But his perspective on the job has changed.
Jim Gordon is a cop again, and something tells me this time, itll stick.
Canon tells me that.)
Credit: Nicole Rivelli/Fox
Hes about to have his hands full, however.
Barness rage spins out of control and Paulie sees the blood lust in his eyes.
He begs to be arrested and confesses that hes working for some guy named Toad.
Just take me in, okay?
he pleads, as Barnes bears down on him.
Not tonight, Barnes growls.
This wasnt just business, Gordon assesses.
Gordon is still living out the aftermath of that.
Theyre friendly and civil when Gordon makes his first visit down to the M.E.s office.
Theyre so polite that it hurts.
But Lee is proud of Gordon for coming back to the job and says as much.
Once a cop, always a cop, he tells her.
For better or for worse, this is where I belong.
When the detectives balk at that, Barnes lays down the law.
I give you an order and you follow it, he says.
That lead takes him to a dive bar where the Toad hangs out.
Cops dont scare him.
Toad knows the system and its flaws.
Barnes cant deal with the arrogance.
He throws Toad onto a pool table and holds a broken bottle to his cheek.
Toad tells him that hes just another middle man.
Toad leads Barnes to Symon in the knick of time.
The good doctor has a body on his table one with supple, valuable skin.
Guilty, the voices whisper to Barnes.
Theres a witness though, so he has no choice but to take Symon in.
Symons arrogance wasnt unfounded.
Bullock and Gordon head to the soiree sans invitations.
Symon is on Carmine Falcones extended guest list for the party celebrating his son and future daughter-in-law.
He may be retired, but he still sees to his former associates.
Its too late when the newly reunited partners get there.
Barnes has cornered Symon in the mens room, and the voices are hissing over each other.
Its a cacophony composed of one repeated word: a verdict.
Like Jervis Tetch promised, the virus has cleared his mind.
Now Barnes can see that all of Gotham is guilty of birthing and harboring hoodlums and felons.
The system has failed and a new law must prevail.
I am judge, jury, and executioner, he snarls.
He shoves Symon through the wall and out into the night.
But Symon doesnt die on impact.
He lives at least long enough to answer Gordon when he ask whos done this to him.
It also underlines the divide between the old and new guard of Gothams underworld.
Notice that the mayor and his staff were not invited.
Isabella and Ed have eased into an intimate romance and all the surprise breakfasts that one entails.
Oswald is only too happy to provide Ed support during their break-up.
(Youre smiling.)
Ed puts the Dear John task in Oswalds hands.
But Isabella isnt easily stamped.
She reads Oswald like one of her books.
He loves me and I love him.
Do you know how rare that is, Mr. Mayor?
she asks, after he tries to give her the boot.
Of course you do.
Because you love him, too.
I can see it.
Im not even jealous.
Shes not going anywhere.
Instead of bowing out, Isabella dares Ed to regress by giving herself a Kringle makeover.
She offers herself to him like that, and the combination of vulnerability and brazenness does the trick.
But Oswalds love is possessive and it never learned to share.
One of his employees cuts Isabellas brakes.
And if the train really met her car, thats two Nygma girlfriendsGothamhas fridged.
Odds & Ends:
