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lovedroughtff · 5 years

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Chapter 3- Hail Mary

I ain't a killer, but don't push me Revenge is like the sweetest joy next to gettin' pussy Picture paragraphs unloaded, wise words being quoted Peeped the weakness in the rap game and sewed it Bow down, pray to God, hopin' that he's listenin' Seein' niggas comin' for me Through my diamonds, when they glistenin' Now pay attention: bless me please, Father, I'm a ghost In these killing fields, hail Mary, catch me if I go Let's go deep inside the solitary mind of a madman Screams in the dark, evil lurks, enemies see me flee Activate my hate, let it break to the flame Set trip, empty out my clip, never stop to aim Some say the game is all corrupt and fucked in this shit Stuck, niggas is lucky if we bust out this shit Plus, mama told me never stop until I bust a nut Fuck the world if they can't adjust, it's just as well, hail Mary Come with me! Hail Mary, nigga, run quick, see What do we have here now? Do you wanna ride or die? La la-la-la la la la la

7 years ago

Julian

“Baby? What are you doing today?” Sienna asked, I looked up from my phone to see my beautiful pregnant Fiancee standing in our kitchen. She wasn’t showing too much, but she was glowing and I couldn’t be happier.

“Nothing much, I have to go talk to Mom and Jilly, and I’m going to meet Logan near Edgewater.”

She looked extremely happy at the fact that I was doing something she had been begging me to do for years. She threw her arms around me and kissed my lips.

“Thank you! I don’t like it when my best friend and future hubby fight.” She pouted.

I chuckled at her cuteness and rubbed her belly.

“What are you doing today future wifey and baby?”

She threw her hair over her shoulder, “Well, we are going to introduce baby to all of my siblings today and they probably take me shopping because that’s all we do.”

“So, you’re telling me that you need my black card.”

She just smiled sweetly and shrugged, “Whatever you want to give me, I’ll gladly accept.”

“Mhm, spoiled ass.” I said pulling out my wallet to hand her my card, “Have you thought of any names?”

She gladly accepted the card and nodded, “Mhm, even though you don’t want the baby to be named after you if we have a boy. I still like the name Julian.”

I shook my head, “I like the name Isaiah or Noah. Any girl names?”

“Brielle or Bridget.”

“No V’s?” I was shocked, all of her siblings first names started with a V like their Mom’s.

“Nah, it’s only so many V’s out there that sound good, and I just want something different.”

I sighed, I know that Sie and her mom haven’t been on good terms for a long time, but she always is gonna need her mom.

“Sie- “ She put her hand up stopping me from talking

“Ju I know you want to come from a good place, but you haven’t been me. I love my mom, but she’s treated me like I’ve been a burden my whole life. She loves Kristen because she loves Kristen’s dad. She loves Rocky,Ari and Bash because she loves Baba. She hates my father, so she treats me like crap. We just don’t have the best relationship and I would just rather not force anything.” She mumbled.

I know talking about her mom is always something she would rather not do, but in order for her to be fine and have our baby, she needs her mother. But I let it go and changed the subject.

“I love you, Sienna, no matter what happens.”

“I love you too JuJu.” She smiled calling me, the nickname that I hated.

~~~~

I pulled up to Avondale, and I wasn’t too excited to do this. I knew for a fact that this would hurt Sienna, but I had business to take care of. I told her I was going to meet Logan, but fuck that nigga.

Why would I want to be friends with someone who has been in love with my girlfriend, since before I met Sienna, and the simple part that he is also someone I do business with is just plain, annoying. That’s why we always get into fights over Sienna, he wants me to tell her what we actually do and to leave her alone, but I refuse to let him have her.

I knocked on the apartment door and she answered. “What took you so long J.” She removed herself from the door and waddles over to the couch.

“I had to deal with Sienna.” I said coming into the shitty apartment that she lived in.

She rolled her eyes, “Does wifey know I’m pregnant with your twins?” She smirked.

I eyed her, because she knew that Sienna was not someone I played with. “Kennedy, what happened the last time you brought up Sienna.”

She stayed quiet and rolled her eyes, “You need to tell her Julian, and be with me.”

“Why would I want to be with a hoodrat? When I have the most perfect woman to come home to already.”

“Then why the fuck do you fuck me?! She must be shitty and got some shitty ass pussy because you come over here enough to get me pregnant with your kids!” She stood up getting mad.

I stood up as well, she knew better. But apparently she doesn’t know her fucking place. I grabbed her neck with my hands and started to choke her, making her drop to her knees.

“I don’t care if you are having my kids. Once you drop them, I’ll kill you and have Sienna raise them. Do you understand?”

With her bright red face, she shook her head and I let go of her neck, and she started coughing.

“Since, you’re down there, you know what to do.” I spoke to her.

I could hear her sniffling, but I didn’t care if she was crying, she unzipped my pants and pulled out my dick to put her mouth around it.

She knows her place and If I have to remind her, then I will.

Dahlia

I was sitting in the bed, playing on my phone. Ashton was around here somewhere taking care of me in my time of need and Cash went to go get my medicine.

I was having a baby, but I couldn’t handle the pressure of being a mom at the age of 17 and a senior in high school. All I could hear was my father and mother yelling at me, ever since I told them I was pregnant by Ash.

“Dahlia Yasmin Ilena Torres, we have raised you better than this. Why did you get pregnant by a gringo?!” My father complained.

My mother wouldn’t talk to me for weeks, they even threatened to kick me out, if I didn’t have an abortion. So, I did, and I told Ashton that I had a miscarriage. But now he’s smothering me, and I can’t take it, it’s literally too much.

“Baby? How are you feeling?” Ash said coming into my bedroom

I smiled, “I’m fine, Ash you can go home. Mom and dad will be back soon, and I know that y’all don’t get along.”

He nodded, “Yeah, you’re parents don’t really fuck with a nigga huh?”

I shook my head, “I don’t want any unnecessary drama. I just want to chill and get better, you know.”

~~~

Ashton had left 3 hours ago, and I was in the room with my little sister Isabella

“So are you going to tell him that you got an abortion?” Izzie asked.

“Hell naw, why would I do that?” I scrunched up my face.

“Because it was his baby?”

“Was it his baby?” I countered.

“Dahlia!!!” Isabella whined.

“What?”

“You know Ashton loves you, way too much. Plus, I thought you were done cheating on him after the 1st time he took you back.”

“I mean, I like having both men in my life, but I love Ashton more, but Nate is more exciting and fun to be around, he’s 21!” I bragged. But before I could finish, my door busted open and Cash was standing there pissed as fuck.

I mumbled a shit, “Cash, it’s not what you think.”

“So, you didn’t cheat on my brother and abort his baby?”

I stayed quiet,

“So, it’s exactly what I think. Are you fucking kidding me Dahlia! I introduced him to you, when you damn near begged me when we were 14! You had the biggest crush on him, remember!!!”

“Cash-“

“No, there is no explaining this to me Lia. You’re my best friend. He’s my brother. You cheated and lied constantly to the both of us. You’re disgusting!”

She went to turn around, and I hopped of the bed, grabbing her arm.

“Autumn, please don’t tell him, okay? It’s not your business.”

She snatched away from me, and looked at me like I was crazy.

“He’s my fucking brother! Of course I’m telling him.”

