Sometimes, the best episodes on television are ones that are focused and streamlined, and that’s exactly what “A Beautiful Darkness” was tonight. For although it had three storylines to tell, they intertwined in a very meaningful way.
I’m very happy that the Ivy storyline is following the path of the Mad Hatter storyline from last season, I.E., she’s the focus of a string of episodes. Peyton List gives new life to Ivy, and her plan to get “revenge” on those killing plants is as elegant as it is crazy, and dark. The scene with the family at their dinner was very haunting, you know those kids are scarred for life. I also liked that Selina wasn’t buying what Ivy was selling, and quickly left after the murder.
Ivy’s story led her to Bruce Wayne, who was hiding something very important, and she wanted to know what it was. This led her to killing Bruce slowly via her poison, which enacted a very foreboding dream about who Bruce is, and who he’s meant to be. You’ll notice that the “Batman-like” figure was him…yet didn’t have the Batman ears. It’s likely because they don’t have a costume for him…yet, and thus didn’t want to truly “show” anything. Though a little hokey at times, it did a good job of scaring Bruce straight, so much so that he called Alfred and asked for his help.
Turns out, Ivy found the “mysterious project”, and it was water from the Lazarus Pit. And not only can she use it in her plant experiments, she can make her plants more deadly than ever. And…we’re screwed.
Finally, Jerome tried to recruit Penguin into his little “gang” in Arkham, but Penguin was having none of it. It was very interesting to see the contrast that Penguin was in versus his first stint in Arkham. He said he was “The King of Arkham” when he arrived the first time. Now? He just wanted to be left alone. Hearing Joker…I mean…Jerome talk about the plan he has is very appetizing, and I hope we get to see its full fruition very soon.
There were some other plot points here, Sofia is still toying with Gordon in many ways, but it may backfire when it comes to Leslie. Riddler wants to help Penguin escape from Arkham, and things may be changing for some key characters, we’ll see.
In the end, “A Beautiful Darkness” pushed a lot of things forward, and it leaves you wondering just how dark things are going to get before things truly get beautiful once more.
4.5 out of 5 nerds
Todd Black
Todd Black is reader of comics, a watch of TV (a LOT of TV), and a writer of many different mediums. He's written teleplays, fan-fictions, and currently writes a comic book called Guardians (guardians-comic.com). He dreams of working at Nintendo, writing a SHAZAM! TV series, and working on Guardians for a very long time!
Nerd Comments