Gotham - Knock, Knock - Advance Preview

“Knock, Knock.” Who’s there? It’s a new episode of “Gotham,” as the show continues its second season and the “Rise of the Villains.” Entertaining enough, and more streamlined than the premiere, but it shines maybe too much of the spotlight on Jerome while pulling its punches in the other stories.

The newly reinstated Gordon is thrust right into the thick of things when he’s tasked with tracking down the Arkham Asylum escapees. And they’re not exactly hiding as, in a macabre opening overture, they announce themselves to Gotham City as the Suicide Squad Secret Six Maniax. Not much insight is gleamed into the Galavan siblings’ overarching plan, but the chaos they allow the Maniax to unleash gives Jerome plenty of chances to cackle, crack jokes, and, in one scene, directly pay homage to “The Dark Knight.” But they also use Barbara to position Gordon where they want him, before a third act strike with a shocking ending.

Over at Wayne Manor, Alfred has finally remembered that he’s the adult and Bruce is the child and takes drastic action to stop his young charge from pursuing his father’s secrets and putting himself in danger. Naturally, this doesn’t go over well with Lil’ Wayne and master and butler spend most of the hour at odds. Their difference of opinion does lead to the reintroduction of Lucius Fox (new series regular Chris Chalk, formerly of “The Newsroom”) into their world. But mostly, this subplot feels like yet another stall in the Wayne Enterprises story.

Finally, and stop me if you’ve heard this one, Edward Nygma has got himself a crush on Ms. Kringle! I know! And he wants to ask her on a date! Get out of here! But he’s too socially awkward to go through with it! Oh no! Ugh. Even with his spanking new, Two-Face-ish split personality (this is never not going to bug me, by the way), Nygma’s crushing on her has been crawling along at a snail’s pace since the show’s sixth installment. He makes a gesture late in the episode that might finally get this moving, but I’ve been tricked before.

“Knock, Knock” will be banging on your television screens this Monday on FOX. While you wait, make like the Maniax and let loose on “Gotham” in the comments section with your thoughts and speculations.