Harvey Dent (Gotham episode)

Last updated
"Harvey Dent"
Gotham episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 9
Directed by Karen Gaviola
Written by Ken Woodruff
Production code4X6659
Original air dateNovember 17, 2014 (2014-11-17)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"The Mask"
Next 
"Lovecraft"
List of episodes

"Harvey Dent" is the ninth episode of the television series Gotham . It premiered on FOX on November 17, 2014, and was written by Ken Woodruff, and directed by Karen Gaviola. In this episode, trying to solve the Waynes' murder, Gordon (Ben McKenzie) allies with ADA Harvey Dent (Nicholas D'Agosto) while also investigating corruption in Gotham.

Contents

The episode was watched by 6.49 million viewers, an improvement over the previous episode. It received generally positive reviews, though critics felt that Dent's character was "wasted".

Plot

James Gordon places Selina Kyle in custody in Wayne Manor as she is the only witness in the Waynes' murder. Meanwhile, a bomb maker, Ian Hargrove, is abducted by Russian mobsters led by Gregor Kasyanov while being transferred from Blackgate Penitentiary. The Russians plan on robbing a safe vault with the bombs he makes.

Gordon, Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen meet with Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent to discuss the Waynes' murder. After Gordon shows up a drawing from the killer stated by Selina, Dent deduces it may be Dick Lovecraft, a corrupt billionaire, as his fortune rose after their murders. Dent later interrogates Lovecraft, who denies any involvement in the crimes. When Lovecraft mocks Dent, Dent grabs Lovecraft and threatens him, showing signs of an unstable, second persona.

Gordon and Harvey Bullock find Hargrove in the Gotham Munition Factory but they are ambushed by the Russians, who take away Hargrove. After making a test, Edward Nygma tells them the bombs are designed to break through iron. The Russians force Hargrove to blow up the Gotham Armory Basement so they can steal Carmine Falcone's money. While planning their getaway, Gordon and Bullock ambush them. As Hargrove walks toward them, the truck explodes when Butch Gilzean plants a call detonator.

Oswald Cobblepot visits Liza, where he reveals he knows about her plan with Fish Mooney of taking out Falcone but promises to stay quiet. Hargrove is sent to Arkham Asylum. Alfred Pennyworth decides to let Selina stay for a while as she bonds with Bruce Wayne. In the final scene, while Gordon is trying to contact his fiance Barbara Kean after she left the city, it is revealed that she and Montoya have renewed their previously broken relationship. After hearing Jim's message pleading with Barbara to return to Gotham, Renee's hand reaches to turn Barbara over to her as they then kiss.

Reception

Viewers

The episode was watched by 6.49 million viewers, with a 2.3 rating among 18-49 adults. [1] With Live+7 DVR viewing factored in, the episode had an overall rating of 10.26 million viewers, and a 4.0 in the 18–49 demographic. [2]

Critical reviews

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)62% [3]
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)6.0 [3]
The A.V. Club B+ [4]
Paste Magazine8.5 [5]
TV Fanatic3.6/5 [6]
IGN 6.8 [7]
New York MagazineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]

"Harvey Dent" received generally positive reviews. The episode received a rating of 62% with an average score of 6.0 out of 10 on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with the site's consensus stating: "Despite a solid procedural plot -- and the introduction of Dent himself -- 'Harvey Dent' is mostly an uneventful episode that adds little to the overall story arc." [3]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "okay" 6.8 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "I personally felt like the show had been on a bit of an upswing over the past few weeks, so I'm not sure what happened here. It wasn't all totally disposable, but there was a slight 'crash and burn' feel to it. The dialogue – from Dent, Selina, and Nygma (taking about video games for no reason, not even case related) – really stood out as being bad while Selina's message to Bruce about not being harsh enough for the streets fell flat since we'd just witnessed him beating another kid senseless last week." [7]

The A.V. Club's Kyle Fowle gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "Nuance is by no means Gotham's strong suit (and it doesn't always have to be), but compared to other episodes this season, there's a low-key confidence to the storytelling in 'Harvey Dent' that serves the characters and plot well, focusing on building tension and relationships while never really stepping into the territory of the ridiculous. The case-of-the-week is compelling, the mob power struggle continues to move in interesting directions, and we even get some wonderful development in terms of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle. Gotham always takes on too much–too many characters, too many plot threads, too many references. 'Harvey Dent' doesn't. It’s economical, and all the better for it." [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Gotham</i> (TV series) American superhero crime drama television series (2014–2019)

Gotham is an American superhero crime drama television series developed by Bruno Heller, produced by Warner Bros. Television and based on characters from the Batman mythos in comic books published by DC Comics. The series premiered on Fox on September 22, 2014, and ended on April 25, 2019, after five seasons consisting of 100 episodes. It features an ensemble cast that includes Ben McKenzie as James "Jim" Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, and David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne. The show follows Gordon's early days at the Gotham City Police Department following the murder of Bruce's parents, as well as the origin stories of Batman's infamous rogues gallery.

"All Happy Families Are Alike" is the 22nd episode and finale of the first season of the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by series developer Bruno Heller and directed by Danny Cannon. It was first broadcast on May 4, 2015 in FOX. In this episode, the mob war between Carmine Falcone and Salvatore Maroni is coming to a brutal end while Oswald Cobblepot and Fish Mooney face off in their final confrontation, putting James Gordon in the middle of both conflicts. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne sets out to find evidence that his father had a secret life before his death.

"Pilot" is the first episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on September 22, 2014 and was written by series developer Bruno Heller and directed by Danny Cannon. The episode, and the series as a whole, are based on characters appearing in and published by DC Comics in the Batman franchise, primarily those of James Gordon and Bruce Wayne. FOX gave the pilot a straight-to-series order with an order of 16 episodes.

