Selina Kyle (Gotham episode)

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"Selina Kyle"
Gotham episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 2
Directed by Danny Cannon
Written by Bruno Heller
Production code4X6652
Original air dateSeptember 29, 2014 (2014-09-29)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"The Balloonman"
List of 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 (Benjamin McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) investigate a child trafficking ring in Gotham City while Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) begins to make his way back to Gotham, leaving victims in his path.

Contents

The episode was watched by 7.45 million viewers and received positive reviews, with some considering it an improvement from the pilot.

Plot

In the streets, two people Patti (Lili Taylor) and Doug (Frank Whaley), pretending to be volunteers from the Mayor's Homeless Outreach Project, kidnap two kids and kill a homeless war veteran while a third kid, Mackey (Kyle Massey), escapes. Doug follows him until he accidentally throws Mackey in a restaurant window, forcing him to flee. Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Bullock (Donal Logue) investigate the war veteran and interrogate Mackey, although Bullock is skeptical of his testimony. Meanwhile, Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) makes his way back to Gotham City hitchhiking. Two boys pick him up and give him a beer, but when the passenger tells him he walks like a "penguin", he kills him, and keeps the driver, bound and gagged with duct tape, as a hostage.

In the GCPD, forensic scientist Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) reveals a high level of ATP on Mackey, which prompts Captain Sarah Essen (Zabryna Guevara) to order Gordon and Bullock to investigate but not to reveal any information to the media. Montoya (Victoria Cartagena) and Allen (Andrew Stewart-Jones) investigate Cobblepot's disappearance and upon interrogating his mother, Gertrude Kapelput (Carol Kane), they deduce he was killed by Mooney and the corrupt cops.

Don Falcone (John Doman) talks with Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) telling her Cobblepot told him she was going to turn against him. While talking with Butch Gilzean (Drew Powell), Mooney plans on killing Falcone. When Gordon shows his frustration to his fiancee, Barbara Kean (Erin Richards), she gives the information to the press as an anonymous tip. Gordon and Bullock ambush Patti and Doug in a facility and although they escape, they rescue the children.

Mayor Aubrey James (Richard Kind) decides to send the kids to the juvenile service. However, the bus where the children (including Selina) are held is taken by Patti and Doug. They take them to a storage container, planning on sending them to "Dollmaker". After trying to get Selina, they're captured by Gordon and Bullock after receiving a tip from their worker, Morry Quillan (Wayne Duvall). In the station, Selina reveals to Gordon she saw who killed the Waynes in the alley.

Reception

Ratings

The pilot was watched by 7.45 million viewers, with a 2.8 rating among 18-49 adults. [1] With Live+7 DVR viewing factored in, the episode had an overall rating of 11.81 million viewers, and a 4.7 in the 18–49 demographic. [2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes 72% [3]
The A.V. Club C− [4]
Paste Magazine6.5 [5]
TV FanaticStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]
IGN 7.6 [7]
Den of Geek Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
New York MagazineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [9]

"Selina Kyle" was well received by critics. The episode received a rating of 72% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes based on 25 reviews, with the site's consensus stating: "An improvement over the pilot episode, Gotham's 'Selina Kyle' gives a handful of its characters some much-needed development, further distinguishing it from other incarnations of the Batman universe." [3]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "good" 7.6 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "Gotham still has hurdles to overcome, but 'Selina Kyle' felt more like the show was trying to do its own thing, and spin its own stories, than the premiere. Still, the cops are almost too corrupt and the bad guys made some weird, bonehead moves that brought the episode to a halt a few times. But Jada Pinkett Smith and Robin Lord Taylor are still doing great work as Fish Mooney and Cobblepot. And right now I like the crime lord power struggle more than the "cops and robbers" stuff. Though the Dollmaker looming in the shadows was a nice touch and Gordon and Bullock's rapport has improved." [7]

The A.V. Club's Oliver Sava gave the episode a "C−" grade and wrote, "Gotham needs to find the correct balance of those two governing elements in order to succeed, but more importantly, it needs to start delving into the characters in a real emotional way. The show has to stop telling us how characters feel and start showing us how they feel, because after two episodes, none of the relationships or conflicts feel fully formed. Who are these characters when they're not working? Who are they outside of their connection to a vigilante who won't appear for years in this world? Once the show starts committing to answers for these questions, it might pull itself out of the hole dug by these first two chapters." [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fish Mooney</span> Fictional character

Maria Mercedes "Fish" Mooney is a fictional character created by producer and screenwriter Bruno Heller for the television series Gotham, portrayed by actress Jada Pinkett Smith.

"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.

"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.

"Arkham" is the fourth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on October 13, 2014, and was written by Ken Woodruff and directed by TJ Scott. In the episode, detectives Gordon and Bullock try to save the council of Gotham, which is threatened after a dispute for the known Arkham Plan is in progress. Meanwhile, Cobblepot indulges more in Maroni's mafia.

"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.

"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 Scarecrow" is the fifteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on February 9, 2015 and was written by Ken Woodruff, and directed by Nick Copus. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock continue following Dr. Crane's killing spree.

"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.

"Beasts of Prey" is the nineteenth episode of the television series Gotham. It premiered on FOX on April 13, 2015 and was written by Ken Woodruff, and directed by Eagle Egilsson. In this episode, Gordon and Bullock track down a serial killer known as "The Ogre". Meanwhile, Bruce and Selina continue to investigate Wayne Enterprises.

"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.

"Better to Reign in Hell..." is the first episode of the third season, and 45th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. This is also the first episode in the series with the subtitle "Mad City". The episode was written by executive producer John Stephens and directed by Danny Cannon. It was first broadcast on September 19, 2016. In the episode, after seeing that Lee has been moving on with another man, Gordon leaves her. 6 months later, he has been working as a bounty hunter dedicated to catch Indian Hills' monsters. After an offer of a million dollars from Cobblepot for Fish Mooney, Gordon sets out to find her as she is leading the monsters. Meanwhile, Bruce and Alfred return after laying low and prepare to confront Wayne Enterprises about their role in Indian Hills.

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References

  1. ↑ Bibel, Sara (September 30, 2014). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory', 'The Voice' & 'Scorpion' Adjusted Up; 'Dancing With the Stars' & 'Castle' Adjusted Down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 2, 2014. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  2. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (October 20, 2014). "'How to Get Away With Murder' Has Biggest Adults 18-49 Ratings Increase; 'Parenthood' Tops Percentage Gains & 'The Blacklist' Tops Viewer Gains in Live +7 Ratings for Week Ending October 5". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Selina Kyle". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 29, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Sava, Oliver (30 September 2014). "Camp and grit are at odds in a confused second episode". The A.V. Club . Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Gotham Review: "Selina Kyle"". pastemagazine.com. 30 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "Gotham". TV Fanatic. 29 September 2014.
  7. 1 2 Fowler, Matt (September 29, 2014). "Gotham: "Selina Kyle" Review". IGN . Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Gotham". Den of Geek. 30 September 2014.
  9. ↑ "Gotham Recap: Hose Down the Room". Vulture.
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