Gotham Season One: The Scarecrow

Really cool!

Gordon and Bullock attempt to stop Gerald Crane from murdering more victims meanwhile Fish tries to gain more power and Penguin officially re-joins Falcone.

 

Its the second part of the Scarecrow origins and I got to say that even though everything about Scarecrow was just as good as last week's this episode was let down by other events in this episode. First off it's awesome seeing the first fear toxin and that's it's real purpose was to suppress fear, which actually could have been a good thing for mankind if not for the questionable way of making it. I really liked Gerald's story and how he had a twisted way of dealing with his wife's death so it is a shame he is dead now when it would have been interesting seeing him without fear in future episodes. Jonathan of course is the opposite now since he is consumed by fear and will grow up to instil fear in Gotham, still this origin story does place Scarecrow in a more sympathetic light and I hope this isn't the last we'll see of him. Also those CGI scarecrows where so cool and really done well!

"We're going to be super villains one day"

As for everything else it is always good seeing Penguin's dilemma in the mafia and since Falcone gave him the club and saved him makes me think Penguin is really valuable to him. However the best scene was the interaction he had with Nygma because it was so funny; loved Penguin's expression when being asked a riddle and how Nygma wasn't scared to tease a Mafia guy with riddles. It is also good to see the issue with Gordon wondering whether or not to get aid from Penguin addressed again however briefly but it was kind of annoying to see him making things unnecessarily awkward with Leslie about professionalism in the workplace, I know its a small thing but it was annoying him going on and on about it. Then there are the scenes with Alfred and Bruce and it was really great emotional moment for Bruce dealing with the hikes he went on with his dad and it is always great seeing Alfred fill the role as best as he can and help Bruce in his own way. Finally while I said I was interested to see where Fish was taken now that she is there I actually don't feel bothered at all because I don't really care about Fish trying to get her power back or anything that takes place outside of Gotham.

Ironic that the famous fear toxin could have helped people

Overall it wasn't as good as the first part of the Scarecrow origins but it was still a good watch.  

 

Score: 7/10

 

Highlights: Fear toxin/Scarecrow origin
                   Bruce and Alfred moments
                   Penguin and Nygma confrontation

 

Let - Downs: Fish's subplot
                      Gordon workplace attitude

 

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/ 

Gotham Season One: The Fearsome Dr. Crane

"This is my city!"

While Fish tries to get back a Penguin, Gordon and Bullock hunt a killer who is targeting people with serve phobias and Bruce confronts Gordon about his lack of progress on his parent's murderer.

So this episode explored the origins of one of my favourite DC villains, Scarecrow, or to be more accurate his father. I think Julian Sands as Gerald Crane did an awesome job and we got to delve into his own madness and obsession with fear and he came off as a really creepy serial killer. We also got to see some creative ways he used to kill his victims and I am guessing his exaction of the glands could be the origin of Scarecrow's famous fear toxin. We also got to see Jonathon Crane as a teenager and I hope we get to see more of him in the future, maybe even don his Scarecrow mask. Another highlight of the episode was Bullock because he took the lead in the investigation this time and I got to say whenever he is the main focus over Gordon it is a really entertaining episode; like the Goat killings episode. Plus I think his fear story in the meeting was actually true so maybe we got one of the reasons way he chose to be on the take at first, also I liked the chemistry between him and that other phobia member so I wouldn't mind something more happened between the two. Speaking about relationships I think this one between Gordon and Leslie has been handled ALOT better than the one between him and Barbara (which just felt unbelievable) so I hope they stick with this one and don't  find some stupid reason to break them up for Barbara to swoop back in.

Penguin always manages to come on top in all situations

As for the rest of the episode Penguin got into a spot of bother and his scenes with Maroni, especially the one during that truth game, was done really well. Seems like Penguin will now work for Falcone full time now since he wasn't even able to talk his way out of his mess with Maroni, he had to convince someone else. Nygma continues to be a great addition to every episode and I just wish that they would make him the main focus of an entire episode rather than a few scenes. However I do think we have gotten a hint of his villainous ways by how he framed the medical examiner because lets face it that was kind of overboard. Seems like Fish has been captured by some military type of thugs and even though I really still hate Fish I am kind of interested to see where this goes (though her charging at the solider at the end was silly) and I am glad she wasn't in this episode much. Finally I do like that Bruce has addressed the issue of his parent's murder with Gordon once again but it is a shame we only got the one scene with them and we didn't get to see much of a reaction from Gordon about the whole thing afterwards.

"I should not have messed with Nygma"

Overall a really enjoyable episode, a definite improvement over the last one and looks to be the first of a two parter in to the origins of Scarecrow.

SCORE: 9/10

Highlights: Scarecrow origins/Bullock focused episode
                   Gordon and Leslie relationship going well
                   Strong scenes from Penguin and Nygma

Let - Downs: Could have expanded more with Bruce and Gordon

 

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/