Ror Reviews: GOTHAM Season 1, Episode 3 - "The Balloonman"

In tonight's Gotham, Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor...still great) finally makes his return to the city and begins working in a restaurant run by one Sal Maroni (Dexter's David Zayas making his debut). We continue to see how vicious and completely unstable penguin Jr. is here, while possibly getting an insight into his plan to get revenge on Fish Mooney...and Jim Gordon? Meanwhile, we spend a bit more time with the young Selina Kyle as she promises to provide Gordon with information about the Wayne's real killer, only to give him the slip. Camren Bicondova continues to impress in this role, and may just emerge as a highlight of the show. We also drop in on Bruce and Alfred, as the two engage in a spot of swashbuckling tomfoolery. It's nice to see a more fun side to the butler, though he also sees how far he can push our Batman in training before he allows a bit of anger to slip through.



The main thrust of the story however, deals with a vigilante in a pig mask (no, that wasn't professor Pyg in the teasers) who's murdering corrupt Gothamites in powerful positions by...tying them to hot air balloons and letting them float away. Yes, it is every bit as silly on screen as it sounds in print. This is something that might have worked in the Tim Burton Batman flicks, and definitely in the ridiculous Joel Schumacher ones, but it just doesn't fit in with the world this show has established around itself. The whodunnit story that spins out of it is also ill advised, and only winds up detracting from the other, far more engaging plot strands. There is an interesting parallel between the Balloonman's actions and Batman's eventual vigilantism though, and even some foreshadowing as it's suggested that Bruce may take some inspiration from him when searching for his parents' murderer.

Also, we do get a great final scene, with Cobblepot arriving large as life on Gordon's doorstep, and Barbara answering the door to him. I think you'll have some 'splaining to do next week Jim.

The third episode of Gotham continues to combine grit with goofy, and although this is a strong ep overall, I have a feeling this jarring mesh of tones will begin to grate sooner rather than later if the show doesn't settle and find its footing. For now though, the characters and performances should be enough to keep the masses tuning in.