Who should be assigned to the case, but Detective Harvey Bullock, with his former partner Detective Dix. Dix is clearly the senior partner, as he gives Bullock directions that Bullock disobeys. They pull up to an abandoned building on a barely lit street called Cannery Row. Has the city ever considered that, maybe, their proliferation of criminals is due to having so many places for serial killers to hide? Just askin'. They have a suspect, named Randall Milky, who supposedly uses this building. Bullock doesn't want to wait for the backup Dix just requested. Dix insists that Bullock follow Gotham's Golden Rule: No Heroes. Heroes die. Or worse, they get somebody else hurt.
Bullock isn't convinced. The Goat's latest victim is in there, and Bullock doesn't want to wait if she could still be alive. They enter, with guns and flashlights drawn. The last victim is indeed there, but already dead. She's trussed up like a sacrifice to King Kong, complete with angelic outfit, and creepy candles surrounding her. Bullock is convinced The Goat is near- the candles are freshly lit. Randall Milky flashes in and out of the edges of the screen, and Dix and Bullock know they're not alone. They both start searching, and it's Dix who falls through some rickety scaffolding just as The Goat crashes into Bullock.
Hey guys, wanna' hang out?
Bullock and The Goat tussle it out, but Bullock gets the better of him. The Goat refuses to surrender, though. He claims he'll return, that he can never be defeated. Bullock is unconvinced when he shoots The Goat in self-defense. The Goat, Randall Milky, dies right in front of him. Bullock races back to Dix, while the backup he should have waited for arrives.
Why does this case matter? I mean, it's nice to see that Bullock was once a eager, young cop that Dix had to restrain. Does Jim remind Bullock too much of the hot-headed young detective he once was? Does Bullock ever wonder what Dix would make of Jim? Bullock doesn't have time to think about these things in the present day. He's too busy looking at the same victim set up he saw ten years ago. This time by the river.
Bullock is sure it's a copycat, re-identifying all the old ways The Goat used to leave his victims repeated with the body of Amanda Hastings. Like The Goat's former victims, Amanda was the child of Gotham's 1%. Their oldest child. Gotham's trusty forensic scientist/riddle enthusiast is on the scene, to give Bullock a time of death and ask him how you cross a river with a wolf, a goat, and a cabbage. Get it? The wolf would eat the goat, and the goat would eat the cabbage. How many trips does it take to get them all across the river? Nygma is about to gleefully give Bullock the answer when Bullock orders him to zip it while he tries reaching Jim. Again.
Dammit, Jim, you need to see these flowers
Jim and Barbara are trying to work things out back at their apartment. Barbara is willing to compromise; Jim can tell her half of what goes on. Jim thinks even that is too much, and too dangerous for her to know. Barbara says her middle name is risk, and Jim should know that by now. Jim just wants them to stop fighting, and says he'll tell Barbara everything as soon as he can answer the damn phone that's been ringing again and again this morning.
Can we talk about why we're a terrible couple later?
Allen and Montoya, still working on Oswald's presumed murder, are still canvassing the shipyard's piers, looking for any evidence that Oswald met his grim fate there. Allen wants to quit; but Montoya has already told Barbara and Jim that Jim's going down, and doesn't want to be wrong. They "luck" out when they find an obviously drunk homeless man enjoying the sunshine and worried they're here to kick him out. Allen reassures the guy they just want to ask him a couple questions about a possible shooting here, and the man is eager to confirm that he saw the whole thing. He happily confirms, from a photo, that it was Jim. The guy has no other details. Montoya is ready to bring Jim down based on the word of a man who's drunk before noon. Without even confirming that he really could have seen the murder in the first place.
Jim arrives at the present-day Goat crime scene to Bullock griping about Jim being late for once; Jim is unfazed, since Bullock is usually the late one. Besides, Jim's answer to Bullock's unease with the crime is to solve it quick. Before heading off to see Amanda's parents, Bullock tells Nygma he wants to personally witness the autopsy. When Nygma can't figure out why, Bullock throws a hissy fit and orders Nygma to do it without putting his nose where it doesn't belong.
