There are gaps in every character’s story, there is always space to add more. In season 3, episode 6, “These Delicate and Dark Obsessions,” feels slightly like a filler episode. This doesn’t mean it’s not entertaining. I find it enjoyable when other villains banter and bicker with each other. The interaction between Oswald Cobblepot and Ivy Pepper brought a moment of campy humour to this otherwise dark series.
Copplepot: I should be plotting my revenge, building an army. Not drinking pine-cone juice with a crazy-pine-cone lady!
Ivy: So build an army, no one’s stopping you. And I could even help if you weren’t being such a jerk. Jerk!
In the DC universe, Ivy and Penguin have had scarce interactions, unless they work in a villain team up. She is a femme fatale environmentalist while Penguin is a hunched serial killer, with a convincing appearance. It is understandable that they both disagree on each other’s principles and methods. This makes them a questionable combination when it comes to supporting each other (although Cobblepot is having no luck with support from other villains).
Ivy’s mentality is still trusting, and she agrees to help Cobblepot take care of Gabe. The team up is extremely intriguing and I have good hopes for this. I mean…look how much fun they’re having!
I see a true friendship budding (through violent murdering, but friendship nonetheless). This episode is worth it for the interaction alone.
However, the rest is a slow-burn when it comes to plot. We see more behind the scenes of the Court of Owls, talking rather than action. They want Gordon. The detective is struggling, how could he handle the Court of Owls? His partner Bullock reasonably questions its existence.
Young Bruce begins his training with the Shaman; a stepping stone to becoming Batman. He is known to be the epitome of human strength, mentally and physically, and training with the monks, shamans, and other spiritual leaders is a great practice to conquer mental and physical health. The trainer forces Bruce to face the darkness inside him: the death of his parents. But I feel, with this resource, Bruce is going to come out traumatized. He has little power over his autonomy, people should be easier on the kid.
Kudos for amazing acting from all around. You can see the pain in Bruce’s eyes, and the joy in Ivy’s and Cobblepot’s. The skyline of Gotham is gorgeously damp and dreary, I get chills when I see the architect in the series, eye-pleasing for sure. Overall, an entertaining filler. Quite a pile up of bodies, but nothing new, and nothing too gruesome (just saying for the weak stomachs out there who enjoy thrillers).