Gotham 1.3 FAQ
What’s it called?
“The Balloonman.”
Who’s responsible?
Teleplay is credited to John Stephens (“Gilmore Girls”), who used to write for Fox and Ben McKenzie via “The OC.”
What says Fox?
“Detectives Gordon and Bullock track down a vigilante who is killing corrupt Gotham citizens by attaching them to weather balloons. Meanwhile, Oswald Cobblepot returns to Gotham and gets a new job close to an important figure in the underworld. Guest Cast: Dan Bakkedahl as Davis Lamond, James Colby as Lt. Bill Cranston, David Zayas as Maroni, Jack Koenig as Arnold Danzer and Clark Middleton as Gerrick.”
How does it start?
Cobblepot steps out of a bus and back into Gotham City as a TV reporter describes the misdeeds of a fellow named Ronald (not Arnold as Fox’s logline insists) Danzer, Gotham’s version of Bernie Madoff.
A “vigilante who is killing corrupt Gotham citizens”? Are Bullock and Gordon trying to track him down to ask what part of the sky he wants the GCPD to aim the BalloonSignal?
Bullock, at minimum, would like to shake Baloonman’s hand.
Does Balloonman wear a cape?
He wears a mask.
Is the “important figure in the underworld” Falcone’s chief rival Maroni?
As a clip above makes plain.
Last week Selina “Cat” Kyle told Gordon she saw who killed Bruce’s parents. Do mugshots lead anywhere?
Oddly, she is not shown mugshots this week!
Are you saddened that the late Howard Stern Show regular Eric The Actor died before he could be cast as Balloonman?
I am. Did you realize Eric died mere hours before he could watch the first episode of Katherine McPhee’s new CBS hourlong “Scorpion”?
What’s doing with Alfred Pennyworth?
Teaching a bit of fencing at stately Wayne Manor.
The big news?
There’s a scene in which Bruce Wayne can’t stop staring at this Gotham Gazette headline: “Balloon Man Kills Dirty Cop.” Later Bruce watches a newscast that also seems to spin the gears in his preteen head.
What else is Fox not telling us?
By Rick Perry’s dimples! Bullock is spotted wearing a pair of eyeglasses and looking almost professorial this week!
What’s good?
The screaming cardinal. The giant shovel. Barbara Kean’s legs. “Ah, so did I!”
What’s not so good?
Tone it down, Jada! This series is still growing too much in the direction of ABC’s “Batman” and less and less in the direction of HBO’s “Rome.” Also, the Bruce/Alfred scenes are starting to feel like “Smallville” crap. And Balloonman should use more balloons; I’m told a single weather balloon can’t lift more than 30 pounds.
How does it end, spoiler boy?
“Old friend.”
8 p.m. Monday. Fox.
