Gotham – Mad City: Beware the Green-Eyed Monster

By starrymag | December 2, 2016

By: MaryBeth McMahon

 

In a lab, a scientist (Jonathan Fielding) wearing a biohazard suit removes Alice Tetch’s (Naian González Norvind) blood from a centrifuge. Soon thereafter, he goes to a bar and is approached by Gotham’s new big bad, Mario Falcone (James Carpinello). The unsuspecting man sitting opposite of Mario says that he is a hematologist at Gotham Bio Lab. Mario immediately asks the man if he is working on Alice Tetch’s blood and in order to prevent suspicion, he mentions Lee (Morena Baccarin) and her role as medical examiner on the case. The hematologist does not give Mario information on the blood tests he is running and in a fit of rage Mario swipes the man’s Gotham Bio Lab card and crushes his skull. In the process, Mario says, “You hear me Jim, I won’t let you have her!” Mario’s jealousy over Lee, combined with his grudge against Jim, has set him on a warpath.

 

In Wayne Manor, Jacob Volk (Julien Seredowych), the leader of the Whisper Gang, informs Alfred (Sean Pertwee) and Bruce (David Mazouz) about the masked assassin who recently took out a couple of Whisper Gang Members, including Jacob’s brother. Regardless of the threat, Bruce is willing to continue his pursuit of the Court of Owls, as he holds them responsible for threatening his friends and killing his parents.

 

At the bar, Jim (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey (Donal Logue) examine the body of the recently murdered hematologist. Jim instantly suspects Barnes (Michael Chiklis) in the murder, pointing out the strength it would take to crush someone’s skull in that way. Harvey is not buying it whatsoever and reminds Jim of Barnes’ recent check-in to Arkham. Jim also points out the likelihood of a missing badge from the man’s lanyard; however, Harvey continues to rebut Jim’s statements and says that he is imagining things. Jim leaves for Gotham Bio Lab after finding a clue inside on the victim’s body: a receipt from the cafeteria at the Lab. Jim is aware that Alice Tetch’s blood is being held at the Lab and knows that it can’t possibly be a coincidence.

 

Barbara (Erin Richards) has made a habit of making visits to Oswald’s (Robin Lord Taylor) home. This time, she sets her eyes on Ed (Cory Michael Smith) and begins putting her plans into motion for a war between Ed and Oswald. Ed is eager for his chance to “strike” once he finds out who Isabella’s (Chelsea Spack) true killer is. Lucky for him, Barbara knows the identity of the killer and is there to deliver the details of Oswald’s lovelorn betrayal. Ed find’s Barbara’s declaration as entirely absurd, that is until she hints Oswald’s love for him and the desire to get rid of the competition.

 

On a rooftop, Alfred, Bruce, Jacob and Selina (Camren Bicondova) scout the nearby Court of Owls building where the infamous safe is located. They go over the floor plans of the building, including the intricately lasered floor leading to the safe, which must be ventured across with a rope. Alfred is doubtful of their ability to retrieve the object within the safe. Jacob and Bruce, on the other hand, remain confident in their plan.

 

Jim asks the security guard at Gotham Bio Lab to check when the victim’s key card was last used. It seems his card was used twenty minutes prior and whoever used it has not yet checked out. Jim finds the body of another murdered scientist and is too distracted to notice Mario attack him from behind. Mario refrains from killing Jim in that moment because he does not want to turn Jim into a “martyr,” who gets the girl in the end. He wants Lee to hate Jim before he kills him. Mario leaves the room, but not before writing a message on Jim’s hand. A short time later, Harvey and Lucius (Chris Chalk) arrive to the lab and discuss the suspect with Jim. Mario was not seen by Jim or the security cameras, leaving his identify safe – for now. They determine that the killer is infected with the virus and was responsible for ransacking the lab office and leaving a message on Jim’s hand that says “Arkham.” Harvey thinks the “Arkham” message has to do with Barnes, but Jim has a different idea.

 

Jim meets with Jervis Tetch (Benedict Samuel), who is sporting a rather fetching top hat made from newspaper. Jim realizes the only way to convince Jervis to reveal whom he infected with Alice’s blood is by speaking in riddles. Jim says:

 

Whoever you infected,

Has some sort of plan.

I want you to tell me,

The name of this man.

Two are dead,

One may die soon.

This isn’t a game,

Give me his name.

 

Jim’s persistent riddle efforts trigger Jervis into revealing an important piece of information: “You’ll only know his name when it’s too late. When the one that you love is being murdered by hate.” Jervis loses control and continues to speak in riddles, revealing the identity of the killer: a doctor. It can’t just be any doctor, but Mario Falcone.

 

At the GCPD, a recently-arrested Mario undergoes blood tests by Lucius. Harvey remains doubtful of Mario’s involvement and insists that Lee would have noticed any changes in him. Jim points out how well Barnes hid his symptoms and implies that Mario is no different in this situation. Jim’s notions fall short once again when Lucius confirms there being no trace of the virus in Mario’s blood. The smug look on Mario’s face prompts Jim to say that he will prove Mario altered the tests and that he will never marry Lee.