I grabbed her again, “Dahlia, get your fucking hands off me.”

“YOU CAN’T TELL HIM AUTUMN! PLEASE!”

I was trying to get her to listen, but once Autumn Cashmere Scott makes up her mind, nothing can change it.

She jumped in my face, “WHO THE FUCK YOU THINK YOU TALKING TOO WITH ALL THAT BASS IN YOUR VOICE.”

“IT AIN YOUR BUSINESS CASH, STAY OUT OF IT!” I yelled back

By this time Izzie and my mom was trying to pull us apart from one another,

“FUCK THAT! I’M TELLING HIM THAT YOU’RE A DIRTY BITCH AND THAT YOU KILLED HIS BABY.”

Once I heard the word bitch, I swung at her, and we instantly started fighting, we tumbled down the stairs.

I couldn’t really get the upper hand on her, so Cash was whooping my ass, until my dad pulled us apart.

I was breathing heavy as hell and so was Cash, you could tell she was livid.

“Don’t you ever in your life, come around my brother or me again. Next time, bitch, I will take out my daddy’s shotgun and shoot your stupid ass before you make it up the street. Fucking try me Dahlia. I’m done with you.”

“GET THE FUCK OUT MY HOUSE!” I yelled pointing to the door.

She threw my shit out of her purse on the floor, crushing it, before leaving out of the door, she turned around, “FUCK YOU!” and left slamming the door

Ashton

I was at home chilling with Austin, when Dad called me, saying that Cash was hysterical and she was crying at home, so I rushed over with him to see what was wrong with my sister.

As soon as I got through the door, I could hear her screaming and crying, and tearing shit up in her room.

“What’s wrong with her?” I asked Pops

He shrugged, “Teenage girls, She came in the house screaming about Dahlia and went in her room, tearing things up.”

Dahlia? I know Cash and Lia are best friends, and they had to have had a falling out of she was acting like this, but what the hell was that damn bad.

Austin stayed downstairs with pops and I ran up the staris, 2 by 2 until I reached the top, walking to Cash’s room.

“Cash, what the hell.”

I looked around her room and it looked like a tornado hit it.

“I’m done with that bitch! Fuck her!” She yelled pointing in my face

“What happened?” I looked and saw all the pictures that had Dahlia in them torn to shreds, all the gifts and clothes they shared over the years of being friends, torn, ripped and thrown all over the place.

“That bitch put her hands on me, but I showed her that I’m nothing to play with and whooped her Mexican ass. She’s crazy. Stop fucking with her Jasper. I mean that shit.”

She never calls me my middle name, no one did except Mom, so I knew she was dead ass serious, but I still didn’t know what happened.

“Dahlia is on rest from miscarrying the baby. She shouldn’t have been out of the bed and y’all shouldn’t have fought!”

She rolled her eyes and put her hair in a ponytail. “She Ain miscarry no damn baby, Jasper. Leave her the fuck alone.”

“What are you trying to say? I can’t leave her alone.”

“And why the fuck not?” She crossed her arms.

“How about, she just miscarried my baby, and I love her, when she turns 18 next week, I’m going to propose.”

I pulled the ring out of my pocket, I wanted Cash to see it, and I wanted to prove to everyone that Dahlia isn’t a phase to me, I love her and she’s my forever. Yes, I’m 19, but she’s only a year and some months younger than me. But I want to provide and be there for her like our dad was with our mom.

Cash took the ring box out of my hand and instantly sighed, before screaming “SHE’S CHEATING ON YOU ASHTON!”

~~~~~~~

I was at the hospital, cause Dahlia called me crying, but the conversation that Cash and I had, kept playing in my head.

Cash really fucked up D, cause Dahlia had a broken nose, a black eye and a few bruised ribs with some out of socket fingers.

She was going on and on about how Cash was disrespectful and Cash punched her first which started the fight, which doesn’t sound like the fight that Cash described to me. And doesn’t sound anything like my sister. But she kept on crying and telling me that I need to cut off my sister.

I was listening to everything she was saying, but the question if she was cheating again, was stuck in the back of my head.

“I can’t believe she would do that to me, I thought we were best friends.” She whispered playing with the tattoo on my chest. I was laying in the hospital bed with her and we were cuddling.

“So, you’re not cheating on me again?” I asked her, she instantly froze up against my body. I sat up and looked at her face, I needed to know if she was lying.

“You freezing says a lot D.”

“I didn’t freeze Ashton, your question caught me off guard, I told you that I wouldn’t do that to you again.” She spoke calmly.

“So, why did you get into a fight with my sister? Because the story you’re telling me isn’t lining up with what Cash said. And Cash is anything but a liar.”

“You’re going to believe your sister over me?” She asked with fake hurt. It was pissing me off

“Yasmin, you really testing my patience. I can read you like a fucking book. TELL ME THE TRUTH! ARE YOU CHEATING ON ME WITH THAT NIGGA AGAIN.”

She started crying and I could literally hear my heart break for the 2nd time by this girl. I was done, I got out the bed and put my shoes on. If I didnt leave, I would be getting arrested.

“Baby, I’m sorry.” She cried to me, she touched my shoulders and I shook her off, causing her to wince out in pain from her fight with Cash.

“You said that the last time Dahlia.” I stood up and turned around, and asked the one question, i knew I was going to regret.

“Was it even my baby?” I asked

She shook her head no, I chuckled, but I could hear my voice cracking, “So you were gonna let me raise a kid that wasn’t even mine.”

“I didn’t want to lose you Ashton. I love you.” She grabbed my hand, trying to make me see her side, but I took my hand away from her.

“Fuck you, Dahlia.”

Logan

I was pissed as fuck because Julian was late again. I was here with our distributor and he was getting antsy without Julian being here.

He pointed to his watch, signifying the time and shrugged his shoulders.

“He’ll be here. I promise.” I spoke, I motioned for some of the boys to wait with the distributor while I called julian.

I instantly got his voicemail; “Nigga, where the hell you at!! The cartel is here and we waiting on your ass. Get here now!”

I hung up the phone and went back into the warehouse, before I could even open my mouth, Julian bursts through the door.

“Sorry I’m late, but before we get started could I speak to you Logan?”

We exited the room, “Nigga what the fuck, we can’t be here all fucking night.”

“My bad, my phone died, I had to deal with Kennedy and my mom, a lot of shit has been going on.”

“Put all that shit aside, and let’s get this money.”

~~~~

As we were talking with the head of the Torres Cartel and our boys were counting the coke, and money. A commotion rung about,

“What the hell,” Julian said, getting up with me right behind him.

On high alert, we entered the room, to see our boys in the faces of the cartel.

“What’s going on here.” I asked

“Boss, this isn’t the cocaine we ordered, this is the fake shit that’s been going around.” He said never leaving the face of the cartel member.

Julio, The lead of the cartel spoke up, “Check again son, my cocaine is the purest form.”

“I checked, 4 times. It’s pure shit.”

If we didn’t get control of this situation and fast, it was going to be deadly. Before anything or anyone else said anything, Julian went over to try the coke, the way he looked, I knew he believed our guy.

“Logan,” I walked over to try it, and they were both right. This tasted like regular baking soda.

“What is the meaning of all of this.” Julio, was calm and put his hands up in the air, very nonchalantly.

