer comments that they don’t often get volunteers but he has read Ed’s file and knows who Ed is. As the officer leaves Ed to finish the forms he admits to Riddler who is sat in the chair opposite that he is right about this keeping Lee safe. Ed hesitates to sign the form as Riddler repeats the riddle “what has two eyes but can’t see?” Ed gives several answers but he doesn’t really care. Oswald walks down the corridor behind Ed. Ed is genuinely surprised to see him as Oswald is emotional with joy to see him, as Oswald knew he would come and understand his letter. Ed can’t quite understand how Oswald knew he would be there in Arkham. Oswald isn’t talking to Ed he is talking to him, who read Oswald’s letter. Riddler holds up the letter behind Oswald for Ed to see that the first word of each sentence “please bring Ed to Arkham so i can set you free”.

Riddler repeats the riddle what has two eyes but can’t see? The answer is Edward Nygma who can’t see what is happening right in front of his eyes. Oswald is so emotionally happy that The Riddler has read his letter, Ed wants to hold on to the fact he came to Arkham to keep Lee safe as she sees him for who he really is. Oswald sees him, Lee may of helped Ed to become strong again but Oswald sees the other Ed. Oswald grabs Ed by the lapels on his jacket to make him listen as the name that Oswald would not speak but because he deserves it, because Oswald needs him, so Oswald accepts that Ed is The Riddler and speaks his name. Ed is angry and hold Oswalds head in tight grip Oswald is waiting to see whether speaking his name has worked. Ed let’s go of Oswald turns to put his pen down and straightens his jacket, adjusts his glasses and with a huge gleeful smile and laugh he announces to Oswald “shall we get to work.”

With a reunion between Ed and The Riddler and Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot this duo is going to be so interesting to watch. What will happen to the partnership and friendship with Lee and Ed now he is The Riddler?

Gotham returns on Thursday 22nd March with an intriguing title called “The Sinking Ship,The Grand Applause. Bullock and Gordon try to track down someone who is key in Sofia’s control over Gotham. Meanwhile, Penguin, Lee and Nygma enlist an unlikely ally as they seek revenge, and Selina asks Bruce for a favor to help rid her of her guilt over Ivy.

 

 

 

 

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