Gotham - S3E2 - Mad City: Burn the Witch

Previously on Gotham, “Mad City: Better to Reign in Hell”

Fish Mooney takes matters into her own hands to locate Hugo Strange, forcing Gordon to reluctantly team up with Valerie Vale to find her. Penguin rises in popularity after criticizing the GCPD, and Bruce’s investigation of the Court of Owls is compromised.          

The monster mash continues in “Burn the Witch.” Bruce is with the Court, Ivy is in the drain, Gordon is drinking all day, Fish and company are playing scavenger hunt, and Penguin is trying his best to get the people to like him. All is well in Gotham.

Bruce finds himself a captive of the Court of Owls. The Court representative, Kathryn (Leslie Hendrix), unmasks herself and is just as arrogant as she wants to be. He is given an ultimatum: stop his investigation or he and his loved ones are in danger. He, of course, accepts. And just when you think this kid may get a reprieve and get to live a normal rich life, he gets a visitor from his brother from another mother.

Looks like Gordon wasted no time having eyes for another: young Miss Vale is just what the doctor ordered (maybe not Thompkins). She comes to Gordon with an offer to help him find Fish Mooney and collect the bounty. Vale is having problems finding her source who was giving her information about Fish. The source, as we know, is Selina and now both are on the hunt for the little street cat. And where does Gordon go to find her? To his former kitty. Barbara is perfect as the insane ex who still harbors a crush. She continues to be much, much better as a crazy quasi-villain than as a love interest. Her dream about Gordon losing both his legs and her having to push him around in a giant baby carriage is strangely what makes her hysterically interesting as a character.

Gordon gets double crossed and Vale goes to the GCPD. They find Fish and company and a battle royale ensues, monsters get hurt and cops get hurt. But in the end, Bullock gets the kiss Barbara wanted and he helps Fish find Hugo Strange.

Penguin’s politic-ing worked and now he has stirred up some people to help him get Fish. As the cops, the press, and the people after Fish, Gordon makes his move. He makes a deal to get Harvey, but he needs Penguin’s help. In the end, Gordon gets Bullock and Vale, Penguin gets his answers, Fish gets away with Strange, and Dr. Thompkins is back in Gotham.

We also see that Ivy did not drown in the drainage pipe. But she got all big and stuff. There are some problematic pieces to the show, I know there always are, and the new Ivy (Maggie Geha) is one of them. What does aging her up mean for not only how the viewer sees her, but also how will she interact with other characters? Last week, a younger version of Ivy was touched by Marv, who has the power to age someone to death. He did not have enough time to kill her, but enough to make her into a more age appropriate character for those fanboys who like a more sophisticated Ivy to gawk over. The new Ivy is just as crazy as the young one, but now she’s likely going to have a much bigger role in the things to come.

Best Scene: Gordon going to Barbara for help and all she wants in return is a little kiss.

Honorable Mention: Fish chewing up the scene as she tells Penguin she is his mum. 

Worst Line(s): Bullock: “Had to come back, didn’t you?” Fish: “Like a bad penny.” 

Most Ridiculously Funny Scene: Barbara and Gordon in a baby carriage.

Most Ridiculous Scene: GCPD raiding Fish’s hideout and everyone just standing there for a second looking like…”So, who’s going to talk first?”

Geek Out Moment: Ivy getting a little upset when the “good Samaritan” throws away the plant.