What I don't get, is why Bruce needs to meet Cat. Or why Harvey Dent needs to appear now. I don't get why, after building Bullock up as Jim's frenemy, he suddenly gets shoved into the back seat of the show's plot.
Don't worry, Harvey, I feel betrayed too
Cat has always been, literally, leaping in and out of the show. As the only other witness to the Wayne murders, Jim's been on the lookout for her. And what she saw makes her of interest to Bruce. But it sort of ruins her as the wild card she's destined to become. Both of them will like to fight for those who can't fight for themselves. But, Batman will never quite figure her out, mostly because Catwoman delights in making it up as she goes along. Batman has a mission; Catwoman has a passion. Those differences always foil any deep or lasting relationship they could form. I don't particularly want to see them bond as kids, or learn to understand each other.
And I would have liked to see Harvey Dent later. Right now, he exists to drop a few scented hankies for the fans and introduce a new bad guy, Dick Lovecraft. We already have two crime bosses, a traitorous lieutenant, and Oswald. Why can't Dent just go after Falcone, like everyone else does? Jim, Montoya, and Allen have literally just learned to trust each other. Now, they're suddenly all trusting Harvey Dent? Who has he put away already that Montoya and Allen should introduce him and get Jim to go along with his cocky plan?
We start the episode at Jim's apartment, where he gets to find out that Barbara has put their relationship on hold, as she's still scared of Jim's enemies, and needs some time to herself. Her whole contribution to the plot so far has been to make Jim's love life more complicated and act as a hostage, so without her Jim can spend an episode getting things done for a change. Jim, however doesn't see it that way, especially since he's invited his eyewitness, Cat, to his place. Cat's impressed by the digs, and can't resist reading the note Barbara left behind. She also can't resist the ubiquitous milk bottle Jim conveniently has in his fridge. She keeps asking if she gets to stay in Barbara's loft, but Jim probably doesn't know if he'll get to stay in Barbara's loft without Barbara, so he tells her it's just temporary, until she's met with a police sketch artist.
Their next stop is Wayne Manor, where Jim shows Bruce the sketch from Cat's description, After waiting so long from information from Jim, Bruce isn't sure to accept that they've gotten a break, but Jim has plans to meet with a Assistant District Attorney picked out by Montoya and Allen, now that he has a witness. Jim also has a favor to ask; he doesn't trust a GCPD safehouse. Would Bruce let Cat stay? Alfred is against it from the start, but Bruce pulls rank on him, simply and quietly informing Alfred that he's in charge. After Bruce leaves, Jim explains that whether Cat sticks around to testify could come down to how nice Bruce and Alfred are to her. Alfred is horrified by the thought.
Bruce finds Cat playing with his parents' (or, rather, his) 500-year-old Ming Dynasty (why is everything from China from the Ming Dynasty?) vase. Cat nods that she's impressed, but tells Bruce his parents could have just paid five bucks for one in Chinatown. Bruce, not insulted or put off, insists on shaking her hand and having a proper introduction.
Let's get to the awesome rooftop fights already
Blackgate Penitentiary, apparently, houses the worst of Gotham's criminals, including master bomb-maker Ian Hargrove, being transferred for some reason in an armored truck. Every precaution is taken with him, but he still manages to get a match book from his mouth to his hands in time to get his special secure gloves placed on. Ian decides to play with the thing on the trip, and the guard is distracted from getting it out of his hands while new cars appear both in front of and behind the GCPD truck, smashing the truck to a stop. Armed men appear, and "rescue" Ian. Thing is, Ian doesn't look like he particularly wanted rescuing. And he doesn't appear to know anyone pointing guns. Is this even a rescue?
Jim, in order to pursue his totally secure and secret prosecution of the Waynes' murderers, proceeds to meet with Montoya, Allen, and ADA Harvey Dent right at the steps of the courthouse. Harvey Dent needs a moment, enjoying himself while offering a second chance to a juvie offender who looks more worried about Dent than juvie detention. Dent offers him a coin toss to decide his fate, and manages to get a promise out of the kid that he'll shape up if the kid wins. Which the kid does, correctly calling heads. Dent sends him on his way, and Jim wonders why Dent would leave the kid's fate up to a coin. That's when Dent reveals his secret- both faces are heads, and almost every teenager calls heads. He doesn't know why, he just knows that he likes sending kids home instead of juvie detention.
It also helps me look totally boss
They at least move to Harvey's private office, complete with old-fashioned fan (what, no AC here?), suitably dim, to talk about the case. Harvey's not as impressed with the sketch from Cat's description, saying that the eyewitness can't tie the murders to whoever ordered them. He's got a suspect, but still no proof, and launches into describing yet another high-living unsuitable in Gotham, Dick Lovecraft. He's rich, and has financially benefited from the Waynes' deaths. He stood for the exact opposite of the Waynes' concern for the good of Gotham, and Dent's sure that he's their man. Jim doesn't ask, but he looks surprised that they're no longer going after Carmine Falcone.
