With “Red Hood,” Gotham” puts its own spin on the origins of another classic element from the Batman mythos.
It starts off as an average day in Gotham City, with a gang of armed thugs robbing a bank (in a scene slightly reminiscent of the opening of “The Dark Knight”). But one of the robbers is wearing the titular red hood and the simple crimson cloth mask gives him a sense of style and showmanship. He even becomes convinced, after a bumbling security guard fails to shoot him from super close range, that it makes him invincible. So as Gordon and Bullock investigate, the red hood takes on a life of its own, in the press and among the gang members themselves. The case of the week actually has a more comedic bent than the promos would suggest, but it’s an interesting examination of the power of a mask, a gimmick, which will of course play a major role in the future of Gotham.
Wayne Manor this week gets a visit from Reginald Payne (David O’Hara, “The Tudors”), who’s an old comrade of Alfred’s from the British secret service. It’s clear that Alfred is pleased to see his old friend, but also slightly unnerved by his presence. He worries about the influence the more rough-and-tumble Reginald might have on Bruce, and also about his own darker history coming to light. It’s a solid subplot to start with, but what really ramps it up is a final twist that should have some intriguing repercussions as the season comes to a close.
The Penguin has a problem with alcohol, but not the one you’re thinking. It turns out that Don Maroni controls the distribution of liquor in the corner of Gotham where Oswald’s sits and he’s exacting a small level of revenge against his former associate by not allowing any to get to his already struggling nightclub. To fix this problem, the Penguin finds himself forced to rely on Butch, who was installed in his employ by Falcone, but whose loyalty remains in question.
Meanwhile, in Fish’s marooned subplot, her actions last week land her a meeting with the Manager of the organ trafficking operation she’s stumbled into. The audience also learns that there’s a tie back to one of the series’ first episodes. But surprise, surprise, Fish’s mouth only gets her so far in a situation where she has no actual power and her captors see no need to cave to her demands. So she ends up making an extreme move that will forever change how we see the character.
Lastly, Barbara – on yet another boozy bender after catching Gordon and Leslie Thompkins in that clinch last week – still seems totally cool with Selina and Ivy just hanging out in her apartment. She does end up trying to teach the girls a lesson that will serve them well in their future careers as costumed criminals – that their appearance, that their sexuality, can be as valuable a weapon as a knife or a gun. It’s slightly interesting, but I’m still finding this status quo strange.
The final “Gotham” of February sweeps, “Red Hood” airs this Monday on FOX. So don your red hood and share your thoughts and speculations in the comments section.
