Gotham
Season 3 Episode 15: “Heroes Rise: How the Riddler Got His Name”
Directed by T.J. Scott
Written by Megan Mostyn-Brown
Created by Bruno Heller
Starring Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, David Mazouz, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, Erin Richards, Chris Chalk, Jessica Lucas, Drew Powell, Morena Baccharin
FOX
Air Date: Monday, April 24th, 2017, 8pm

Last time on Gotham, Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monoghan) encouraged mayhem in the city as the lights went out and the crazies followed. He went after Bruce (David Mazouz), taking him to a bloody carnival. Bruce managed to get in a bunch of punches, and then Jim (Ben McKenzie) punched his face off, literally. Bruce vowed, “I will not kill,” because he’s Batman. Jim’s Uncle Frank (James Remar) was in the Court of Owls, who were training the doppelgänger. After toying with his love the entire episode, Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) shot Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) and pushed him into the harbor.

Spoilers for tonight’s episode of Gotham below.

Gotham 3.15 “Heroes Rise: How the Riddler Got His Name” review: Nygma ties up a professor, and gives him a few riddles which he cannot solve. Ed has done this before – to an artist, philosopher, intellectual and artistic stars… “fallen stars now.” He is searching for a new guide, a new Penguin. The professor fails, and Nygma kills him via gas explosion.

Bruce’s doppelgänger recounts the Wayne’s death scene perfectly. It’s time. Time for what? Jim visits his uncle. He tells him he regrets the falling out between brothers and came back here to make things right.

Ed takes drugs to induce trippy (and quite drippy) Penguin hallucinations. He realizes that he needs a nemesis. Fake Penguin hopes that it is not Jim Gordon.

Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) goes to Bullock (Donal Logue) about the smart people dying. Bullock does not have the resources to look into it. Just then, a message arrives (guy in a grape costume) for Jim Gordon, but Lucius figures it out. They go to a chess tournament and things get electric. Ed is pleased when he sees Fox. Fox finds the number to call and Ed gives him another riddle. If he solves it, he will save lives. Ed argues with fake Penguin, and then… in one of the best Gotham moments, hallucination Penguin sings a song! Fox figures it out a few minutes too late – Ed grabs Bullock, the next target. Fox must get one correct answer out of 3 riddles or Harvey dies and the antidote around his neck (Ed poisoned a roomful of cadets) will be destroyed. He manages to solve one, also revealing that Ed did something to Penguin.

Alfred (Sean Pertwee) teaches Bruce the art of knife throwing, but Bruce is distracted. Alfred shows him a note from Selina (Camren Bicondova), but he is too angry. Later, he relents. But Selina never sent a note. Doppelgänger did and knocks Bruce out. “This is what I was made for… to be Bruce Wayne.” He goes back to Wayne manor, but Alfred already has his hackles up.

Uncle Frank admits he is part of the court, but he is not loyal. Jim is so angry, but his uncle “chose to live.” He wants Jim to help him destroy it.

Lucius walks to his car, and Ed is in it, explaining his identity crisis.

“I’m the Riddler.” He says goodbye to Oswald.

And the real Penguin wakes up. I knew it. Turns out, Ivy Pepper (Maggie Geha) saved him. “There’s someone I need to kill.”

Bruce Wayne wakes up. Through the bars of his cage he sees snowy mountains.

What a return! This episode was filled to the brim with so much delicious movement! Pitting Lucius Fox against The Riddler is genius. I always felt that Chalk was underutilized. The fast pace of the show with only 7 episodes left in the season, will satisfy the disbelief at the doppelgänger replacing Bruce. He won’t be able to fake it for long. I’m really happy that Uncle Frank is on the good side, and I really hope that this remains true. Jim needs people on his side (more than Bullock).

Dare I hope that Penguin’s song is a prelude to a Gotham musical?

Gotham airs Monday nights at 8:00pm ET on FOX.

FOX’s synopsis:

“HEROES RISE: HOW THE RIDDLER GOT HIS NAME”
RIDDLE ME THIS ON THE ALL-NEW SPRING PREMIERE OF “GOTHAM” MONDAY, APRIL 24, ON FOX
MON APR 24 8/7c
Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) convinces himself that he doesn’t need Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) to succeed and begins to introduce himself to Gotham as “The Riddler.” Bullock (Donal Logue) and Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk) get caught up in Nygma’s mind games, while Gordon (Ben McKenzie) learns troubling news about his father’s death. Meanwhile, the Court of the Owls reveals its next move in the all-new “Heroes Rise: How The Riddler Got His Name” spring premiere episode of GOTHAM airing Monday, April 24 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Image Gallery

Videos

Preview: The City Will Be Torn Apart | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Who controls Gotham? Find out in an all-new episode, MON APR 24th on FOX!

No You Without Me | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Cory Michael Smith teases Nygma’s future without Oswald.

Nygma: A Completely Different Man | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Cory Michael Smith looks back at how the role of Nygma has changed from the pilot and teases what’s ahead.

Preview: Fear Breeds Hopelessness | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Bruce starts his training to become the protector of GOTHAM.

Find Who Nygma Chooses As His Enemy | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Cory Michael Smith teases Nygma’s attempt to find a worthy adversary.

Bruce Wayne Recalls How His Parents Died | Season 3 Ep. 15 | GOTHAM

Bruce’s parents died when his father decided to cut through an alley for a cab.

Follow me on Twitter.