Fox’s Gotham
Season 3, Episode 10: “Time Bomb”
Directed by Hanelle M. Culpepper
Written by Robert Hull

* For a recap & review of the previous episode, “The Executioner” – click here
* For a recap & review of the next episode, “Beware the Green-Eyed Monster” – click here
Dr. Mario Falcone (James Carpinello) and Dr. Lee Thompkins (Morena Baccarin) are getting ready for their big day, as Papa Carmine (John Doman) gets everything prepared. They briefly talk about the development of a test for the infection in Alice Tetch’s blood. But after their dinner, Carmine’s valet gets into his car, and a bomb explodes.
Any number of people could want the former mob boss dead. Detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) is on the scene, trying to find out any useful information about the possible culprits. Carmine isn’t “coming out of retirement,” but if the detective doesn’t figure it out quick, things might get even more violent.
Gathering the Five Families of Gotham, Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) is suggesting a hike on protection fees given the chaos in the city’s streets. Then Barbara (Erin Richards) shows up, looking for Tabitha (Jessica Lucas) and Butch (Drew Powell) who’ve gone missing. Oswald knows nothing of them, though Barb has other plans, no doubt.
And then there’s Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) – he’s the one who took Tabitha and Butch, he’s trying to torture information out of them believing they’re responsible for Isabella’s death.
Things at the GCPD are normal, as normal as it gets, anyway. Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) is interim captain; again. He and Jim have to keep things afloat, with Lucius Fox (Chris Chalk), and the other officers, until there’s a cure for the Tetch virus. In the meantime, they’re dealing with the Falcone attack. They track an arsonist, leading them to discover it wasn’t the right Falcone being attacked the first time, they want Mario. A sword wielding couple on a motorcycle attack the doc outside the hospital before he’s rescued by Dt. Gordon. Certainly the soon-to-be married isn’t a fan of the old flame to his fiancee rushing in as saviour. Oh, all that faux-masculinity, so much testosterone flowing unnecessarily.
At Wayne Manor, Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) is trying to fit in with her new boyfriend Bruce (David Mazouz) and butler Alfred (Sean Pertwee). The old Cockney lad’s trying to keep all the young people safe, they’re still not sure who was attacking them and Ivy Pepper (Maggie Geha).
Barbara is back over at Penguin’s place, working some charm on the maid Olga (Deborah Unger). The older lady says she has a “warm feeling” for Mr. Cobblepot, though doesn’t approve of Nygma; she likewise drops bits about Oswald’s love for his friend. There are clues left, though. Things Ed never considered. The guy is too busy torturing Butch and Tabitha.

Bruce and Selina are struggling to figure out the key they’ve discovered. She’s cleaning it off to see if there are any engravings. It shows an owl. Oh, quite interesting in relation to things we know about Gotham. Therefore, they’ve got another clue to work towards. Things get a bit tricky once Ivy turns up kidnapped by Luka Volk (Costa Ronin) and the Whisper Gang. Big trouble. This sends Bruce, Alfred, and Selina into the underground to get the young woman back. Volk and his crew only want their item back. The young billionaire wants a chat with Kathryn (Leslie Hendrix). Quite a stand off.
At the same time, Gordon is trying to keep an eye on Mario, as well as trying to dig out any information about why somebody would be putting a hit on him. Suddenly, they spot assassins. Two men come for Mario, so Jim takes them on. The groom stabs one man, killing him, the detective arrests the other.
We see Barbara further looking into Nygma. She better hurry up, too. There might not be anything left of the pair if she waits any longer. Neither Butch or Tabitha know anything about a woman called Isabella, so it’s all pointless. Although Butch tries lying, taking the blame for the murder, and Ngyma can see that he isn’t telling the truth, Tabitha still gets her hand cut off. God damn.

We see that Carmine is getting back into the swing of things. He slips into the interrogation room at the GCPD, removing a tooth from a suspect; he finds an owl engraved on the tooth. Nasty shit. Also showing the power of Falcone, as the suspect will press no charges, and we see how deep this dark business goes.
Elsewhere, Kathryn’s fowl-masked friend Talon (Brandon Alan Smith) is seeking information about “the second key.” He confronts Mr. Volk at the docks. The two of them fight, fist to blade. Talon is no joke. Simultaneously, Carmine meets his old pal Kathryn, threatening that “Gotham will burn” should his son be harmed. He warns of the destruction of which he is capable. A subtly terrifying encounter between these two powerful figures.
At his apartment, Jim receives a goodbye visit from Lee, who kisses him, and says farewell properly. Maybe it’s a way to sever ties. Or, perhaps just a way for Mario to discover her little secret meeting; voices inside his head taunt. And there’s a hideous power in him suggesting he’s been infected by the Tetch virus.
Another intriguing chapter. What I love about Gotham isn’t simply the character development – out of this world, dig it so much! – it’s how the series truly explores the background of the city itself. We go back into the characters, yes, but we first and foremost discover the underworld, why it’s such a rancid, cesspool of a city, and all the characters, the events, they’re given context in turn. Fascinating, to me.
“Beware the Green-Eyed Monster” is the next chapter delivered unto us. Rejoice!