02x21 - A Legion of Horribles

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Gotham...

Bullock: We got a warrant to search his office and everything in it.

Strange: I'm just not sure there's much more to see.

We're on to you. Dead people come here, and monsters come out.

Rule number one: Look after number one. Don't be crazy, or you're get yourself k*lled.

It's nice to have someone who cares about me.

Thank you.

Nygma: Why do they keep disappearing down that hallway?

Oh, my...

Lucius: Look at the man next to your father.

Bruce: Hugo Strange. "The Philosopher."

A friend. Someone he trusted.

That's not fair.

That's not right.

Bruce: Have you seen the news?

Selina: Walking zombies in Gotham?

What's new?

Victor Fries and Theo Galavan both went to Arkham as dead men.

Both returned.

I don't care.

So did your friend Bridgit.

Bridgit Pike!

Selina: Wait... they sent her to Arkham?

Bruce: The only way we're ever going to find out what's really going on in there is if we break in ourselves.

Selina: But I go alone.

Whoa.

Holy crap!

Forensic guy?

Street trash girl?

Where is Strange right now?

Nygma: There's no one that could.

I'll tell you where it is.

(groaning)

(electrical crackling)

(gags, coughs)

Ah! Ah!

(laughs)

(laughing)

Freeze!

(fierce barking)

Bridgit?

My name's...

Firefly.

The sooner you stop moving, the sooner this will be over.

Thanks.

No thanks.

Firefly: You can't escape.

(yells)

Strange (over speaker): Enjoy yourself, Firefly.

You should feel honored.

You are a sacrifice to the Goddess of Fire.

It's a blessing you receive.

(blow thuds)

(grunts)

(panting): Man, Bridgit... someone sure scrambled your eggs.

(distant sirens wailing)

(boat horn blowing, car horns blowing)

(pigeons cooing)

You're late, Selina.

I was starting to get worried.

I'm not late; I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Have you seen Selina?

No.

So... you're back to being a rich kid, huh?

Why does your face look like that?

Selina...

She's in trouble and it's my fault.

(helicopter whirring, horns honking and beeping)

Regarding last night's nocturnal activities, a suspect calling himself Azrael led a one-man as*ault upon Wayne Manor, whereupon an altercation ensued in which said suspect was blown up by a person or persons unknown.

So he's dead. Any questions?

Can you confirm that the man known as Azrael was in fact disgraced Mayor Galavan?

Well, seeing as how the suspect is now meat dust, a positive identification would be difficult.

How long are you Acting Captain?

Until, literally, the second someone else wants the job.

Who k*lled Galavan?

Which time?

Man! Give me Azrael, Galavan, or whoever the hell he was, over those jackals any day.

You need to bring in Hugo Strange.

Oh, yeah?

On what charge?

Since when do you care?

Since I became Acting Captain, the GCPD, and the whole damn city's got me under a microscope.

Besides which, we've been down this road.

Strange is smart. He'll have covered his tracks.

It's pointless going into Arkham unless we know what we're looking for.

We can't get that unless we go in there.

I hear you, brother, but my hands are tied.

Yeah? Well, mine aren't.

Well, enjoy it, 'cause that's a luxury I don't have.

Bruce: Detective Gordon.

I was hoping you'd be here.

Bruce, you've got to stop calling me detective.

What is it?

Selina.

Hugo Strange has Selina.

Regarding last night's nocturnal activities, the suspect, calling himself Azrael...

... lead a one-man as*ault upon Wayne Manor... whereupon an altercation ensued, upon which...

(phone line rings)

Man: Yes?

Strange is losing control.

We need to gather the court.

Yes, ma'am.

(distant boat horn blowing, bird cawing)

(electrical buzzing, crackling, man grunting)

(monitor beeping)

Nurse: We have a heartbeat.

He's waking up.

(monitor beep steadies and continues)

(gasps)

Oh!

Oh.

(gasping)

Look at me.

Good morning, son.

You're all right. I'm here.

Can you tell me who you are?

Can you tell me... your name?

Who am I?

What is my name?

(whimpering)

(laughing): Yeah.

Strange: Amazing.

(groaning)

The octopod DNA we introduced provides exactly the effect I was looking for.

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

Rest now, son.

I'll return momentarily to tell you who you are.

What happened to me?

That's the seventh subject you've woken up in the past 12 hours.

I assume he, like the others, has no memory of his previous life.

Yes, perhaps the trauma of rebirth is simply too much for the human mind to process.

