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Oct 18, 2016

Gotham s3e5 - Anything For You

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham:

Ed vs Butch. Alice vs Jervis. Jim starts to rival Smallville’s Lex in getting hit on the back of the head. Ivy’s back! Ed’s manipulating! Poor dead Alice. Blood on Barnes. Ed is Chief of Staff.

As always, long post will be long - reaaally long. There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot might appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)). There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism. Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

We open on Oswald at a series of photo opportunities. Oswald loves the adoration of the crowd. Ed’s relishing being the power behind the throne. Butch looks pissed.

We are in Oswald’s house. He’s standing before something and asking

Am I a good boy? Have I made you proud?

Oswald’s parental relationships are so screwed that could be either mum or dad, but it turns out to be a statue of Gertrud.

Ed interrupts, and then smoothly apologises – because the interruption probably wasn’t accidental at all. Oswald remarks that Ed never met his mother, and comments that she was beautiful. Ed agrees, but with a control to his face which suggests this is a measured response.

Beautiful. Fine figure of a woman.

He has more to add.

I believe the answer is yes. She would be proud. People love you, gangs fear you, the crème de la crème is gathering to celebrate you. What more could someone ask for?

Oswald tearily steps towards the stature and touches its face.

Someone to share it with.

Oswald misses his mother. He’s also – again – managed to hand Ed another vulnerability to exploit, with a great big bow on top.

Oswald is giving a speech at the dedication to the statue of his mother when the red Hood Gang appears. They cause mayhem, shooting at the statue. Oswald screams in fury

You will pay for this dearly!

They decapitate the statue.

Now, Mr Mayor - don't go losing your head.

Oswald has about three more breakdowns as he watches the head of the statue fall to the ground.

(An aside - Oswald – you’re my favourite – but Christ on a bike - you need to get it together)

Jim and VV at Jim’s improved apartment. She’s still keeping things casual. She wants info from Jim on Alice’s blood, which he refuses to share. Jim is nettled that she’d ask. She asks him if he stopped being a cop when he got home. Jim comments that might have been his problem.

I think it was less the cop stuff and more the second murder, Jim – but anyway.

She’s also got a date with a haematologist who will share the information with her. She leaves. Jim looks disgruntled.

Barnes and Harvey discuss tactics for finding the Red Hood gang. They are interrupted by the arrival of a laughing, gloating Ed, who is to be the liaison between the mayoral team and GCPD.

Ed’s turned this into a triumphant return to lord it over those who wronged him, in his eyes, anyway. He insults Harvey’s grooming. Barnes reminds him that he murdered two of their own. Ed threatens him with the prospect of removal from power. Barnes tells him that every dog has his day, and he should enjoy his. This is the first threatening promise made to Ed in this episode, and many more are made – setting up tension for a fall later.

Harvey asks if Oswald is hiding under his desk. News of Oswald’s woobiefication has even reached GCPD. Ed responds that he’s meeting constituents.

Oswald’s home again – where he stands at the head of the table, which in turn has the statue’s head on it – airing his psychological dirty linen to a table of gangsters who look alternately incredulous and bored.

Anything for you, my little Cobblepot, you can count on me. That was what my mother used to say to me before I went to sleep each night.

She was a saint, comments Butch.

Oswald agrees: A saint - whose only desire was to love me.

Babs seems entertained. Victor seems bored. Hot and bored. Mostly hot. Hot, hot Victor.

One gangster near the head of the table asks if this is seriously why they’re here, and suggests some superglue can quickly remedy the situation. Oswald slams the man’s head against the statue and yells that he wants them to find the Red Hood gang.

Victor now looks incredulous, but entertained. Babs is just plain entertained, laughing her head off.

We have a brief warehouse scene where we learn Butch hired the gang - probably as part of longer game to get rid of Ed.

Bruce visits Jim. We learn that Jim hasn’t visited Bruce since his return. Bruce wants to hire Jim to find Ivy. Jim seems surprised that it’s not about Wayne Enterprises. Bruce tells him he’s set that investigation aside.

It’s time I moved on. Can’t live my life if I keep looking back.

It echoes Lee’s advice to Jim last week, and the theme will be revisited along the way.

Jim agrees to help Bruce find Ivy. They have some brief banter about Bruce and Selina being ‘a thing’ – like Jim seems to want from VV.

