Gotham Review: The Trial of Jim Gordon (Season 5 Episode 9)
As Gotham winds down, the final season story is really starting to heat up. Love stories play out, villains destroy, and the Batman characters come closer to fruition.
On Gotham Season 5 Episode 9, “The Trial of Jim Gordon,” pieces continue to fall into place for a Batman endgame in a surprisingly touching and not tragic installment.
“The Trial of Jim Gordon” is by no means a perfect episode. It’s meant to illustrate the inner (and outer) turmoil Jim Gordon feels as someone who has failed to save people on multiple occasions. While it does that, the execution is a little sloppy.
Mostly, though, the trial itself is the worst part. Jim’s inner conflict is a little too on the nose, as he’s both prosecution and defense in his own trial, with Lee as the only witness. It’s easy to recognize this as a near death crisis of conscience for Gordon, but doesn’t pack the punch that it should.
Elsewhere, though, Gotham threw together an excellent package. Poison Ivy hypnotizing Zsasz, Bruce, and Lucius feels like an actual Batman comic story.
Zsasz, first of all, makes every story delightful. Anthony Carrigan’s portrayal mixes just the right amount of fun whimsy with assassin. His usual quips made the perfect addition to Ivy’s reign of terror.
Bruce and Lucius Fox saving Gotham City from Ivy would make it feel exactly like a Batman story…except that isn’t really what happens. Selina is the one to wake Bruce (and by proxy, Lucius) from their trance just in time to save Gotham.
Symbolically, this makes it seem like Selina and Ivy choose opposite sides in the good fight, an interesting take on the former friends.
“The Trial of Jim Gordon” contains some happy moments, which is very unusual for a Gotham episode.
Mainly, Jim’s proposal and quick marriage to Lee Thompkins is a very happy occasion. This being Gotham, it first feels like something bad is going to interrupt the ceremony, or that Barbara is going to walk down the stairs instead of Lee.
Harvey Bullock: I’d say he’s my best friend, but in truth, he’s my only friend.
Instead, Gotham fans get a small, unexpected treat: people laughing at the happy nuptials. Gotham isn’t usually one for happy moments, obviously, but this one is sweet, fun, and well-deserved.
A few stray thoughts:
- I believe that Harvey Bullock should officiate all weddings from now to eternity. My one regret is that I can’t go back in time and have him officiate mine.
- “Sure, Harv. I do.”
- So far I still believe my prediction to be accurate: Barbara, after giving birth, will die proving to Jim that she can still be good. Then the now married Jim and Lee will raise Barbara Gordon, named after her hero bio mom. Her chat with Oswald only further confirms this theory.
- Just want to go on record (probably) one last time and say that Peyton List is incredible and did an excellent job as Ivy.
What did you think of this episode of Gotham? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.