"A Dead Man Feels No Cold" | |
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Gotham episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 13 |
Directed by | Eagle Egilsson |
Written by | Seth Boston |
Production code | 4X6213 |
Original air date | March 7, 2016 |
Guest appearances | |
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"A Dead Man Feels No Cold" is the thirteenth episode of the second season, and 35th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham . It was written by new series writer Seth Boston and directed by Eagle Egilsson and first broadcast on March 7, 2016, on FOX. In the episode, Gordon and Bullock continue their quest to stop Victor Fries, now dubbed "Mr. Freeze" by the media, with the help of his wife, Nora.
The episode was watched by 4.54 million viewers, and received critical acclaim, with critics praising Mazouz's and Darrow's performances and Strange's intentions.
Gordon (Ben McKenzie) leads a raid into Ace Chemicals, the company that Victor Fries (Nathan Darrow) uses for his weapon supplies. Inside the factory, they discover multiple frozen cops, a guard was kidnapped by Fries and a canister is missing with a message reading "free my wife", carved in a wall. At Wayne Manor, Bruce (David Mazouz) is visited by Lee (Morena Baccarin) where she tries to help him with his trauma after his assassination attempt, but Bruce reveals he felt alive and plans on continuing to try to find his parents' murderer.
In the GCPD, Barnes (Michael Chiklis) learns that Nora's (Kristen Hager) health has worsened. Realizing hospital general population would be dangerous for civilians as Fries would try to rescue her, he decides to transfer her to the Arkham Asylum hospital and use her as bait. Dr. Strange (B. D. Wong) is notified of this by Ethel Peabody (Tonya Pinkins) and decides to use this as a way to recruit Fries for Indian Hill.
Fries finds out about Nora's transfer and while discussing it with the bound and gagged kidnapped guard, he throws a device in the ocean, causing it to freeze. Meanwhile, Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) is used for experimentation in Arkham Asylum and then wakes to find himself playing a recreational game with the other inmates. The GCPD arrive and close down Arkham to stop Fries from entering. Gordon runs into Cobblepot as he's dragged away and ignores his pleas for help, which makes Cobblepot shout Gordon was the one who killed Galavan, something that is witnessed by Strange. Lee takes Nora to the hospital ward, where she discovers a comatose Barbara (Erin Richards).
In Wayne Manor, Bruce is confronted by Alfred (Sean Pertwee) for his methods and is finally given the information of the man who killed his parents: Patrick "Matches" Malone. He plans on finding him and killing him, but Alfred makes him promise that, come the time, he'll let Alfred kill him. Selina (Camren Bicondova) later visits him and Bruce wants her to get him a gun to kill Malone. Fries sends a man with frozen limbs to drive a bus into Arkham so he can break through a wall in a new suit while the police are distracted. Gordon, Bullock (Donal Logue) and the Strike Force charge through the hallways, but Strange closes multiple gates, but Gordon slips through in enough time to reach the hospital ward. Fries encounters the electroshock chair room and Strange talks to him through a monitor, stating that he will give him a car so he and Nora can escape if Fries leaves a cryogenic cartridge. He leaves behind a cartridge and takes the keys to the car.
Fries arrives at the hospital ward and makes Lee assist Nora and leave with him, before trapping Gordon in a closet. He then escapes with them to his home. In the basement, Nora urges Lee to realize Fries is not a bad man and feeling guilt for not stopping him earlier, Nora, unknown to Lee, changes the cartridge from Fries' gun to one of the earlier, faulty cartridges. Fries then finally freezes Nora, but the process unfortunately tears her apart. Discovering that Nora changed the cartridge, he lets Lee go and decides to commit suicide by freezing himself to death.
His body is transferred to Arkham Asylum, and although reported as "dead", he wakes up in a room with bright white hair and blue eyes. Strange visits him, stating the room is designed to accommodate his severe hypothermia so he can survive, otherwise he would die as any temperature above freezing will cause him to overheat. Strange guesses that Fries absorbed multiple doses of formula as he worked on them, and his cells underwent a change when he tried to kill himself. He also tells him they designed a new suit for him and that they would begin work later. Strange later passes a room filled with multiple corpses in tanks, including Theo Galavan, Jerome Valeska, and Fish Mooney.