“Are you trying to skimp us? We pay you every 6 months for the best drugs and here we are with baking soda.” Julian said, throwing it to the ground in front of the cartel.

“Julian, Logan. There is a misunderstanding.” He simply said.

“No misunderstanding Julio. My boy is the best taster besides myself and Logan. We all think it’s shit. So, we will take back our money and find a new distributor. Because I don’t like messy business.”

My eyes grew big, with the amount of product we put on the streets, no one really had the supply except Torres. Either Julian is bluffing or I don’t know but I got a feeling this isn’t ending well.

“You’ve tasted it. That is not how we do things.” Julio spoke, a little too calmly for my liking.

“So you want me to take 5 million dollars worth of baking soda and do what with it?” Julian asked.

“I don’t give a fuck, but once the money is in our possession, it isn’t our issue anymore.” Julio laughed, I knew that pissed Julian off, but he just simply smiled.

Before I could even do anything, I heard, “Julian! Duck!!”

He ducked down in time for one of the Torres cartel, to hit and kill one of their own. They were trying to set us up and we weren’t about to have that shit.

Shots rang out and we instantly pulled our guns out of our waist shooting at the Torres Cartel, Julian and I separated to cover the most ground making sure that none of us were hurt.

I was pissed, all I wanted to do was stay at home, but here I am. In this mess.

Julian was on the other side, fighting some of the lower level in the cartel and I was making sure our boys were good. Next thing I know, I hear loud ass shots basically in my ear, I turn around and see Julian on the ground, going unconscious.

I run over to him, seeing he’s been hit 5 times, and tried to stop the bleeding. I got some of the guys to help me, but we need to get him to the hospital. NOW!

I made sure that it was safe, and I ran off to get the disposable truck. Hoping in and grabbing the keys from the armrest, I started the car, putting it into gear and sped to the part of the warehouse he was in. By the time I got back, the cartel was gone. I rolled down the window and yelled,

“Shit!! Load him in the car!” I screamed at the boys. They grabbed a hurt Julian and loaded him in the car as I drove off.

“KEEP HIS ASS AWAKE!!”

I was speeding like crazy, praying that no cops were out tonight.

“Logan! He’s fading out!” One of them yelled.

“I SAID KEEP HIS ASS AWAKE!!!!” I yelled weaving through traffic.

“Sienna, please don’t tell Sienna.” He mumbled.

“Don’t worry about Sienna! Stay awake Julian!”

I finally got across town and near enough to the hospital to drop him off, we couldn’t take him, it was against protocol.

We got him out of the truck and carefully sat him down on the ground. One of the boys shot 5 shots in the air, with the gun that shot Julian, and the other called the police and threw the phone into the lake.

Before I could leave, Julian grabbed my hand, looking at me, “No Matter what happens, Sienna doesn’t know a thing, Please Logan. Protect her.”

“I wont need to, because you’ll be there to protect them both.” I said back

“Boss man we gotta go!” One of the boys yelled, I nodded and let him go,

Jumping back into the car, racing to the warehouse, we made sure everything was destroyed, including our clothes, and the car we took him in. One of the boys had to take Julian’s car near the sight were we dropped him off, the police will be looking for it soon enough, and it cant be here.

By the time, I got home and settled down, Sienna called me crying. Julian had died.

“Fuck!” I called out. Looks like I’m in charge of the business, and that is something I didn’t want to be doing.

Sienna

My sisters were cooing over my stomach and rubbing, as I just told them that I was pregnant. Even though, I’m only 19 right now (turning 20 next month), I couldn’t wait to have this baby. Julian and I decided to keep the pregnancy a secret, especially since once we told our parents we knew shit would hit the fan. But also, to make sure that nothing happened to the baby.

I was four months pregnant today, and barely showing, and glad for it.

“Does Mama and Baba know?” Kristen asked,

I nodded, “Baba nearly put JuJu through the wall in the kitchen. I had to stop him from hurting him.” Chuckling at the thought.

“Of course he would, you know Baba doesn’t play about us.” Rocky laughed.

We were all light hearted and cracking jokes and making up baby names for my and Julian’s child, when his younger sister called me. I picked it up still laughing with my sisters.

“Hey Jilly-“ I paused and sat up once I heard her crying.

“Sienna, you gotta get to St. Mary’s Now!” She sobbed.

“What’s the matter Jilly?”

My sisters were now concerned at the nervousness in my face and how my body stiffened while being on the phone.

“He was shot Sienna! You gotta get here now!”

“W-who was shot?”

I started trembling at the thought, that I knew exactly who she was talking about.

I didn’t even hear her when she said Julian’s name, I just dropped the phone with tears running down my face.

“I got to go, Julian was shot!” As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I broke down.

“Sienna, you cant drive like this!” Kristen yelled.

“I have to go.” I grabbed my stuff, but my hands were trembling so bad, I kept dropping everything.

“Were driving you, Sienna.” Rocky took my stuff and Ari and Kris grabbed my hands leading me to the car.

By the time, I got to the hospital, he was gone, I walked up to his sister.

“Jilly, what happened!”

“Sienna, I-I dont know. Mother is his emergency contact and she called me. They found him near Lincoln.”

“Lincoln, he said he was going to Edgewood?” I told her

“I need to see him.” I said

Jilly grabbed my hand, “ I don’t think that’s a good idea Sienna. Mother is back there with the doctors. Making arrangements.”

“I should be making arrangements, we’re engaged. I want to be apart of this ” I told her.

Another secret we kept from the entire family, we just wanted to live our lives and be happy. I didn’t want anyone ruining my pregnancy or engagement, so we shut up about it.

“Sienna, it’s not a good idea.”

“What room is he in.”

She saw my face and knew I was serious “237.”

As soon as I heard the number, I ran to the room as fast as my feet could allow me.

I reached his room and I saw his body covered up and blood was all over him. I instantly started crying.

I walked in and touched his hand. “Ju what were you doing in Lincoln. Why-why couldn’t you just stay home when I called you earlier?”

I was balling when I heard his mother’s voice, “Sienna,let him go.”

I turned and saw his mother, the police and a pregnant girl.

“Ms. Pearson,”

“Sienna, you need to leave and let my son go.” I knew the witch didnt like me, but she knew how much I love him and he loves me. I was shocked at her reaction, I was the only one crying. She was stoned.

“He’s my fiancée, the father of my child. I’m not leaving.”

“He’s not your Fiancee, he’s mine” The pregnant girl spoke up.

I sat up, from Julian’s body and looked at the both of them, “Who the hell are you?”

“Kennedy, the mother of Julian’s sons. I would appreciate if you got off him” She put her hand on her belly, and I saw the ring.

“Youre lying, Julian wouldn’t cheat on me, and he wouldn’t have you saying your the fiancee when I am.” I pulled out my necklace, which also had my engagement ring on it to show them.

His mother motioned for the police officer to get me and I stepped back.

“Ma’am, the immediate family has asked you to leave. Either you leave willingly or I am going to have to force you our of here.”