You're not worried.

Should I be?

Professor, our employers are going to shut us down.

You must know this.

What I know is what we've accomplished.

We've woken the dead.

And yet, none have returned with their memory intact.

A tedious point.

What's more preferable than giving them personas that we design and control?

An argument lost on our employers, who care about one thing and one thing only.

You cannot order scientific discoveries the way you order a steak, Ethel.

Now... let's try Subject 13, shall we?

Alfred: How could you do this, Master Bruce?

I strictly forbid you from involving that little girl, didn't I?

I know... but Selina's always handled herself.

I-I was sure. But you were wrong, weren't you?

It's different if you choose to be involved in something like this, but you actively involved Selina Kyle.

You put your own concerns in front of that girl's safety.

You're bang out of order.

I'm... I'm really disappointed in you, Master Bruce.

You're sure she's still there?

Y-Yes.

She wouldn't have missed our meeting otherwise.

Strange must be holding her prisoner in Arkham.

Only I doubt she's in Arkham.

I'll wager Strange has her in the secret lab where he created Azrael.

But Strange runs Arkham. He's seen there every day.

The lab must be accessed through Arkham.

You're thinking it's underground.

It has to be.

There must be stairs, an elevator, ventilation shafts.

I just don't know how to find them.

I may have a solution.

The technology Strange is using to create these monsters must be very advanced.

My guess is, he's using plutonium isotopes to mutate cell structure.

If so, there'll be trace radiation.

At Wayne Enterprises, I developed a miniature Geiger counter for b*ttlefield use.

Get me into Arkham and I'll find the entrance to that lab.

Wayne Foundation gives the asylum money every year.

I'll ask for a tour.

From the man that ordered the assassination of your father.

He'll want to find out what we know.

And he won't see me and Lucius as a thr*at.

No.

Absolutely bloody not.

You're not going to walk straight into a lion's den.

I can't even go to back you up with a leg like this, can I?

Alfred, you said yourself, that it's my fault what happened to Selina Kyle.

That means it's my responsibility to make it right.

And I may not be the man you'd choose as second in a street fight, but anything I can do to protect Bruce, I will.

Still, it's half a plan, isn't it?

I mean, just say that Lucius can get you in there, and you find the entrance to the laboratory, then what?

Gordon: They tell me.

I call Bullock, he comes busting in with a hundred cops, keeps Strange busy.

I find Selina.

I see.

And how, exactly, do you plan on getting in? I mean, these two possibly, but you... I mean, Strange won't let you within a bloody mile of the place.

If I can get you inside the gate, can you manage the rest of the way?

Yeah. I think I can.

Strange: The cuttlefish is a fascinating creature.

Able to regenerate brain cells, secrete toxins from its skin, and its DNA meshes so well with human.

I can't wait to see it in action.

Oh, I want to increase voltage to her cortex... 200%.

Are you certain, sir?

It'll be like she's being struck by a bolt of lightning.

Well, how much more damage could we possibly do?

She's dead.

I'll see you when you wake, my dear.

(both screaming)

I'm so pleased you two are getting along.

I should warn you, Mr. Nygma, Mr. Stirk has been known to eat people.

But he's promised to stop that, haven't you Mr. Stirk?

(growls)

You have to get me out of here.

(roaring)

Peabody: Are you asking for a favor?

You should have considered that before you decided to escape.

(Stirk growling)

How are you going to stop Jim Gordon?

What?

Jim Gordon and the GCPD have been here twice (growling) in the last week.

It's obvious that they know.

Obvious they know what?

Do I really have to say it?

(growling)

Aah! You're making monsters in the basement!

I'm hungry!

Quiet, Stirk.

(growling)

Monsters in the basement.

(chuckles)

You are insane, Mr. Nygma.

Obviously.

Jim Gordon is coming, and you're going to need all the help that you can get, so why don't you go tell Strange that if he wants to stop Gordon and the GCPD then he's going to need my help.

Now!

(both screaming)

(maniacal laughter)

(electrical buzzing, crackling)

(monitor beeping)

We have a heartbeat.

(inhales, exhales)

Doctor: She's awake. She's awake.

Quickly, go get Professor Strange.

Mr. Fox is pulling up out front.

I told Gordon if I don't hear from you within an hour, I'm going to go straight to Bullock.

I have to do this, Alfred.

I don't have a choice.

Of course you got a choice.

In the same way I can choose to let you go with my blessing and tell you to bring that little girl home safe, or I can tell you right now, I can stick you on an airplane and fly you somewhere very far away.

