Gotham Review: To Our Deaths and Beyond (Season 4 Episode 19)

On Gotham Season 4 Episode 19, “To Our Deaths and Beyond,” we finally get some insight into where Barbara Kean’s story might be headed. Then — in true Gotham fashion — they pull it all away again.

Okay, the choices being made here are strange to me. The build up to Barbara having powers and becoming the leader of the League of Shadows — just to take it away mere moments later — seems like a letdown.

Don’t get me wrong, I am glad Barbara’s character has something to do after her uneventful first-half of the season — but at least make it meaningful.

With the return of Ra’s al Ghul, it seems as though Barbara is about to either get a love interest or a formidable foe. Neither prove to be true when Ra’s quickly strikes her down, and the Sisters of the League come to rescue her.

It could be more exciting if Barbara played along for a bit, instead of just flat-out refusing to fork over the Demon’s Head. She could easily attempt to do what Lee Thompkins is doing to the Riddler — which is just string him along.

This would totally fit into Barbara’s persona. In fact, it would fit better into Barb’s persona than it does to Lee’s.

While I like Lee’s character, I don’t necessarily like where they are going with her story either. That’s okay though, because the B storyline far outshines the A storyline this time around. But more about this later.

It is quite funny when the young Selina Kyle quickly points out all the problems with Barbara’s oversimplified plan. Come on now — Barbara is a smart woman. Her twisted mind could come up with something more complicated than just bum-rushing Ra’s al Ghul.

You’re just an unstable night club owner, who’s greatest accomplishment is the murder of her own parents. – Ra’s al Ghul

The death of Tabitha Galavan is the most shocking event of the episode. But of course, this scene is taken back before it can even be processed. It is heartwarming though, to see that Barb still has a place in her heart for Tabitha.

So, on to this power thing.

It is more than a little confusing to me. Does the Demon’s Head give the power to see the most likely outcome? Or does it give the actual ability to rewind time?

I assume it is the former, because Barb gives up her powers rather quickly instead of searching for a different approach. But alas, it doesn’t really matter at this point, now does it.

This is worse than when Felicity was paralyzed on Arrow for just a handful of episodes before being cured by a “magical” computer chip. At least we got to see her life temporarily changed. But not for poor Barbara.

Barbara is lucky to even have her powers for a whole commercial break before giving them up. No lessons learned; not even a “with great powers comes great responsibility” speech.

Such wasted potential.

The only “prize” Barbara gets in the end, is the continued alliance of the Sisters. I guess that is nothing to shake a stick at though — an army is an army.

But now back to the B story. This is where the fun hits the fan.

This caper is quite amusing, although not entirely filled with a purpose.

Lee and Ed make such a cute pair as they run around robbing banks together. Lee is becoming quite the Robin Hood, which I guess makes Nygma one of her merry men?

Corey Michael Smith continues to kill it as the conflicted Ed/Riddler story continues to move forward. Surprisingly enough, this hasn’t gotten stale yet. In fact, it is the most fun I’ve had this entire season of Gotham.

It isn’t completely shocking to see Ed pull one over on Oswald and Grundy in the end. But really Mr. Cobblepott, how could you not see this coming? Shame on you.

Move over Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle! Lee Thompkins and Edward Nygma are quickly becoming my go-to ship. Their sexy kisses steam up the screen every time they happen — unlike you two who barely get any alone time.

Even with that said, it is fairly tragic to watch Jim Gordon arrest his former fiance at the end of the episode. Is it really completely over between these two? I’m just thankful it doesn’t seem as though a love triangle is forming between the three. Don’t get any ideas Mr. Fox!

Overall, the episode isn’t a complete waste . There are some moments of excitement throughout these 45 minutes of confusion. Unfortunately, I find myself asking, “why did they choose to do that?,” more often than I prefer too.

What did you think of this episode of Gotham? Who is your favorite ship? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX

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