 

At Oswald’s, Ed begins to put Barbara’s assumptions to the test. He hands a letter of resignation to Oswald, but is immediately stunned when he responds to his request quite passionately. Ed refers to Oswald as his friend and mentions a desire to be more than employer-employee and become “more than friends.” Oswald expresses his love for Ed, but is shocked when Ed clarifies his desire to just become “business partners.” Ed hastily exits, leaving a stunned and speechless Oswald behind.

 

Jim enters Lee and Mario’s home, but does not get the warm welcome he anticipated. Jim shares his hypothesis that the virus was triggered the moment Mario began feeling jealousy, to which Mario declares a lack of fondness for the part of Lee that still loves Jim. Carmine Falcone’s (John Doman) hit man, Victor (Anthony Carrigan), enters and keeps Jim captive until a specific time. He lets Jim go, but Jim takes the chance to knock Victor out cold on his way out.

 

Oswald is speaking at a public event as Ed observes from behind the scenes. In his head, Ed plays out a scenario where he kills Oswald. Ed regains his focus and turns his back to Oswald, who then approaches his friend to request going back to the way things were. Ed shuts his switchblade, turns to hug Oswald and tells him to remember that he is his friend.

 

Jim tracks Lee down at the church just before the wedding. He tells her not to marry Mario, but is immediately bewildered upon finding out that Mario told her all about his suspicions of the blood. Lee doesn’t believe that Mario is infected. Jim’s voice falters when he emotionally tells Lee not to marry Mario. Once Lee calls Jim “obsessed”, he realizes that this was what Mario wanted: Lee to hate Jim. He refuses to give up and declares his love for Lee, finally admitting that he went to see her after she left him. He urges her one last time not to marry Mario. A tearful Lee slaps Jim in response to his accusations towards Mario and his last-minute declaration of love. Lee calls on Carmine and his men to escort Jim from the premises. And as Jim attempts to fight off Carmine’s men, Lee follows through with the wedding and officially becomes Mario’s wife.

 

Alfred and Bruce are back on the rooftop, scouting out the Court’s building. Alfred thinks that the Whisper Gang skipped out on them, as they failed to show up. Little do they know that their new allies fell victim to the seemingly invincible masked assassin sent forth by the Court. Bruce pushes Alfred to continue forward with the plan with Selina’s help.

 

Lucius and Harvey discuss the clean blood tests. Lucius informs Harvey of two drugs Mario could have taken in order to mask the presence of the virus in his blood. One of those drugs showed up in the tests in a capacity “off the charts.” The look in Harvey’s face quickly changes from skeptical to concerned. He orders Alvarez (J.W. Cortes) to get a unit on Lee and Mario while he finds Jim. When Jim, Harvey and Lucius find evidence of the drugs at Mario’s home, they learn that Alvarez lost eyes on Lee and Mario.

 

Alfred stages a car accident in front of the Court’s building, providing the opportunity to take down the guards. Selina and Bruce let Alfred in and head straight to the safe. Bruce keeps the tight rope in place while Selina hones in on her cat-like skills and walks across it to avoid the intricate lasers below. Just as she removes a large glass owl from the safe, Bruce is hit over the head by the masked assassin. Alfred, Bruce and Selina square off with the man, but fall short in defeating him. A woman sneaks into the room and helps Alfred take the man out. Selina is surprised and says, “That’s my mom.”

 

Ed enters the bar to join forces with Barbara, Butch (Drew Powell) and Tabitha (Jessica Lucas). Butch and Tabitha are rather displeased to see their captor, enemy and taker of hands walk through the entrance. Ed expresses a desire not to kill Oswald, but to take away everything he loves and destroy him. Ed wants to avenge Isabella’s death and Barbara sees the opportunity to become a leader of Gotham.

 

Mario and Lee are at Carmine’s secluded home on a lake. He offers his jacket to his bride and questions her about Jim’s visit prior to the ceremony. He asks her if she still has feelings for Jim and swears to never ask again; she responds by saying that a part of her will always care for him, but it doesn’t matter because she loves and is married to Mario. Mario poker face is failing him as he does not look too pleased.

 

Jim questions Carmine about the location of the newlyweds and does not take no for an answer when Carmine refuses to give him the information. Carmine would prefer to send his own men; however, Jim sends a bullet into each of those previously mentioned men. Jim agrees to Carmine’s request and swears to bring Mario in alive.

 

On the deck, Lee is pouring champagne into two glasses while Mario observes from inside the home. He slowly emerges from the dark with voices going off in his head saying, “She loves him.” Eyes red and veins visible, Mario picks up a knife and walks forward. As he raises the knife behind Lee’s back, Jim bursts in, yelling, “Lee!” A bullet shoots from Jim’s gun and Mario falls back. Mario falls back on the deck and the knife falls from his hand as he drops into the water. Jim and Lee’s eyes meet.