You can't.

Don't be such a donker.

Course I can.

But I won't.

You see, for the past two years, Master Bruce, all I've tried to do is protect you and keep you safe.

Thinking that's what your father wanted.

But you're not the same boy he left behind, are you?

So I have to ask myself... what would Thomas Wayne do, if he were here?

Your father took responsibility for his actions.

He fought very hard for what he believed in.

And I will not stop you from doing the same thing.

So... off you go.

Gordon and Mr. Fox be waiting for you.

(birds cawing)

Welcome back to the world, my dear.

I imagine you're feeling rather... confused.

Can you tell me who you are?

Do you remember your name?

Anything?

You are a w*r goddess.

Your name is Andraste.

No.

No?

My name is Fish Mooney.

I'm sorry.

Could you please repeat that?

I said, my name is Fish Mooney, bitch.

And you better tell me what the hell is going on.

(bird cawing)

You're making a mistake keeping me locked in here.

Do you hear me?

(both laughing)

What allowed her to come back with her memories intact?

It's too soon to tell.

Perhaps it was the increased voltage.

Mm.

Something unique about the cuttlefish DNA we spliced with her own.

And then again, she was pulled from that filthy river.

Perhaps a contaminant from the water altered the process.

Early readings have detected abnormalities in her brain functions.

Yes. She may reveal abilities.

The most important thing is that she knows who she is.

Our masters will be pleased.

We've created the first true reanimant.

Have you made a decision about Mr. Nygma's offer?

Oh, yes. Let's let him have a go, shall we?

He was clever enough to find his way to the basement, and he does have a point.

He knows Jim Gordon.

(phone ringing)

I'll tell him.

Bruce Wayne is at the front gate asking for you, and he has someone from Wayne Enterprises with him.

Bold move.

I'm more and more impressed with this boy.

Shall I tell him you're not here?

On the contrary.

I very much want to speak with him.

(indistinct announcement over P.A.)

(latch clanks)

Man (over P.A.): Releasing.

(bird cawing)

Hugo Strange, at your service.

Lucius Fox.

Mr. Fox.

And of course, you are...

Bruce Wayne.

I can't tell you what it means to finally meet you.

Your father was very dear to me.

What happened to him and your mother, was indeed a great tragedy.

Please accept my condolences, belated as they may be.

Thank you.

So how can I be of help?

It goes without saying that the work we do here would not be possible without the support of the Wayne Foundation.

The asylum was a cause close to my parents' hearts.

As such, I believe it is my duty to see how their money is being spent.

So this is a bit of an inspection?

Lucius: Oh, nothing so formal.

We were just hoping for a look around.

We don't normally give tours.

Even to someone who provides a quarter of your operating budget?

Of course, we can make exceptions.

I'd be happy to be your guide.

Actually, I thought that you and I could talk, while Mr. Fox looks around. He's very discreet.

I see.

You've come armed with a plan.

I'm afraid we can't allow civilians to wander about, but perhaps my assistant, Ms. Peabody, could accompany Mr. Fox.

That's fine. I'll just get my coat.

Mr. Wayne... if you will.

Bruce is going with Strange to his office, while I get the tour.

I see anything... I'll mark it with this.

(whispers): You're clear.

(buzzer sounding twice)

(two beeps)

(buzzes twice)

This is expired.

Yeah, I lost my new one.

Keep meaning to have it replaced.

Do it today.

(lock buzzes, latch clicks)

(inmates murmuring, grunting, whimpering)

This is our rec room, where our inmates work on their socialization skills.

Who, um, designed the uniforms?

Do you have much training in mental health, Mr. Fox?

None. None at all.

(gibbering)

Shall we continue?

(inmates grunting, giggling)

(click, electronic whine)

(steady, quiet blipping)

Bruce, as much as I value the opportunity to finally meet you, perhaps we could address the real reason for your visit.

I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Well, you see, the other day, James Gordon came to see me.

He asked about a project that your father and I worked on a decade ago.

I was led to believe that he was acting on your behalf.

Is that not why you're here?

After he left the GCPD, I retained Mr. Gordon to look into my parents' deaths.

He's been pursuing various leads, and he doesn't share everything with me.

If he overstepped or caused some offense, you have my apologies.

Thank you.

And I can understand how you want answers.

How difficult it must be to accept that something so horrific as the m*rder of one's own parents, could be a random and meaningless act.

So you want a reason.

