And while Gotham Citys stringent police chief is locked up raving in Arkham, an opportunity presents itself.
Penguin hosts a meeting of the five families at the mansion and proposes a steep increase in protection fees.
Meanwhile, Lee and Mario are determined to go about the business of getting married.
Credit: Fox
They have a pre-rehearsal tasting with Carmine at a restaurant operated by a former associate of the don.
Later, the valet goes to pull Mr. Falcones car around and the vehicle explodes.
Fortunately no one is killed, but that was certainly the bombers intention.
Jim has some questions for Falcone; all related to Lees safety.
He fears that the attempted hit is a sign that Carmine is back in business, so to speak.
The retired crime boss says hes not and that the attack was probably provoked by an old disagreement.
Jim pleads with Carmine not to retaliate.
Whatever this war is, if it escalates, Lee will certainly be in more danger.
Carmine grants Gordon one day before he does things his own way.
Its professional stuff a military grade explosive, not some clumsy homemade bomb.
Bullock instantly thinks of a skilled ex-soldier gone bad.
But when he and Gordon arrive at Fuses apartment, the man is already dead.
They all had it wrong.
Mario is in the crosshairs, not his father.
Plan A: bomb placed in car.
Plan B: machete-wielding motorcyclists attack busy hospital courtyard.
Mario tucks and rolls, evading the assassins; Jim shoots at them until they drive away.
Mario claims to have no idea who these people are nor why anyone would want him dead.
Mario refuses to take Jims advice out of pride.
Youd like that, wouldnt you?
he says, like Gordon invented this whole scenario to postpone Lees wedding a week or two.
Jim tells Bullock to keep a discreet eye on Mario (Dont look at him!)
while he goes to see the mans father.
Carmine also is at a loss for motive.
My son is the most decent person Ive ever known, he says to Jim.
Hes not like us.
Jim doesnt buy it.
Hes also stewing about Selina denying their romantic whatever in front of Ivy.
Its the image of an owl, and Alfred and Bruce know immediately who the key belongs to.
NEXT: Putting a pin in it
It doesnt take long for Ivys friends to find her.
They seek the key for revenge.
Bruce holds up the key theyre desperate for and suggests an alliance.
Bullock had one job, but he wasnt able to keep Mario at the GCPD like his partner asked.
The motorcycle bandits arrive right on cue, driving straight into the showroom.
The assassin tells his target that Mario knows why hes being hunted.
And his first, do no harm oath flies right out the window as Mario chokes the man out.
Neither Mario nor his father claim to recognize the surviving assassin.
And their interrogation time is cut short when a mysterious call orders the man transferred to a federal facility.
Someone is exercising their influence to get this man out of the GCPD, and its not Falcone.
As Falcone clearly expected, its branded with the symbol of the Court.
Most of Gothams underground doesnt know that their actions are being directed and anticipated by an ancient secret society.
They think they are their own masters, and thats a part of Kathryns plan.
Barbara is beyond annoyed at still being out of that loop.
She interrupts Penguins meeting to demand to know where Butch and Tabitha are.
But shes been missing her nightly check-ins with Babs, and thats a bad sign.
Oswald calls Ed to tell him that Tabitha and Butchs absence hasnt gone unnoticed.
Hes trying to be understanding of Eds grieving process, but he really needs to hurry the hell up.
NEXT: Girl talk
Barbara shows up later to have a little girl talk with Oswalds household help.
She bribes the housekeeper with her cocktail ring and asks Olga whats shes heard.
The woman describes her fondness for Oswald and her belief that he can do better than Edward Nygma.
Babs notes that interesting piece of information.
(Wait, you mean like-likes?
Well, we should definitely revisit that another time.)
But thats not what she came for.
Olga tells Barbara about a special delivery Ed was expecting and shows her the bill of sale.
Babs pays the BDSM store a little visit and coaxes its poor, unsuspecting manager into some recreational stocks.
(Do you like role-playing, Todd?
She leaves him there, walking out with the delivery address of Eds order.
Butch insists that hes never heard of an Isabella, but thats what hewouldsay, right?
Nygma proudly presents his set-up anyway.
Tabithas wrist will be held in place by the guillotine while she grasps a rig in her hand.
If she doesnt push the button, the blade will drop and shell lose her hand.
But Butch will live.
As Nygma giggles, Tabitha tells Butch shes not really in a love place with him at the moment.
But maybe Butch isnt as clueless about her nature as he always seemed to be.
Tabby, baby, the last few weeks have been the best of my life, he says.
And its okay you dont love me cause I love you.
And for a guy like me, thats enough.
Butchs declaration puts his love in sharp contrast to Oswalds.
Oswald isnt so easily satisfied.
He needs to be requited and validated, even if he has to break Eds heart to get there.
Butch thinks hes going out, so he screams at Nygma that yeah, he killed that girl.
He shot her, in fact.
But Butchs speech got through to Tabitha.
Hey Butch, she says, looking over him.
Babs arrives in the aftermath.
At the hospital, Barbara puts together the misunderstanding that led to Tabithas injury.
The look of realization on Barbaras face is delicious as she realizes she has leverage of the best kind.
Everything he did to keep Mario safe, he did for Lee.
Bullock knows this, and tells his partner that hes not protecting Lee by keeping his secret.
The night of her rehearsal dinner, Lee shows up on Jims doorstep.
But Jim isnt going to be that guy.
He tells her sincerely that all he wants is for Lee to be happy, whoever thats with.
Why does it feel like we keep saying goodbye?
Maybe thats all we have left, Jim says.
She kisses him softly and leaves.
Mario watches Lee exit Gordons building and get into a waiting car.
She loves him, the whispers in his head insist.
Alices blood enhancing his jealousy, he takes out his aggression on some would-be muggers.
Jim is stepping back because he thinks that Lee deserves a better man than him.
But right now, shes in danger of marrying a monster.
Odds & Ends:
