Gotham - S3E8 - Mad City: Blood Rush

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Previously on Gotham, “Red Queen”

Gotham - S3E8 - “Mad City: Blood Rush” | Starring:  Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Morena Baccarin, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, Jesica Lucas, Chris Chalk, Drew Powell, Michael Chiklis, Benedict Samuel, and Maggie Geha. 

Last episode ended with Gordon wanting to be back on the force and Tetch seeing a little of his sister in Captain Barnes. As this episode begins, we find Barnes taking care of business as he comes across a “cleaner” who is cleaning up after a guy named the Toad. All Barnes wants to do is hand out a little justice. It appears Gotham’s most straight-laced character is moving towards the dark side, which is what this season is all about - villains.

The Falcone family is having a party and Thompkins tells her new man about Gordon coming back to the GCPD. He is not too happy, but Thompkins tells him to trust her. We all know how that works. Thompkins and Gordon have to work together and nothing says lovin’ like dead bodies.

The newly returned Gordon and Bullock get over to a gruesome crime scene where justice has been served all over the place. Meanwhile, Barnes goes to see Tetch in Arkham. He wants to find out how to control or cure his condition. Tetch tells him that he will begin to hear voices that will be the prelude to Alice taking control and showing him how the world really is. Barnes then attempts to track down the Toad and he finds out there is a doctor who likes to replace other people’s faces with unwilling transplant donors.  Barnes walks in before Dr. Symon (William Abadie) can take another person’s face, but then the voices start. Barnes is stronger this time around and does not give into his urges, for now.

At the party, Barbara crashes and wishes Thompkins well. Before she leaves, she asks if Thompkins misses the tormented and melancholy Jim Gordon. Dr. Symon, recently released from police custody, is at the party and Barnes decides to be judge, jury, and executioner. He cannot help himself this time, and justice is served as Barnes puts Dr. Symon through a brick wall. Gordon finds Dr. Symon and with his dying breath he says, “Barnes.”

In another part of Gotham, a whole other kind of crazy is going on. Nygma makes Isabella breakfast, but has more than he bargained for as she is beginning to look more and more like Ms. Kringle. He sees her everywhere and he even has started debating when he will kill her. Nygma spills his guts to Penguin and asks him to break things off with Isabella for him. Penguin is more than happy to do it, but then he finds it more difficult than he thought because she is not willing to let him go. She figures out that Penguin loves Nygma too and is all about the challenge of keeping her true love. Is everyone crazy in Gotham?  I am beginning to think so. Nygma goes to see Isabella and finds that there have been some changes. She changes her hair color and dresses like Kringle to force him to face his fear. And love conquers all until Penguin sets her up with a one-way trip on a train. Is Kringle version 2.0 really dead? We will have to see.

Best Scene: Both Isabella and Penguin lets the other one know they have their eyes on Nygma.  And neither will give up easy. 

Craziest Scene: Isabella dresses like Kringle and proves to Nygma it is all about love.  Let’s play a little game. “Should I take the glasses off?”  

Worst/Best Line(s): “Listen to me, you little idiot!” Penguin to Isabella as they fight over Nygma.

Most Ridiculous/Funny Scene: Penguin is loving Nygma’s heartache. He smiles as Nygma pours his heart out to him. Then when Nygma asks Penguin to break up with Isabella for him there is a whole new level of joy on his face.

Honorable Mention: “She is in there isn’t she…hello sister dear!”  Tetch waves at Barnes.

Honorable Mention: Thompkins’ party hair!  Yikes!

Best Geek Moment: Barnes turns into the villain “The Judge” from Batman the Animated series.