Someone to blame.

In their case, I think there was someone to blame.

Oh, so do I.

Sugar?

(electronic blipping continuing)

Arkham Asylum has been open before the days of water cures and trepanning.

That's boring a hole in the skull to release bad humors.

We don't do that anymore.

What is that?

Oh, this measures air quality.

Micro particles.

Mr. Wayne is concerned that the patients are in a healthy environment.

Asthma and whatnot.

You're doing good so far.

I'm so relieved.

This way.

(blipping faster)

(blipping faster; electronic crackling)

(electronic crackling grows louder)

(blipping rapidly, beeping)

(rapid pinging)

Mr. Fox?

Yep.

Coming.

You remind me of him.

Thomas.

You have that same look in your eyes.

What look is that?

Certainty.

As a scientist, that's a luxury that I cannot afford.

No, in science, there must always be some doubt, but not with Thomas, no.

Thomas believed in things.

I think what you're referring to is... moral principles.

Yes.

Sadly, science and moral absolutes do not make easy bedfellows.

Oh, the arguments we used to have.

I could never make him listen.

I'm glad to hear that.

Are you?

Haven't you ever imagined a life that might have been, if your father hadn't been so certain?

If he had listened?

Then he wouldn't have been the man he was.

True.

But he wouldn't be dead, either.

Along with your mother.

Are those ideals that your father cherished so worth it?

Wouldn't you gladly trade everything you believe for one more day, one more hour, with your parents alive?

So you admit it, then.

You admit what you did.

Here's what I admit, Bruce.

That I was your father's friend.

That I pleaded with him, as I plead with you now: Turn back.

Surely you have those that you care about.

For their sake, as well as your own, make the choice your father did not.

You have been searching for the man who k*lled your parents, but the answer has always been right in front of you.

Bruce, your father orphaned you.

His actions fired the b*llet that k*lled him, and your mother.

He knew what he was doing, and he did it anyway.

I'm begging you not to follow his path.

You want to know if I wish my parents were alive?

Of course.

Would I give anything to have them back?

Yes.

But my father fought and d*ed for what he believed was right.

And if necessary...

... so will I.

Take them.

It seems you are your father's son.

I want you to know how greatly I respect that.

Where's Selina Kyle? What have you done with her?

(sighs)

They got you locked up good in here.

I'm going to get us out of here, Bridgit.

Bruce is going to find us and... we'll get you help.

Lunchtime.

Where am I?

Huh?

(screaming and banging in distance)

This isn't an island, is it?

Hey, lady, I just work here.

You want your lunch?

You want to make yourself useful?

Make me a grilled cheese sandwich.

Someone will come looking for the Wayne boy.

Yes.

You like him.

He reminds me of Thomas, whom I miss, ironic as that might seem.

The boy is a thr*at. You know what needs to be done.

You don't have much time.

Woman: You have less than you imagine.

Oh, no.

We need a word, Strange.

Of course. How might I be of service?

First the father, now the son.

You have a habit of catching the eye of the Wayne family.

(laughs) Everything is under control.

So you say.

The fact is, you've lost sight of your mission.

Sending men with swords into Gotham.

Freaks armed with freeze g*ns.

There have been missteps, I grant you, but look at all we've accomplished.

I do not care about your monsters.

What do they have to do with restoring the dead to life?

Physical regeneration has always been a necessary part of bringing back the dead.

I had to resort to any means necessary to make humans stronger, faster...

Be that as it may, you have failed at your core objective.

That is not true.

Immortality means returning to life with one's mind and memories intact, and you have not.

Oh, but I have.

When?

Today.

I brought someone back.

Memories, emotion, the soul itself, back from death.

If you're lying...

I am not.

Can you repeat the process?

If given time, I believe so.

Very well.

Find out what the Wayne boy and his companions know.

Move everything you can to the facility upstate.

Then destroy any evidence of Indian Hill.

By destroy, you mean...

You have an expl*sive device. Use it.

Destroy Indian Hill.

What's this?

It's a grilled cheese sandwich.

You made me a sandwich?

Yeah.

Why?

I don't know.

You told me to.

Wait.

I don't know what to do, Bridgit.

It's simple.

You can die.

Drop it.

Don't make me hurt you.

You think you can hurt me?

I am the Goddess of Fire.

You're not the goddess of anything.

You're Bridgit.

We grew up together.

We're friends. When my mom left, you took me in.

Goddesses don't have friends.

Says who?

The Professor.

He told me who I am.

