Gotham - LoveCraft - Advance Preview

“Gotham” finishes out its fall run of episodes with “LoveCraft,” an episode that entertains, but also frustrates.

As the title suggests, “LoveCraft” picks up Harvey Dent’s plan from last week, to smoke out the mogul’s possible involvement in the Wayne murders with a story about a secret eyewitness to the crime. So how does it pan out? Spoiler alert – not well, as a team of assassins (who actually seemed more suited for Arrow” than this show) storm Wayne Manor in an effort to silence Selina Kyle. It does provide another chance to explore the differences and the dynamics between Selina and Bruce as they hide out in the heart of the city. Last week, they were in Bruce’s world, but this week, he gets a taste of Selina’s, and what Gotham is really about. The twosome share several firsts during the course of their adventure and even encounter a familiar face from the pilot.

Double-crossed by Dent (who, despite his word, did share names with some of his sources), Gordon decides to hunt down Lovecraft in hopes that he can get him to call of the hit (why Gordon thinks he would, I dunno). And when he does find the titular tycoon, he discovers a hidden motive behind the Wayne murders. But the show weirdly seems to want to wrap up the Lovecraft angle, even though it was just introduced, even though his name’s in the title. Doesn’t make for a strong subplot.

Getting a solid showcase in this episode is Sean Pertwee, who I’ve always been a little lukewarm about. Alfred is the star of the slamming action sequence that kick-starts the hour. And he doesn’t retire to the Wayne Manor living room afterwards, spending the rest of the episode on the streets, searching for the kids with Harvey Bullock. It’s a random, but extremely amusing alliance and Bullock’s reactions to Alfred’s way of handling himself are a hoot.

Also picking up from last week, Carmine Falcone is pissed off about his reserves being robbed. He rightly determines that there’s a traitor in his midst while also making a declaration that only increases the instability within his organization. Both Fish Mooney and the Penguin find themselves in precarious but potentially powerful positions. But which of them will come out on top?

And finally, at the end of the hour, Gordon finds himself facing consequences that show him who his real friends are and that should shake up the status quo when the show returns from hiatus (though I’ll take a cue from Ed and question how long it will last).

“LoveCraft,” the final “Gotham” of November sweeps and of 2014, airs this Monday on FOX. So go ahead and speculate in the comments section.