Ed visits Lucius. Lucius and Victor? Thanks, show.

Lucius says that if Ed ever threatens his or Bruce’s life again, then he will find a way to end Ed. That’s promise #2. He comments that he’d coat a lab instrument in toxin. Ed approves of this plan, and Lucius comments that Ed is insane, like Barnes did. This is one thing that seems to shake Ed’s composure, and he snappily mentions his certificate again.

It's bittersweet seeing Ed back in the lab - because we miss this side of Ed – or at least I do.

Bruce, Jim and Harvey talk about the search for Ivy. Lee appears, and asks to talk to Jim.

Lee is engaged. She tells Jim that the announcement in the paper will feature Mario's name.

Jim already knows he’s a Falcone. He said he was surprised, but says it’s Lee’s business.

Lee seems deflated, and that’s it. This is the triangle problem - now Lee looks (a) callous for apparently using Mario to make Jim jealous, (b) about twelve years old, and (c) like she’s completely forgotten that Jim is still mentally pretty fragile, and is playing silly games with him.

When Lee gets back to the lab, still smarting a little, Ed oozes out of the shadows – apparently glad to see her back. I think this was an attempt at flirting. Ed did have a fancy for Lee back in the day, for all that he was exhilarated at the thought of murdering her later.

Lee has no time for Ed, and punches him in the face.

That's for Kristen.

Ed’s face turns to stone.CMS is tremendous at making Ed genuinely frightening.

You shouldn't have done that.

Lee is contemptuous. She’s not scared of Ed just because he works for Oswald. She’s marrying a Falcone. She could make Ed disappear. I’d be interested to know how Mario – who’d worked to distance himself from the mafia – would feel about that comment. Lee seems pretty gleeful about her mob connections.

Anyhow, that’s promise #3 for Ed.

Tabs and Babs have found one of the Red Hood gang. The rest of the gang torch a bus, and are back getting instructions from Butch at the warehouse. They’re confused – why not just take him out? But Butch is clear – no-one is to hurt Oswald, no-one is to kill Oswald.

Babs and Tabs interrupt.

You should - he's going to murder you.

A diner. Jim and Bruce share romantic woes. Jim advises Bruce to speak his mind with Selina. It’s better than silence. Bruce asks if he follows his own advice. Jim comments that that ship has sailed. Bruce meant VV, though – not Lee.

It’s all so complicated, sighs Bruce. They are distracted by the story about the school bus on TV. Jim comments that Oswald is having a bad day. Bruce has been invited to the party. Jim tells him to give the mayor my best. Your best? Bruce is too young to pass on all that eye-sex and manhandling to Oswald, Jim.

Oswald paces drunkenly, ranting about how people think he’s an easy target now he’s mayor. He’ll boil their entrails over a fire. Or roast them – I forget.

Ed sits at the table, calmly ignoring his tantrum, until Oswald sloshes wine over his cuffs, mid-rant.

Ed – who has switched into a parental, vaguely mothering role, tells him to take a breath and dabs the stain from his cuffs with salt and water. – which leads to a light-bulb moment about the location of the gang.

Babs, Tabs and Butch. Babs thinks Tabs should use Butch as insurance against Oswald threatening her life. Butch is insistent he wasn’t going to hurt Oswald – he just wanted to stage a heroic capture (and killing) of the Red Hoods at the party, in order to get rid of Ed, who has pushed Butch out.

Babs rolls her eyes and observes if they figured it out - how long would it take Oswald and Ed to do the same? Well – Ed would manage, but Oswald’s operating at about 75% of his I.Q.

Babs leaves Tabs to make the call. Butch begs her:

Let me see this through. I'll protect you.

You'll so more than that. You’ll owe me, and one day - I'll collect.

Oswald calls Butch and says they’ve found the gang’s hiding place. Butch narrowly beats him there and takes the gang out, winning Oswald’s approval (temporarily, at least). There’s a press conference where he presents Butch as a hero, and Ed looks on sourly from the background.

Harvey and Ed at a crime scene, and again – a little jab of nostalgia for the old days to see them interact. Harvey tells Ed he never liked him. Ed tells Harvey his zipper is down.

Ed comments that the bodies have fallen all wrong – like they expected it, and – again – you get a sting of loss, because Ed was damn good at his job, and that’s all wasted now.

Harvey is impatient at Ed’s musing and asks the question of the hour:

Whose side are you on, anyway?

