"Prisoners" is the sixteenth episode of the second season, and 38th episode overall from the
Fox
Foxes are small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammals belonging to several genera of the family Canidae. They have a flattened skull, upright, triangular ears, a pointed, slightly upturned snout, and a long bushy tail (or ''brush'').
Twelve sp ...
series ''
Gotham''. The episode was written by executive producer
Danny Cannon
Daniel John Cannon (born 5 October 1968) is a British film and television producer, director and writer, known for executive producing the 15-season show ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' series franchise (and directed multiple episodes inclu ...
and directed by
Scott White. It was first broadcast on March 28, 2016. In the episode, Gordon is sent to prison after being framed by Nygma into the murder of Theo Galavan and Carl Pinkney. Meanwhile, Cobblepot continues to bond with his father while his stepmother and step-siblings plan to kill him. This episode also has the fewest cast members as only
Ben McKenzie
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan (born September 12, 1978) is an American actor and commentator. He is best known for his starring television roles as Ryan Atwood on the teen drama '' The O.C.'' (2003–2007), Ben Sherman on the crime drama '' Southl ...
,
Donal Logue
Donal Francis Logue (born February 27, 1966) is a Canadian actor. He starred in the film '' The Tao of Steve'' and has had roles in the TV series ''Sons of Anarchy'', ''Vikings'', ''Grounded for Life'', ''Copper'', '' Terriers'', and, as Detecti ...
,
Robin Lord Taylor
Robin Lord Taylor (born June 4, 1978) is an American film and television actor and director, known for his role as Oswald Cobblepot in the Fox TV series '' Gotham'', as well as ''Accepted'' (2006), ''Another Earth'' (2011), ''Would You Rather'' ...
and
Cory Michael Smith
Cory Michael Smith (born November 14, 1986) is an American actor, known for his role as Edward Nygma / The Riddler in the Fox television drama series '' Gotham''. He appeared in '' Camp X-Ray'' in 2014. He appeared in 2013 in '' Breakfast at ...
appear.
The episode received positive reviews with critics praising Reubens' chemistry with Taylor and the episode's comparison to ''
The Shawshank Redemption
''The Shawshank Redemption'' is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella ''Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption''. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), w ...
''.
Plot
Weeks after the previous episode, Gordon (
Ben McKenzie
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan (born September 12, 1978) is an American actor and commentator. He is best known for his starring television roles as Ryan Atwood on the teen drama '' The O.C.'' (2003–2007), Ben Sherman on the crime drama '' Southl ...
) is adjusting to life in
Blackgate Penitentiary
This page list the locations in the DC Universe, the shared universe setting of DC Comics.
Sites
* the Arrowcave – The former base of operations of the Green Arrow and Speedy.
* Avernus Cemetery – A burial ground located in Central City fo ...
after being framed by Nygma (
Cory Michael Smith
Cory Michael Smith (born November 14, 1986) is an American actor, known for his role as Edward Nygma / The Riddler in the Fox television drama series '' Gotham''. He appeared in '' Camp X-Ray'' in 2014. He appeared in 2013 in '' Breakfast at ...
), following the same routine every day. Warden Carlson Grey (
Ned Bellamy
Ned Bellamy (born May 7, 1957) is an American actor.
Early life and education
Bellamy was educated at UCLA. His brother, Mark Bellamy, was the United States Ambassador to Kenya from 2003 until 2006.
Career
After graduating from UCLA, Bellamy ...
) announces to Gordon that he will be transferred to a new section, dubbed "the World's End", by the prison population, without protective custody, and with many of the criminals Gordon arrested sent there; all part of a plan by Warden Grey, a friend of former Commissioner Loeb, to kill Gordon. Gordon is constantly aided by guard Wilson Bishop (Marc Damon Johnson).
During a visit from Bullock (
Donal Logue
Donal Francis Logue (born February 27, 1966) is a Canadian actor. He starred in the film '' The Tao of Steve'' and has had roles in the TV series ''Sons of Anarchy'', ''Vikings'', ''Grounded for Life'', ''Copper'', '' Terriers'', and, as Detecti ...
