Gotham Review: The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause (Season 4 Episode 15)

Aside from the clunky name, Gotham Season 4 Episode 15, “The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause,” is a tightly-knit masterpiece. Nearly every scene feeds seamlessly into the next.

Some might argue that it is all a bit unrealistically coincidental the way that each character ends up at the heels of the other. But if it is a reality show you are looking for, then you’ve come to the wrong place.

Starting from the first scene, with Martine getting secret notes from some off-screen savior, we know that storylines are going to ramp up and possibly come to a head. When his hero arrives from the smokey ashes of the kitchen, Ed’s creepy smile delights as we realize that the Penguin and the Riddler are in cahoots once again.

The plot hole of how Martine is found in the first place is a bit glaring, but even Ed and Oswald approach the subject with a small chuckle. Guess there is too much going on throughout this episode to deal with tiny technicalities.

Next, we move onto Lee revisiting her empire at the Narrows. Sampson is already tearing apart the unity she has built throughout the last several episodes. It is pretty apparent that this Sampson guy is just another throwaway character. Even when shooting an unarmed (and innocent) man, we understand that his reign will be very short-lived.

When the camera shifts to the office of Jim Gordon, Harvey’s acceptance of his badge again warms the heart for just a second. This has happened so many times to Jim himself that it is nice to see him on the other side of the equation for once.

It is quickly divulged that not only are Oswald, Ed, Lee, Harvey, and Jim all on the same path, they are also reaching for the same goal: the fall of Sophia Falcone.

Crystal Reed does an outstanding job in what might be her last appearance as Sophia Falcone. Her determination to maintain power and end anyone who tries to take it from her is quite mesmerizing. The conviction in her voice sells you on the fact that she truly believes she is in the right.

Among her last scenes, the one where Sophia stands over Jim with the smoking gun in her hand might just be the most beautiful.

Although she is on her third or fourth round of bullets, you can’t help but feel a lump of pity in your throat as she asks Jim for a simple apology in order to spare his life.

“Sophia. Go to hell!” —Jim Gordon

When shots are fired from behind her before she pulls the trigger again, it is no surprise who is responsible for them. It is oh so fitting that Lee — the most innocent of the bunch — is the one who ends the life of the last remaining Falcone.

Later, it is revealed that Sophia is just in a coma, but that only means she is on the back burner until she can fit more smoothly into the grand scheme of things.

The one arc that doesn’t fit into all the shenanigans is the offbeat adventure of Bruce and Selina. Fortunately, their playful banter and flirtation make up for their intrusion on more exciting elements that are unfolding elsewhere.

Seeing them fighting side-by-side (and actually winning) gives us shippers a healthy dose of what we have been missing out on. The actors click so well together, it isn’t hard to imagine them as a real-life couple. Hello Mr. Fox, more scenes like this please!

My only qualm with this episode is the return of Solomon Grundy — or should I say Butch. It really isn’t clear who we are dealing with here. Are the writers unsure if they made the right choice by turning a lovable goon into a dim-witted zombie?

Both versions (each played by Drew Powell) are great in and of themselves, but the writers just need to decide which way to go. It feels like just as fans started to embrace Grundy, a wrench was thrown into the machine and knocked a couple of screws loose. But who knows, maybe this storyline could develop into the greatest plot twist of all time.

With all this being said, this episode is fantastic. There’s so much action and drama it keeps you going like a double shot of espresso. In fact, even the few sidelines are interesting enough to garner a handful of questions such as:

• What is going on with Barbara and those migraines?
• Is Ra’s al Ghul really in the club?
• Will Mr. Freeze ever get a more prominent story?
• Could Victor Zsasz and Wendell be a couple?
• Whose side will Victor Zsasz be on now?
• Did Jerome escape in all the commotion at Arkham Asylum?
• Where are you Ivy? We miss you!

What did you think of this episode of Gotham? Who gave the most stand-out performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.

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