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Mad Grey Dawn was a clue left by the Riddler for Jim.  Ed was mad but had schemed to lock Jim up, literally. Oswald proven not mad discovers his father. Bruce gets mad and picks a fight with Sonny.

Mad For Riddles:

GU37 - Mad Grey Dawn - Ed and JimEd has seen Jim as a major threat. No longer timid, he has gone into Riddler mode.  Even though he is mad he is calculating.  He is 3 steps ahead of Jim and leaving riddles to lead him. Wow Corey Michael Smith and the writers knocked it out of the part with Ed aka the Riddler in this episode!  Ed pulls a museum heist using a fake bomb to scare people out.  He steals the painting of a railway bombing called Mad Grey Dawn, leaves his trademark question mark there and on two other paintings.  Barnes sends Bullock & Jim to investigate.  Jim quickly sees through the riddles and they head to the train station.  Ed has left a bomb in a locker marked with a question mark.  Jim uses a crowbar and opens the locker tosses the bomb and saves the day.  Barnes expects more of the perpetrator, but he and Jim have no clue what it will be.

Ed’s riddles are not up to Batman level, but they don’t have to be they are just a distraction and ways to get what Ed needs.  He now has Jim where he wants him.  Jim is scared because someone, Ed, as talked to IA about his involvement with Galavan’s death.  Ed has Pinkney’s signature on an IA form worded like the tip turned in.  Ed slips Bullock bogus paperwork that sends Jim to Pinkney’s and then replaces it in the file.  Jim comes to Pinkney’s to discover him dead by a crowbar with Jim’s prints on it and confronted by Barnes.

Barnes questions Jim, who claims he was set up.  Barnes is not having it.  He knew Jim was lying about his involvement with Galavan and all the evidence points to Jim.  Jim now has Pinkney’s death on him as well.  Barnes is disappointed in Jim and mad for misplacing trust in him.  He ships Jim off to county.  While Jim begs Bullock to look into the bomber, Ed looms in the background gloating.

GU37 - Mad Grey Dawn - Ed GloatsWe have a time jump of 4 weeks, allowing for the progression of Leslie’s (and Morenan’s) pregnancy.  Jim has been convicted and given 40 years in Blackgate Prison.  Leslie comes to visit before he is taken to Blackgate.  She begs him to fight this and be there for the baby and her.  He tells her to leave Gotham, take the baby somewhere safe and never contact him again.  Leslie thinks he is mad, but Jim is trying to protect them.  I get the feeling he is worried for her safety in Gotham.  But more than that I believe that he feels like he has lost his way and does not want to bring his family into that muck and mire.

Bullock rides along with Jim to Blackgate.  Bullock says they will fight it.  Jim says to Bullock, “You were a great partner.”  Bullock is not done fighting and says “Still am.”  Meanwhile back at the Hall of Justice, I mean at Arkham, Jim’s mad lover Barbara awakes.  The nurse quickly calls for Professor Strange.

Mad For Family:

GU37 - Mad Grey Dawn - Penguin's FamilyOswald is no longer mad and has the certificate to prove it.  He makes the rounds to make amends.  First he heads to Butch and Tabitha, then to Ed’s and then to his mothers grave. With the loss of his mother Oswald is looking for family any where he can find it.  Butch is find with letting him go and Tabitha allows it since they have all lost something, but not without a tar and feathering.  Oswald leaves looking to his new friend Ed.  Ed listens to Oswald’s advice but refuses.  Ed says he has hit his (Riddler) stride and sends Oswald on his way.  Oswald heads over to his mother’s grave.  Enter Elijah Van Dahl (Paul Rubens) bringing lilies.  Oswald and Elijah discover that they are son and father.  Oswald is welcomed into the Van Dahl home, cleaned up, fed and told the story of Elijah & Gertrude.  The two were lovers and Elijah tried to stand up to his parents.  It failed and Gertrude was sent way, unbeknownst to Elijah, pregnant with Oswald.  Elijah offers Oswald a home, father, and family.  Over a month the Van Dahl’s all welcome him. Oswald has found his family and is no longer mad, but for how long?

Mad For A Fight:

GU37 - Mad Grey Dawn - Bruce and SonnyBruce and Selina are on a job.  They head over to the gang hide out where Ivy is working.  Ivy’s green thumb is used by Sonny, Butch’s nephew, to grow several types of magic mushrooms.  Bruce reiterates that he isn’t depending on his money or name and he’s not above stealing from bad guys.  Ivy has slipped the gang some Blue Devil shrooms and they are all loopy.  Bruce and Selina are almost out with the cash when Sonny and the rest of the crew bust in.  Selina tries to bargain with Sonny but he won’t have it.  Bruce calls him out and a fight ensues.  Bruce is hearing Alfred’s teaching ringing in his head and tries to implement it.  Later as Selina stitches up Bruce, they talk about how Bruce enjoys the pain.  But Bruce, on his journey towards being Batman, is learning and finding clarity.  He says, “When it was happening… …it was like nothing else existed. Everything I’ve been struggling with, emptiness… …and confusion… It just vanished. And for the first time… in a long time, I knew I was going to be okay. I knew that whatever Sonny did to me… …I could take it. That he couldn’t break me. That no one can.” Selina reminds him that not one is unbreakable, but I don’t think that sunk in.  Bruce is still mad for a fight!

Special:

We talked about Nick Copus’ great directing on the episode.  We also talked about his prep-book artwork. I’ve pasted one of his Gotham covers below, but you can check out more of them on his IMDB page.

Mad Grey Dawn - Nick Copus

News:

PrisonersNext week’s episode is “Prisoners”: After Gordon is removed from protective custody, he begins to face new threats and dangers inside prison walls. In order to survive, he must rely on a new friend, as well as Bullock and other outside help. Meanwhile, Penguin grows closer to his father, while his step-mother and step-siblings move forward with their own plans for the family. Monday March 28 8:00-9:00pm on FOX

 

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