By: Brandon Wolfe
“Penguin’s Umbrella” is the best episode of ‘Gotham’ aired thus far. Which isn’t to say that it nullifies every problem the show has displayed since its inception, but it shakes off the procedural stupor that has enveloped the series since the pilot. That mob war we’ve heard about incessantly for weeks finally heats up and we start to see how Oswald Cobblepot fits into the mix. “Penguin’s Umbrella” is a pivotal episode in ‘Gotham’s’ burgeoning mythology and it gives us our first indication that the people behind the show might actually have some idea of what they’re doing after all.
Cobblepot coming forward to reveal his notable lack of death has saved Gordon from his impending arrest for the man’s murder, but it immediately places him in a much more precarious situation, for now not only does Bullock want Gordon dead for his betrayal, but so do Fish Mooney and Carmine Falcone, who dispatch several henchmen to eliminate the detective. While Gordon arrives at his home in enough time to save Barbara from a couple of goons and sends her out of Gotham for her own safety, he opts to stay in town to return to his police duties and cook up a scheme to arrest Falcone and the mayor for their criminal dalliances. But before he gets too far, Falcone enforcer Victor Zsasz (Anthony Carrigan), takes over the police station and orders all cops but Gordon out of the building, to which the uniformed jellyfish immediately capitulate. A firefight breaks out and Gordon takes a couple of bullets before he’s rescued by his former enemies, Detectives Allen and Montoya.
Meanwhile, Cobblepot has taken a seat as Salvatore Maroni’s right-hand. Fish wants the Penguin turned over for retribution, but Maroni recognizes the man’s worth and refuses. This sets off a battle between the two warring mob factions, one that Maroni has a slight advantage in due to Cobblepot’s interior knowledge of the Falcone organization’s weak spots. Gordon puts a plan into effect to strike at Falcone using the mayor, and Bullock, drunk and reckless, decides to throw in with his partner and help out after all. The duo doesn’t get too far with this plan, however, because it turns out that Falcone has managed to get his hands on Barbara after all. But rather than kill the cops, Falcone releases them, and then his grand scheme comes to light: Falcone has been in league with Cobblepot all this time, the Penguin having gotten in good with the old man by exposing Fish’s duplicity and plans for insurrection.
So, yeah, a lot happened on ‘Gotham’ this week, much of it uncharacteristically interesting. The introduction of Zsasz into the show’s universe is effective, given the creepiness of Carrigan’s portrayal. But the Penguin remains the fuel that keeps ‘Gotham’ running, even though the show seems to waver on who the character is from week to week. His secret alliance with Falcone necessitated keeping much of his motives under wraps, but if the Penguin was pulling off this scheme and it was all going pitch-perfectly, then why was he bellyaching to his creepy mom last week about what a failure he is as a criminal? Clearly this episode solidifies the Penguin’s role on the show as a devious mastermind, so hopefully the writers will now stop wavering between portraying him as either resourceful or inept from week to week. The character functioning as a Benjamin Linus-esque manipulative figure is a much more intriguing option, anyway.
Yet while ‘Gotham’ is getting its storytelling abilities ironed out to some extent, its other problems are still present and accounted for. Gordon is still a flavorless straight-arrow and Ben McKenzie has shown no aptitude for injecting any charisma in there. Then Fish Mooney has the polar opposite problem. Jada Pinkett-Smith seems almost biologically incapable of toning down her performance to a reasonable volume. It’s a ridiculous display of overacting from an actress who should know better, but seems to have it in her head that the comic-book milieu automatically necessitates big, scenery-chomping acting. The only silver lining here is that it doesn’t look like Fish will be around much longer.
Also, the show just can’t stay out of Wayne Manor, as when Gordon, embarking upon what he believes might be a suicide mission, feels the need to stop by and apologize to Bruce for likely breaking his promise to find the killer of the boy’s parents. This is the eternal complaint of this show, and I genuinely hope that the writers realize at some point what a misstep it is, but Bruce Wayne, at this age and at this stage of his life, has no business being a regular character on this show. It makes no sense, and each time we do our weekly check-in on him, it feels more pointless than the last. I mean, the show also has no idea what to do with its junior Catwoman, but at least it’s content not to shoehorn her into the mix every episode.
But in spite of these gripes, ‘Gotham’ is starting to show a smidgen of promise. While it doesn’t look like it’s going to be one of the greats – the characters and dialogue still seem in no immediate danger of sharpening up – it could well turn out to be something worth popping in on. Watchability is a virtue, after all.
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Comments
I would say the show itself has been unpredictable in a wonderful way. The way this article is written is assuming a viewer wants to sit through hour long shows knowing exactly where its headed. I enjoy the mystery and twist at every corner. For me it doesn't feel like it doesn't have direction, but rather the show is slowly giving me clues as to where its headed.
I will wholeheartedly agree that Bruce Wayne appearances should be toned down.