Gotham: Follow the White Rabbit

Well, let’s dive straight in at the deep end! For those of you reading this who watch Gotham, hopefully you’re up to date with season 3.

So far; we’ve been introduced to The Court of Owls and Bruce Wayne’s mysterious double, Hugo Strange has been kidnapped by Fish Mooney, Lee is back in town and marrying Falcone’s son, Penguin is mayor and has had Ed Nygma released from Arkham, the Police Captain has been poisoned with a blood virus and we’ve met the Mad Hatter… Oh yes, and James Gordon has been seeing Valerie Vale, who I am to understand is Vicky Vale’s aunt.

 

In this particular episode, the Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch) is still terrorising Jim Gordon while blaming him for the death of his sister Alice. Tetch decides to play a game of choice with Gordon, one that he can’t win. He plays on Jim’s heroic need to save everyone and makes him chose between the lives of one person and another – with no way of saving both. A classic trope in the comic-book world, and a particularly good choice for manipulating the emotions of the viewer as well as forcing Jim to face truths about his character. In the meantime with see Police Captain Nathaniel Barnes dealing with the blood virus he caught from contact with Alice’s blood, so far he’s got a pretty good handle on things but is already displaying more prominent anger and strength. There’s no doubt that there’s going to be trouble coming there down the line and it leaves us wondering, if the worst happens, is that what triggers Jim to go back and work for Gotham PD?

Meanwhile, for anyone who hasn’t been paying attention for the last few seasons; the homoerotic undertones in Penguin and Nygma’s relationship just came bubbling to the surface and Penguin realises that he has stronger feelings for dear old Ed, than ‘just friends’. Penguin plays the role almost like a school boy crush, and he is understandably trepidatious to show his deeper feelings for Ed; because after all, they are both ruthless criminals. Now while I can see Ed’s reciprocation to some feelings, as they both have had back and forth ‘I love you bro’ moments since they became friends. However, the timing is off, and this Kristen Kringle look alike with a penchant for riddles appears out of nowhere to lead Ed off into the sun set; effectively preluding to the ruin of the relationship between him and Penguin. In the grand scheme, unless the show runners intend to change the future of the Batverse, I think it’s safe to say there has to be something to break up this (b)romance between the two, as in the comics, Nygma and Penguin definitely aren’t dating and aren’t really even friends. Quite disappointing as the on screen character development between the two has been exceptional and I would hate to see them part.

Back to Jim Gordon, who so far has saved a child but let a newly married couple die. Gordon moves to find Tetch, who has stolen both Lee and Valerie, in an attempt to break Jim’s heart, as Tetch’s has been broken at the loss of his dear sister. While Jim is trying to figure out the clues, there is a lovely bonding moment between the women as they pick locks and chat. Valerie is an unrelenting journalist to the end and in this time of peril she still insists on attempting to interview Lee about the GCPD testing on Alice Tetch’s blood. Lee, quips that her unwavering dedication to the job makes her a perfect match for Jim Gordon. This is always bad news, deeper connections between viewer and character relationships, as well as character and character relationships, are more often than not a sign that one or more of the characters involved are going to die, or at the very least end up seriously injured. Gordon figures out that the hypnotised albino man ,dressed in formal wear, that strangely resembles the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland (go figure), is the person he needs to find Lee and Valerie.

After a brief spat with Lee’s new fiance Mario Falcone, the pair work together and attempt a rescue of the two lovely ladies. Tetch however see’s it coming and foils the plan before it really gets started. In the end Jim has to sit down at the Mad Hatter’s tea party; Tetch in front of him, Lee on his right and Valerie on his left, all while trying to remain calm and not give Tetch even sign that these mind games have had an effect on him. Jervis, gun blazing, insists that Gordon tell him which of the ladies is the one he loves (or loves the most) and as usual, Jim tries to sacrifice himself, shouting ‘take me, I’m the one you want’ and plays the part of the hero perfectly. Tetch is almost fooled, but snaps out of it at the last minute and changes his demand. Now Gordon must pick which woman will die or both will be shot. After a brief thinking period Gordon picks Lee to die and Tetch, believing that Valerie is the one Gordon loves, shoots Miss Vale in the stomach.

Now there’s been a lot of discussion about this scene since it aired. Most people seem to believe that Gordon appears to love Valerie Vale and that things are now going to be quite awkward between Lee and Jim since he chose her to die. I however disagree. I believe that Jim, knowing that Tetch was determined to shoot the one he loved the most, chose Lee to die because he knew Jervis would shoot the opposite love interest. In short, Jim Gordon chose Lee to save her, having figured out that Jervis Tetch would shoot the woman he didn’t chose to die, believing that that woman was the one Jim loved most.

Now I don’t know where the show runners are taking the relationship with Jim and Lee or Jim and Valerie but I do know that Jim Gordon loves Lee Thompkins and is most definitely not petty enough to let her die just because he’s heartbroken she’s moved on. The only thing left to do it wait to see the fallout in next week’s episode.