The episode was written by series' writers assistant Seth Boston, his first writing credit for a series. Boston is the fourth alumnus from creator Bruno Heller 's show The Mentalist in having worked on the show, as Ken Woodruff, Jordan Harper and Rebecca Perry Cutter have all written for The Mentalist with Boston working as a production assistant in the show.
The episode was watched by 4.54 million viewers with a 1.5/5 share among adults aged 18 to 49. [1] This was an increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.12 million viewers. [2] With this ratings, Gotham was the most-watched program of the day in FOX, beating out Lucifer , the 17th most watched of the week in the 18-49 demographics and the 45th most watched overall in the week. [3]
With Live+7 DVR viewing factored in, the episode had an overall rating of 6.77 million viewers, and a 2.5 in the 18–49 demographic. [4]
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer) | 90% [5] |
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score) | 8.2 [5] |
IGN | 7.4 [6] |
The A.V. Club | B− [7] |
TV Fanatic | [8] |
TV Overmind | [9] |
Lyles Movie Files | 8.5 [10] |
"Wrath of the Villains: A Dead Man Feels No Cold" received critical acclaim from critics. The episode received a rating of 90% with an average score of 8.2 out of 10 on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes with the consensus stating: "'Dead Men Feel No Cold' proves a satisfying, if melancholy, outing for Mr. Freeze as Gotham continues its descent into mayhem at the hands of Hugo Strange". [5]
Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "good" 7.4 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "'A Dead Man Feels No Cold' gave us a very Gotham-style origin story for Mr. Freeze. A rampage, a manhunt, a (somewhat) sympathetic villain, and an accident. Or, in this case, an accidental non-suicide with terrible side effects. At least Hugo Strange was around to sabotage the cops, spy on Gordon, and welcome Freeze to his underground lair of monsters." [6]
The A.V. Club's Kyle Fowle gave the episode a "B−" grade and wrote, "'Wrath Of The Villains: A Dead Man Feels No Cold' is really just an extension of last week's winter premiere, as if Gotham filmed a two-hour premiere and then chopped it into two equal halves. What that means is that this episode would almost work better if it were paired with last week's because it manages to flesh out a few more plot details that were suspiciously absent in the premiere. 'A Dead Man Feels No Cold' takes the time to check in on Bruce Wayne and his search for his parents' killer while also completing its version of the Mr. Freeze origin story." [7]
Maryann Sleasman of TV.com praised the episode stating, "'A Dead Man Feels No Cold' was dark — one of the darkest episodes Gotham has aired. Even the comedic moments with the great Oswald Cobblepot reduced to playing children's games with his wacky roomies were sufficiently depraved enough to silence the laughter. 'I'm not a goose, I'm a penguin,' was not the righteous indignation of one of Gotham's most brilliant underworld princes, but the disjointed ramblings of a man who knew that somewhere inside, he's something special, dangerous, and powerful; but can't figure out how or why he needed to articulate it." [11]
Andy Behbakht of TV Overmind gave the series a star rating of 4 out of 5, writing "Overall, despite some pacing issues that can get problematic later in the season, 'A Dead Man Feels No Cold' was a strong episode, that again, made me forgot about Leslie, Bullock and Jim at many points throughout it. I did appreciate the side-plot with Bruce as he continues to develop into the man we know he will become one day." [9] Robert Yaniz, Jr., writing for ScreenRant also praised the episode: "In this respect, this second episode of 2016 certainly marked the end of a particularly chilling (pun intended) two-parter and revealed the most blatant hint yet at what viewers can expect in the coming weeks." [12]
Keertana Sastry of EW reacted positive about Darrow, stating: "The rise of Mr. Freeze is officially upon us. Yes, it's true that we have already been introduced to Victor Fries, but if the events of 'A Dead Man Feels No Cold' teach us anything, it's that Fries' 'death' means that Mr. Freeze has truly been born." [13] The Baltimore Sun wrote positively about the episode, stating: "Usually 'Gotham' focuses on the troubles from the hero's or the villain's perspective. But in 'A Dead Man Feels No Cold,' it took a break from the usual guts and gore to humanize the usually good guys and not-always bad guys. To do so, the show turned to the supporting ladies and showed how the double lives the men lead can devastate and alienate their significant others. It was surprising and much-welcomed change." [14] Lisa Babick from TV Fanatic highlighted David Mazouz's performance in the episode, stating "Bruce took one huge step forward in his journey to become Batman." [8]
Nora Fries is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Entertainment. She was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for Batman: The Animated Series, in which she is depicted as the terminally ill wife of Dr. Victor Fries, who cryogenically freezes her and becomes the supervillain Mr. Freeze to find a cure for her condition. Nora is later adapted into the mainstream comic book canon and revived as a supervillain under the aliases Lazara and Mrs. Freeze.