Amanda's parents are overcome with grief. Her dad's only help, in between fist-clenching, is that he's been dreaming of a dark, overbearing presence all week. Mom is tranquilized out of being any help at all. Their therapist, a beautiful, polished and attentive woman named Dr. Marks (significance of the name to come later), shoos them away and tries to downplay any help Jim and Bullock will get from the parents. Bullock is unhappy with Dr. Marks possibly ruining possible witness with drugs.
Downstairs, Jim and Bullock recite what they know of Amanda's last night. She arrived home about 36 hours ago, and there are no signs The New Goat broke into her family's apartment. Jim and Bullock realize that their killer, like The Old Goat, probably works as a maintenance man for various elite apartment buildings in Gotham. When Jim gets notified that the autopsy on Amanda is about to start, Bullock insists on leaving right away, and giving the task of analyzing maintenance records to Nygma.
Nygma, would like to do his own digging in the Gotham PD Records Annex. It's run by a bespectacled Kris Kringle (yes, her name is literally Kristina Kringle). Nygma loves Kringle's name, but she's heard this one a million times. Her big concern is that Nygma expresses some frustration with her way or organizing old case files. Kringle gets worked up, insisting that her records are organized for her convenience, not Nygma's. And he will mess them up at his own risk. Then she does the dumbest thing possible and leaves Nygma alone with her files.
Mrs. Kapelput, at home, still in the same Miss Haversham Outfit we first saw her in, finally gets to see her son. Her dear, dear, Oswald has come home! At first, they argue about whether Oswald was in some hussy's clutches. Oswald has a different tale of woe to tell her, sounding almost bitter as he tells his mother he was betrayed, and treated horribly. Mrs. Kapelput insists that he certainly could never have done anything to deserve such treatment. Oswald isn't dwelling on the past anymore, but his future. He tells his mother that he's going to be somebody. And soon.
Back at the precinct, Bullock hovers over the ME performing Amanda's autopsy while Jim watches, detached. He doesn't know why they're there, but Bullock is on edge as the ME confirms that Amanda died from asphyxiation with chloroform. Bullock isn't done. He instructs the ME to look at the base of the skull, right where the scalp ends. The ME is reluctant, but finds a missed stitch there. The ME is immediately intrigued and opens up the stitch, to find a penny. A penny that Bullock hoped wouldn't be there. Bullock is instantly convinced that this is the Orginal Goat. He just has no idea how it could be, as he killed the guy himself.
Can you, by any chance, find my lost innocence in there?
Bullock, with Jim, explains to Captain Essen, in a room full of other cops, that it's the same 1813 Liberty Penny that The Old Goat used. And that this detail was kept secret from the public, as well as out of the original case files. The only people who ever knew this detail were Bullock, the ME (who has since died), and Bullock's old partner, Dix. And now, Captain Essen and Jim know. And anyone who's hanging around the precinct. Essen sends Bullock and Jim to see Dix. Maybe he talked. Maybe he knows the ME did. Maybe he's got some ideas. Maybe he can help with revealing more about Bullock's character.
At Wayne Manor, Bruce watches a TV news report. It gleefully recounts how The Goat is once again targeting the wealthy. And the newscaster has a little disdain in her voice as she notes how Gotham's 1% are literally fleeing Gotham for anywhere else for a while. But not Bruce, not even when Alfred tries to not-so-subtly suggest it. But Bruce is still busy working on his Wall of My Parents' Murders. Plus, Bruce is sure he's safe; The Goat won't take him, as Bruce doesn't have a family now. Alfred, with The Oath of the Horatii once again in the background, looks like Bruce just called him chopped liver.
Kris Kringle gets what she really should have expected from leaving Nygma alone with her precious files. She loses her shit on Nygma for reorganizing based on date, victim's favorite ice cream flavor, and murderer's shoe color. Kringle thinks Nygma is trying to sabotage her job; Nygma, clearly interested in more than Kringle's name, tries to awkwardly tell her that of course he wants her to keep her job. What he doesn't say, is that it's so he can see her. She banishes him from the Records Room.
