Gotham Episode 10: Lovecraft

This week on Gotham: When Wayne Manor is attacked by a group of assassins, Bruce and Selina escape into the city. While Gordon, Bullock and Alfred madly search the streets for the missing pair, Bruce gets a first hand  experience of Gotham’s underworld.

“Gotham” finished strong. Well, at least the Fall Season finale has finished strong. After last week’s dip, “Lovecraft” was an exciting, fast-paced episode, that kept me on the edge of my seat. While the finale created more questions than answers, it did present the show’s overall direction. So let’s see a few aspects that made this episode great.

1. Alfred

In live-action iterations, Mr. Pennyworth has always been depicted as the loyal butler, serving his master from within the Batcave. This characterization is very clear in the Burton, Schumacher and Nolan films; even though the viewer understands that Alfred is integral to Batman’s crusade, he is never part of the action. This depiction is noticeably different than the Alfred of the comics (especially those of the modern era). While  Alfred is generally behind the scenes, he is also known to get his hands dirty. He was a decorated soldier, exceptional marksman and skilled in hand to hand combat. “Lovecraft” presented all of these aspects as Pennyworth fights assassins to protect Bruce. The significance of this portrayal is the influence that Alfred has on Bruce: Alfred fights to protect Bruce, just as Batman will fight to protect Gotham. Thus, this characterization has an developmental aspect in addition to being fan-service.

2. Selina and Bruce

While it started last episode, this relationship really came to a head this week. This interaction can only be described as the “awkward, middle school, first kiss” relationship. When I first realized where the show was going with this idea I was speculative. Even though fans are very familiar with the Batman-Catwoman love-cycle, I thought it was far too early to develop a romance. But then I realized it wasn’t about the romance but rather it was about Bruce. Young Wayne’s attraction to Selina is what exposes himself to the outside world, moving him out of the walls of Wayne manor and prep school. It is because he likes her that he follows her into the city, and the episode makes this very clear. Furthermore, the relationship is an excellent way to show Bruce’s social awkwardness. While Bruce will grow up to be charming and debonair, he still feels separate and different to the rest of society. It is the “loner” mentality that allows him to become Batman.

It has been an exciting ten episodes, and despite its ups and downs I’m still rooting for “Gotham.” We’ll see if it holds true, as it spirals through the madhouse that is Arkham Asylum.

CBH Score: 4.5/5 stars

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