"Heart of Ice" is the fourth episode of the first season of American animated television series Batman: The Animated Series, first aired on September 7, 1992, written by Paul Dini, and directed by Bruce Timm. This episode features the first appearance in the series of Mr. Freeze. In the comics, Freeze first appeared in Batman #121 in February 1959, with this episode providing a complete overhaul of his character, going from laughing stock to tragic villain. The episode also introduces Freeze's wife Nora Fries and his motivation to find a cure for her terminal illness, both of which were later carried over to the comic books. The episode begins a four-episode and one film story arc for Freeze that continues in "Deep Freeze", the feature film Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero, The New Batman Adventures episode "Cold Comfort" and is concluded in the Batman Beyond episode "Meltdown".
"Damned If You Do..." is the 23rd episode overall and second-season premiere of the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by series developer Bruno Heller and directed by Danny Cannon. It was first broadcast on September 21, 2015, in FOX.
"Worse Than a Crime" is the eleventh episode of the second season, 33rd episode overall and the mid-season finale from the FOX series Gotham. This episode is also the last episode to use the subtitle "Rise of the Villains". The episode was written by series developer Bruno Heller and directed by Jeffrey Hunt. It was first broadcast in November 30, 2015 in FOX. In the episode, Gordon has his final showdown against Galavan, who has kidnapped Bruce to end the legacy of his family.
"Mr. Freeze" is the twelfth episode of the second season, 34th episode overall and the mid-season premiere from the FOX series Gotham. This episode is also the first episode to use the subtitle "Wrath of the Villains". The episode was written by Ken Woodruff and directed by Nick Copus. It was first broadcast on February 29, 2016 in FOX. In the episode, having just killed Galavan, Gordon returns to the GCPD, who's currently investigating a killing spree of a man who freezes people. Meanwhile, Cobblepot pays the consequences of killing Galavan.
"This Ball of Mud and Meanness" is the fourteenth episode of the second season, and 36th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Jordan Harper and directed by John Behring. It was first broadcast on March 14, 2016 in FOX. In the episode, Bruce sets out to find "Matches" Malone, the man who killed his parents. Meanwhile, Gordon investigates Kristen Kringle's disappearance, worrying Nygma.
"Mad Grey Dawn" is the fifteenth episode of the second season, and 37th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by Robert Hull and directed by Nick Copus. It was first broadcast on March 21, 2016. In the episode, Gordon and Bullock investigate a pair of clues in a museum, unaware that Edward Nygma is the perpetrator. Meanwhile, Bruce continues living in the streets with Selina and Cobblepot meets a man who knew about his mother.
"Prisoners" is the sixteenth episode of the second season, and 38th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Scott White. It was first broadcast on March 28, 2016. In the episode, Gordon is sent to prison after being framed by Nygma into the murder of Theo Galavan and Carl Pinkney. Meanwhile, Cobblepot continues to bond with his father while his stepmother and step-siblings plan to kill him. This episode also has the fewest cast members as only Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Robin Lord Taylor and Cory Michael Smith appear.
"Into the Woods" is the seventeenth episode of the second season, and 39th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by producer Rebecca Perry Cutter and directed by Oz Scott. It was first broadcast on April 11, 2016. In the episode, Gordon tries to clear his name after having escaping from Blackgate Penitentiary with help from Nygma, not knowing Nygma is the one who set him up.
