Gotham
Season 2 Episode 8: “Tonight’s The Night”
Directed by Jeffrey Hunt
Written by Jim Barnes
Created by Bruno Heller
Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, David Mazouz, Camren Bicondova, Morena Baccarin, Cory Michael Smith, Erin Richards, James Frain, Jessica Lucas, Chris Chalk, Michael Chiklis
FOX
Air Date: Monday, November 9th, 2015, 8pm

Last week on Gotham, Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) and Butch (Drew Powell) go to rescue his mommy, but the worst happens. Butch is no longer a slave, so he turned on him, and Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) kills Penguin’s one true love – his mom. Jim and Bullock (Ben McKenzie and Donal Logue) find out that Galavan (James Frain) is behind all of it, so when Penguin and his army of penguins attack the mayoral celebration (Galavan won unopposed), Jim is not surprised when Penguin tells him. Galavan is surprised though. Selina and Silver (Camren Bicondova and Natalie Alyn Lind) have a showdown about Bruce (David Mazouz), but Silver won. Selina may be streetwise, but she’s not wise to the ways of bitchy girls. Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) and evil Nygma try to cover up his murderous tracks.

Some spoilers (not all) ahead!

Gotham 2.8 “Tonight’s The Night” recap/review: It starts as a dream (clip below). Barbara walks down the aisle to Jim. Penguin is the priest. Galavan is playing the organ, inmates are guests, a bird flies out of her mouth, and everyone is laughing at her, and more.

Jim brings the Galavan allegations to Barnes, who tells him to come back with something real. I could have written that scene. Jim should know better. The chasm between him and Barnes is widening.

Barbara walks into the GCPD and surrenders – to what purpose? Jim kisses her to play her. She wants to show him something. Everyone knows it’s a trap. They arm up. But of course… it IS a trap. Jim is taken.

Nygma drives into the woods to bury Ms. Kringle. He has a last glass of wine, and a riddle, and another murder with her. Although the scenes with Michael Smith in the woods is totally about death, it is utter comedy. This might be my favorite part of the episode.

Galavan meets with Bruce. He tells him his dream is to save Gotham. Bruce’s dream is to find and kill the man who killed his parents. Theo tells of all the Wayne Enterprises corruption, and offers to buy his shares. Bruce is very torn, and turns to Alfred (Sean Pertwee) for advice. Alfred is also torn. he wants his little charge to be away from all of this, yet understands Bruce’s need to take control of the corruption himself. You do get to see Bruce in a rare moment of acting his age during this episode.

Barbara wears a wedding dress to the kidnapping. Will Bullock find his BFF in time? Maybe, but it won’t matter.

Watch for the mayor stuff.

The end is absolutely bananas! Can’t reveal, but whaaattt!!! Supervillain team-up!

Between Nygma, the dream sequence, and the crazy ending, “Tonight’s the Night” ended up being one of the top episodes of the season thus far.

Gotham airs Monday nights at 8pm ET on FOX.

FOX’s synopsis:

“RISE OF THE VILLAINS: TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT”
GALAVAN SENDS BARBARA OUT FOR REVENGE ON AN ALL-NEW “GOTHAM” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9, ON FOX
MON NOV 9 8/7c

Galavan sends Barbara after Jim Gordon, while he tries to make a business deal with Bruce Wayne. Barnes and Bullock are hot on Barbara’s trail, and Nygma has a run-in with a familiar face in the all-new “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night” episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, Nov. 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Image Gallery

Videos

GOTHAM | Preview: “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night” | FOX

Gordon is on Barbara’s radar in an all-new episode of GOTHAM this MON at 8/7c on FOX!

GOTHAM | A Nightmare Rehearsal from “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night”

Barbara has a nightmare.

GOTHAM | Today Is The Day from “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night”

Theo gives Barbara exactly what she wants.

GOTHAM | Decisions from “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night”

Theo asks to buy Bruce’s company with an interesting signing bonus.

GOTHAM | Deep Down from “Rise of the Villains: Tonight’s the Night”

Barbara shares her feelings with Gordon.