Gotham – Penguin’s Umbrella – Advance Preview

James Gordon’s life might be going to hell in Monday’s “Gotham,” but his pain is our pleasure as “Penguin’s Umbrella” is probably the series’ strongest hour to date.

It’s a streamlined installment, smartly setting aside the procedural case of the week (which, if you’ve been reading my reviews, tends to be the part of the show I like the least) and focusing solely on the strife between the Falcone and Maroni crime families and the ripple effect the reveal that the Penguin is still alive has on them, and on our friends at the GCPD. In fact, it almost feels like a season finale for the show’s first arc, with Gordon’s decision to spare Oswald’s life having led all the characters to this crossroad.

Their reactions run the gamut. Falcone, as ever, has his eye on the status quo. Fish, of course, is more freaked out because Oswald knows too much about her plans to overthrow Falcone. Maroni, meanwhile, is enjoying the moment, convinced that Oswald is a “golden goose” who will win him his war against Falcone, even as members of his crew are starting to get concerned about the influence the Penguin has on him. Gordon, while troubled about the targets he’s put on Bullock and particularly Barbara, is resolute in doing the right thing now that he has the chance. And Penguin, well, he’s just watching everyone pivot around him and making moves accordingly.

Whatever their personal motives, the stakes are raised for everyone, it feels like anything can happen with so many cards on the table, and it makes for some entertaining television. Alliances are exposed, alliances are formed. Characters are threatened, are wounded, are killed. There’s a rip-roaring action set piece at the precinct (which introduces Batman baddie Victor Zsasz to the show), nice character moments (Zabryna Guevara gets a great little scene with Gordon where Essen shares her stance on Gotham), and some dark humor effectively sprinkled in (one hilarious scene has lackeys on both sides of the mob conflict bantering about proper procedure like cubemates complaining about the printer). Even the obligatory Bruce interlude has more heft to it this week. And while he’s still ankle-deep in the quicksand that is Gotham at the end of the episode, Gordon takes some steps towards his destiny as a stalwart leader for the city’s good guys.

Last but certainly not least, keep an eye out for the object that gives the episode its name. Its appearance sets up a scene that will shed new light on what we’ve seen so far and set up what’s next to come. I for one can’t wait as I think the show is hitting a stride.

“Penguin’s Umbrella,” the first “Gotham” of November sweeps, airs this Monday on FOX. Until then, be sure to share your speculations in the comments section.