Strike Force (Gotham)

Last updated
"Strike Force"
Gotham episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 4
Directed by TJ Scott
Written by Danny Cannon
Production code4X6204
Original air dateOctober 12, 2015 (2015-10-12)
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
← Previous
"The Last Laugh"		Next →
"Scarification"
Gotham season 2
List of episodes

"Strike Force" is the fourth episode of the second season and 26th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham . The episode was written by Danny Cannon and directed by TJ Scott. It was first broadcast by FOX on October 12, 2015. In this episode, a new commissioner of GCPD, Nathaniel Barnes, decides to create an elite unit called "Strike Force" to take down the criminals and crooked people efficiently. Meanwhile, Penguin gets caught up in business deal by Theo Galavan, while Nygma asks Kringle for a date.

Contents

Plot

Nathaniel Barnes (Michael Chiklis), the new captain of the GCPD, arrives with the goal of cleaning up the police department and the city's corruption. With the help of Gordon, whom he makes his new second-in-command, Barnes recruits several aspiring police trainees from the Police Academy in order to form an alpha team strike force to help set his goal into motion.

With Mayor Aubrey James still missing from the public and Deputy Mayor Harrison Kane dead, Councillor Janice Caulfield (Saundra Santiago) and teamster boss Randall Hobbs (Michael Mulheren) begin to run for office as a new mayor election begins. Theo Galavan kidnaps Cobblepot's mother and blackmails Cobblepot into murdering all of the candidates so that Theo can run for office unchallenged. After Cobblepot kills Janice Caulfield, Randall Hobbs escapes death at the hands of Victor Zsasz with the help of the GCPD strike force.

When Selina Kyle begins looking for Bruce at his prep school, she is warned by Alfred to stay away from Bruce after what she did to Reggie. Shortly afterwards, Bruce meets with Theo to thank him for saving his life. During the meeting, Bruce has an encounter with Theo's niece, Silver St. Cloud (Natalie Alyn Lind), and is informed by Galavan that Cloud will be attending his school. After agreeing to go on a date with Edward Nygma, Kristen Kringle and Nygma bond in a romantic encounter. Gordon attempts to confront Cobblepot about the killings but Cobblepot reminds him of the killing he has done while working for him and drives him away.

As Cobblepot begins to have Butch Gilzean search for the location of his mother, Captain Nathaniel Barnes informs the strike force that Cobblepot will be their next target.

Reception

Ratings

The episode was watched by 4.17 million viewers. [1] This was a decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.33 million viewers. [2] This made Gotham the most watched program of the day in FOX, beating Minority Report .

Critical reviews

"Rise of the Villains: Strike Force" received mixed reviews from critics. The episode received a rating of 58% with an average score of 6.5 out of 10 on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with the site's consensus stating: "Many of Gotham's characters take a promising step forward in 'Strike Force,' but the tone is uncomfortably akin to the most dour and overly simplistic episodes of season one." [3]

Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "good" 7.5 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict: "I have nothing against Michael Chiklis' performance here, or his character's hard-line stance on corruption (or his idea to give Gordon a squad of rookies to command). If anyone can bark loudly and back it up, it's Chiklis. But how has Barns existed within the ranks of the GCPD the way that it is? The way that it was established to be back in Season 1 when Gordon was notable as being the only honest detective on the beat? Meanwhile, Penguin had some good moments to play here. He went from being on top of the world to having that world totally ransacked. Sure, his moments with his mother stand as some of Season 1's silliest, most wasteful scenes, but the loss of her worked really well here. As did his screams right at the end." [4]

The A.V. Club's Kyle Fowle gave the episode a "C−" grade and wrote, "It's the jarring tone that's the biggest problem, and it's something that Gotham has never managed to shake. Perhaps it's just part of the show's DNA, but it's strange to see Gotham do everything it can to become more gritty while also pumping out cartoonish dialogue and performances. For instance, much of the episode centers on Barnes and his creation of a special task force to clean up Gotham and deal with the new threats that have come as a result of the Arkham breakout. It’s a narrative choice that’s meant to feel consequential, and yet it left me cold, and also outright laughing at some of the dialogue. The creation of the strike force, spearheaded by Barnes but put under the command of Gordon, is so overcooked, so laden with military imagery and chest-beating bravado that it feels completely at odds with everything else going on in Gotham. This is an episode where Butch is a consistent comedic presence, death and murder scenes are scored by silly, jangly piano-and-horn tunes, and Nygma talks to himself over and over again, and yet the show plays the Strike Force storyline with a straight face. It’s baffling, and more than anything contributes to an overall feeling of haphazardness, meaning that 'Rise Of The Villains: Strike Force' lacks any sort of tonal or narrative cohesion. [5]

Related Research Articles

Jim Gordon (<i>Gotham</i>) Fictional character in the Fox TV series Gotham

James "Jim" Gordon is a fictional character adapted to the screen by Bruno Heller. He serves as the main protagonist of the Warner Bros. and DC Comics television series Gotham, portrayed by Ben McKenzie.

