We're almost there. After a season that has sometimes felt like it dragged a bit before it hit the home stretch, the home run is right around the corner. My question for awhile now has been how does it end? With all that we have seen, what event is going to shake up the show and leave us anticipating season two? While Jim's story has always supposed to have been the focus of Gotham, to me it has always felt as background to the gang wars/Wayne enterprises storyline. There have been several missteps as the show has tried to find itself, but overall it's been a decent enough season. I was a bit skeptical after the return from the hiatus that the A-plot was revolving around The Ogre, but I've actually come to enjoy it because the arc makes sense in terms of Jim's story. Not only is it a case he works as a detective, it's a case that came with a personal price and was a form of retaliation for his dealings when trying to save Gotham City from itself. Jim is already a very determined man, so you can only imagine what he'll do when the one(s) he loves is at risk. The Anvil or The Hammer, the penultimate episode of Gotham season one, will see the Ogre arc come to a close. Though the hour ends in a way that sets up the finale, and it looks like there will be blood in the finale.
Well, that escalated quickly. Last week, the Ogre took Barbara in his sights as his way of getting back at Jim for investigating his case. He originally just planned to kill the woman that Jim Gordon loved, but he saw something in her that made him want to not just spare her, but love her. That's where this week picks up, Jason aka the Ogre, reveals to Barb what his original intentions were and how they have changed now that he has met her. He thinks she and him could truly be happy and Barb thinks he's insane. Milo really kills it this week, bringing to life the sadistic Jason. I actually feared for Barbara for a good chunk of time. One thing I did not see coming? Payoff to an earlier storyline of Barb's coming this week by way of the Ogre arc. Kudos to Heller and Co. for tying up some loose ends before the season ends.
Jim is taking this as well as you'd expect Jim to take it. He's moody, not sleeping and not eating because if Barb dies, it's his fault. He set this ball in motion by going after Commissioner Loeb and now Barb is paying the price for it. His determination leads him to be bit more reckless, and Jim once again seems to be toeing that line to be just like the men he claims to be fighting against. The other elephant in the room is how will Lee take Jim's devotion to saving Barb? I've been on pins and needles waiting for the moment their relationship implodes, Jim's too old fashioned to remain with a woman like the doctor too long. Jim will do whatever it takes to find a lead on the Ogre even if it means oweing another certain individual another favor.
Last week, Ed Nygma killed Kristin Kringle's abusive boyfriend, Officer Dougherty. It started off as what looked like a self defense stabbing that slowly turned into a bit of a gruesome murder. Not a lot of time is devoted to the aftermath, but the little time that is shows us that Ed is already showing the signs of being the Riddler when he works to cover his tracks. He just can't resist slipping in a little hint as to what he's done as if he just has to have the credit for what he has done. Finally, The Penguin plot with the restaurant gets paid off this week and sets the stage for what looks like one bullet ridden finale. Also, worth noting, still no word from Fish.
The Anvil and The Hammer airs Monday April 27th at 8pm EST on FOX.
What did you think of Under the Knife? Do you like Gotham's take on The Ogre? Do you care if Fish is alive or dead? Are you happy that Barbara finally has something good to do? When do you think Jim's favor to the Penguin will come into play? Sound off below!