Dix is in some sort of hospital, and Bullock doesn't look happy to be there. When Jim tries to ask what's bothering Bullock, Bullock blocks the attempt, claiming his brain is a black box. Well, it's dark in there, at any rate. Bullock wants Jim to wait outside the patient rooms, but Jim insists on sitting down in the patient lounge, where Dix is playing a board game by himself. Dix asks Bullock if he remembers Gotham's Golden Rule; they repeat together, No Heroes. Dix complains about his liver, Bullock reminds him that he should take it up with the booze he guzzled earlier in life.
Bullock sits down, bringing up the case and the penny dilemma. Dix reminds Bullock that not revealing that detail to anyone was his idea, and he definitely didn't talk. And Dix, somehow, knows that the ME didn't talk before dying. Bullock insists his mouth stayed shut. So, Dix tells Bullock that their not looking for a lone killer. They're going to need to uncover a conspiracy. Catching The New Goat will only be the beginning. This time, they'll need to find a person behind The Goat.
Before leaving, Dix warns Jim to watch out for Bullock, calling Bullock a loose cannon and a white knight. Jim isn't buying the White Knight part. But, when he comes out of the lounge, he sees Bullock has already been talking to an administrator, about Dix's latest bills and whether Dix is getting Bullock's gift of magazines. The administrator doesn't like Bullock's taste in reading, but he only cares that his old partner is getting his favorite reading. Jim is taken aback; has Bullock been taking care of his old partner? Bullock gives Jim one don't-even-think-of-asking-about-this look, so Jim won't find out.
One Emily Copley is the last rich girl left in Gotham. But not for long. She and her maid, Anita, are finishing her packing so she can meet her parents at the marina and join the exodus. Emily decides that, despite kids being kidnapped from home, she's totally safe in the dark, creepy stair hall of her family's multi-story luxury apartment. Anita's not so sure, as she wanders in looking for Emily, only to be attacked and knocked out with chloroform. Emily decides to investigate, only to be attacked herself. Who woulda' thought?
Jim and Bullock get the call right away, and while standing around in the Copley apartment, agree that they've got some ways to narrow down their search of maintenance men. Has to be someone who works in both buildings, and took some time off to commit the murders.
Barbara, who literally got a promise that morning that Jim would tell her all, wastes very little time in confronting Montoya on the steps of some public building. She's negotiated to hear what Jim is hiding, so she can go right to her old girlfriend investigating him and clear his name. She tries to prepare Montoya for hearing Jim's side of things, but Montoya's not having any part of the Worst Girlfriend Scheme ever. She tells Barbara, clearly violating her rules, that she's already got a warrant for Jim's arrest that I guess she's just sitting on. Montoya tells Barbara to leave town instead. It will get her far away from Jim. Montoya also tells her never to try to contact her again. Unexpected appearances are Montoya's thing, not Barbara's.
Nygma has found their man: named Raymond Earl. And he just happens to be squatting in good ol' Cannery Row, which Bullock and Jim drive up to. Bullock is complaining about the deja vu before they're even inside to find the same scene he found ten years ago with Dix. This time, he's got a younger partner who manages to free Emily Copley in time to join Bullock in fighting The New Goat. The Goat is bigger than Jim; but Jim takes his time and eventually knocks him out. Bullock gets up shakily and gives Jim what might be his first compliment. They totally forget about the crime victim as they sit down for a breather on the stairs.
At Wayne Manor, Bruce is demonstrating just how unconcerned he is about The Goat by falling asleep in his study, with the windows unlocked. No serial killer comes for him, but he is visited by a young burglar. Cat, with full gear, skulks in, in perfect cat burglar form. She makes sure Bruce is sleeping before proceeding to take in his Wall, and some of the pictures he's got there: Mayor James, Carmine Falcone, and Molly Mathis are featured. Cat doesn't linger long, only until she can scarf a pretty silver box for herself and skedaddle before the approaching footsteps reach her, closing the window behind her. Is Bruce going to be tracking down his lost valuable?
