Gotham season 4, episode 5 review: The Blade’s Path
Reviewing Thursday’s episode of Gotham.
Episode 5 of Gotham begins with the debut of our long-awaited undead baddie. It seems that the doctors of Indian Hill were successful at bringing Butch back to life and regrowing his arm, but failed to wake him from his coma and ordered to have his body dumped. Two goons dump Butch’s body in a swamp and drive away. Little do they know that this swamp is filled with toxic waste (the secret ingredient to every monstrous villain).
Harvey is back and signing release forms for criminals that were arrested with a Penguin license. Gordon and Harvey get into an argument about what a police officer’s job in Gotham city is and then the subject is changed to Ra’s al Ghul’s imprisonment. Eventually, Gotham will circle back to the Pax Penguina, but this episode is all about Grundy and Ra’s al Ghul.
Bruce is overwhelmed with guilt for the death of Alex. He’s been up for nights trying to figure of the Ra’s al Ghul’s prophecy and how the knife factors into all this when a concern Alfred advising him not to kill Ra’s. At Alex’s funeral, the guilt intensifies for Bruce as he eavesdrops on a conversation between Gordon and Alfred. After finding out that Ra’s al Ghul is receiving immunity, a vengeful Bruce suits up and heads to the prison to kill Ra’s.
Meanwhile, in solitary confinement, Ra’s receives a visit from Barbara who comes equipped to break him out. To her surprise, Ra’s called Barbara to say “good-bye”. Barbara is upset and tells Ra’s that she was promised a gift for her loyalty, which he delivers to her in a mystical hand-to-hand transfer through the glass. One could speculate that he transferred the curse to her as it was once done onto him. All we know is that Ra’s had a wicked smirk on his face when Barbara left.
Back somewhere upstate, Butch rises from the toxic swap looking a super pale. We see him display super strength taking out some guys just chilling by the fire and adopts the name Solomon Grundy he hears playing on the record player. Meanwhile, Penguin is upset that fourteen percent of crime committed aren’t licensed. Sophia walks in and invites a suspicious Penguin to dinner. Sophia batts her eyelashes insisting that her intentions are friendly and she only wishes to help Penguin reach one-hundred percent to which he replies by placing a question mark on item number four on his to-do list: “kill Sophia Falcone?”
Ed is holding up a pharmacist at gunpoint as he rummages for drugs to cure his head. He’s embarrassed when the pharmacist pulls a fast one (ok, it was more like a “slow one”) over him and is forced to run away with an injured hand before the cops could catch him. In an alley, Ed runs into Grundy and freaks out. Grundy wants to remember who he was and realizes that Ed knows, plus he wants a friend. At first, Ed refuses because he is also having his own problems with his brain. After Grundy beats a couple of angry guys, Ed reconsiders and partners up with Grundy.
Bruce sneaks into the prison where Ra’s al Ghul is being held, but little does he know it’s a trap. Bruce enters Ra’s cell with the knife unsheathed ready to stab Ra’s in this sleep. Right when we think he’s going to do it, Bruce stops himself and turns around. Ra’s calls him a “coward” and orders his minions dressed as prison guards to take him to the dungeon.
Alfred elicits the help of Gordon knowing that Bruce has gone to do something foolish. The two of them go to the prison where the fake guards agree to escort them around but not before they leave their weapons at the front desk. Gordon hands over his handgun while Alfred (the bad-ass butler) reveals his hiding spots for two guns, a knife, and brass knuckles. In this scene, we also learn the Gotham word of the week: undercrackers.
Bruce wakes up in the dungeon of the prison face-to-face with Ra’s. He tells Bruce that he’s convinced he’s his heir. In a Hungarian restaurant in Gotham, Penguin meets Sophia for dinner. Similar to Ratatouille, the goulash left Penguin speechless as it was identical to his mother’s recipe. Exactly what Sophia had hoped for when she hunted down the recipe for the chief to secretly remake for Penguin. Ironic that Sophia is using Penguin’s connection with his mother to gain his trust just like Fish did to Falcone in season 1.
It doesn’t take Alfred and Gordon long to figure out that the guards are imposters. After an exciting and outnumbered combat where they are victorious, Alfred and Gordon head towards the dungeon. Meanwhile, Ra’s al Ghul reveals his true self to Bruce reflected in a puddle of water on the ground and taunts him. This was such an intense scene. Like a serpent, Ra’s tempts Bruce who is strong in his resolve not to give in, but the tension builds and WAM! We are left speechless, mouths open at what just happened (even Ra’s al Ghul’s mummy-like skeleton).
Bruce stands in front of a fire in his study at Wayne Manor ready to toss his vigilante gear into the flames when Alfred gives him a pep talk. I love the director’s choice of imagery for this scene as Bruce is going to have to climb out of the depths of his subconscious hell. Episode 5 ends with Ed finding a fight club to enroll Grundy in for cash, and you’ll never guess who the doctor is: Lee Thompkins.
As Grundy’s debut, I’m glad that Gotham kept the spirit of our lovable Butch while introducing us to a popular Batman villain. I look forward to seeing the evolution to Grundy’s and Ed’s relationship and what will happen when Tabitha crosses paths with Grundy. The highlight was the final surprise Gotham had in store for us; Lee’s return to Gotham City working as a doctor for the fight club.
Next: 50 greatest super heroes in comic book history
Bruce’s evolution in Gotham is amazing to watch and the biggest takeaway from this episode, and probably this season. The tension between Bruce and Ra’s al Ghul literally sent feelings of claustrophobia through the television screen. Bravo to David Mazouz and Alexander Siddig for an unforgettable performance. The Blade’s Path is receiving a 4 out of 5 for its suspense and surprises.