‘Gotham’ 5×07 recap: Bruce and Jeremiah’s showdown leads to a super villain creation

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers from Gotham Season 5, Episode 7 titled “ACES Chemicals”. Do not read if you have not seen the episode or read ahead at your own risk.

Gotham‘s version of The Joker origin story lived up to the hype in Thursday night’s episode and it set up one epic future as the show nears its conclusion.

The episode begins with Jeremiah (Cameron Monaghan) wanting to recreate Bruce’s (David Mazouz) old life by bringing his parents “back to life” in order for them to be present for the night they were killed. This is already off to a very creepy start as a psychotic guy brings someone’s parents (or at least their lookalikes) to life. That’s the kind of weird I expect from this show, but it honestly blew my mind.

After leaving with this resurrected version of Bruce’s parents, Jeremiah sets explosives around Wayne Manor and is set to blow it high to the sky. But before he can do so, Bruce somehow breaks that trace that Alfred (Sean Pertwee) was still under the spell from last week’s episode, freeing his butler (is he still the butler at this point?) and friend.

Bruce’s nightmare of a night continues on to the alleyway where his parents were murdered but instead of finding the fake Thomas and Martha, he finds Jim (Ben McKenzie) and Lee (Morena Baccarin). Mad Hatter/Jervis Tetch (Benedict Samuel) helped Jeremiah drugged the pair, but it would break before they die so they would realize what happened. Fortunately, a changed-but-still-badass Selina (Camren Bicondova) comes in to save the day.

We learn Jeremiah’s plan was to release fireworks filled with the gas of Tetch’s new virus throughout Gotham to infect everyone. This meant Bruce had to chase Jeremiah to ACE Chemicals, where the biggest moment in show history thus far took place. At ACES Chemicals, Jeremiah tells Bruce he did all of this for him. The two scuffled and traded punches before Jeremiah fell into the toxic chemicals, recreating the iconic scene from the DC Comics. It was a great performance from Monaghan here as he truly conveyed the best Joker since the late Heath Ledger.

Jim comes through as he drives the truck filled with fireworks into the river before they go off, thus saving whoever is left in the city. Bruce reveals Jeremiah did not die but has no brain activity, so he is not a threat. However, judging by the leaked photos from the series finale, that is not going to last long.

Episode Notes:

• The other plot of the episode involves preggo Barbara (Erin Richards) tagging Lee as her OBGYN. She also puts forward plans to leave Gotham with Penguin and Riddler. I mean, she obviously wants a better life for future Batgirl, right?
• Speaking of Lee, she forgives Jim for getting Barbara pregnant. She takes it a step further as they get back together before a makeout session. Man Jim, two crazy girls in three weeks? Lucky guy!

What did you think of the episode? Let me know in the comments!

The final season of Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.