Jim's also worried about his witness. He refuses to name her to Dent, and doesn't like Dent's idea that he'll just call in Lovecraft and bluff that he's got a witness that can incriminate Lovecraft. Since Dent isn't actually going to file any charges, Jim's witness can revel in complete secrecy while Dent rattles some cages and sees if anyone involved cracks. Montoya and Allen are on board, and seem unconcerned that anything could go wrong. Jim's not so blase, but shakes hands with Dent as they agree on Dent's plan.
Well, if all these people I barely know say it's okay...
Bullock's been holding his own back at the precinct, and he pretends that he doesn't care what's made Jim late this morning, Jim holds off his questioning by hinting at his relationship problems, with Bullock complaining about high-maintenance women. Bullock cuts the bonding short, though, by telling Jim that they've got the Ian Hargrove case. According to Blackgate's records, Ian only got a couple visits from a brother, who Bullock's had dragged into the precinct for questioning. Other than that, no one can guess who wanted to break him out. But, both are pretty sure his escape means some bombs will be going off.
Cat's first morning at Wayne Manor has her missing breakfast, and interrupting Master Bruce's boxing lesson. While Alfred explains his meal schedule, he and Bruce get in sneak punches on each other. Cat's amused by the idea of fighting with gloves, before wandering off to see if she can rustle up some food for herself. Alfred is immediately suspicious that Bruce likes Cat, literally calling Cat a cheeky minx, and warning Bruce off of her, like the good English butler he is.
I'm just saying, don't buy her any jewelry
Oswald has decided to act on Timothy's little nugget of information from last week. Perhaps finding out that Liza has recently been added to Falcone's staff, he breaks into her studio apartment looking for any sign of collusion with Fish Mooney. His only find is that Liza likes lilac perfume. He leaves as Liza returns home. Liza can tell her apartment's been searched, but Oswald escapes.
John Hargrove has no idea where his brother is, and he sounds as if he'd love it if the cops found him. Claiming that Ian Hargrove never intentionally killed anyone with his bombs, he presents Ian as a mentally ill protester against the military-industrial complex. Neither Jim nor Bullock look happy that this case just got more complicated. As John begs for Gotham to finally get Ian the help he needs, Ian is seen assembling a new bomb, beneath straw in a picnic basket. His new bosses cover the straw with gourmet delectables and present it to the cops guarding the GCPD munitions warehouse as a gift. The food is so good, they don't hear the ticking until it's too late, and Ian looks horrified as his creation claims multiple victims in the blast.
Another day, another awkward conversation between Bruce and Cat. Their scenes skirt the border between curt and wordy, with Bruce all civil and disciplined, and Cat full of slang and disdain for his lifestyle. They now question each other, with Cat wondering what a kid who's already rich has to bother with home schooling for, and Bruce asking about Cat's parents. Cat assures Bruce that her parents are alive, but when he presses, she snaps that she's got tons of family all over and stalks away. It doesn't take long for Alfred to decide to contact Jim, asking that Cat be removed. Jim says he'll come by ASAP to check on Cat, and see what problems she's making. Beyond that, Alfred can't promise that he'll have her with his young charge.
First Mate and Fish Mooney confer together, when Oswald makes a totally unwelcome appearance. Which gets even weirder when he suddenly leans in for a long, drawn out sniff of Mooney. She's insulted, throwing him out despite Oswald claiming it was just a social call and she smells really nice, like lilacs. He leaves, looking far too happy for Mooney's satisfaction.
While they pore over Ian Hargrove's trial records, Jim tells Bullock the bad news about Barbara, hopefully so he'll back off Jim's distraction and lateness. Bullock tisks over Jim's inability to control his woman, reassuring Jim that it's a game to speed up their marriage. Jim isn't so sure, but Nygma's got a surprise for Bullock, starting with startling the detective at his desk. After barking at Nygma, Nygma gushes about how much he loves video games before informing both detectives that Ian planted a small metal factory plate that survived the explosion, and it leads Jim and Bullock to an abandoned metals factory in Gotham. And right to Ian, who is all too happy to surrender to the detectives. He gives them what information he can, including that he's been drafted, or Brother John gets killed, to help his Russian keepers bomb something of Falcone's. Before Jim and Bullock can save the day, said Russians appear, and a gunfight ensues. During which, the Russians whisk Ian away. Jim and Bullock trail behind, running out of the factory in the dim light, pissed that they were so close to closing the case.
Mayor James, still a panicky sort who hates anything that could get him voted out of office or killed by Falcone, wants to unload on Jim. But, Jim's not having it and he reminds the Mayor that Blackgate Prison isn't the place for the mentally ill. He also points out that Brother John is now in protective custody, they need only make sure Ian knows this so he'll presumably stop helping his Russian keepers, one of which is now identified as Gregor Kasyanov. But, who hired Gregor? Jim would love to know, but there are so many who would love to bomb Falcone, where to start?
Harvey Dent finally gets his sit-down with Lovecraft, and his bluffing seems to have no effect. So, Dent pulls Oswald's trick from previously and leans in to Lovecraft to freak him out. Instead of a deep, drawing sniff, Dent gives Lovecraft open threats to rip him open, delivered as if they're in a cage match and not a DA's office. Lovecraft is genuinely spooked, but before he can react, Dent races back into smooth, cocky lawyer mode, and tells Lovecraft it was good to see him. The switch is so sudden, so smooth, that Lovecraft probably doesn't know what to make of the guy.
