TV REVIEWS: FTN Reviews Gotham Season 1 Episode 18: Everyone Has A Cobblepot

I admit I was worried when I first read a brief (very brief) preview of “Everyone Has A Cobblepot”. After watching it though? This was one of the best episodes of the season.

Let’s get the bad stuff out of the way. The Riddler storyline? Still a bummer. HOWEVER! With the new “boyfriend” having the urge to try and stump Edward with riddles…it might get ugly for him…and that’s what I want to see…

Also, though I enjoyed the Bruce/Alfred storyline, especially with the return of Selina to their lives (love the mention of Ivy by the way), I felt another scene would’ve helped it a lot. Yes, Bruce wanting to go after Reggie, and Alfred not ratting him out so he can “take care of him” himself was great. But it just felt like it ended on a weird note with Selina saying “you know how to find me” and then walking away. I thought there would be something else.

Ok, to the two major storylines. First up, Fish and the Dollmaker. I was REALLY unsure of this storyline, but now it’s slowly becoming something special. Fish’s use of her past to outwit Dr. Dullmacher was clever. Dullmacher replacing Fish’s eye was surprising, and yet totally fit the character. Many wondered how different this version of the Dollmaker would be contrast with the Arrow version. As a guy who read Detective Comcis #1 in the New 52, and saw how the Dollmaker was portrayed in that arc, let me say, THIS is the Dollmaker. And if you didn’t believe it at first…that “former assistant” probably changed your mind.

Fish’s “betrayal” of the underground was nice, but it was done in a way that ensured a riot won’t occur, yet. With the reveal that they’re on an island, most likely hundreds of miles away from Gotham though, Fish will no doubt have to play both sides to get a way out. A true way out that is.

And then there was Gordon. His was the story I was worried about most, yet by the end of the episode, you could see the wheels turning towards the season finale.

After the “acquittal” of Flass, Gordon and (a returning) Harvey Dent went after Commissioner Loeb to try and get the “secrets” he had on every cop in the GCPD, and more. This was a fascinating storyline, as it showed just how deep and corrupt Loeb was. He was notorious for corruption in the comics, yet we only glimpsed it here. Having Bullock serve as the catalyst for the whole thing via a “confession” of turning in false evidence”), was great stuff. Especially when he revealed how everyone had dirt, and Loeb had it all. Or as he said so eloquently, “Everyone Has A Cobblepot”.

The trail to Loeb’s dirt was compelling. From meeting his old partner, to meeting (and barely escaping) a “secrets holder”, and finally, winding up with Penguin in an old house that contained a secret of Loeb’s far greater than anyone probably guess, was great. The daughter reveal was a twist I think worked on multiple levels. First off, the gal was nuts, which added to the atmosphere of the house. Second, just when you thought you knew what she was about to say, she turned it around and revealed a softer side of Loeb…in a way.

Truly though, the payoff was the greatest part of it all. Gordon showing Loeb he knew about the daughter, and trying to use it to leverage info, position, and freedom. Thankfully (yes, you heard me right), he didn’t get everything he wanted. He only was able to free Bullock, and get himself a shot of being President of the Police Union. This is good because if it came too easily (as Loeb noted), there would’ve been a lot of bloodshed. This way though, Gordon will have to fight and scrape for every inch, just like he did before. That’s what makes his journey so compelling.

Now, I’ve already heard some people say that Gordon is a hypocrite because of the events of this episode. He wants to do things clean, but when he gets put against a wall, he repeatedly breaks the rules. So which guy is he? Allow me to direct you to The Dark Knight. Gordon worked Batman to pull off an illusion that Harvey Dent was murdered by Batman, and didn’t kill 2 cops, some mobsters, and almost Gordon’s family. This led to the incarceration of thousands of criminals. As Gordon noted then, sometimes you have to put your hands into the filth to make it go away. That’s what this Gordon is doing here. Much like TDK’s Gordon, he’s being careful, and only doing it sparingly, and yeah, it’ll probably catch up to him. But it’s not like he’s doing it every episode.

“A new day” may indeed be coming to Gotham. And with only 4 episodes left, I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the best episodes are yet to come.

Oh, and that ending scene with Penguin? Good stuff. Welcome back Cobblepot.