), Gordon is told that Lee (
Morena Baccarin) has lost their baby and laid low. Gordon is further attacked by inmates led by Henry Weaver (Christian Frazier) while defended by convict Peter "Puck" Davies (
Peter Mark Kendall). Weaver then has his henchmen beat Puck and send him to the infirmary. Puck later reveals that Gordon saved his younger sister in "Selina Kyle," and that Puck himself was arrested for stealing a car to meet his girlfriend. In a desperate attempt to save Gordon, Bullock meets with Carmine Falcone (
John Doman
John Doman (born January 9, 1945) is an American actor best known for playing Maryland State Police Superintendent, Deputy Police Commissioner and Major William Rawls on HBO series ''The Wire'' (2002–2008), Colonel Edward Galson on '' Oz'' (2 ...
). During a movie showing in the penitentiary, Weaver sits behind Gordon and readies a knife to stab him, but a different inmate intervenes and seemingly stabs Gordon multiple times instead. Soon after the attack, Gordon is pronounced dead. Gordon's corpse is wheeled outside Blackgate, where his death is revealed as a ruse by Bishop and Bullock. He returns to retrieve Puck, when he's confronted by Grey who is knocked unconscious by Bishop.
Meanwhile, Cobblepot (
Robin Lord Taylor
Robin Lord Taylor (born June 4, 1978) is an American film and television actor and director, known for his role as Oswald Cobblepot in the Fox TV series '' Gotham'', as well as ''Accepted'' (2006), ''Another Earth'' (2011), ''Would You Rather'' ...
) continues adapting to his new lifestyle with his father (
Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens (; born Rubenfeld; August 27, 1952) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and children's entertainer. He is known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens joined the Los Angeles troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s, an ...
). During a night, Cobblepot reveals to Dahl about his criminal activities but Dahl seems understanding and explains he forgives him. It's revealed that Grace (
Melinda Clarke
Melinda Patrice "Mindy" Clarke (born April 24, 1969) is an American actress. Clarke is known for portraying Faith Taylor on the soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' (1989–1990), Julie Cooper on Fox's teen drama series '' The O.C.'' (2003–2007) ...
) has been avoiding giving Dahl his heart defect drugs. The next day, Grace tells Dahl about Cobblepot being a super villain called "the Penguin", but he doesn't change his mind about Oswald. Sasha (Kaley Ronayne) then tries to seduce Cobblepot, but he rejects her advances.
Dahl collapses in his house and is told by the doctor that his heart defect is infected and given little time to live. Upset that Cobblepot may receive what they perceive to be "their" inheritance, Grace, Sasha and Charles (Justin Mark) poison a drink for Cobblepot to ingest. Later, after Dahl states his intention to change his will in Cobblepot's favor, he drinks from the bottle and dies in Cobblepot's arms, reminiscent of his mother's death. Grace is shocked when she discovers Dahl accidentally drank from the bottle.
Bullock, Gordon and Puck reunite with Falcone on a bridge outside Gotham. Gordon is given a safe house in Gotham so he can clear his name and find Lee. However, Puck succumbs to his earlier injuries, much to Gordon's shock.
Production
Development
In March 2016, it was announced that the sixteenth episode of the season would be titled "Prisoners", and was to be written by
Danny Cannon
Daniel John Cannon (born 5 October 1968) is a British film and television producer, director and writer, known for executive producing the 15-season show ''CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' series franchise (and directed multiple episodes inclu ...
, with
Scott White directing.
Casting
David Mazouz
David Albert Mazouz (; born ) is an American actor. He is best known for his leading role as Bruce Wayne in Fox's Batman-prequel TV drama '' Gotham'' (2014–2019). Mazouz started his acting career with several guest roles before joining the Fo ...
,
Morena Baccarin,
Sean Pertwee
Sean Carl Roland Pertwee''England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1916–2007'' (born 4 June 1964) is an English actor, narrator and producer with an extensive career since the 1980s in television and cinema productions.
He is known ...
,
Erin Richards
Erin Richards is a Welsh actress, director and writer, best known for playing Molly Hughes in the television series '' Breaking In'' and Barbara Kean in the television series '' Gotham''.
Life and career
Richards was born in Penarth, Wales ...
,
Camren Bicondova
Camren Renee Bicondova (born May 22, 1999) is an American actress and dancer. She is best known for her role as Selina Kyle / Catwoman on the Fox television crime-drama '' Gotham'' (2014–2019).
Life and career
Bicondova was born in San D ...
,
James Frain
James Dominic Frain is an English stage and screen actor. His best known television roles include Thomas Cromwell in the Showtime/ CBC historical drama ''The Tudors'' (2007–2009), Franklin Mott in the HBO drama ''True Blood'' (2010), Warwi ...
