Gotham - S2E21 - A Legion of Horribles

Previously on Gotham, “Unleashed”

Last week we ended on a bit of a cliffhanger… and not the barb wired bat kind. We had Selina breaking into Arkham attempting to find her friend, and she was successful: Enter Firefly (Michelle Veintimilla). As she evades the flames, Selina gets the drop on Firefly and is able to only get burnt on the leg.

Bullock is the acting Captain and gives a very vague press conference depicting the nocturnal events of the previous night where Azrael was blown up by persons unknown. Bruce comes to Gordon at the GCPD since he convinced Selina to break into Arkham to find Firefly. He lets him know that Hugo Strange has Selina. And then the surprise of the episode: A mysterious woman is watching the 11 O’clock news, kind of like how my girl does with her mother like a couple of golden girls, and she seems upset about how Strange is handling things in Gotham. The mystery woman gets on the phone and tells someone on the other end to “gather the Court” as we see an owl mask next to the phone.

All this in the first 6 minutes of the episode! This episode should be good right? Wrong!

Strange is churning out those modified dead people with a purpose as Peabody tries to keep him on the task their employer requested. But it seems Strange wants to just play with his toys. And one of his toys is Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith)! Last we saw Fish, she as she was jumping out of a building into the river. We did not know if she was alive or dead. Well, now we know she died last season, but is now resurrected, and she knows who she is which is a first.

Bruce and Lucius Fox are going on a field trip to find Strange’s Lab at Arkham with hopes of finding Selina. Bruce will talk to Strange, Fox will talk to Peabody and look for the lab, and Gordon is in the trunk dressed like a security guard. Gordon gets in and Fox finds the door to the lab and marks it for him. Strange tells Bruce to turn back before he or someone he cares about gets hurt. But Bruce chooses poorly and Strange respects his choice. Too bad that means Fox and Gordon have to pay for that choice, too.

Bruce and company are now all locked up while Fish is trying out her new powers of persuasion on her security guard. She uses her powers to get a grilled cheese sandwich… which makes all kinds of sense.

Next, we find out that Strange is being funded by the Court of Owls. They want to know the secret of bringing people back to life (the night is dark and full of terrors). They want him to move all the research upstate and destroy Indian Hill. But before he blows things up, Strange has plans for Gordon, Bruce, and Fox. Strange lets Nygma play with Bruce and Fox while Gordon gets the milkshake to the face treatment. Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah.

In the final act of the episode, the GCPD is on their way to Arkham. Strange introduces Basil (Brian McManamon) - who in the comic books is Basil Karlo better known as Clayface - to Gordon after his milkshake mask. Strange uses the milkshake machine to change his face into Gordon’s. And lastly, Selina is Firefly’s servant, and Fish is practicing her finger dancing.

Best Scene: Fish is getting used to her new villain suit and Strange is trying to put his fabricated identity in her mind. Unfortunately for him, Fish’s mind is already occupied. “My name is Fish Mooney, bitch! And you better tell me what is going on!”

Best/Worst Line(s): As Selina runs around trying to not get torched by Firefly, she gets the drop on her and knocks her out with one punch as she says, “Man Bridget, someone sure scrambled your eggs…” Yes, that is the worst line of the show.

Most Ridiculous Scene: Bruce, again being a child with adults who allow him to confront very dangerous people, can’t help himself and confronts Strange about killing his parents. It is ridiculous. Someone call Child Protective Services! But, in the meantime, someone hit this kid in the head for being stupid!  

Geek Out Moment: Court of Owls ya’ll!

            Honorable Mention:   The reveal that Clayface is on Gotham!

Villain History

According to the DC Database, “The Court of Owls is an ancient conspiracy group that has controlled Gotham City for centuries. They are a violent cabal who use architecture and murder to wield political influence. Their legend is told only through whispers and a nursery rhyme that bears their name. To carry out their interests, they employ a breed of highly-trained assassins known as Talons, whom they cryogenically store and reanimate. The leaders of the organization wear owl masks on their faces.”