by
Snow Drift
On this episode, directed
by Dermott Downs and written by John Stephens, a mysterious killer nicknamed
“Balloonman” (Dan Bakkedahl) is strapping Gotham’s corrupt public figures to
weather balloons and sending them to the sky to die. Detectives James Gordon
(Ben McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) are on the case, but Bullock is
no longer as safe from suspicion of being corrupt as he though.
Among the
subplots, the one matching Renee Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) and Barbara Kean (Erin
Richards) is an interesting one, for it brings out to the forefront the
romantic relationship between these two women and who they were before the
start of the series. It also portrays the powerful force of doubt that prevails
throughout the innocent of Gotham. Those that are not corrupt doubt the system,
forcing them to live on the edge.
Meanwhile, Oswald Cobblepot’s
(Robin Lord Taylor) indiscriminate murders throughout Gotham and his visible
presence makes it a bit unbelievable that very few people know that he is still
alive. I’m surprised that only one person has discovered him and that there
hasn’t been any talk of the random murders in and around Gotham. However, I am
still glad that his false murder is still a topic that connects Gordon, Montoya,
Crispus Allen (Andrew Stewart-Jones), Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) and the
rest of the criminal underworld to each other and further expands on their
conflicts.
In addition,
Alfred Pennyworth’s (Sean Pertwee) portrayal in this episode was, in my opinion,
better than the last. His extreme discipline upon Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz)
worried me, yet in this episode he is shown trying to make Bruce happy in his
own way, which is a bit more consistent with the essence of his comic book
counterpart.
All the while, I
do like how Bruce, even though he outwardly seems to be in the process of moving
on from his parents’ murder by having a bit more fun, while still holding unto
his anger and fear. He lashes out at times and seems to be taking every event
that happens in Gotham personal.
McKenzie’s and
Logue’s acting was more convincing than before, which may be based on the fact
that they’re getting used to their characters or the script itself. The
villains acting was relatively well, but it could have been better. The rest of
the cast was consistent with the last two episodes, although I have to say that
I love Pinkett Smith, for she portrays a character that feigns a relative
goodness, yet makes it known to everyone around her that she is not one to mess with.
The episode in its
entirety could have been better directed to portray the sense of terror from
being forcefully lifted to the sky. However, I liked the elements that were
implemented into the series and the fact that events that have happened in
previous episodes are affecting the future.
