TV Review - Gotham "Viper"

by Jen

Any episode that opens with a drug-crazed homeless person running down the street with an ATM strapped to his back is going to be a good one, and this week’s episode of Gotham certainly doesn't disappoint - though I do question the wisdom of anyone, even a street guitarist, who elects to sniff the contents of a vial marked “Breathe Me” when it’s just dropped in his guitar case in lieu of a tip.

Anyhow, we learn that this vile drug gives the episode its name, and provides an even more detailed picture of Gotham’s seedy underbelly - this time in the form of corruption within Wayne Enterprises, rather than organized crime.

Which doesn't mean there isn't a mention of organized crime this week - indeed, it couldn't be Gotham if that was the case!  Penguin, thinking he’s in good with Marconi, spills the secrets of his past, and gets his face pummeled for his troubles - until James Gordon, brought in reluctantly by Marconi’s goons, backs him up.  I’m interested to see how this Gordon/Penguin alliance plays out in the long run.

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On the other side of the organized crime fence, Fish Mooney is training her new secret weapon - and in the end of the episode we find out why; she’s made the girl into the perfect poison for Falcone.  It seems the old man will go down, one way or another.

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But back to the plot - a rogue mad scientist is out to expose corruption inside Wayne Industries, and young Bruce Wayne is very nearly caught in the crossfire.  Of course Gordon and his partner come to the rescue, with Harvey Bullock providing comic relief in the form of an unexpected comment - “What is altruism?!” 

And the episode ends with Alfred sitting down to help young Master Bruce with his research, abandoning his quest to encourage Bruce to enjoy his childhood when he realizes there really is important work left undone by the death of the Waynes.

Tune in next week for the Halloween episode, which looks promising!