03x12 - Mad City Ghosts

Episode transcripts for the TV show "Gotham". Aired: September 2014 to April 2019.*
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The origin story behind Commissioner James Gordon's rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman's arrival.
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03x12 - Mad City Ghosts

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on Gotham..

Ooh...

(men shouting)

What you call sanity...

Hey!

...is just a prison in your mind.

(laughing) Bang.

(laughter)

Wake up!

(grunting)

You're the one who's been following us.

Do you know her?

That's my mom.

Isabella's death has altered things, and I can't continue.

No!

Ed, I will not let you leave.

I don't want to k*ll him.

I want to destroy him.

Gordon: Tetch infected him that night in the hospital.

Swear that you'll bring him in alive.

I swear.

Thompkins: After the wedding, Mario and I are leaving Gotham.

I'll never see you again.


Lee, you cannot marry him.

Get the hell out of here!

(screams)

"And the end will come when he hands over" the kingdom to God, the Father, after he has destroyed all dominion.

The last enemy to be destroyed "is death."

In nomine Patris et Filii tu y Santos.

Amen.

Mourners: Amen.

Bullock: Jim.

What the hell are you doing here?

If Falcone sees you, God only knows what he'll do.

I had to do it, Harv.

He was infected. He would've k*lled her.

It was a legit k*ll.

That's the law.

This is family.

The man's burying his son.

Lee's burying a husband.

I wanted to... (exhales)

I don't know.

To what?

Say sorry?

Talk about the past?

This isn't the time or the place. Come on.

(mourners sobbing)

(buttons beeping)

(line ringing)

(on phone): This is Edward.

Leave a message.

Or don't.

Doesn't really matter.

(voice mail beeps)

Hey! Ooh.

What?

Mayor, the press have assembled in the conference room.

They are requesting your presence.

The press? Why?

The latest figures are in.

Fine.

Let the vultures have at me.

(indistinct chatter)

Man: Hey, there he is.

(applause, clamoring)

They're through the roof across the board.

Yeah, jobs are up, market's up.

Crime way, way down.

You did it.

Enjoy the moment, sir.

Excuse me. Coming through. Excuse me.

Praise well deserved, Mr. Mayor.

I really think we need to cash in on this good news immediately.

You are a clever fellow, Tarquin, but...

I wish Ed were here.

Tarquin: My sole job as deputy chief of staff is to serve you with the exact same zeal and smarts as Mr. Nygma would.

Thank you all so much for coming.

Thanks, everyone.

Bob, great to see you.

Bill, take care.

(indistinct chatter)

Margaret Hearst. Know her?

Of course.

When I saw these numbers come in, I thought who better to help us capitalize on this than Margaret Hearst?

The whole city... no, the whole country... watches her show.

She can take you to a whole new level.

Solidify your legacy on a national scale.

"National scale"?

She's in my office, and she is dying to meet you.

Turn her down now, she won't come back, like... ever.

What do you say?

How's my hair?

(clanging nearby)

(glugging)

Hope you don't mind.

I helped myself.

What do you want?

I'm here as a messenger.

Okay, I'm listening.

You messed up, Jim.

k*lled the don's son.

He's beside himself.

I've never seen him like this before.

I want to speak to him.

Oh, no, we're way past that.

It's only a matter of time before he gives the nod to...

(clucks tongue)

...put a b*llet in your head.

You could try.

I don't... try.

And I never stop.

You won't see me coming.

And you won't feel a thing.

If we don't get a chance to talk before then, it's been really nice knowing you.

You're a good egg.

Also... nice sh*t on Mario.

I never liked him.

♪ ♪

Nice place.

What's with the raggedy clothes?

Why are you back?

To see you, of course.

(quietly scoffs)

Why now?

Why wait 11 years to see me?

That's right.

11 years.

You didn't even check up on me.

What can I say?

I'm sorry, and you have no idea how many times I thought of you.

How many times, Mom?

I had to leave.

I had no choice.

You know that orphanage I left you at?

It's the same one I was left at by who knows who.

St. Maria's.

It's where I got my name.

I grew up there and on the streets.