Oswald is also relaxing at home this evening. His mother has lovingly ironed his suit while he relaxes in the bath, and now she's come to make sure Oswald got all clean. In creepy smothering style, Mrs. Kapelput washes her grown son while reminding him that she's the only person he can ever trust. Oswald tentatively suggests that maybe, he's found someone else he can trust. A cop. Who's done him a good turn. This guy is a real friend, who will do right by Oswald in the end. Oh no, what's Oswald's plan for Jim?
Back at the precinct, Bullock, Jim and Essen watch Raymond Earl handcuffed to a table in interrogation. He's calm now, but Bullock points out a list of non-violent crimes and mental instability, just like Randall Milky. Essen's willing to declare case closed, but Bullock's not done. He's still wondering how Earl knew about the penny. Bullock sends Jim home, while he stays and watches Earl. Bullock gets weirded out when Earl starts to fidget, trying to escape the cuffs, all the while pleading against some imaginary hurt to come. Bullock doesn't know what it means, but he definitely sees something he can use there.
Jim comes home to find Barbara has stacked some antique-looking suitcases in the living room. Barbara tries to give him one last chance to tell her all, saying that she knows something happened to Jim right after he started with the PD, and she wants to know what it is. Jim says he can't tell her. Jim knows she can't help him. Barbara tries to convince Jim to come away with her, but he won't run. Not even when there's a knock on the door, and it turns out to be Allen and Montoya there to arrest him. Jim is silent as Barbara watches him taken away.
Bullock returns to the Hastings home, where Dr. Marks, cleverly almost named after the founder of Communism, is treating Mr. Hastings again. Bullock confirms that she is also a hypnotist, which Dr. Marks expands on, noting how it's a good way to treat obsessive disorders. With Mr. Hastings, she replaced another obsession, through hypnosis, with clenching his fist. But Bullock has done some additional digging. She's been working pro bono for over ten years. And, she just happens to be the therapist to both dead Randall Milky and imprisoned Raymond Earl. Dr. Marks doesn't freak out at all, although it's obvious Bullock has just caught her for conspiracy to commit murder.
Instead, she lounges in a nearby wing chair while she explains that Gotham needs The Goat. The Goat restores balance, and gives the people what they want- the chance, vicariously, to eat the rich. Bullock moves to arrest her, but she's been prepping Mr. Hastings well; she calls him out, tells him some weird nonsense about a golden temple being open, and orders him to kill Bullock. While Dr. Marks starts escaping down the stairs, Bullock has to pry Hastings off of him long enough to shoot Dr. Marks in the leg. She collapses in pain. The Goat may finally rest in peace.
Bullock is explaining all this to Captain Essen back at the precinct, when they're interrupted by the kerfuffle of Montoya and Allen parading Jim through his own precinct, so all Jim's co-workers can see their top secret investigation. Jim is ranting that he's not a dirty cop. And when Montoya reads out the charge of killing Oswald Cobblepot, Bullock is the first to refuse to believe it. Jim tries to tell everyone that he didn't kill Oswald; Bullock emphatically agrees, although he doesn't know Jim is actually telling the truth. He's the ultimate partner- he'll probably even happily supply an alibi. Except that Montoya has a surprise- the homeless guy at the pier also identified Bullock there that day, so he's getting arrested as an accomplice. Bullock is about to object when there's a visitor to the precinct.
Jim hears the voice he least ever wanted to hear again. Oswald stands at the door to the precinct, where all can see and hear him, and greets everyone as if he's arriving at a dinner party. Now, Bullock realizes Jim wasn't lying or kidding before. Now, Bullock's the one who's mad.
For once, we don't see Bruce actually making any progress in getting new names or info for his Wall. We also have almost stopped seeing Jim visit him completely. Has the show abandoned the idea of Bruce and Jim as good friends, now showing them going their separate ways?
This is also the first episode without Carmine Falcone, Maroni, or Fish Mooney. It's nice to not see their gang war for a change. We can focus on Jim, and the coming hammer, for a change. It's always difficult to see how the coming three-way war is going to create the list of heroes, anti-heroes, and villains of Gotham. It always looks like something in there to make Gotham more complicated, or emphasize how corrupt the city is.
With Jim's non-crime coming home to roost, it's obvious that now people are going to have to make big moves. And it's all going to be on Jim's head. Let's hope Barbara's already out of town.
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