I very much understand that Oswald is really good a manipulating people to his side and feigning sincerity, but something about the way he looked so hurt when Jim accused him of making a threat…
It made me wonder if Oswald actually considers Jim his only friend left in Gotham. Everyone else has betrayed him, is dead, tried to kill him, or he hasn’t known that long.
His relationship with Jim is now the oldest and possibly the only genuine thing left in his life, at least in his mind.
Which is so sad. Oswald tried and tried to be friends, for real, with Jim, and we all know how Oswald was treated. If Jim’s the closest thing he has left for a friend, that’s not much. Oswald has not only lost both his parents; now Butch and Barbara are against him; even Gabe turned on him; Ed shot him. I’m hoping he’s found new friends, for real, with Brigit; and Victor Fries.
I’m in complete agreement with you both @lankybrunettepartdeux and @millicentcordelia
I failed to catch this nuance when I watched last night. (Fortunately, thanks to everyone who captured these incredible moments, I was finally able to see it.)
I was ridiculously excited to see these two share screen time again. Jim and Penguin share so much history. From the moment Jim chose to spare Os’ life, they became forever intertwined. They’re both an essential part of the other’s life, origin story, future -and dare I say even personal character.
I’m always struck by Os’ deep and abiding sense of loyalty to Jim (presumably because he spared his life at the docks). Os maintains this fierce loyalty, even despite Jim’s traitorous abandonment of him at Arkham. (I love you Jim, but that was some shady sh!t you did to Oswald. I thought you were supposed to be the white hat, man.)
One of the things I love about Gotham (besides, D’UH: Batman origin story) is how it forces us to question concepts like heroism and villainy, love and hate, loyalty and betrayal. Who the f*ck else did Jim call when he knew he couldn’t reach his work husband, Harvey? Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot: the BAMF with the right tools for the job and who always keeps his flavor fresh!
Jim is much more shrewd about how to play the game & get sh!t done in Gotham now -just like my Penguin. He’s also looking a lot more like Harvey did when we began our little Gotham saga: instead of Fish, it’s Oswald.
Jim knows he’s not as heroic as he appears to the public, but he wants to be. He’s trying to live up to the conjured ideal of his dead father. Like most of us, he’s chasing ghosts. With his attempts to right the wrongs and correct the past, he’s out of touch with the here and now.
He and Oswald are both broken little boys in grown up bodies. It took me a long time to realize the traits that vex me the most about others are the very ones I share with them. I hope Jim comes to realize that Penguin isn’t just another black hat. It takes one to know one. Besides, Jim: what are old friends for?
SliceOSunshine 