"Selina Kyle" is the second episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on September 29, 2014 and was written by series developer Bruno Heller and directed by Danny Cannon. In the episode, Gordon and Bullock investigate a child trafficking ring in Gotham City while Cobblepot begins to make his way back to Gotham, leaving victims in his path.

"The Balloonman" is the third episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on October 6, 2014 and was written by John Stephens and directed by Dermott Downs. In the episode, 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 influential figure in the underworld.

"Viper" is the fifth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on October 20, 2014 and was written by Rebecca Perry Cutter and directed by Tim Hunter. In the episode, detectives Gordon and Bullock are investigating a new street drug that causes euphoria and then death. Meanwhile, Cobblepot works his way deeper into Maroni’s inner circle and Fish Mooney continues to plot to take down Falcone.

"Penguin's Umbrella" is the seventh episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on November 3, 2014 and was written by series developer Bruno Heller, and directed by Rob Bailey. In this episode, the mob war escalates while Cobblepot reveals a new component of his manipulative strategy, forcing Gordon to deal with the consequences of his decision to spare Penguin's life.

"Lovecraft" is the tenth episode and mid-season finale of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on November 24, 2014 and was written by Rebecca Dameron, and directed by Guy Ferland. In this episode, Wayne Manor is attacked, forcing Bruce and Selina to flee, while Gordon comes closer to Lovecraft.

"Rogues' Gallery" is the eleventh episode and mid-season premiere of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on January 5, 2015 and was written by Sue Chung, and directed by Oz Scott. In this episode, Gordon is transferred to Arkham Asylum and tries to avoid a conflict when inmates riot with the help of Dr. Leslie Thompkins.

"What the Little Bird Told Him" is the twelfth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on January 19, 2015, and was written by Ben Edlund, and directed by Eagle Egilsson. In this episode, Gordon looks to capture a prisoner who escaped from Arkham Asylum to get his job back. Meanwhile, Falcone struggles to hold his empire when someone beloved to him takes an unexpected turn.

"Welcome Back, Jim Gordon" is the thirteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on January 26, 2015, and was written by Megan Mostyn-Brown, and directed by Wendey Stanzler. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock investigate the murder of a witness in a public homicide. Meanwhile, Mooney suffers the consequences of her failed plan against Falcone.

"The Fearsome Dr. Crane" is the fourteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on February 2, 2015 and was written by John Stephens, and directed by John Behring. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock investigate homicides where the victims are killed with their greatest fear. Meanwhile, Maroni begins to question his relationship with Cobblepot after a tip.

"The Blind Fortune Teller" is the sixteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on February 16, 2015 and was written by series developer Bruno Heller, and directed by Jeffrey Hunt. In this episode, James Gordon and Lee Thompkins go on a date to Haly's Circus, and end up investigating the murder of one of the performers. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne sets to investigate Wayne Enterprises.

"Everyone Has a Cobblepot" is the eighteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on March 2, 2015 and was written by Megan Mostyn-Brown, and directed by Bill Eagles. In this episode, after Commissioner Loeb's controversial moves, Gordon looks for a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, Fish Mooney comes face to face with the prison's director.

"Under the Knife" is the twentieth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on April 20, 2015 and was written by John Stephens, and directed by TJ Scott. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock continue to track down The Ogre. Meanwhile, Bruce digs deeper into Wayne Enterprises' corrupt board and Nygma makes an unexpected move.

"The Anvil or the Hammer" is the 21st episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on April 27, 2015, and was written by Jordan Harper, and directed by Paul Edwards. In this episode, Gordon goes after The Ogre, who is playing with Barbara's mind. Cobblepot continues to push the mob war even further.

"Ghosts" is the twelfth episode and mid-season premiere of the third season, and 56th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by executive producer Danny Cannon and directed by Eagle Egilsson. It was first broadcast on January 16, 2017. In the episode, after Mario's funeral, Falcone places a hit on Gordon for his murder while also complicating Gordon's relationship with Lee, who continues seeing him as a murderer. Meanwhile, a morgue employee is revealed to be conspiring to bring Jerome Valeska back to life as part of his cult. Also, Selina's mom's arrival could shake things up between Bruce and Selina while Cobblepot begins to have strange events occurring to him while on his way to the most important interview he may have.

<i>Gotham</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American television series Gotham, based on characters from DC Comics related to the Batman franchise, revolves around the characters of James "Jim" Gordon and Bruce Wayne. The season is produced by Primrose Hill Productions, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television, with Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon serving as the showrunners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Beginning...</span> 12th episode of the 5th season of Gotham

"The Beginning..." is the series finale of the American television series Gotham, based on the DC Comics characters Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne. It is the twelfth episode of the fifth season and the 100th overall episode of the series. The episode was written by showrunner John Stephens and directed by Rob Bailey.

References

  1. Kondolojy, Amanda (November 18, 2014). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' & 'Sleepy Hollow' Adjusted Up; 'Dancing With the Stars' & 'Castle' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  2. Kondolojy, Amanda (December 8, 2014). "'Modern Family' Has Biggest Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase; 'Reign' Tops Percentage Gains & 'The Big Bang Theory' Leads Viewer Gains in Live +7 Ratings for Week 8 Ending November 16". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Harvey Dent". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
  4. 1 2 Sava, Oliver (18 November 2014). "Wherein Alfred Smiles". The A.V. Club. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  5. "Gotham Review: "Harvey Dent"". pastemagazine.com. 18 November 2014.
  6. "Gotham". TV Fanatic. 17 November 2014.
  7. 1 2 Fowler, Matt (November 17, 2014). "Gotham: "Harvey Dent" Review". IGN . Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  8. "Gotham Recap: Harvey Dent". Vulture.