‘Gotham’ season 2, episode 5 review: Meet Firefly; Galavan’s intent

“Gotham” on Monday night decided to bring in another character from the DC Comics universe, but they chose to do so in a way that we’re sure not everyone expected.

During Monday’s episode, we met know arsonists the Pike Brothers and there little sister Bridgit, a young girl who started out relatively averse to fire … but that clearly changed by the end of the episode when she started to enjoy the power that was given to her. She eventually took out her first victim, and from there who knows how much this city will burn? We still don’t love the show’s version of Selina Kyle (not devious enough), but she is connected to the Pike family in a way that at least involves her.

The Pikes are a distraction from what was really going on this week, and that was Theo Galavan finding a way to puppet his way into further power. He managed to get Penguin to hire the Pikes to cause further damage in the city, and put Jim Gordon in a way to ensure that he would have to endorse him. We were all on board for the politics of this, given that we don’t just love villains who are obvious in terms of their intent.

Heck, we only learned for sure what Theo is up to finally at the end of the hour. He is a descendant of one of Gotham’s first families, but cast aside and shunned by the Waynes. He wants to restore the legacy and take out those who he feels have wronged him. This is all a little weighty, but we at least understand those who want to go to great lengths to change history. This at least is a better motive than mere power, and it gives the story extra oomph.

The only real disappointment for us this week is the lack of fireworks surrounding Edward Nygma and the fondue party. Where’s our fondue, “Gotham”!? Grade: B.

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