With this appropriately creepy episode the show manages to add some much needed layers to some characters, while trying to add some unneeded ones to others. Things start with a flashback to 10 years ago when a younger Harvey Bullock helped take down a masked killer who called himself the Goat. Now a decade after that case was closed another victim turns up, matching the Goat's MO to perfection.
Bullock is really given the chance to shine in this episode, whereas before he's just largely been the slovenly foil to Gordon's more straight laced cop. This really is his episode more than anybody else's, and that's nice to see. Granted, having him appear more idealistic in his younger days is a bit of an obvious way to go, but it makes sense and it also lends some concern to what Gordon could become if this city beats him the way it's clearly beaten Bullock. The flashback also gives us the always wonderful Dan Hedaya as Bullock's old partner.
However the episode also spends more time than is warranted on Edward Nigma. Right now Nigma works best as a recurring easter egg: a fun touch in small doses. Trying to show how social inept and awkward he is doesn't tell us anything we couldn't have already guessed and it just makes for some uncomfortable viewing. Selina Kyle also pops up again, for no clear reason other than to remind us that she's around. I'm kind of waiting for her to become legitimately relevant.
The resolution of the case also has a bit of the generic cop show flavor to it. You know how it goes: cop has a moment of revelation, goes to see the REAL criminal that nobody suspected, has a conversation where everything is revealed, things get physical, etc. It works well enough, but it's a bit of a cliché moment.
Despite these slips, this Bullock centric episode is still a strong piece that's well presented. And Bullock isn't the only high point. Penguin continues to be the wild-card in all of this, and it's really exciting seeing how much he throws EVERYBODY off their game plan. It's a great character, because he's very clever but not quite as clever as he thinks he is. It's a delicate balance that's really working for the show so far.
The very end of this episode makes me very excited to see what comes next.
Bullock is really given the chance to shine in this episode, whereas before he's just largely been the slovenly foil to Gordon's more straight laced cop. This really is his episode more than anybody else's, and that's nice to see. Granted, having him appear more idealistic in his younger days is a bit of an obvious way to go, but it makes sense and it also lends some concern to what Gordon could become if this city beats him the way it's clearly beaten Bullock. The flashback also gives us the always wonderful Dan Hedaya as Bullock's old partner.
However the episode also spends more time than is warranted on Edward Nigma. Right now Nigma works best as a recurring easter egg: a fun touch in small doses. Trying to show how social inept and awkward he is doesn't tell us anything we couldn't have already guessed and it just makes for some uncomfortable viewing. Selina Kyle also pops up again, for no clear reason other than to remind us that she's around. I'm kind of waiting for her to become legitimately relevant.
The resolution of the case also has a bit of the generic cop show flavor to it. You know how it goes: cop has a moment of revelation, goes to see the REAL criminal that nobody suspected, has a conversation where everything is revealed, things get physical, etc. It works well enough, but it's a bit of a cliché moment.
Despite these slips, this Bullock centric episode is still a strong piece that's well presented. And Bullock isn't the only high point. Penguin continues to be the wild-card in all of this, and it's really exciting seeing how much he throws EVERYBODY off their game plan. It's a great character, because he's very clever but not quite as clever as he thinks he is. It's a delicate balance that's really working for the show so far.
The very end of this episode makes me very excited to see what comes next.