Synopsis
Gordon and Bullock investigate a location where several kids have been kidnapped; Barbara proves to be an unlikely ally to Gordon; Bruce looks into an alleged witch with healing powers to Selina; Nygma deals with his demons.
Review
For week the cast and crew of Gotham has been promising us a crazy ride through this last batch of episodes. Last week’s opener (reviewed here) built on that promise by setting out the rules of No Man’s Land.
The expediency of the short episode count was always going to impact on the pace of the show. “Trespassers” is a fine example of how things can become too crazy.
There are two major storylines at play in this episode. First is Gordon: he’s on the hunt for Gotham’s missing children. Along with Bullock Gordon mounts a rescue mission which ultimately goes awry. The two find themselves saved by Mad Max Barbara Kean after becoming mixed up in a gang war.
On the flip side of the episode we find Bruce. He’s on a mission to find the Witch who turns out to be none-other than Ivy. The two share some heated word about the now paralysed Selina before is able to convince her to help. Then, thanks to Ivy’s magic seed, Bruce is able to cure Selina of her injuries.
The Bruce storyline is oddly the less nuts of the two. Ignore the magic seed for a second and we get to see Bruce in his element. He gets to do a little detective work in seeking out the Witch and there’s also the chance for David Mazouz to show some emotional range in negotiating with Ivy for the seed.
These scenes also give the production team the chance to use some of their trademark quirky camera work. This episode is a great example of not needing to hold back given the end is nigh.
Overall I enjoyed the storyline with Bruce more than Gordon/Bullock/Barbara story. Although the gang scenes allowed for some callbacks to the Schumacher era of Batman it all felt too crazy even for Gotham.
We’re introduced to the gangs who are almost instantly killed off in a street shoot out. Anyone left alive is quickly taken out by Barabara when she arrives in her quasi-dune buggy.
These scenes are levelled out somewhat by the addition of Cobblepot. It’s rare to say he is the least craziest element in the show but his presence certainly makes the gang war feel a little more in-keeping with the rest of the show.
Ultimately the show needed to get certain characters from point A to point B and this episode successfully does just that. It unwrites some of the consequences of the season 4 finale (Selina) whilst rounding out more of the No Man’s Land landscape.
But in a shortened season its a shame to lose a whole episode to the necessity of unwriting problems of the past. It’s not unsatisfying but will ultimately prove a forgettable episode in the long run.
Verdict
“Trespassers” doesn’t live up to the promise of last weeks episode. Leaning in to the madness a little too heavily it’s an entertaining but ultimately over-the-top episode.
5/10
In the next episode…
Gotham stars Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock and David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne. The series also stars Robin Lord Taylor as Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean and Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth.
The series airs on FOX Thursdays at 8/7c.
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