This episode belonged to Camren Bicondova. After seeing glimpses of what could be a great Catwoman in the making, there is no doubt after this episode she can deliver. Over the years many have compared her to a young Michelle Pfeiffer, and her performance definitely paid homage to the actress.
Selina went from being hospitalized to a fully fledged leather clad anti-heroine with clawed gloves and a whip at her side (Minus the Cat ears). I always have to give props to the wardrobe in this show as Selina’s outfit is absolutely perfect. Bruce’s gear is also on point as he is dressed in black with a bulky armor looking leather jacket.
Selina teams up with Bruce to find Jeremiah and get payback. She is consumed by vengeance with an extra dose of crazy. After playfully kissing Bruce, she tells him “I’m not yours to lose.” (I feel like this is a tribute to something) the two of them have a pretty epic fight scene (Stunt double props here as well) where they take down a gang in the “Dark Zone” of town when they are clearly outnumbered.
Selina goes off on the big boss in an absolutely vicious scene where she nearly claws his face off! I am instantly reminded of Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns. She doesn’t stop clawing at his face until Bruce restrains her … with a grappling hook! I swear I hear that classic Batman Movie theme play in my head.
The two make it to a location filled with strange Jeremiah worshipers. They are being led by a crazed mysterious masked woman. Selina pretends to drink the Kool-Aid and follows the cult’s tests to get to Jeremiah. Most viewers can safely assume that the masked woman is indeed Echo, who was Jeremiah’s personal security. In a nice turn of events here, we find that Echo has white jester type paint on her face. She says she has a bullet rattling around inside her head and even calls Selina, ‘Puddin.’ It is more than safe to assume that we officially have our Gotham Harley Quinn!
We’re treated to an epic one on one battle between Selina and Quinn (?). Selina gets the drop on Echo with a gun to her head, but Bruce again tells Selina to stop. Echo uses the momentary distraction to cut Selina and get away. Bruce wants to get Selina medical attention, but she cuffs Bruce to a gate. She tells him, “I have been doing it your way. I’m gonna to do it my way. “We’re immediately reminded of the biggest obstacle between these two iconic characters.
Elsewhere, Penguin’s crew have defected from him and gone to join Jim’s safe Haven. The defectors include Penguin’s personal choir, his assistant Mr. Pen, and even his dog “Edward.” Penguin teams up with gangs to take over the haven, but is double crossed and locked up with Jim. The gangs take over the Haven and kill Mr. Pen. Jim and Penguin work together with the help of one of the young boys in the haven to escape.
Penguin saves the day and takes out the gang members with his machine gun. The people of the Haven chant “Penguin” in appreciation and Oswald gets a creepy smile on his face. Jim “deputizes” the kid who helped them escape and gives him a badge. On a show like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if this kid turns out to be someone we know in the future.
Things don’t stay calm too long before Barbara Kean walks in with Harvey and a gun pointed straight at Penguin’s head. Jim jumps in front of Penguin and will not allow Barbara to kill him. Barbara threatens to kill Jim first, but suddenly the haven building explodes out of nowhere! We have no idea what’s happening to the people inside and/or who set up the explosion. My first thought is either the government (due to the opening scene from episode one this season) or Jeremiah. The preview for next week has given us zero answers.
There is however, one thing I’m certain of: Don’t ever mess with the women of Gotham.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
