Gotham Episode 2 Review

For a second episode of a brand new TV series, 'Selina Kyle' hits the mark in terms of intense story and furthering character development.

The main plot of the story is thus: Gotham's homeless children are being abducted by a man and a woman, collecting them to sell overseas to a mysterious figure known only as the Dollmaker. Selina Kyle, in her usually clever way, manages to escape the clutches of these two vile persons, and aids Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock in the detainment of them, and the rescue of the children.

One thing to examine from this episode is Jim Gordon's appeal to Gotham and her citizens as a 'hero cop'. Even the Mayor begrudgingly accepts Gordon's usefulness on the force, because Gordon generates good press for both the police department and his office. Despite the fact that there is a long way to go before Jim will attain the lofty position of Commissioner, here we can see the seeds being planted of his determination to make a genuine difference, for both the city and the department.

A secondary point to examine from tonight's episode, is the furthering of Gordon and Bruce Wayne's relationship. Alfred comes to Gordon to have him talk to Bruce, to try and help him get out of this mental quagmire of fear he is in. Gordon appeals to Bruce as a friend, telling him that there is no shame in being afraid, that it makes people stronger and better.

A third and final point in this episode, is the fate of Oswald Cobblepot since he was told by Gordon to stay away from Gotham. He is shown hiding out, recovering his strength, before he will begin his inevitable return to Gotham City, and begin to work making his own way in the city, starting his own empire of crime.

This second episode does well in furthering character development as previously stated. Jim, Bruce, Oswald, all of them are show changing in this episode, be it Bruce conquering fear, Jim attempting to conquer corruption in the name of change, or in the case of Oswald, conquering any self-doubt he would have had about his 'mission' to make Gotham his own.

This show never ceases to make me smile, with its writing, its pace, its characters and its obvious intent to help establish the people who will eventually become major figures in Gotham, be they hero or villain.