I never fought so hard in my life.

~~~~

By this time, I was at Logan’s house with Phoenix and I was crying on her lap. I had been here for the past 6 hours and it was now 2 am. I couldn’t wrap my head around what just happened and how it happened.

“He said he was coming to meet you Logan, did you see him today?” I cried, looking up from Phoe’s lap.

He shook his head, “You know we don’t get along Si, why would I meet him?”

I wiped my tears, only for new ones to form, “I have no idea what’s going on. He has another baby mother, his mother kicking me out. She isn’t going to let me be apart of the funeral. I just- what is happening!!” I cried out.

“Vivienne. I understand you’re sad, and you don’t know what to do. But you have to worry about the baby in your stomach. You need to calm down before anything happens.” Phoenix said rubbing my hair out of my face.

“Phoenix-“

“I know honey, I know it sucks, but you need to now figure out your next move and what you’re going to do. So, what is the next thing you want? You want to go back to the apartment, stay here, come to mine, go to your mom’s?”

I shook my head, “Can I stay here and you stay here. It’s late.”

“Logan?” Phoenix asked him

“Yeah, yall can have my room, I’ll sleep on the couch.” He mumbled

“Okay, that’s figured out, what next?” She asked again

“I want to go to his funeral.”

She nodded, “Okay, I’ll find out what when it is, and we’ll go together.”

I mumbled an okay, and laid my head back down in her lap

“i- I just want him back. We were fine this morning.” I sniffled and started crying again.

“I know sweetie, I know.”

I noticed that Logan would barely look at me, and his phone was blowing up, more than normal. He just kept his head in his hands and wouldn’t say anything.

I cried myself to sleep that night, cuddling my best friend.

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sunlitroom · 5 years

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Gotham – s5e07 – Ace Chemicals

As I watched it, and some random observations here and there.

Previously on Gotham:

In some of the slashiest moments ever slashed until some of the stuff we’ll see later, Jeremiah helped to build a dark island for Bruce and then told him they would rise together. Jim had sex with Barbara. We then hear him tell Lee there’s so many things he’s done that he wishes he could change. Oh, fuck you, Jim. Lee says they're here now and need to try to put the pieces back together again. Barbara's pregnant. Jim looks at her like he's only just learned that humans can reproduce. Selina reminds us all that Bruce’s parents were murdered. Selina stabbed Jeremiah. Oswald is apparently leaving Gotham for reasons that are pretty wildly inconsistent with everything we know about him. Jeremiah loves a family reunion..

As always, long post will be long. There are likely to be rambling digressions. Gobblepot might appear (although I welcome all shippers and non-shippers alike :)). There will be naked favouritism and naked not-favouritism. Broader comments at the end on plotlines and parallels and general direction.

A group of people run frantically down the street, their shirts open and chests bloody – a ‘z’ carved into them. Dramatic music plays. Behind them, someone – framed in the doorway of a warehouse, someone lights rockets which promptly launch into the sky. They release green gas, and we see the men start to foam at the mouth, clawing at their throats as they fall to the ground.

Jim is at his radio. He has a brief conversation with a general – asking them how they let Walker operate right under their noses. The general doesn’t really answer, but says that she’s evaded capture. Jim replies that with Walker and Durrance out of the picture, they can step in now to help the city. The general says that he’s beginning that process immediately. Jim evinces scepticism – but the general says he has the authority to do it….unless something happens to destabilise the situation. The nightmare is about to end.

(An aside. I usually give plot details a lot of leeway on Gotham because of the nature of the universe – but come on. The authorities know that Gotham is basically full of frightened, angry starving people – and was riddled with corruption and crime even before the bridges came down. The idea that they’ll only step in if it’s stable is just stupid. )

Jim is walking downstairs with Harvey – who asks if he believes the general. Jim is non-commital and asks if Alfred's been found. Harvey says no – adding that Bruce has been pulling double shifts on search parties – the kid is dead on his feet

Jim approaches Bruce. Bruce points at a map, and says they need to search this area next – which has a block of abandoned buildings. Jim makes Bruce promise that he’ll rest, saying he needs him sharp - not a liability.

A tired, tearful Bruce tells Jim he doesn’t know what could have happened. Jim points out that Alfred can take care of himself and promises that he will send a team to the area.

Bruce leaves. Harvey wanders over and says the kid is tough. They’re interrupted by Harper, who says they’ve found something.

A crime scene. We see the corpses of the z guys, and Harper points out their false moustaches. They look at the warehouse they seem to have escaped from – and Jim says it seems to be a film set. Harper says the letters were carved into the men’s chests before death.

Harvey suggests Victor. Jim says he never figured Zsasz for a cinephile. I don’t know, Jim. Victor is actually pretty well-rounded. I can imagine him having a lot of interests.

Anyway Jim wants whatever this is stopped before it threatens reunification.

He also notices a chess piece tattoo. Harvey remarks that the Chessmen are a Narrows gang, and says that there's someone they can ask about that. I'm entertained by seeing how many contrived ways they can think to bring Lee into the storyline in some way.

Bruce is walking down a street. Is this the street in the area he mentioned? Did he go get some rest? Not sure.

He steps on a newspaper, and it catches his eyes. He picks it up – and sees that it’s carrying the story about his parents’ murder. Looking round, he sees the copies of the page pasted to the walls. Turning, he sees his parents walk past the alley, laughing. He runs after them – following them to a subway.

He runs downstairs. The station name is apparently Stockton. David Stockton is the cinematographer for this episode.

Bruce loses his parents, but finds himself in the room where Jeremiah was building his tunnel. A foreboding-looking passage is now in place. Bruce sees a pearl on the floor, and immediately hares off down the passage.

At the hospital, where Lee is now working. She heads into a ward to see a patient, and also finds Barbara waiting there. Barbara comments that it’s interesting to see her there. Lee says it’s what she does: help people.

(An aside. But the show just spent a season trying to show us that as well as having an impulse to help others – Lee also enjoyed power, and danger. She’s fully capable of violence, and is excited by darkness. It was hinted at way back in season one – when she was thrilled by Jerome’s confession, carried through in her willingness to continue a relationship with a man she knew to be a double-murderer, and alluded to again when she seemed pretty pleased about her mob ties through marrying Mario. It was actually honest-to-God consistent, and last season really brought all that to fruition. It seems, though, we’re going to forget all that characterisation now. Sorry, Lee. Back to being the ‘good’ love interest.)

Lee shrugs Barbara off – telling her she has patients. Barbara says she surely wouldn't kick Jim's baby momma to the kerb. Lee says whatever happened between them is none of her concern, so if she’s here to gloat….

Barbara says she’s here for medical assistance for her little nugget. That’s a terrible pet name, Barbara. All it does is make people think about chicken. She wants Lee to be her obgyn. Lee says she can’t be serious – she tried to kill her twice. Barbara says that was years ago. Lee tries to fob her off – but Barbara says that whatever she thinks of her, her child is innocent. She wants the best - and that means Lee.

Lee asks if Jim knows she’s here. Barbara says it’s none of his business – and at that precise moment Jim comes in looking for Lee.