"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.

"By Fire" is the sixth episode of the second season and 28th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Rebecca Perry Cutter and directed by TJ Scott. It was first broadcast on October 26, 2015, in FOX. Continuing from the previous episode, Bridgit Pike decides to kill her brothers after being abused, going into a vigilante crusade, forcing Gordon to stop her with the help from Selina Kyle. Kringle's and Nygma's relationship turns into a tragedy, while Penguin decides to free his mother from Galavan's clutches.

"Mommy's Little Monster" is the seventh episode of the second season and 29th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Robert Hull and directed by Kenneth Fink. It was first broadcast in November 2, 2015 in FOX. In this episode, Penguin and Butch release Penguin's mother, but is killed by Galavans, forcing the Penguin into his vengeful conquest against them. Gordon, Bullock and GCPD are forced to protect Theo Galavan from him, but Gordon learns the truth behind Galavan's machinations.

"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.

"Tonight's the Night" is the eighth episode of the second season and 30th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Jim Barnes and directed by Jeffrey Hunt. It was first broadcast in November 9, 2015 in FOX. In the episode, Galavan sends Barbara after Jim Gordon, while trying to make a business deal with Bruce Wayne. Nygma has a run-in with Oswald Cobblebot.

"A Bitter Pill to Swallow" is the ninth episode of the second season and 31st episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Megan Mostyn-Brown and directed by Louis Shaw-Milito. It was first broadcast in November 16, 2015 in FOX. In this episode, Tabitha sends a group of hitmen to kill Gordon after Galavan's arrest. Gordon and Barnes investigate Galavan's penthouse for clues until they're ambushed by Tabitha's hitmen.

"The Son of Gotham" is the tenth episode of the second season and 32nd episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by John Stephens and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on November 23, 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.

"Knock, Knock" is the second episode of the second season and 24th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Ken Woodruff and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on September 28, 2015, in FOX. In this episode, Gordon is assigned in investigating the Arkham escapees, now calling themselves "the Maniax". Meanwhile, Bruce is getting closer to the truth about his father's office.

"Scarification" is the fifth episode of the second season and 27th episode overall from the FOX series Gotham. The episode was written by Jordan Harper and directed by Bill Eagles. It was first broadcast in October 19, 2015 in FOX. In this episode, the alliance between Galavan and Cobblepot needs the help of a group of family arsonists. Cobblepot then discovers the reason behind Galavan's intentions.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"Anything for You" is the fifth episode of the third season, and 49th episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by consulting producer Denise Thé and directed by TJ Scott. It was first broadcast on October 17, 2016. In the episode, Oswald Cobblepot's first days as mayor are threatened when the newly emerged Red Hood comes back to spread chaos and challenge his authority. Edward Nygma makes a new discovery while being reinstated at the GCPD as a liaison in the case while Bruce Wayne and Jim Gordon set off to find Ivy Pepper, still not aware that she has grown up physically.

"Blood Rush" is the eighth episode of the third season, and 52nd episode overall from the Fox series Gotham. The episode was written by Tze Chun and directed by Rob Bailey. It was first broadcast on November 7, 2016. In the episode, Barnes loses control of the effects of Alice Tetch's blood and begins to use his powers to target a killer, no matter the cost of those who stand in his way. Gordon is reinstated as detective and investigates along with Bullock the killer, who uses plastic surgery to fake identities. Meanwhile, Cobblepot tries to stop Isabella from continuing to see Nygma.

Oswald Cobblepot (<i>Gotham</i>) Fictional character on Gotham

Oswald Cobblepot is a character and one of the main antagonists of the FOX television series Gotham, portrayed by Robin Lord Taylor. Based on the DC Comics supervillain of the same name, he was adapted by showrunner Bruno Heller for the series, which is intended to explore the origin stories of characters from the Batman mythos. Introduced in the first season, Cobblepot is depicted as an intelligent low-level thug who aspires to become a leading crime lord in Gotham City. The series explores his rise to power and the challenges he faces in achieving this goal.

References

  1. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 13, 2015). "Monday final ratings: 'The Voice' and 'Big Bang Theory' adjusted up, 'Castle', 'Life in Pieces' and 'Scorpion' adjusted down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2015.
  2. ↑ Porter, Rick (October 6, 2015). "Monday final ratings: 'The Big Bang Theory' and 'The Voice' adjusted up, 'Blindspot' and 'Castle' adjusted down". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Rise of the Villains: Strike Force". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ Fowler, Matt (October 12, 2015). "Gotham: "Strike Force" Review". IGN . Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  5. ↑ Fowle, Kyle (13 October 2015). "The latest Gotham turns its focus to Theo Galavan and the Penguin". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.