It was on the streets that I had you.

Who's my father?

You're not dating that kid, are you?

(sighs)

You should go.

Wait, I me... I was a dumb kid, okay?

I got in trouble with the law.

I had to leave or they were gonna take me to prison.

I had to run and run fast.

And you can't run fast with a five-year-old.

Not just a five-year-old.

Your five-year-old.

Your daughter.

That was a bad call.

Okay?

I just wanted to come here, and tell you that I love you.

And I'm sorry.

All righty then.

This has been so fun.

Bye.

Selina.

Good-bye.

(sighs)

Mayor, this... is Ms. Hearst.

Perhaps you've truly found your calling in office, Mr. Cobblepot.

Or perhaps... you just know how to show people only what they want to see.

Hmm?

Either way, I plan to get inside your head and share what I find with the citizens of Gotham.

Does that deter you?

Please.

Then I think the exclusive interview should happen here at City Hall this Friday, live.

Actually, I would prefer to do it at home and...

Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh.

This Friday or not at all.

I'll be honest with you, Mr. Mayor.

I'm not a fan.

I shan't be holding back.

My audience expects the truth and I give it to them.

The truth is in my numbers, Ms. Hearst.

Then Friday it is.

Gotham will see their mayor... as he truly is.

Dig deep.

I have nothing to hide.

Lucius: Melanie Blake.

Found wandering the train tracks late last night in a state of undress.

She collapsed soon after, and d*ed in the ambulance of coronary failure.

At some point prior to her appearance on the tracks, somebody applied a strong electrical current to her.

Considering the extent of the burns, I'm guessing literally thousands of volts were passed through this poor girl.

t*rture?

Perhaps.

She say anything before she die?

No.

Gordon: She was... stabbed as well?

Melanie was stabbed three days ago by her boyfriend.

She was pronounced dead in the ambulance.

Wait, w-what?

Two days ago, this girl was taken to the morgue, dead.

Bullock: And yet last night, she's walking down the train tracks after getting zapped with 10,000 volts in her noggin?

Doesn't anyone die in Gotham anymore?

Is it possible she wasn't actually dead, and just walked out of the morgue?

These days I no longer say impossible.

Unlikely.

The morgue.

It's not a morgue, it's a motel.

Harvey!

As acting captain, I demand that you arrest Detective Gordon for the m*rder of my husband.

Lee... please.

Please?

Please... what?!

You didn't have to k*ll him.

Dr. Thompkins, if I may, your husband took a drug that...

Nathaniel Barnes was infected with the same virus.

He's alive.

Jim spared his life.

And yet he gunned down Mario on his wedding day.

You're the real virus, Jim.

You seep into people's lives until you destroy them.

You haven't heard the end of this.

(thunder crashing)

(fire crackling)

(glass shatters) (gasps)

(thunder rumbling)

(creaking)

(gasping)

(glass shatters)

Father?

Help me.

My God.

(panting)

Of course. How?

He's not to be trusted.

Who?

(violent thunderclap)

(pounding on door)

Sorry to bother you so late, Mr. Mayor.

Yes. What is it?

Someone broke into the cemetery and dug up your father's remains.

(thunder rolls)

GCPD.

You the night manager here, Mister, uh...

Pollard?

Dwight, please, that's correct. Something wrong?

Only if you call dead people walking out of here wrong.

What?

Melanie Blake.

She would have been here two days ago.

Yeah.

Stabbing victim.

Drawer 12.

(rollers squeaking)

That's not right.

That's because she's on the M.E.'s slab, dead, again.

What?

You have any security cameras here? Guards?

No, we don't need them.

Nothing ever happens down here.

(loud bang)

Sorry.

Bullock: Hey.

You jumpy, Jim?

Uh, we're all good.

You got something you want to share?

No.

Let's stick around.

See where this Dwight takes us.

Bruce: I don't get it.

Why is it so important to the Court of Owls?

It's just an ornament.

I don't know.

Men d*ed protecting it.

So we hide it, hold onto it for leverage in case they come for us again.

Perhaps in the cave. (knocking)

Ms. Kyle.

