'Gotham' Season 1 Episode 20 Recap: The Ogre Goes After Barbara And The Riddler Is Born

This week on “Gotham,” episode 20 follows Jim Gordon’s relentless pursuit of a new villain known as the “Ogre.” The character was introduced in the previous episode as a serial killer who goes after young women and kills the loved ones of any police officer who dares to investigate the case. Apart from the Ogre, another villain is also born in this episode. Here’s a full recap of what took place in episode 20.

The Ogre goes after Barbara.

Even though Jim knows that Commissioner Loeb set him up with the dangerous case, he is determined to find the killer. He thinks that his new girlfriend Dr Leslie Thompkins could be targeted so he warns her to be extra cautious. What Jim doesn’t know is that the Ogre researched about him and found an old photograph where he had his ex-girlfriend, socialite Barbara Keane on his arm.

The Ogre picks up Barbara at a bar and gets ready to kill her. Before the deed could be done, she lets on that she and Jim are no longer together. The Ogre changes his mind and decides to leave her alone. He starts following Jim around to learn more about him and they almost have a face-to-face confrontation.

Jim and Harvey uncover the Ogre’s real identity.

After digging up some old case files, Jim and Harvey manage to find the suspect’s father. They learn about his background as well as the plastic surgery he went through in order to become the charming con artist that he is now. He is apparently a butler’s son who grew up in a mansion with the illusion of being the home owner’s son. When he was rejected, his psychopathic tendencies were triggered.

After letting Barbara go the first time, he decides that even though she is no longer Jim's girlfriend, he can still hurt Jim by recruiting Barbar nto his nefariious activities. He convinces the bored socialite to go back to his apartment and shows her his room full of sinister torture devices. Surprisingly, Barbara does not flinch and seems genuinely interested.

Bruce and Selena continue their mission.

Meanwhile, Bruce is reeling from the death of Reggie, the man who stabbed his butler Alfred. Selena pushed Reggie out a window after he threatened to tell his employer about Bruce and Selena’s mission to clean up Wayne Enterprises. It turns out, Sid Bunderslaw, one of the directors in the company, was behind the attack on Alfred and may also be linked to the attack on Selena and the murder of Bruce’s parents.

Bruce and Selena attend the Wayne Enterprises annual charity ball and manage to get a copy of Mr Bunderslaw’s keys. He keeps a safe like all other Wayne Enterprises top employees and Bruce is convinced that there are some secrets there.

The Riddler is born

Over at the Gotham City Police Department, another villain is born. Ed Nygma, the forensics examiner is still trying to find his way to Ms Kristen Kringle’s heart. Kringle is in charge of the GCPD archives and she has been dating a young police officer. Nygma catches them in an embrace right in the archives but he doesn’t seem to mind until he notices some bruises on her arms, He realises that the officer has been hurting Ms Kringle and this infuriates him.

Nygma warns the officer verbally but the cocky cop just laughs off Nygma’s threats. Nygma is driven over the edge by the cop’s attitude and he ends up waiting for him at Ms Kringle’s door. He tries to stop the cop from entering and he ends up stabbing the guy multiple times. Nygma is visibly elated by his action and his transition into the iconic “Batman” villain “The Riddler” is complete.

One major character that failed to make it into this episode is Fish Mooney. After having been shot in the stomach while attempting to flee Dr Dulmacher’s island, her fate is literally up in the air. What happens to her may be revealed when “Gotham” returns next Monday at 9 pm on FOX.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at: c.caparras@ibtimes.com.au