Bruce catches Cat about to bolt from Wayne Manor, and offers to call her a cab. Cat is a little spooked that Bruce could get the jump on her, and it intrigues her enough to get her to wander around his study, declaring that Bruce's mom looked "nice" from her picture. Bruce tries to show his intense self-blaming, by admitting that he did nothing when she was killed. Cat, who also did nothing, tells Bruce that guns beat unarmed bravado anytime. Bruce apologizes for pressing about her family, but Cat's recovered and gives Bruce a typical abandoned kid story about her mom being a super secret agent on assignment, who will come to get her once the mission is done. Bruce appears to believe it, but we've seen enough to know he's not really that naive.
Turns out, Gregor's boss was the recently deceased Nikolai, and he's now working with Fish Mooney to have a little explosive fun with Falcone. At night, they meet, with First Mate handling back up duty, Mooney hands Gregor keys to the truck they'll need to cart Falcone's money away. Remember, Fish gives him the truck. But it's totally legit, because she wishes them all good luck.
Cat, the next day, catches Bruce in his new character-building/suicide attempt activity: holding his breath under water for as long as he can, and timing his attempts. Cat can't resist asking about this, and wondering if he's really worried about getting mugged by a diving board, and he tells her it will build his discipline and will power. Cat seems less than impressed, telling Bruce he should really be working on his ruthlessness. But then, she didn't see what he did to Tommy last week.
Nygma enjoys his latest project at work while he answers quiz show questions correctly. He gets a thrill when his latest project explodes on his desk, and reveals to Jim and Bullock that the explosives stolen after Ian's bomb at the GCPD munitions warehouse are specifically made to detonate iron. Jim and Bullock can't think of a bank vault made of iron, but Nygma knows the next bombing location: an old, semi-abandoned armory, containing Falcone's cash. Ian dramatically blows the vault door and Gregor's men are loading the truck, but Jim and Bullock call the whole thing off, no backup required.
Don't worry, we handle everything on our own
Instead of getting Gregor alive and questioning him, the truck is detonated. Luckily for Ian, he'd already been moving towards Jim and Bullock before the explosion, which he, actually, had nothing to do with. We see First Mate in the distance, watching the whole thing, and scurrying the second he's confirmed Gregor and his men are dead. The detectives and Ian stand amid Falcone's floating cash, Gregor's mens' bodies scattered around. Jim is left with, yet again, nothing to go on, to Fish Mooney's relief. When First Mate wonders if she's not disappointed to be out the money, she tells him that Falcone will be spooked enough to be rattled.
Oswald can only link Liza to Mooney by the shared scent of lilacs, but that's enough to rattle Liza's cage when Oswald confronts her in his apartment. Liza gives in to his bluff, not wanting Falcone to realize that Oswald has been to see her, and Oswald, in turn, agrees to let her live and keep her secret. For now. Can he turn her into his own triple agent? He's certainly creepy enough to have the idea.
Bruce and Cat, finally sharing a breakfast together, seem to be happy. But, Cat decides a food fight is in order, and offers Bruce a kiss if he can hit her with a piece of breakfast. Bruce is mystified, but Cat is so good-natured as she tosses pastry at him, that he can't resist trying to get her, and a happy war breaks out in the study, food flying everywhere as they use furniture for cover and Bruce shows that his aim is terrible. Alfred walks in, about to break it up; but he just can't resist the sight of young Master Bruce enjoying himself, no cares in the world, for a change. When Jim calls him, sorry that he's been unable to come out and get Cat, Alfred calls him off, saying that the kinks have been ironed out.
Dent makes a quick appearance, acting as if his plan is going swimmingly, and Jim makes him promise that any next steps have to be cleared by him. Dent agrees and leaves before Bullock can see them together and ask any questions. Bullock announces that Jim's anger at Mayor James over imprisoning the mentally ill has gotten Ian Hargrove transferred to Arkham Asylum, along with busloads of other mentally ill inmates, all being ushered behind the creepy metal gates we've all come to associate with Gotham's worst villains. Jim's sure that Arkham hasn't been brought up to snuff, but Mayor James is happy to announce to the public that it has and is the best hope for Gotham's criminally insane, including little Ian.
With his cases currently closed or in Dent's hands, Jim now has time to call Barbara and almost cry as he begs Barbara to come home. Barbara looks a little bored, reclining in silk sheets as she hears Jim declare that he loves her, needs, her and is nothing without her over her voicemail. Jim's announcing, not just to her, that his work means nothing to him without her there for him. The idea that Barbara is why Jim works so hard to clean up Gotham is kind of new, since she's been more a hindrance or a hostage than an inspiration. It's new to Barbara, as well, but she gets no time to decide what to make of it, because her new lover wants her attention. Or, rather, her old lover Montoya does. They share a steamy kiss, already nude, in bed, with a romantic fire behind them. How long Jim will share info with Montoya when this comes out?
No comments:
Post a Comment