Lee?

Barbara turns, and Jim gives a pinched and sour Barbara

Barbara tells him he's interrupting a dr/patient meeting.

I'm sorry - you're her doctor?

Lee frowns

Yes, no - maybe?

(Clunk. That line felt so written)

They all stand about staring at each other, needlessly eating up screen-time on a foregone conclusion – it’s like a live-action demonstration of a love triangle.

Jim says a body turned up – it’s Narrows connection or he wouldn't have come. Lee says that you two need to talk - I'll be outside

Barbara says she'd rather not – but Lee says if she wants her as her doctor, then she’ll talk to the baby's father. That seems wrong in all sorts of ways. Lee tells her the first appointment is next week, and the nurse will give her vitamins when she leaves.

Lee leaves the room – Barbara walks to the window and stares out.

Jim chides her – she’s the only one you could find? That…. sort of shows scant regard for Barbara and your child’s welfare, Jim, and equally scant regard for Lee’s skills as a doctor.

Barbara retorts that she's the best, and that not everything is about Jim Gordon

Jim says this is. Barbara says she told him because he deserved to know, but his involvement ended the moment he put his pants back on. It’s entirely possible, to be honest, that Barbara was initially open to more involvement – but then Jim treated her like a bad smell last episode, so it’s maybe understandable that she’s pulled away.

Jim shakes his head. Barbara frowns, confused for a moment – then it dawns on her.

You don't think I'm fit to be a mother

Jim looks at her with an expression which is equal parts snide and judgemental.

What do you think?

Barbara stares at him for a moment, stung, and then walks swiftly away.

He seems to realise that this was not the thing to have said – and calls after her, but she’s gone.

(An aside – OK. This is a clusterfuck and I feel like whining about it.

We all know where they want to go with this. Barbara will be morally redeemed just enough to be shown as caring about her baby. However, something will likely happen to her, and Jim and Lee – by that point back together – will end up raising her child – the good and moral parents the baby should have.

Aside from how squicky that all is, the problem with this is that Jim’s determination to look at Barbara as if she’s the lowest of the low makes no sense whatsoever given

1. His own moral dubiousness. Jim has a double murder he’s never faced justice for. He went to Carmine Falcone for help because he couldn’t bear losing a pissing contest to Oswald. He was personally and professionally allied with Sofia Falcone. In the context of parenthood – this is a woman who was using an orphanage as a front for criminal activities. In essence, using children as a human shield.

2. We know that he’s likely comparing Lee and Barbara and thinking that Lee would make a wonderful mother, while Barbara is unfit. The problem with this is that while the writers might be having some selective amnesia - season 4 happened. We saw Lee go on a bank robbery spree. We saw her shoot Sofia Falcone in the head in cold blood. We saw her have an affair with the man who was not only responsible for the death of her ‘friend’ Kristen, but whom she also knew to be vulnerable and mentally unstable. Whatever criteria Jim is using to make his unfit judgement – if Barbara fails, then so does Lee.

The final problem with this is that (on top of their history) for Jim to recently have formed a tenuous relationship with Barbara – going to her for help, talking to her, trusting her… and then turn and tell her he thinks she would be an unfit mother is just low. Sorry – but it just is. It’s incredibly shitty behaviour no matter how you look at it.

Given how invested Barbara was in their relationship – she even had a healthy eating plan for him once they were married – it’s highly likely she daydreamed about them having a baby. Telling him she was pregnant, all of it. What she’s got instead is having to go through this nightmarish version what she once dreamt about – with Jim looking at her like he’s repulsed by what he’s done and wishes she would just disappear. A mockery of the life she thought she’d have. They’re never really going to revisit her mental health issues in any serious way, but if anything would push her to breaking point – it’s this.

In terms of knock-on effects on characterisation – it just makes it hard to root for Jim in any way when he’s being such a self-righteous hypocrite. One of the main reasons I never really enjoyed the Jim/Lee ship before is that – of all the shared characteristics the writers could have fixed on to define them – the one that always came across most strongly when they were together was a shared sense of moral superiority. It’s really hard not to dislike that – and I don’t want to dislike either of them.

Bruce emerges from the passage into the fireplace at Wayne Manor – to see his parents sitting in the drawing room. He asks who they are. Bruce’s father smiles at him

Hello champ

Bruce's dad looks sleazy. Why does he look so sleazy?

Alfred walks in, chiding Bruce for looking so dishevelled. Bruce asks him desperately what’s happening. Alfred tells him to spruce up – since they have a guest.

He turns – and there’s Jeremiah, watching from the wings.

Welcome home, Bruce

Jeremiah - you're alive

Jeremiah asks if Bruce really thought Selina could kill him. He needs to finalise his project.

Bruce lunges at him. Jeremiah visibly startles. Alfred holds him back. Jeremiah’s brought a gift – which turns out to be a bomb. Bruce tries any funny business, and Jeremiah will blow up Wayne Manor with them all inside.

Jeremiah then explains that the couple are just an unlucky couple he kidnapped and surgically altered. Alfred was nabbed in the Green Zone. Jervis hypnotised them all.

He goes on to say it’s a very important day. Look at the way they're dressed: it’s the night they were killed. You’re going to experience it all over again

Why?

Isn't it obvious? Bruce – this… was the most important day of your life, and I didn't get to be part of it

(Whoa. What can you really add to that?)

Jeremiah recovers himself and tells Alfred it’s time for dinner, while Bruce stares at him.

A pier, where Oswald watches with binoculars as a boat is blown up. A bored Selina says three for three.

The government was apparently very thorough when it mined the river. The government mined the river? This plot is honestly demented.

Selina asks why he didn’t make an escape plan before he stole everyone's crap. I honestly have no idea, Selina. It’s pretty inconsistent with what we know of Oswald

He claims that he was working on it, remarking that anything flown out is also blown from the sky.

An idea strikes Selina – Jeremiah’s tunnel. She tells Oswald about it. He scoffs, but has no better idea. Selina tells him to meet her in the Dark Zone at night.

He agrees, and then looks back out at the water.

Oh look – he’s swimming to shore

There’s an explosion, and Oswald winces as Selina rolls her eyes.

In the Narrows with Lee and Jim. He’s not taken backup because he wants to keep a low profile: the Narrows is now chaos. Lee sighs that all her work was for nothing. Well, there was that sense of self-importance.

They hear noises. We see some random guys – who Lee says are the Chessmen’s main rivals. They watch warily from a distance until Jim – bafflingly – decides this is the best time for a personal chat.

About the thing with Barbara

Lee raises a hand to stop him – don’t – but Jim says it’s important to him that she understands. See, it’s like this – it was really useful to rely on Barbara when he didn’t have any other support, and super-handy when she rolled in and saved his life, and sex in his office was a nice moment of release and comfort and affection when he was really low…..but now Lee’s back he’s realised again that Barbara is ew, and he wants to make sure she knows that.

Lee asks him what he’s going to do. Jim says he doesn’t know – it’s his child too.

Lee purses her mouth and says that Barbara has a different opinion, before frowning and commenting that people change.

Jim says that she doesn’t know her like he does.

Lee rolls her eyes and says he can say that again. Because they had sex recently? I mean, that was the case before Jim met Lee, too – they were engaged. That line was just stupid.