"Pinewood" is the eighteenth episode of the second season, and 40th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by co-executive producer Robert Hull and Megan Mostyn-Brown and directed by executive producer John Stephens in his first Gotham episode directed. It was first broadcast on April 18, 2016. In the episode, Bruce and Alfred set to find out information about a program called Pinewood Farms which had something to do with Thomas Wayne's death and involvement while Gordon sets out to find The Lady and Dr. Strange continues his experiments.
"Azrael" is the nineteenth episode of the second season, and 41st episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by co-producer Jim Barnes and co-executive producer Ken Woodruff and directed by Larysa Kondracki. It was first broadcast on May 2, 2016. In the episode, Theo Galavan is finally resurrected and begins a killing spree across Gotham City, calling himself "Azrael" while Gordon and Bruce try to arrest Dr. Hugo Strange for his involvement in the resurrection and his inhuman experiments.
"Unleashed" is the twentieth episode of the second season, and 42nd episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Paul Edwards. It was first broadcast on May 9, 2016. In the episode, Azrael continues his killing spree across Gotham City while Dr. Strange tries to evade arrest for his experiments.
"A Legion of Horribles" is the twenty-first and penultimate episode of the second season, and 43rd episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by supervising producer Jordan Harper and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on May 16, 2016. In the episode, after Azrael's death, Professor Strange resurrects Fish Mooney. Meanwhile, Bruce sets out to save Selina, who has been attacked by Bridgit Pike, now calling herself "Firefly". This episode marks the return of Jada Pinkett Smith to the series, after her character was killed off in the first-season finale. On January 29, 2016, she announced her return to the series. She previously stated that she wouldn't return for the second season. This episode also marks the debut of Clayface. The title is a reference to a passage from the 1985 novel Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.
"Transference" is the twenty-second episode and season finale of the second season, and 44th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. This is also the last episode in the series with the subtitle "Wrath of the Villains". The episode was written by developer and showrunner Bruno Heller and directed by Eagle Egilsson. It was first broadcast on May 23, 2016. In the episode, Lucius and Bruce are being held in a room by Nygma, ready to kill them unless they tell him information. Meanwhile, Gordon tries to stop Professor Strange once and for all while Basil Karlo begins to fake being Gordon after his experiment. The episode marked the end of the Strange story arc, which culminated with his arrest. The episode is also dedicated to the memory of Doug Kraner, production designer of the show, who died on April 4, 2016, at the age of 65 of cancer.
"The Primal Riddle" is the seventeenth episode of the third season, and 61st episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The show is itself based on the characters created by DC Comics set in the Batman mythology. The episode was written by co-executive producers Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt and directed by Maja Vrvilo. It was first broadcast on May 8, 2017.
"Heavydirtysoul" is the twenty-second episode of the third season, the second part of the two-part season finale, and the 66th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The show is based on the characters created by DC Comics and set in the Batman mythology. The episode, written by co-executive producer Robert Hull and directed by Rob Bailey, was first broadcast on June 5, 2017. The episode marks the introduction of Solomon Grundy. In the episode, Gordon is taunted by Lee to give into his killer desires. At the same time, Nygma arranges a trade for Jervis Tetch, betraying Barbara. In the ensuing battle, Cobblepot captures Nygma to kill him. Bruce makes a fateful decision about his role in Gotham after his encounter with Ra's al Ghul.
"Destiny Calling" is the twenty-first episode of the third season, the first part of the two-part season finale, and 65th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The show is based on the characters created by DC Comics set in the Batman mythology. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Nathan Hope. It was first broadcast on June 5, 2017.
"The Sinking Ship The Grand Applause" is the fifteenth episode of the fourth season and 81st episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The show is itself based on the characters created by DC Comics set in the Batman mythology. The episode was written by Seth Boston and directed by Nick Copus. It was first broadcast on March 22, 2018.
Mr. Freeze, a supervillain in DC Comics and an adversary of the superhero Batman, has been adapted in various forms of media, including films, television series, and video games. The character has been portrayed in film by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Batman & Robin (1997), and in television by George Sanders, Otto Preminger, and Eli Wallach in the 1966 Batman series, and Nathan Darrow in Gotham. Michael Ansara, Clancy Brown, Maurice LaMarche, and others have provided the character's voice in animation and video games.