This review contains spoilers. Readers have been warned.
Gotham wrapped up the first half of its third season, titled Mad City, on Monday, November 28. With another 11 episode run, Gotham continues to reveal twists and turns. Mad City feels like many different puzzles being assembled at once. There’s an abundance of storylines and it’s easy to lose track if you miss an episode.
At the beginning we face multiple threats from Hugo strange’s revived villains, then we see the Mad Hatter and Alice, and The Court of Owls. To top things off, Lee is back in town with a new fiance who she met outside of Gotham. Jim goes rogue and becomes a Private Investigator only to revert to the force later in the season. This is a mouthful and I haven’t mentioned Bruce’s involvement yet. This leads me to an issue with this show as a whole…
There is so much going on that sometimes it’s hard to keep up.
Watching Gotham is like being at a buffet: you want to cram your plate with everything, but there are so many choices it’s hard to pick and choose. Once one guy is down, it’s onto the next. We saw this when Jerome was “killed,” (let’s hope we see him again) in Rise of the Villains only for Theo Galavan to continue his tirade. Eventually, Theo is killed and then Mr. Freeze pops up and so on and so forth.
We see that same pattern in this season, it’s one thing after another. Come and go (like the gas station, dirty birdies). While slightly cumbersome, it keeps you paying attention and on your toes. I think it’s a double-edged sword that makes you want to keep watching, but almost overwhelms the viewing of each episode.
I enjoyed seeing Fish Mooney once more, as she was one of the best original villains Gotham had to offer. You best believe Mayor Penguin wasn’t having it, though, as Penguins eat fish. After winning the mayoral race for Gotham City, Penguin goes on a hunt for Fish. She’s easily chased out of town by Penguin, a bit of a bummer considering she came and went. Speaking of Penguin…
I’m down with Penguin’s love for The Riddler
There’s a lack of LGBTQ representation in the on-screen comic universe. This retconned version of Penguin had feelings for Nygma, strong ones. He even went to the extent of killing Nygma’s love interest, Isabella… talk about tough love. They agree to stay friends, but Nygma has more in store for him once he learns of Isabella’s death.
While the villains of Gotham are doing their thing, Bruce is doing his. But Bruce’s pace seems skewed in a sense. He’s creeping around with the Court of Owls and dating Selena Kyle… his role is beginning to bug me. I want Batman, but I’m not seeing much improvement in studies, combat, or any of things Batman is notorious for. I suppose I’ll give it some time.
Mad City is a lengthy season already and it’s only 11 episodes in. So far I’m interested to see how things will continue (let’s just say I’ve pissed myself in fear for Jim), but I’m hoping Gotham will slow down and focus on a few plots so I can keep up.