Screw him.

Remember the pigeons?

How we used to feed them?

It's me, Selina. You...

You've got to remember.

I...

Cale flamed up good, but Joe b*rned the brightest.

Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

You fried your brothers.

Not the memory I was hoping for, but it's something.

You'll burn bright.

I know it.

No. No.

I am Firefly.

Fire cannot touch me.

Oh, crap.

You're the Goddess of Fire, right?

Right?

Goddesses have servants and stuff.

Let me be your servant.

Why do I need a servant?

You can't be a goddess without a servant.

Come on, it's totally part of the story.

The Professor just forgot to tell you.

You've got to have a servant.

I guess that's true.

Hello.

(sighs)

Oh, man.

Double shifts until I say otherwise, and I want everyone in a uniform out on the streets.

Alfred: Bullock.

Gordon, Master Bruce and Fox are still in Arkham.

They should be out by now. They're in trouble.

That son of a bitch!

Jim Gordon, I mean, he's forcing my hand.

Are you listening to me?

Grab your g*n, your badge, and your bits and your bobs, and let's go.

Hold on a second, okay?

You're talking about a place that's built like a fortress.

Chockablock with armed guards.

Now, while we could send in an as*ault force of a pudgy, middle-aged Irish detective and a recently stabbed Englishman, I think the acting captain of the GCPD could do a little better.

Right, go get our guys.

Man: Bravo team, on me.

Lucius.

Bruce, are you okay?

I'm fine. Where's Gordon?

I haven't seen him.

I'm sorry I got you into this, Lucius.

It seems likely we're all going to die in here.

Don't say that.

I don't mind dying.

I mind that I got you and Jim Gordon and Selina Kyle involved.

Bruce.

You are a remarkable young man, but you didn't force any of us to do anything.

We chose.

Hugo Strange said that all this time I've been searching for the man who k*lled my parents...

... when really it was my own father.

That he knew what he was doing.

That I am my father's son.

Bruce, your father had the courage to fight for what he believed in.

And as long as there's life, there's hope.

Nygma: Touching sentiment.

Who are you? Where's Jim Gordon?

Hmm, yeah.

I would urge you to worry about yourselves right now.

(laughing): Jim Gordon has his own problems.

Gordon: Strange, you son of a bitch!

Where's Bruce Wayne? If you've hurt him...

Bruce Wayne is alive.

For now.

Try me, and that may change.

You won't get away with this.

People know we're here.

They're already on their way to stop you.

Yes, and I'm afraid I simply can't allow that.

The work that I'm doing here is too important and at too critical a juncture, but fortunately a solution has presented itself.

Gentlemen.

What are you doing?

Hold still.

(muffled grunting)

The solution is very important.

You mustn't spill a drop.

Nygma: So here's the situation.

Professor Strange has tasked me with finding out how much you two know about what he's been up to and, more importantly, who you told.

Show us Jim Gordon and Selina Kyle.

Think you're not quite grasping the power dynamic here, Turtleneck.

As I was saying... we need to know what you know, and you're going to tell me, or poison gas will spew from the nozzles above your head and you will both die very... very painfully.

I know this voice.

He worked for the GCPD.

He had a funny kind of name.

There's nothing funny about my name.

He was the one that framed Jim Gordon.

You always were a smart cookie, Foxy.

You know why Strange gave me this job?

It's because he knows that I would k*ll you both and not bat an eye.

So, keeping that in mind...

... five minutes on the clock.

Starting... now.

(laughing)

Fun.

(laughing)

(steam hissing)

What the hell was that?

You'll see.

Allow me to introduce Basil.

Basil just woke up this morning.

Didn't you, son?

Yep.

He was so confused, poor soul.

He had forgotten who he was until I reminded him of his great talent.

You see, Basil is a gifted performer.

A chameleon of sorts.

Would you like to see?

You belong in your own asylum, Strange.

And you, James Gordon, belong in the past.

The world has moved on.

While you and others like you were living your sad, normal lives, I was pushing the boundaries of evolution.

The future belongs to my children and that future is here.

(sirens wailing)

Man: Inbound to Arkham Asylum.

Strike force ready.

Nygma: Just tell me what you know.

(laughs)

Astonishing.

(Strange laughing)

Oh, yes, oh, yes.

The finishing touch.

Introduce yourself, son.

Nice to meet you.

(clears throat)

(quietly): What the hell?

Nice to meet you.

You son of a bitch.

Son of a bitch.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Jim Gordon.