What a surprise.

For what do we owe this pleasure?

I was just leaving this here for Selina.

Oh.

Uh... come in.

Please stay.

We've been meaning to thank you in person for the other night.

I can't. I have a train to catch.

Please just see that she gets this.

Alfred: Would you mind if I asked what's in the box?

Some things I kept from my time here in Gotham.

It's not something you'd like to give to Selina yourself?

I tried reaching out to her.

She's too angry.

Not that I can blame her.

Please, just... see that she gets this.

Bruce: Ms. Kyle?

Take it from someone who misses his family very much.

Please don't leave just yet.

I know where she is.

Let me talk to her.

Okay, thanks.

This keeps getting better and better.

Guess where Dwight Pollard worked before the morgue.

Indian Hill.

How'd you know?

Where else in Gotham do the dead get brought back to life?

The cops came by, idiot.

How'd she get out?

Never mind.

I have to get to the venue.

I'll come by after.

Should we grab him now?

No, I want to see where he's going.

Thompkins: The autopsy showed that Mario did have the virus.

Mario was my son.

Whether he was sick or not is of no concern to me.

Gordon took his life.

What are you gonna do?

I cared for Jim Gordon.

In some ways, he was more like my son than Mario.

His life is mine to take.

That's the natural law.

Blood for blood.

I hate him.

God, I hate him.

Everything bad that's happened in my life has happened because of him.

If Gordon dies, it's a weight we'll both have to carry.

I'm used to such burdens.

You're not.

He'll die by my hand, not yours.

But this is something you'll need to live with.

Can you?

(crying quietly)

(door creaks)

What is that?

Your mother brought it to my house.

Just leave it there.

I'll get it later.

Selina... I know how long you've waited to see your mother.

I can't imagine all you must be feeling.

She left me here, Bruce.

Alone.

You're right.

It's hard to forgive.

It may be the hardest thing any of us have to do in this life.

But she's reaching out.

And it may be your only chance to reach back.

(scoffs)

She's a crook.

Can't you see that?

She's still your mother.

Push her away now and you may never see her again.

(footsteps approaching)

(sobbing softly)

(siren wailing)

(indistinct chatter)

♪ ♪
Bullock: Okay.

Weird...

But not illegal.

(feedback echoes)

(cheers and applause)

Okay.

Weirder.

The people of this city are slaves.

Mm-hmm. See, they get up every day and go to work so they can pay their taxes, their mortgages.

See, they believe what the papers tell them.

They fear what the politicians feed them.

See, they are mentally shackled, and yet, they do nothing about it!

(cheering, applause)

Yeah! Nothing!

But there was someone who understood.

Someone who spoke out, who stood up, to the jailers, puppets.

A man with no fear.

♪ ♪

Jerome: Hello, Gotham City!

We're the Maniax. And I'm Jerome, the sh*t caller of our little g*ng.

We're here to spread the message of wisdom and hope.

(cackles)

(man groaning on video)

(g*nsh*t)

Some people have no manners.

(laughter)

You're all prisoners.

All: What you call sanity, it's just a prison in your minds that stops you from seeing you're just tiny little cogs in a giant, absurd machine, Wake up!

Oh!

(laughter)

Time to go. (sirens wailing)

But don't worry.

We'll be back very soon.

Hang onto your hats, folks.

All: 'Cause you ain't seen nothing yet!

(laughter)

(cheering, applause)

All right!

Show's over!

Time to go home.

Bullock: GCPD!

(g*nsh*t)

(crowd shouting, clamoring)

Let's go! (laughter)

Let's go!

(woman screams)

(Jerome laughing)

You see Dwight?

He was probably the last one to jump on the clown car.

Bringing back the dead is something we need to, uh...

Oh, no... What?

(g*nshots) Back!

(grunts)

Who the hell's that?

It's Victor Zsasz.

Falcone put out a hit on me. Oh!

Would've been nice if you told me that earlier!

He's only after me.

Zsasz is very professional in that way.

(g*nshots continue)

Trapped behind here, we're sitting ducks.

I need to draw their fire. Find me later.

Wait, Jim. Don't!