Ed finds one of the suit jackets that Butch had brought to let the gang infiltrate the Club. He realises that Butch staged everything.

Barnes drops in on Lee. She asks if she’s to be reprimanded for punching Ed. Not likely. Barnes is pleased with her, and seems genuinely pleased to have her back. He’s also worried about the blood – and is here to covertly find out more.

Aw - vulnerable Barnes is breaking me

Apparently, the blood made rats very strong, but also very violent.

We’re at Sirens for Oswald’s party. Tabitha tells Butch he still owes her a favour. Butch looks uncomfortable.

Alfred and Bruce are here for their new life of social niceties. Oswald welcomes him, and Bruce congratulates him. Bruce thanks him for saving their lives when Galavan wanted to kill them. Alfred needles him, because that’s what Alfred does. Bruce spots Selina and leaves.

Selina unknowingly walks past Ivy, who stops and taunts her.

Ed confronts Butch with his evidence. Butch has Ed by the throat, and asks why he shouldn’t snap his neck. Ed wants to make him an offer. They kill Penguin, together. Butch is disbelieving. Ed says it’s an act. He’s appreciative that Oswald got him out of Arkham, but he’s not made to be number 2. They kill Oswald, and then split the city.

Butch asks Ed if he’d really turn on him, after all he did for him. Ed looks around at Oswald in the crowd

In a heartbeat.

Ed’s tone here is basically that of BadEd. I think he’s sincere, to be honest. There’s no flicker in his demeanour, no little crack to let us in on the notion of a deception. Even if it wasn’t his immediate plan, it’s an acceptable back-up, and part of Ed is seriously entertaining this idea. He’s not going to be happy playing nursemaid to Oswald forever.

Butch refuses to kill Oswald, which is kind of sweet. Ed shifts to plan B.

Plan B is Victor. Victor is wearing his leather gloves, and I lost concentration for a brief period. Anyway – they have Tabs, so Butch will have to play along. They’ll force Butch to kill Oswald.

Remember, to Ed – love is a weakness, and so he knew exactly how to exploit Butch.

Bruce and Selina have some awkward teenage chit-chat. I usually like them, but this was dull.

Butch can’t believe that Victor would turn on Oswald. Victor points out his hypocrisy. Butch still seems extra disappointed that Victor would turn, though.

Babs is on the stage, and welcomes everyone to the party.

Oooo – Victor is wearing that shoulder holster thing.

Oswald gives a speech. Butch – wearing a red mask – aims at the stage. He can’t seem to help himself, though, and before shooting says…

Sorry, boss

Oswald can’t believe this betrayal. Butch pulls the trigger…. And nothing. Ed had blanks in the gun

Zsasz shoots Butch. Ed stitched Butch up.

Oswald is ranting. I will kill you for this.

Meanwhile, Tabs escapes from the kitchen by stabbing her captors.

Oswald and Butch are screaming at each other.

After all that I’ve done for you! I gave you a job!

I gave you everything!

Oswald staggers back to the stage.

I am shocked and grieved - one of my dearest friends has betrayed me. But I will prosecute anyone who threatens Gotham

Butch and Tabs surge forward. Ed tells Oswald to get down. Butch lunges for Ed, strangling him.

Babs thinks this is the best party ever.

Oswald smashes a bottle over Butch’s head to stop him.

We think for a moment that Ed is dead – but no. A weeping Oswald cradles his head.

A quick comparison of two scenes:

Bruce and Selina kiss on the rooftop. My wrist is very tired from typing, and this scene isn’t interesting enough to warrant more comment.

Jim takes Bruce’s advice, and gate crashes VV’s dinner. He makes his intentions pretty clear, and also tells her he won’t ask her to keep her work and home identities separate. He’s dressed, shaved – Jim seems to be improving.

Ed is coughing. He’s wearing the dressing gown that Elijah gave Oswald to wear his first night in the House of Usher. That dressing gown must be some magical Harry Potter garment if it fits Oswald and Ed.

Oswald is solicitously handing Ed tea, and asking if he needs a doctor. Ed says he’s fine, though, being an authority on strangulation.

He says that the ploy had to go ahead, because Oswald’s shock had to be believable. Oswald comments tearfully that Ed saved him again. Ed delivers the master stroke – and echoes what Gertrud always told Oswald.

I would do anything for you. You can always count on me.

