“Welcome Back, Jim Gordon” finds “Gotham”’s titular protagonist getting back to normal following his stint at Arkham Asylum. Which, in this week’s strong episode, means again getting waist deep in the crime and corruption that is Gotham City.
The case of the week finds Gordon and Bullock called in to investigate what Harvey deems a “public service homicide,” the murder of a drug dealer. But when Gordon convinces a witness to come to the police station, he’s murdered and the only logical conclusion is that it was a fellow cop. Unsurprisingly, Gordon takes it personally and his bull-headed pursuit of the truth soon runs him afoul of a narcotics squad led by Arnold Flass (played by “Ray Donovan” star Dash Mihok), a familiar name for fans who’ve seen “Batman Begins.” Bullock and Essen advise caution, warn him that he’s making enemies, jeopardizing his reinstatement. But Gordon can’t let it go and ends up making a major moral compromise. It’s a great choice for the character that I hope reverberates through the next few episodes.
Elsewhere, the show continues its shakeup of the mob scene status quo, focusing on the fallout from Fish’s failed coup against Falcone. Having seemingly vanquished his longtime foe, the Penguin is in celebration mode with his cuckoo mother by his side (Carol Kane must have been happy to visit another set), swilling champagne and seemingly poised to take over Fish’s nightclub. It’s a nice nod to his comic book history (fingers crossed he renames it the Iceberg Lounge!), though I’m curious how it works with him being a mole within the Maroni organization
But down though she may be, Fish is still gasping for air. Jada Pinkett Smith is kinda a riot as Fish laughs off the torture she’s subjected to. Once free (oh c’mon, you knew they weren’t killing her off this early on!), though Victor Zsasz is soon on her tail, her focus shifts away from Falcone in favor of getting revenge on Oswald. It’s interestingly full circle as she’s now where he started the series and it ensures Fish stories (heh) will have to following a new formula going forward. Plus, for the curious, we find out Fish’s real name!
In subplot news, Bruce Wayne is back (it seems Alfred whisked him to Switzerland after the events of the fall finale) and trying to track down Selina, both because she’s still the only one who can identity his parents’ murderer and because he’s sweet on her. After bumping into Ivy, she comes to see him, but the conversation takes a sour turn. Also, Edward Nygma continues his creepy pursuit of Kristen Kringle. Cory Michael Smith is great in these scenes, but I’m gonna need this to start going somewhere.
You can “Welcome Back, Jim Gordon” this Monday on FOX. Until then, let’s get guessing and speculating in the comments section.