Damn it.

(indistinct chatter)

Everyone out! It's not safe.

Hey, who is this guy?

What are you deaf?

Get out of here! (g*nf*re)

(shouting, clamoring)

(panicked chatter)

It's inevitability, Jim.

Embrace it.

You've had a good run.

You should know that.

♪ ♪

(thunder rolling)

Woman (echoing): ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

Who's there?

(panting)

(door slams)

Father?

Woman (echoing): ♪ Happy birthday ♪
♪ To you ♪

Father.

How can I help you? What can I do?

Find me, my son.

I cannot rest until I lay underground once more.

He cannot be trusted!

Who?

Isabella is over on the other side with us.

Whispering tales of m*rder.

Dark plots are in motion, my son.

Don't trust him!

Who?

The birthday boy.

(thuds)

(alarm sounding)

You want to know about your husband.

Was he a diseased maniac?

Would he have k*lled you?

Well, I can tell you this.

I've never felt better in my life.

Clearer, stronger.

More focused.

Even now, I can feel it coursing through my veins.

Restoring my body.

So, Mario could've lived a normal life with it.

Would've given us time to find a cure.

Jim didn't have to k*ll him.

Cure?

This virus isn't the disease.

It's the antidote.

It's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I don't need a cure.

The murderers, thieves, rapists.

(laughs)

James Gordon is one of them.

When I get out of here... And trust me, I will...

He'll be the first that I judge.

He and all the other human garbage that plague this city.

All will be tried, convicted and ex*cuted!

I will purge Gotham, and the innocents will thank me!

Their savior!

Their executioner.

I know, and the best part is, that fake painting is still hanging in the gallery.

(laughter)

Perhaps we might be able to talk about something other than your previous illicit exploits, Ms. Kyle.

Oh, I'm sorry, Alfred.

This was a great meal.

You're quite the chef.

Thank you very much, miss.

Selina: He's a catch, this one.

Got a stiff right hand, too.

Easy mark, though.

(Maria laughs) Thank you... very much, cheeky monkey.

Oh, you poor thing.

Come here.

(giggles)

Alfred: Oh... (chuckles)

I see what you mean, though.

(Selina chuckles)

Alfred: Oh, well, that's just...

Just hilarious. You know... Really. Thank you.

Thank you very much...

Oh, I guess I better go.

It's late. Stay.

Alfred will drive you to your hotel in the morning.

(sighs) You're very kind.

(thunder rolls)

(distant car horns honking)

Mr. Mayor?

Unless you are bringing strong coffee, or you have information on my father's stolen remains...

...go away.

Yeah, but...

Crowd: ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy birthday to you ♪
♪ Happy birthday, dear Tarquin ♪

The birthday boy.

(panting)

(applause in distance)

♪ ♪

(gasps)

(rapid inhaling, exhaling)

Your Honor.

Can I help you?

Why?

Why would you do such a thing?

What are you talking about? What is that?

You are a sick man!

What are you plotting?

What's the angle?

Who are you in on this with?

I-I have no idea.

Look, you're exhausted.

Y-You haven't slept in days...

(grunts) You barely...

(yells)

(growls)

(knocking on door)

Woman: Mr. Stemmel?

The TV crew is ready.

It's time for the interview.

Have you seen the mayor?

Carmine... call it off.

Why?

I saw Barnes.

The virus has completely taken over.

He's insane.

What makes you want to save Gordon?

Please, just call it off.

You said you hated him.

That wasn't true, was it?

Call it off now!

You talk of hate and revenge, but that's only to mask what really scares you.

You still love James Gordon.

Where is he?

We're minutes away.

They're looking for him.

Well, look harder.

Man: Here he is!

Sorry I'm late.

Mayor stuff. (chuckles)

(indistinct chatter)

Mr. Mayor, this is a pin...

I hope you're ready, Mr. Mayor.

The world is watching.

Man: And we're live in three, two...

Mayor Cobblepot, as Gotham is enjoying an historic spike in job growth and prosperity, it is also going through one of the safest periods in its history.

And I'm sure everyone is wondering, "How did he do it?"