Oswald tearfully hugs Ed. Let’s compare two scenes again:

That’s twice now that scenes with Oswald’s parents were explicitly echoed with Ed - even down to the reappearance of that very distinctive dressing gown. Ed knows Oswald’s weak point, and is exploiting it mercilessly.

Tabs rescues Butch. Gosh – it’s weird to almost root for Tabs. But I have to say – Team Butch. Ed’s manipulation of a mentally wobbly Oswald really plumbs the depths.

We finish with Jervis. Jervis seems to have completely lost the plot. He re-enacts his dinner with Alice – a terrified woman bound and dressed in the costume. Slitting her throat – he leaves a message for Jim Gordon. He wants revenge.

General observations:

It’s time I moved on. I can’t live my life if I keep looking back

Jim seems to have taken this advice to heart - seriously applying himself to his relationship with Valerie. It’s Lee who winds up looking a little foolish, apparently trying to make Jim jealous - not following her own philosophy on moving on.

Ed goes back to GCPD for a gloat, and picks up about three meaningful threats along the way. Going back to show off might have been an error.

Oswald can barely look forward at all, he’s so stuck in the past. Mired in grief, and lost in his childhood, he seems vulnerable and impotent.

Ed is able to exploit Butch’s lingering feelings for Tabitha in order to engineer his downfall.

Lastly - Jervis seems stuck on repeat, reenacting his final moments with his sister.

Jim

Seems to be moving forward. He’s committing to his new relationship. The apartment looks better. And Bruce always seems to be a stabilising influence for him.

Oswald

Oh Oswald. If Gotham is the story of how people became their eventual villainous selves, then Oswald seems to be moving backwards. He started off calculating, daring and ruthless – and is now being woobiefied all over the place. If things go much further, a coffee shop au fic might break out.

Even in terms of this season alone, he’s backsliding. He’s betraying weaknesses in front of people who need to fear him. He seems to be fairly clueless in his new role - hugely reliant on Ed. I’m not even sure why he wants to be mayor - what his grand plans are. Last up, he seems mentally fragile - almost at Fluffwald levels of vulnerability, but alongside his usual violent volatility.

Remember the guy who kept a cool enough head to call the wrecker operator from inside a car that was about to be crushed? Who had Maroni, Fish and Falcone all fooled?

Oswald - go marathon some Bette Davis and Barbara Stanwyck movies and get your mojo back.

Ed is pulling all the strings in this episode. He gets to be the smartest person in the room - which is essentially his whole deal.

Gotham plays so fast and loose with psychology that it difficult to get a foothold – but Ed seems to have moved away from his original autism spectrum type behaviour, and then moved beyond the suggested schizophrenia, and now landed squarely on sociopathy – or at least a version of it.

Ed is cold, and manipulative, and he uses people – but that’s simply how he is. There was not, in itself, anything malevolent or ill-intentioned, for example, in how he dealt with the patients at Arkham, but there was an uneven power dynamic there. They were puzzles to be solved, not people. As is pointed out in Hannibal:

“I think it's easy to mistake understanding for empathy - we want empathy so badly. Maybe learning to make that distinction is part of growing up. It's hard and ugly to know somebody can understand you without even liking you.”

That’s Ed. He listens, discerns motivations, and then acts accordingly. It could be a wonderful skill - but Ed’s not altruistic. He primarily seeks to serve his own need to play games, solve puzzles, and demonstrate how much smarter he is.

And anyone can be reduced to a pawn in a wider game, or a puzzle in themselves. Jim became an adversary to be trapped, not a person. Oswald is a slave to his emotions, and so easily puppeteered. Kristin’s identity and agency were taken away, and she became simply the means to his ‘becoming’ as a man and murderer – and literally reduced to parts, at the end. No-one is as important as Ed. He’ll use anyone and everyone to suit himself. If your wellbeing fits into his plans, then fair enough. If not, look out. There might be people he likes more than others, but whether they move beyond the status of amusing pet is debatable.

As always - CMS knocked it out of the park. Ed’s sudden coldness and anger is genuinely scary. The way his face can just shift this tiny amount and betray so much is brilliant.

Sundries

Barnes is getting stronger, but what price will he pay? How long will Ed be happy to play second fiddle? Will Oswald make it through an episode without crying? Will I see Victor again, and will he be wearing his leather gloves?

Thoughts?

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