Gotham 5x10 : I Am Bane review

Be warned there will be *SPOILERS* involved in this review. With that being said let's get into it.

The third last episode of Gotham arrives and it begins with the creation of Bane. Eduardo who we last saw with a giant spike driven through his chest by Gordon in a fight is this show's version of the character. And while it differs from the comics and movies it does stay pretty faithful to the source material. Hugo Strange and Walker are present as the transformation from Eduardo to Bane begins. We hear Walker say Bane over and over again as Eduardo drifts off before being brought back by a substance entering his blood stream. They don't say what it's called but let's just assume it's Venom. Bane's eyes turn red and his breathing gets heavy as one of Batman's greatest ever foes is created. Back at the GCPD Harvey walks into Gordon's office and tells him that the military and their general are on route to Gotham and will assess the situation before decided to declare Gotham a safe place. They do arrive and outside of the main GCPD building the general gives Gotham the all clear. That isn't the best news that Gordon has just gotten however as seconds before Lee calls him up. Turns out that Barbara is in labor and will have her baby at any time. Gordon says he'll be there as soon as he can but of course things don't go as planned. As not moments after Gotham gets declared a safe zone again a truck pulls into the scene. With Tear Gas thrown into the area we see various soldiers get out of the truck before a fully suited up Bane jumps out. Right away he steps into frame and Gordon sees him. Jim calls out Eduardo's name to which he responds with ''not anymore'' before shooting both Gordon and Bruce with a dart in the neck. Bane's voice is just so brilliant. It's so calming to listening to which may seem like an odd thing to say since he's literally just a killing machine but it's very soothing in a way. 

At an abandoned house we see Gordon wake up. Him and Bane talk a bit before Bruce is brought into the room bound to a chair like Gordon. Walker soon walks in and says that he is doing all of this to Gotham to punish it for the sins of Bruce Wayne. She has Bane pummel Jim in front of Bruce while she calls out for a name of someone he has taken from her. And it was obvious at this point that she is one of Ra's Al Ghul's daughters. Bruce seems distant for a moment and says he doesn't know. This leads to Bane continuously beating on Gordon which only angers Bruce more. He takes a breath and finally says the name..Ra's Al Ghul. Turns out that Walker is indeed a daughter of The Demon. She is Nyssa Al Ghul which surprised me at first as I thought she would be Talia but Nyssa works better as Talia would be the same age as Bruce during this time period. Nyssa wants Bruce to pay for killing her father but also mentions how he literally had a helping hand in doing so. And we're brought back to season 4's ending where Bruce and Barbara killed Ra's. This leads to Nyssa sending Bane to the hospital where Lee, Penguin, Riddler and a very close to giving birth Barbara are. Gordon says he will destroy everything Nyssa has if Bane even touches the child. Nyssa has Gordon taken away by soldiers to Hugo Strange who wants to inject him with the same stuff he pumped into Eduardo. Bruce is left with Nyssa who says that her ultimate plan is to completely destroy Gotham with the help of the military. This reminded me of Protocol 10 in the Arkham City game where Hugo Strange planned to level Gotham so he could rise to power. Bruce manages to break free from his bindings with the help of fire, Jim gets a little help from the small dose injected into him and breaks free. The military general is also being kept by Strange but Gordon and Bruce save him also. But as the camera pans away we see that his eyes white out much like Lee and Riddler earlier in the season. And as we know they were being controlled by a chip in their heads. 

The episode draws to a close as Bane continues his pursuit of Barbara but gets slowed down a bit by Penguin and Riddler who come up with all manner of ways to slow the demented guy down. Barbara and Lee run through the hospital all while Barbara is shooting various soldiers from her wheelchair which Lee is wheeling around in a truly brilliant scene. It's cheesey but so, so good. On the outside Barbara says it's time and a few minutes later gives birth to a baby girl. As we know this little girl will grow up to be Barbara Gordon. Who becomes Batgirl, and then Oracle after Joker destroys her spine. But it doesn't end there for Barbara and Lee as Bane shows up to spoil the fun. Selina and Alfred show up and let Lee and Barbara get away in their car. They are going to take on Bane (silly idea really) and it proves to be as Bane literally destroys them. Seemingly looks like he broke Alfred's back as he threw him against a wall. The last we see of him is with Selina by his side who is calling for help. Back at the main military base we see Gordon, Bruce and the General walk into the room. Harvey is there too and tells Jim of the good news. He is a father. However Jim's joy is short lived as the general orders Nyssa's plan into happening and on the outside we see various helicopters (like in Arkham City) bomb Gotham and leave in engulfed in flames. And that's where it ends. I genuinely loved this episode. Not only was Bane truly awesome which he was. But the reveal of it being Nyssa who was behind everything was really great even if a bit predictable. Barbara's rush through the hospital with Lee pushing her in a wheelchair was hilarious and epic and the inclusion of a future Barbara Gordon was sweet. Gotham now goes on break again (ugh!) and returns on April 18th for it's final two episodes. Until then Gotham!

★★★★