The penultimate episode places Gotham on the brink of hysteria as the evasive figure previewed all season finally comes out from the shadows. As the city prepares to host the World’s Fair, viewers watch Hattie Tetch describe what the occasion means for the city. It’s an opportunity for Gotham City to elevate on a global stage as a place of hope, innovation and progress. But Hattie’s message is interrupted by a laughing fit.
Panic ensues as four thugs enter the live-recording with guns blazing. Tetch laughs herself to death as a ghastly figure occupies her chair. The Joker has arrived with an ultimatum: in three hours, he will murder Mayor Jessop and eventually, “all of you will die before the dawn.” The live feed dies as Batman races to the studio, but the assailant escapes.
The city on lockdown, Commissioner Gordon assigns Montoya to steer the mayor to a safe house. But Jessop overrules Gordon, entrusting his life in the hands of Flass. Bullock begs Flass to add him to the team, claiming he’s earned it. But Flass rejects him, stating it’s not about what’s earned, but how much one can take.
Meanwhile, Batman deduces Joker is utilizing Riddler’s men, and heads to Stumpers. He fights off the goons and grabs the seated culprit, only to discover an imposter. Soon, Batman is surrounded by laughter as the henchmen collapse dead. Suddenly, the phone rings and Batman speaks with the serial killer. As chaos erupts throughout the streets, the Joker monologues how Gotham is defended by corruption, cowardice and incompetence. He promises to bring it all to heel. Batman realizes Jessop isn’t safe.
With five minutes on the clock, we see Flass and Jessop held up at Miss Kitty’s Massage Parlor when they hear commotion outside. Thinking it’s the assassins, they’re even more confused to find Batman burst through the wall. Flass battles the Bat, ignoring his warnings until its too late. There’s nothing either can do when Jessop’s frantic worrying turns into uncontrollable laughter until he expires on the bed.
The Joker succeeds in his mission, right down to the very minute Jessop would croak. Batman recognizes the amount of planning this had to take, and it isn’t over yet. Back at the morgue, Tetch and other victims suddenly rise, laughing toxic gas from their mouths. The smoke spreads through GCPD’s HQ, transforming innocent bystanders into laughing fools.
We then see Batman and Pennyworth attempt to examine Thorne’s body in the Bat Cave when he, too, returns to life. The smoke clouds Pennyworth’s face revealing a laughing monstrosity.
Episode 9 is a thrilling introduction to this Joker’s method of madness, bent on unraveling the broken systems meant to protect us. Matthew Needham’s approach to the maniacal jester maintains his calculated deviance. But the camp made famous by the likes of other performers, mainly Mark Hamill or Jack Nicholson, is replaced by a sinister cool. A much more haunting calm that’s equally alarming.
Again, we see fear weaponized to orchestrate pure and utter chaos, revealing the allusion of public safety, law, order and justice. The same surveyors of said systems that preach morality and goodwill, operate in complete opposition of these societal truths all to remain in power. Ironically, we’re witnessing the same masks fall as the bastions of these democratic systems bastardize the rules to covet as much power as possible. Only difference is we don’t have a Batman willing to do what others can’t.
Rating: 10/10