,
Jessica Lucas
Jessica Lucas (born September 24, 1985) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her roles in television, such as '' Edgemont'', ''Melrose Place'', ''Cult'', and '' Gotham'', and in the films '' The Covenant'', ''Cloverfield'' and the 2013 ''Evi ...
,
Chris Chalk
Christopher Eugene Chalk (born December 7, 1977) is an American actor.
Early life
Born in Asheville, North Carolina, studied at Asheville High School and graduated in 1996 and went to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Career
Chalk ...
,
Drew Powell
Andrew Powell (born January 19, 1976) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Hoss Cartwright on the PAX series '' Ponderosa'', Cadet Drew on ''Malcolm in the Middle'', and Butch Gilzean/Cyrus Gold/Solomon Grundy, a series regula ...
,
Nicholas D'Agosto
Nicholas D'Agosto (born April 17, 1980) is an American actor, best known for featuring in ''Final Destination 5'', '' Heroes'' and ''The Office''. He starred in the Showtime series ''Masters of Sex'' and the Fox series '' Gotham''.
Early li ...
, and
Michael Chiklis
Michael Charles Chiklis ( born August 30, 1963) is an American actor, television director, television producer and musician. He is best known for his role as Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Vic Mackey on the FX police drama ''The S ...
don't appear in the episode as their respective characters. This makes it the episode with the fewer cast members as only four main characters appear in the episode. In March 2016, it was announced that the guest cast for the episode would include
John Doman
John Doman (born January 9, 1945) is an American actor best known for playing Maryland State Police Superintendent, Deputy Police Commissioner and Major William Rawls on HBO series ''The Wire'' (2002–2008), Colonel Edward Galson on '' Oz'' (2 ...
as Carmine Falcone,
Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens (; born Rubenfeld; August 27, 1952) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer, and children's entertainer. He is known for his character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens joined the Los Angeles troupe The Groundlings in the 1970s, an ...
as Elijah Van Dahl,
Melinda Clarke
Melinda Patrice "Mindy" Clarke (born April 24, 1969) is an American actress. Clarke is known for portraying Faith Taylor on the soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' (1989–1990), Julie Cooper on Fox's teen drama series '' The O.C.'' (2003–2007) ...
as Grace Van Dahl, Kaley Ronayne as Sasha Van Dahl, Justin Mark as Charles Van Dahl,
Ned Bellamy
Ned Bellamy (born May 7, 1957) is an American actor.
Early life and education
Bellamy was educated at UCLA. His brother, Mark Bellamy, was the United States Ambassador to Kenya from 2003 until 2006.
Career
After graduating from UCLA, Bellamy ...
as Warden Carlson Grey, Peter Mark Kendall as Peter "Puck" Davies, Marc Damon Johnson as Wilson Bishop and Christian Frazier as Henry Weaver.
Reception
Viewers
The episode was watched by 3.82 million viewers with a 1.3/5 share among adults aged 18 to 49.
This was a 2% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 3.89 million viewers.
With this ratings, ''Gotham'' ranked first for FOX, beating ''
Lucifer
Lucifer is one of various figures in folklore associated with the planet Venus. The entity's name was subsequently absorbed into Christianity as a name for the devil. Modern scholarship generally translates the term in the relevant Bible passa ...
'', fourth on its timeslot and sixth for the night on the 18-49 demographics, behind ''
Blindspot'', ''
Scorpion
Scorpions are predatory arachnids of the order Scorpiones. They have eight legs, and are easily recognized by a pair of grasping pincers and a narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back and always en ...
'', ''
Supergirl
Supergirl is the name of several fictional superheroines appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The original, current, and most well known Supergirl is Kara Zor-El, the cousin of superhero Superman. The character made her fir ...
'', ''
Dancing with the Stars'', and ''
The Voice
The Voice may refer to:
Fictional entities
* The Voice or Presence, a fictional representation of God in DC Comics
* The Voice (''Dune''), a fictional ability in the ''Dune'' universe
* The Voice, a character in the American TV series ''Cleo ...
''. It was also the 24th most watched of the week in the 18-49 demographics and the 54th most watched overall in the week.
With Live+7 DVR viewing factored in, the episode had an overall rating of 5.72 million viewers, and a 2.1 in the 18–49 demographic.