(An aside - Honestly, the writing around this whole story is dreadful. I know that the truncated season has meant they’ve had to compress storylines, but – equally – you work with what you’ve got and adjust. There was no need to give us Baby Gordon this season. We could still have imagined it as an event that happened in the future – or Jim could have adopted an orphan. Equally, if they’re so intent on Jim and Lee, they could have taken things more slowly and left us with the clear indication that they were mending their relationship – but instead they’re going to hurl us towards a wedding.)

They hear a noise and turn to see a chalked rook on a wall. This honestly made me snort out loud. What a scary gang. Apparently a rook at a funny angle means they’re headed northeast. Jim and Lee set off in pursuit.

At Wayne Manor, Alfred lights candles on the kitchen table.

Jeremiah sighs, and tells Bruce that Alfred has been sharing stories about his childhood. How – if it was just the family, they’d eat at the kitchen table

How… homey, and intimate

The line could be taken as a sneer, but it’s not delivered that way. Jeremiah is leaning forward, eyes shining, gazing at Bruce. He waits for a moment before choosing the word homey – and it’s delivered with sincerity and approval – praising Bruce’s childhood days. Intimate – by dint of the word – points rather more towards what Jeremiah wants to create now, which is only reinforced by him leaning towards Bruce – eyes wide and shiny.

Alfred interrupts the moment rather by putting a cheese and pickle toastie on the table. It’s Bruce’s favourite, apparently, due to Alfred’s influence.

I fucking love a cheese and pickle sandwich, and I don’t have either in the kitchen.

Alfred says that Thomas added aioli for flair. What? That would be terrible. Are we sure Thomas was a good guy? He looks really slimy – and putting aioli in a cheese and pickle toastie is frankly upsetting.

Jeremiah laughs delightedly, and when Bruce looks at him comments

Come on, Bruce. That’s a weird favourite food for a 12 year old. I mean – it would have been near the #1 spot for me. Maybe even occupying it.

Bruce says he’s playing his game, but he can let the others go – they’re innocent. Jeremiah refuses – saying he needs the details right. Just one final touch. He nods towards Bruce’s mother- who is smiling as Bruce’s father fastens her pearls around her neck.

Bruce tears up

Jeremiah’s tone is serious

What was it like? Losing your parents that night? I lost my family too, Bruce.

Bruce’s eyes close – not able to bear the weight of all this right now.

(An aside. I know all the Batman/Joker stuff is all sort of ready and prepared for Gotham – but they have done this well. This little moment here was excellent. Before the big shift in Jeremiah’s personality, Bruce and he had started to forge a relationship. Bruce was visiting him – was concerned about his fixation on Jerome. Jeremiah seemed very taken with Bruce. They were bonding and had some key similarities in their personalities: preternaturally intelligent, solemn, quiet, traumatic family pasts. It’s possible that Bruce had maybe considered Jeremiah someone he could confide in one day about the loss of his parents. Jeremiah mentioning this similarity now must feel like pressing on a bruise.)

Jeremiah looks sad as he comments that the wound still hasn't healed – he thinks about it often.

Bruce says none of this is real – and Jeremiah is trying to manipulate him. Jeremiah’s expression is that of a child who has just been told off – resentful, and watery-eyed.

Bruce adds that it will never be real. Jeremiah smiles and tells him that he only needs him to be thinking about that night – but his control cracks, and he leans towards Bruce abruptly, grasping his collar.

I just want to be connected to you! I offered to you to be my best friend.

He collects himself and leans back

If we can't be friends – we can be connected in other ways

A million new fics were just started on Ao3 with that opening line.

Bruce frowns

How?

Jeremiah smiles

You’ll see - in time

(An aside – half seriously, half in jest. I know the Batman/Joker relationship is often played for nudge/wink giggles - but honestly, they’ve been so blatant here: wouldn’t the simplest way to derail this very elaborate plot be leaning forward and just planting a kiss on Jeremiah? Because they can dance round it with talk of brothers and friends, but it seems clear that Jeremiah had fallen head over heels with Bruce virtually on first meeting, and then the gas twisted that into something obsessive and dark. He’s spent a long time on this plan – but he’s desperate for some kind of connection with Bruce. It would have, at the very least, knocked him off his stride.)

Jeremiah takes a quick bite and makes an impressed face. See. Not entirely lost his humanity if he can acknowledge the greatness of cheese and pickle.

He puts it back down, though, and says he has to cut tonight short – we have a very important date with destiny

Making quickly for the door, he suggests Bruce find his butler and leave immediately before arming the bomb and running off.

Bruce’s eyes widen and he yells for Alfred.

Lee and Jim get to Ace Chemicals. Inside, we see lots of guys making green stuff. Jim grabs one to question him – but all he’ll say is

Tick tock, chemical stock

Will give our Gotham an aftershock

Jim audibly deduces Jervis’ influence. We hear applause

My my, what a thrill

Jim Gordon and the woman

He told me to kill

Jervis reminisces a little, then orders them captured. Lee is grabbed and restrained. A roller-skated Ecco beats Jim around the head. Lee calls his name worriedly.

At Sirens Selina tells Barbara about Oswald’s plan. Barbara asks why she’s helping – but Selina says it’s a ruse. Tabitha was her friend too - she wants to gut the twerp

(Yes - Tabitha was really there for Selina. We didn’t even get a line from her mentioning a visit, or wondering how she felt during her recovery.)

and take his loot

Barbara says they don’t have a way out – but Selina says they’ll find one

Barbara’s eyes light up – she likes this idea.

Get out together…. away from Jim, with our riches - Oswald dead in a ditch….just two single ladies and a baby who’ve killed their sworn enemy.

Selina pulls a face. Barbara asks what?

It’s just that…. you’re pregnant

Don’t start!

Bruce convinces a hypnotised Alfred to leave by telling them there’s a gas leak. They run down the passage not a moment too soon as the bombs all detonate. There goes stately Wayne Manor.

(Out of curiosity, how old is Wayne Manor meant to be? I know it can’t be that old)

In the passage, Bruce and Alfred are knocked to the ground by the force of the explosion Alfred comes round, having regained his memory – and states his intention to shove Jervis’s watch up his ass next time they meet. Alfred asks if he’s alright. Bruce falters for a moment as he says the manor….

Alfred replies

Don’t worry about that now, son

Bruce points out that his leg is hurt – but Alfred reassures him again.

Bruce hugs him impulsively.

I thought I lost you

Alfred smiles at him

Me? Never

He then urges Bruce to find Jeremiah

You know where he's going to be at

That’s a weird construction for Alfred to use. I don’t think Brits would ever add the ‘at’ unless they were consciously copying the American phrase.

Back at Ace Chemicals, Jim and Lee are tied to a pole, yet still failing to generate any tension.

Jervis wonders aloud if he should hypnotise them and have them slit each other's necks. Ecco laughs, but tells him to check with the Boss, who might have other ideas.

Jim tells Lee he’s sorry he got her involved. She tells him not to be. He says he has something to tell her. She tells him to save it for when they make it out of here.

Jim tries to goad Jervis – calling him an errand boy. Jervis shakes his head. He’s no errand boy. This is simply a way to have fun.

Lee chips in, to signal to us that Jim and Lee are so close that they both think the same way without needing to communicate.

You can tell yourself that – but without your games and rhymes – you’re just a second-rater in a silly hat

Jervis tells her to shut up. For some reason – I find his sulky snappishness hot. Generally, though, I find Jervis hits the button that bypasses rational thought and just sends hormones flying. Stupid sexy casting decisions.