Uh... Well...

Bullock: Whoa, hey!

Hello to you, too.

You didn't think you'd get rid of me that easily, did you?

I thought we might need something with a bit more bite.

So, why didn't you tell me about Zsasz?

It's my business.

Yeah? Not yours.

That's a bit ridiculous, seeing as how I'm standing next to you most of the time.

(machine g*n fire)

What's up?

Drop it, Jim.

It's your time to die today.

Not his.

Don't listen to him, Jim.

sh**t him now!

Relax, Zsasz.

Job's cancelled.

You can go home.

Okay, boss.

I'm sorry.

If it was up to me, you'd be dead.

Whew!

So from humble errand boy to kitchen worker to the so-called "King of Gotham," it is said that many d*ed so you could rise.

Oh...

An exaggeration.

People love to invent scandal.

But it was m*rder that sent you to Arkham, a prison for the criminally insane.

I rescued the city from the madman, Theo Galavan.

Some call it m*rder.

Others a public service.

And after your controversial release from prison, you met your father, Elijah Van Dahl.

A man whose identity your mother kept from you.

Oh, my God.

Yes, it must have been very upsetting.

What? Yes.

He also d*ed under suspicious circumstances.

His wife and step-children disappearing soon after.

I-I have to go.

Why? Is it because there's substance to the rumors that you had them k*lled to inherit your father's wealth?

Fa-Father, Father wait!

(woman screams)

Are you feeling well, Mr. Mayor?

I'm fine. I-I'm great.

Why would I not be fine?

The people of Gotham, and America, want to know the truth.

To hell with the people!

(all gasp)

(laughter)

(indistinct muttering)

Father, wait!

Father?

(gasps, panting)

No! No!

(gasping)

A very good job.

Ah.

He bought it?

Hook, line and sinker.

Ah, voice wasn't quite right, but, uh, you know...

(slow clapping nearby)

Bravo, boys.

Penguin lost his mind on national TV, just like you said he would.

It's all about the power of suggestion.

And whispering in the right ears.

Do what I say, and you'll be the next chief of staff.

Tell him, "I'm still grieving."

Margaret Hearse is in your office waiting for you.

And remember to say exactly what I told you about his father.

(thunder rolls)

Tabitha: Why don't you just leave these bodies for the cops?

Have him arrested.

That's too easy, Tabitha.

I want this to be a slow... painful death.

One of a thousand deep cuts.

First we take away his mind...

That's the part I like.

We destroy his empire and take it for ourselves.

And then, when this bird is broken and alone, we do the humane thing and put him out of his misery.

Mm. (laughs)

(laughter)

If there's anything I can do for you, Ms. Kyle, please don't... hesitate to ask.

Wait here.

What's wrong? Just do it.

(door creaks)

Cole: Did you think I wouldn't find you?

Maria: I was headed back tomorrow.

Cole: My money, where is it? 100 grand.

Maria: I don't have your money.

Cole: What do I have to do, b*at it out of you?

Leave her alone! I told you to stay outside!

Who's this?

Nobody.

We can get you the money.

Is that so?

Who from?

The guy that dropped you off in the Rolls Royce?

One of you talk.

Who's the rich guy? Mom...

Leave her alone. Well, well.

I hope she know what a lying cheat you are, Maria.

Bruce will give you the money. He's a good friend of mine.

Would you relax? Bruce Wayne?

(p*stol dry-clicks) Well, now, that changes everything.

Why settle for a hundred?

Perhaps I'll pay him a visit, tell him all about you.

(door shuts)

Who was that?

That was my past coming back to punish me.

Was he the reason you left Gotham before?

It's complicated.

We have to warn your friends.

Cole is not someone they should mess with.

(sighs)

Good job, Mom.

Were you followed?

No, no thanks to you.

How did the girl escape? You led the cops right to me.

I turned my head for a minute.

She must have stumbled out.

But this proves that your designs work.

She came back to life.

But not for long.

The current's still too strong.

Her body couldn't take it.

We have to move quickly.

Gather the others.

It's time to get him.

♪ ♪

(rat squeaking)
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