After Gotham's best episode so far 'Arkham' debuted last week I had reassured high hopes for this show. It needs to find it's identity and stick with it. There isn't a need for a convoluted plot with one too many characters. Focusing on Gordon and Bullock case by case with occasional appearances from known Batman mythos characters is the way to go. It's just unfortunate that this week Gotham gave us another pretty weak episode.
Viper was an episode that struggled with similar problems to The Balloonman. It didn't really have an identity and it had a far too comic-booky villain. I think it's fine this show is embracing more of Batman's campy comics, but lets not get into Batman and Robin territory here. Plus having every villains demise isn't the smartest choice for a TV show considering we may need to bring this storyline back later on. What I did love from this episode were the Maroni scenes. I have warmed up to his character now that we have a little more family vs family atmosphere to this show. Also, throwing in the curve ball of having him know about Penguin and Gordon's secret was quite an interesting twist.
Fish Mooney was a bright spot for the second week in a row. It is both disturbing and incredibly intriguing having her basically train an apprentice to be a seductive criminal just as she is. I found the Bruce and Alfred scenes to be good and bad. They weren't completely out of place because an event was held at Wayne Enterprises, but it seems a little bit forced. Nonetheless I think just the two of them together are developing into a better pairing than Gordon and Bullock.
It's worth noting how much the last scene didn't work. I didn't buy into the fact that the woman could persuade Falcone so much. Perhaps I missed the link but how exactly does it relate to the entire episode? Gotham had a bit of a misstep this week but I have faith it will have a comeback once again.
+Maroni scenes
+Bruce & Alfred team
+Mooney and her apprentice
-Another weak villain
-Convoluted
-Last scene...?
6.9/10