All Happy Families Are Alike Plot Summary:
In Gotham’s first season finale, Gordon (Ben McKenzie) makes a last ditch effort to save the city as the mob war between Falcone (John Doman) and Maroni (David Zayas) escalates to chaos and violence, with Oswald (Robin Lord Taylor) trying to reap the benefits. Meanwhile, Bruce (David Mazouz) desperately tries to uncover his father’s hidden secret.
The first season finale to Gotham is the definition of a mixed bag. There were elements I loved, and elements I absolutely hated. As someone who’s been championing this show all along, I did feel justified in the long term groundwork that was laid in this episode, but there’s no doubt some serious balls were dropped. Enough with the preambles though, because there’s a lot to digest. Grab an umbrella and strap in.
We have to start with the main character himself, Jim Gordon, because much of the plot appropriately derived from him. One of the best parts to this episode was the dynamic between him and Falcone. I loved this because it really brought the season full circle. In the pilot, Falcone and Gordon have this big confrontation that basically laid the foundation for what this series is. Gordon wants to clean up the city, but Falcone tells him rather bluntly that if he’s taken out, the city would burn into chaos. In the end though, both characters rubbed off on each other. Gordon realizes this city actually needs a Falcone, but Falcone sees the horror that Gotham can become if a lawman like Jim Gordon isn’t around. It was a great arc for both characters. I’m sure many will hem and haw about Falcone’s ending, but that was foreshadowed throughout the whole season. Get over it.
We’ve seen great examples of just how corrupt Gotham can be, but none more apparent when there is essentially a decree that Maroni will now run Gotham. Wow. Only in Gotham is there a pseudo-election for a new mob boss. This is what brings Gordon to the horrible truth that he actually has to save Falcone. My only problem with Gordon in this episode is they made him a little too action star for my liking. Seriously, there’s a shot that could have been taken right out of Face/Off. They also set up a great conflict between Gordon and Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari), which was already contentious, but their exchange at the hospital perfectly sets up for next season. I don’t understand the complaints that Gotham is too focused on shoehorning Batman villains into the show. That was always a manufactured criticism before the show even started. If this episode proved anything, it’s that Jim Gordon is the show’s true protagonist, and should be.
Speaking of Batman villains, they certainly got their due. Even the biggest haters of Gotham will admit that Robin Lord Taylor is one hell of a Penguin. Taylor really nails it when he reveals all his dirty secrets to Falcone, just a great scene. The climax between him and Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) was perfect, especially in how they use Butch (Drew Powell), who’s personal relationship with Fish really paid off for an emotional high point at the end. My only complaint here is Oswald’s last line, and the visual effects. Yeah, that was over the top. The other villain who shined was Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith). It was only one scene, but Smith crushed it, just utterly manic and crazy, and the direction was top notch. Talk about a character who gets the most improved award.
Now we get to the stuff that wasn’t so good. Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) – WTF! That was flat out lazy writing. I understand we saw her kill a couple episodes ago, but there was a logical explanation for that. To see her turn in this direction so quickly was completely out of left field, and just an excuse to get her involved in the finale. It almost killed the entire episode for me. The other character turn I couldn’t stand was Maroni, simply because he acted like such a moron. Talk about pressing your luck. Are you kidding me with this? I have no problem with where Maroni ended up, but getting there was pretty bad.
The other problem was the lack of payoffs. I was skeptical about Bruce Wayne playing such a big role when this series started, but him and Alfred (Sean Pertwee) were pleasant surprises in the first half of the season. Unfortunately, they peaked in the mid-season finale (“Lovecraft”), and it was all down hill from there. Their last scene sucked, but I don’t blame the writers. I blame the preview clips that completely jumped the gun. Thanks a lot. They also abandoned the whole “Who killed Bruce’s parents” mystery, but I’m fine with that bleeding into future seasons, so whatever.
I was also disappointed that Bullock (Donal Logue) got the shaft in the finale. Other than one hilarious line regarding Gordon and Barbara (Erin Richards), he didn’t do much. They also completely ditched what they teased from earlier in the season between him and Fish. The other payoff that really irked me was Gordon’s owed favor to Oswald. Lame.
We’ve dissected the crap out of this finale, but now comes the most intriguing aspect to the entire episode. I’ve never done a 180 on a character like I have Barbara Kean. In the aftermath of the Ogre story, Barbara gets counseling from none other than Leslie Thompkins, at Barbara’s request. At first their therapy sessions were compelling, then kind of awkward, until finally they were downright insane. Without spoiling to much, let me just say this: I’m not the first to float this theory around, but if Barbara ends up being a certain character in the Batman world, I 100% support it. I’m sure many comic book fans would have a stroke over this, but if there’s one reason I want to see this show go on for another ten years, it would be to see that progression. Again, I’m all for it.
Thus ends the first season of Gotham. While the lack of payoffs and some character motivations hindered this finale, the big picture stuff worked in spades, and makes me want to see the next season very soon. We’ve seen the world of Batman done so many times, and Gotham is a vastly different take, yet still keeps the spirit of Gotham City and its inhabitants alive. I’ll be ready next Fall.
Rating: 7 out of 10 (Good)
===========================================================================================
Daniel Cohen is the Film Editor for Pop-Break. Aside from reviews, Daniel does a weekly box office predictions column, and also contributes monthly Top Tens and Op-Ed’s on all things film. Daniel is a graduate of Bates College with a degree in English, and also studied Screenwriting at UCLA. He can also be read on www.movieshenanigans.com. His movie crush is Jessica Rabbit. Follow him on Twitter @dcohenwriter.
===========================================================================================
