Gotham Recap: "The Balloonman"

Written by Shae

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Gotham has a new vigilante in town and his name is Batma—wait…Balloonman? Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, Balloonman. He strikes fear into the hearts of Gotham’s worst criminals, and most corrupt. Leaping taller than, maybe a curb, and possibly able to run, not very fast, he is the night! But he sometimes strikes during the day too. So, it really just depends. This fighter of justice takes those he deems worthy, handcuffs them to a weather balloon and lets them fly off into the sky. To then promptly die a horrid death before the balloon pops and they’re sent crashing back to earth…already dead. It’s a real feel-good episode.

Also, we learn that Gordon has signed for custody of Selena, who isn’t as cooperative as we would like her to be. She does show Gordon to the allEy where the Wayne’s were shot. She explains what happened, where she was, and that she saw the man's face. Gordon doesn’t believe her until he finds the wallet she’d stolen in the sewer, where she said it would be. Guys, sewers are gross. And if you’re watching this while eating dinner, like me, I don’t recommend that…Nevertheless, before Gordon can talk to her more, Selena takes off. To do what? Oh, you know, pre-Catwoman stuff. All the while, Gordon is trying to get Bullock to take the case seriously. Balloonman has already killed one man who stole money from many people. His next target is a cop that was a little more corrupt than most. This finally gets Bullock to start looking into the case. Gordon’s getting a bit tired constantly having to twist his partner's arm into doing the right thing.

Things couldn’t get any worse, well not for the Penguin anyway.  He’s back in Gotham and already found a new job. Sure he’s murdered a few people along the way, but that’s only because he had to. Working your way up the crime syndicate food chain is a hard thing to do. But he’s determined to do just that. Thankfully, his murder is still being investigated. Montoya is still convinced that Gordon killed the young Oswald. She visits Barbara; again, to convince her that Gordon is no good. Barbara, however, is busy smoking a joint, and trying to chill. You know, normal, girlfriend of a cop, things.

In the end, Balloonman is caught, and Gordon is struggling with the fact that the city is beyond repair. Or so he feels. With Selena still on the loose, and the Wayne’s killer out there, he’s starting to lose hope. Bruce, on the other hand, has started eating, and is oddly fascinated with the idea of a vigilante. Having spent his days studying the crime scene photos of his parents’ murder, Bruce is looking for justice…just not the way the Balloonman did. Whether or not anyone agrees with the Balloonman’s methods, he sure did get results. Sadly, he was caught, but the idea he leaves behind has already sparked something in a few of Gotham’s unsung heroes. 

---