Ecco whispers something to him. Jervis laughs.

He turns to Lee, and tells her she does intrigue him. First a doctor, then the Queen of the Narrows. Is she running from her past when she becomes someone new? I mean – I think Lee had an identity crisis after the Tetch virus revealed her taste for darkness – but I would argue that attempting to atone for her sins by setting up home in the Narrows and exploring this new facet of herself was more development than it was running away? Running away would have been taking up a medical post in some other city.

He holds up his watch and begins to hypnotise them.

Selina and Oswald break into the building where Selina found Jeremiah. They spot the tunnel, but hesitate when they hear someone coming towards them.

Alfred?

A dishevelled Alfred asks what she’s doing here, and with that? Seems unnecessarily rude, Alfred.

Alfred tells an aghast Selina what’s happened – and adds that Bruce could use her help. As she leaves – Oswald reaches out to hold her arm wait

Selina put her knife to his throat

You think because I didn’t kill Jeremiah – I won’t kill you?

(This line made little sense)

Alfred tries to calm her, but she goes on

You killed my friend Tabitha – you deserve to die

(Honest to God – this has been the most irritating plot point ever. Look – if we hadn’t seen Oswald do it, and been left with a murder mystery, then everyone in town would have been a suspect, because Tabitha was so utterly obnoxious to anyone who crossed her path. No. One. Cares)

Alfred entreats her to put the knife down

Bruce needs you

Oswald stares at her as she leaves, and turns to Alfred

I suppose I should thank you

Alfred asks him to help him to the Green Zone

Oswald presumably hasn’t forgotten being described as that – and gestures exaggeratedly

It's that way

He leaves

Bruce enters a cinema where his parents are watching the show. It’s Douglas Fairbanks in the Mask of Zorro – apparently one of Bruce’s favourites. Jeremiah has reenacted the whole film.

He struts towards the camera – asking Bruce what intrigued him about the character? His ability to strike fear in the heart of his enemies. It was maybe too effective – because this is when Bruce got too frightened and asked to leave. What if he had conquered his fear? Maybe his parents would still be alive.

His parents leave, and Bruce follows.

Bruce and Jeremiah come to a halt in the alley

That’s far enough, Bruce

You don’t have to do this!

But I - I do. I came to a realisation. I realised no matter what I did to bond us - some random gunman in an alley would be the man you were tied to the most, the man you saw when you closed your eyes. I want to be the star of the show!

(*Blinks* I mean. I don’t think you can really get more intense than telling someone that you’re jealous that they see another man when they close their eyes.)

So, if I can't have you as a brother - bonded by love

(Hahahahahaha. What? No. That’s no fraternal relationship ever)

Then we'll just have to be bonded by hatred

Bruce asks if he thinks killing two people who look like his parents will really do that. Jeremiah retorts that he put a bullet in their fraudulent skulls. He smiles widely – so then….

Who's this lovely couple?

Bruce stares as they turn. It’s….

Jim and Lee. They're meant to look hypnotised and dead-eyed, but – honestly - the chemistry levels are around the same as usual.

Jeremiah says it was a happy coincidence that he ran into them. If Harvey had been with Jim, as would have been the norm, would we be seeing him in a camel coat and pearls right now? Hair in a chignon?

Jeremiah says he’ll kill the man who’s Bruce’s second father – as well as his dear friend, Lee Thompkins. Jeremiah’s obviously not thinking clearly due to all the drama and raging hormones – since Alfred is Bruce’s second father, and he doesn’t really know Lee very well, but the writers are pretty desperate to re-establish Jim and Lee as a couple in the audience’s eyes, so Jeremiah can get a pass here. Also – he’s about to take a very unpleasant bath, so we’ll cut him some slack.

Jeremiah tells Bruce they’ll finally be bound. We hear a horn nearby and see Ecco. Jeremiah tells him Gotham will soon be cut off forever when he contaminates it with toxic chemicals.

We Selina lurking on stairs at the side of the building. Bruce pleads with him

Jeremiah – don’t

Jeremiah adds that the piece de resistance is that he asked Jervis to make sure the hypnosis wore off the moment the pearls hit the ground – so he could see them realise what had happened as the life drained from them. He smiles at him

Never forget – this is all for you, Bruce

Bruce tackles him – but it’s Selina who saves the day, trapping his wrist with her whip

Jeremiah and Bruce fight. As the pearls hit the ground, Jim and Lee come out of their trance. Ecco hits the switch, and Jeremiah runs. The countdown starts. Jim runs for the truck – telling Bruce to go after Jeremiah while Jim will take the truck. He tells Lee to get to Harvey and warn the people. Lee is left behind, plaintively yelling Jim! Oh dear. Back to Lee 1.0.

Bruce yells at Jeremiah to face him. Jeremiah turns for a split second

Here, Bruce

Before continuing into the warehouse, chased by Bruce.

The countdown reaches zero as Jim drives for the end of the pier. Jim jumps out of the truck and lets it continue into the water. He stares out as it sinks.

Ace Chemicals

Jeremiah - this ends tonight

No - now it begins

Bruce and Jeremiah fight. Bruce gets the best of Jeremiah, who lies on the ground. For a man who just got a beating, Jeremiah is making some distinctly unpained noises, and repeatedly asking Bruce

Do you feel it? The connection between us? You do - don't you? Bruce - you feel it, tell me you feel it

There’s lots of panting and straddling and… yes. It’s not exactly subtle.

Bruce leans into his face

You mean nothing to me

Jeremiah rises up and head butts him

Why don't you understand?

He presses Bruce against the railing, which we see is broken on one side.

You need me. I’m the answer to your life's question. Without me, you’re just…. a, a joke

He looks anguished

Without a punchline

He swings punch. Bruce dodges it, which means Jeremiah pitches towards the broken railing. It can’t take his weight, and he topples through – into the vat of chemicals below.

Bruce looks over – staring into the vat as we hear horrible sizzling noises.

(An aside – it’s an interesting choice. Bruce didn’t intentionally push him over, nor was he given the chance to save him.)

Back at the pier, Jim stares at the now toxic water. I’m not sure that was better, Jim.

The library, where we see Ed. He has a visitor.

After all this time, you come to me for help. After allowing Strange to put a chip in my head. After selling me out to Gordon - and after naming a dog after me

Oswald purses his mouth.

First of all – I’m fond of that dog – I had Hugo save your life, and did you really think I didn’t have plan to save from Jim Gordon?

His face and expressions are over-exaggerated for that last one. He’s lying, and Ed knows it.

You always have an answer for everything

Oswald says they have been through all of this before. Fate has different plans for them.

Ed asks what the plans are. Oswald answers.

Haven't you realised yet that Gotham is a prison? It’s time we escaped

GCPD – where Jim stares out. Lee approaches. She heard the news about reunification being delayed for months, now. She tells Jim it could have been worse – but he stopped it. Jim comments that they’re right back where they started.

Lee asks what he was about to say to her when Tetch had them. Jim says he doesn’t know. He then adds that he would say what he said the last time they saw each other: he wishes he could go back and do things better.

Lee says that feels like a long time ago. Jim insists nothing has changed. Lee disagrees

But it has, Jim

Jim says it was a mistake. Ugh, Jim. Just ugh.

Lee asks him to put himself in her shoes. After all you said – a baby with Barbara, of all people

I mean, Lee just had a pretty serious affair with the man who had Jim unjustly sent to prison? Am I supposed to have forgotten that? Does it not count if there’s no pregnancy?