Critical reviews
"Wrath of the Villains: Prisoners" received positive reviews from critics. The episode received a rating of 91% with an average score of 7.3 out of 10 on the review aggregator
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...
.
Matt Fowler of
IGN
''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
gave the episode an "okay" 6.8 out of 10 and wrote in his verdict, "'Prisoners' primarily focused on Gordon and Penguin's separate stories, heaping on an impressive amount of misery while also giving us a languid episode full of predictable beats."
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
's Kyle Fowle gave the episode a "B−" grade and wrote, "Relatively speaking, 'Wrath Of The Villains: Prisoners' is one of the more memorable — Note: memorable ≠ good — episodes of ''Gotham'' in recent memory because it isn't bogged down by all that canon superhero stuff. I've mentioned before that the show is usually too overstuffed with characters, most of whom don't even have a meaningful or engaging arc going on, to really focus in on a single story and make it have an impact. Dramatic stakes get lost in the continuous shuffle of villains and crooked cops, and the ever-shifting morality of Jim Gordon. Without those dramatic stakes ''Gotham'' ends up feeling like a parade of villains with no staying power, meaning that there's no tension to the season-long narrative, meaning that there's hardly a reason to tune in every week."
Andy Behbakht of
TV Overmind gave the series a star rating of 4 out of 5, writing "Overall, despite my issue with how fast they ended the Cobblepot reunion, 'Prisoners' was a solid episode. It gave both Oswald and Gordon a lot of screentime as they have sort of taken a backseat since Hugo Strange and Mr. Freeze's introductions in the past few weeks."
Robert Yaniz, Jr., writing for ''ScreenRant'' also praised the episode: "The 'Wrath of the Villains' storyline continues to unfold on ''Gotham'', but unlike the game-changing events that took place last week, the new episode is more concerned with developing those established storylines – rather than introducing yet another future member of Batman's rogues gallery. In many ways, this one feels like a return to the season 1 dual focus on the contrasting journeys of both Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). With Gordon and Penguin as the sole focal points this week, there wasn't room for a whole lot else. The show's other major figurehead, David Mazouz's young Bruce Wayne, was nowhere to be found, as was recurring baddie Hugo Strange (B.D. Wong). However, this episode almost undoubtedly will be followed by a string of episodes that see the former continuing his criminal education and the latter kicking off his reanimation project with help from Mr. Freeze. That being said, one of the most interesting aspects of recent episodes has been the shift in Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) into full-on Riddler mode. It's an evolution that will likely be largely completed by season's end – and one that longtime fans of ''Gotham'' likely can't wait to finally see come to fruition."
Keertana Sastry of ''
EW'' stated: "Monday night's episode of ''Gotham'' may have been titled 'Prisoners,' but really it should be called 'Jim Gordon and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.' Because not only did Gordon have to tolerate several weeks at Blackgate, but he also encountered a corrupt warden, all kinds of violence, and bad news after bad news about his loved ones and friends."
Karmen Fox from ''
The Baltimore Sun
''The Baltimore Sun'' is the largest general-circulation daily newspaper based in the U.S. state of Maryland and provides coverage of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries.
Founded in 1837, it is currently owned by T ...
'' wrote positively about the episode, stating: "Was the doomed sidekick/heroic sacrifice trope necessary to help lift the guilt-ridden Jim's spirits so he could escape prison? Sure. Could the prison escape have been less over the top, without Jim running back into the infirmary to rescue Puck? Yes. Yes, please. In spite of all the schmaltziness, the episode wraps up nicely with the sun rising over ''Gotham''s skyline. It echoed Elijah's optimistic advice to Penguin: 'The sun will come up tomorrow'. With a new day breaking, will Jim find Leigh? How will he prove his innocence? We're not sure, but at least he's not in the World’s End."
Lisa Babick from ''TV Fanatic'', gave a 4.0 star rating out of 5, stating: "Really, ''Gotham''? How long are you going to add drama to the drama of Jim's tortured soul? There are no redeeming qualities to Jim Gordon. Forget about him saving Gotham City. He'll be lucky if he can save himself. Yes, I get the whole point of Jim's overblown drama this hour, but it still doesn't make it any less infuriating. So, Puck had to die and Lee's baby had to die just so the story could move forward, and Jim could have some new anger with which to wrap his pathetic life around? Whatever."
References
External links
*
{{Gotham
Gotham season 2 episodes
2016 American television episodes