'Gotham' Season 2 Episode 9 'A Bitter Pill To Swallow' Review

Non Spoiler Review- I'd have to say this was a good episode of 'Gotham' with some interesting subplots especially the arc with Penguin and Riddler. I liked the more in depth dive into Jim Gordon and some really great action scenes. I can't wait to see the aftermath spill over into the next episode.

*******There will be Spoilers from this point on*******

Highlights of the episode

1. Order of St. Dumas arrives- The episode ends with the "brothers" Theo was talking about arriving in Gotham. They are confronted by a police officer who says the docks are closed and they all stab him to death. I think they will be very gruesome villains and I'm curious to see their plans unfold.

2. The Line- One thing that seems to be explored a lot this season for Jim Gordon is the moral line between what's right and wrong and the gray area between the two. Jim seems to fall in the gray area but in this episode chose the morally right thing to do by not killing Flamingo. I've really liked this as a device to develop Gordon and can't wait to see it progress in future episodes. I also liked how this was explored with Captain Barnes as well having him tell Jim about his past and the disadvantages of choosing the wrong path. 

3. Penguin and Riddler- An interesting friendship that blossoms in this episode was between Penguin and the Riddler. I liked how the two needed each other as Penguin needed Nygma to help heal him and Nygma needed guidance. I liked how Nygma convinced Penguin to be himself again and made him realize that his mother's death was also the end of his weakness. At the end of the episode the two begin to torture one of Galavan's lackies. 

4. Alfred protecting Bruce- I've always liked the dynamic between Bruce and Alfred on the show and I like that Alfred is looking out for Bruce's best interest and will do whatever it takes to keep Bruce away from harms way. 

5. Elevator fight scene- One short little fight scene at the beginning of the episode took place in an elevator when an assassin tries to kill Gordon and I thought this was a great fight scene that kinda reminded me of the elevator fight from 'Captain America The Winter Soldier'. I liked how the fight had some interesting fight choreography such as Jim basically running up the elevator walls and a little funny bit where they accidentally press all of the buttons so the elevator stops at every floor. 

Promo