Jim looks down, and half-refers to what might have happened if they hadn’t lost their child. They should really steer clear of this. Gotham hasn’t got the chops to deal with a miscarriage storyline.

Jim asks Lee what she’s doing here. She says she doesn't know. He’s taken on so much, and she wants to be understanding – but he let her down. When? The whole Mario thing? Sofia? A one night stand with Barbara when he thought that she was dead?

Jim apologises again. He then asks what that means for them. She says she guesses they have to live with it. As she makes to leave, he reaches out to her arm to stop her. In a really weird moment, she turns and slaps him. What was that about? Was that scene supposed to have been played with simmering sexual tension, or something, so her reaction is based in adrenaline? If so – it hasn’t worked – because the scene was flat as a pancake, and the slap just seemed bizarre.

In generic romance plot fashion, the slap leads to a kiss. Who’d have thought it? I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Bruce and Selina stand at the beside of a scarred and bandaged Jeremiah. He apparently has no brain activity, and is no longer a threat. Bruce thanks her for coming to help him.

Selina looks down, and tells him that the night parents were killed – she should have done something.

Bruce looks tenderly at her and tells her she’s done enough. Selina looks down and smiles.

Oswald and Ed stride into City Hall

It’s not much, but it’s home

Barbara is sitting at his desk

I’ve been looking through your treasure trove – you’ve been a naughty boy

She tells him that she and Selina are going murder halfsies

She points her gun at Oswald – but can’t immediately pull the trigger.

Ed’s jaw drops

Oh my God. You're pregnant!

Oswald gapes. Barbara stares

How could possibly know that?

Ed gestures like it’s the most obvious thing ever

You’re glowing! He turns quickly to Oswald to reiterate it, she’s glowing.

Oswald hilariously squints at her.

Barbara re-aims

Adieu Owald.

Oswald tries to negotiate

Come with us!

I like how Oswald’s initial escape plan was very clearly just for him and his dog – and as people have found out about it, and as he’s realised he has no idea how to go about it, he’s gradually wound up having to let more people in on it. The submarine’s going to have to get bigger than planned. Ed’s going to want to bring Lucius. Selina will want to bring Bruce, who’ll want to bring Alfred.....

He acknowledges that he killed Tabitha – and that Barbara wants revenge, but she also doesn’t want to raise her child in a toxic warzone. And just like that, Oswald afforded more consideration for Barbara’s maternal instinct than Jim.

Barbara asks if they’ve found a way out. Ed brandishes the blueprints for a submarine that can track mines using sonar

Barbara asks where it is. Oswald eyes flit off round the room as he realises that this next part won’t sound good.

Ed pipes up

We have to build it

Barbara is not impressed.

Yeah - I’m gonna shoot you

Oswald squeezes his eyes closed – but Barbara still can’t pull the trigger. She stares in consternation at her hand

What is happening…?

Oswald opens his eyes, and gestures towards her bump

Perhaps…..?

Barbara snaps that it was a rhetorical question. She says she won’t shoot him for the sake of her child – but she’ll never forgive him

Oswald’s fine with this, and nods his head

I understand

Barbara’s exasperated with everything and leaves.

Oswald calls after her in an attempt to cement these new friendlier relations

So who's the lucky father?

Ed leans a little to the side to watch her go and presumably to hear her reply – but all they get is a

Shut up

General Observations

I want to be star of the show!

Kudos to CM – who is amazing here. It would be too easy to play Jeremiah as just flat-out villainous. But he’s not. Gotham dances around by using ‘best friend’ and ‘brother’, but – let’s be honest – neither of those remotely cover the jealousy he feels over Bruce seeing another man when he closes his eyes at night. Jeremiah is in love with Bruce. Desperately. He longs for connection. The way in which he expresses that is monstrous, twisted by the gas, but the need itself is human and recognisable. As such, he stays – on some level, at least – sympathetic.

Oswald

The idea that Oswald is desperate to leave the city because he suddenly feels it is a prison is way more believable than him feeling he’s conquered everything. Oswald’s stints in Arkham were hideously traumatising. Anything that feels like a prison is something he’ll want to escape immediately.

Barbara (and Jim, and Lee)

And then you have the nerve to tell me, you think that as a mother – I’m unfit. Well this is just a little Peyton Place, and you’re all Harper Valley Hypocrites

What a mess

Jim’s insinuation that Barbara is an unfit mother is low, lousy and rotten. No-one would say she’s squeaky clean, but barring Harper and Lucius – no-one is. Jim and Lee have three murders between them. He’s being a self-righteous hypocrite and is horribly lacking in any compassion or decency.

The show is longing to fall into its usual Madonna/Whore thing with Barbara and Lee – but in order to do this, it’s having to conveniently forget about what Lee got up to last season. Now – given that we remember this, having her fling lines around like Barbara, of all people when she spent last season having a pretty serious affair with Ed, who framed Jim and murder her friend, makes her seem like the worst kind of moral hypocrite.

Jim and Lee

I am what would be termed ‘old fandom’. I am used to my preferred pairings living exclusively in fanfic. I have no expectation of seeing them become canon. I don’t harass creators online for them to become canon. I don’t claim they should become a ship because they’re somehow more morally worthy than other ships. I’m happy to watch canon, and then toddle off to read and write fic about them, as well as indulging in meta.

As such, while I ship Gobblepot – I’ve said, for a couple of seasons now, that Jim and Lee are likely endgame. I was surprised they weren’t back together at the end of season three. The show is insistent that Barbara’s not morally retrievable as a romantic interest at this point. At the same time – they’re big on designated romance: Jim has to be in a relationship. This is par for the course, and not something that especially bothers me. Like I said – this is why we have fanfic.

But wow – the execution is just so bad. We’re given thin reasons to mesh their plotlines, which also have the knock-on effect of temporarily dumping Harvey and Lucius out of the story. The past is retconned to create a partnership: Alfred is Bruce’s second father figure, not Jim – and he barely knows Lee. A chunk of Lee’s characterisation – her fascination with darkness – has been cut out and binned. A whole mess of unresolved issues have been swept under the carpet.

The scene wrapping it up was pretty execrable, to be honest. Aside from being flat as a pancake, it consisted almost entirely of some very generic questions answered with a variety of ‘don’t knows’. Why are you here? What were you going to say to me? What does this mean for us? Neither seemed entirely sure – then we wrapped up with a confusing slap and a compulsory kiss lifted from any generic romance you care to name.

If you put to the side the fact that it’s cute because the actors are married in rl – the in-universe foundation for this is non-existent at this point. They could write it as two traumatised people in a harsh situation finding some comfort in familiarity, trying to recreate a simpler time in the past when they were happier with themselves - which would be interesting and emotionally-engaging, but they’re determined to sell it as a grand passionate romance that’s written in the stars, and that’s where it falls down. It just feels so perfunctory. And it’s particularly glaring when it’s juxtaposed here with the tight-knit and complicated and tender relationship Bruce has with Selina, or Jeremiah’s frighteningly intense passion for Bruce.

More interesting than wherever they take that next week will be how Bruce deals with the aftermath of all that’s happened, and the building of a rapidly-expanding submarine.

Thoughts?

#gotham commentary #gotham s5e07 #ace chemicals

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