Ep 17. The Red Hood

After a series of robberies committed by a gang known as the Red Hood, the GCPD is left perplexed and helpless. The mysterious caped figure seems to have gained the power to mesmerize ordinary civilians into becoming ruthless robbers. Meanwhile, Jim Gordon is dealing with a massive cover-up orchestrated by Detective Flass and Commissioner Loeb. He is determined to bring down the corrupt duo but is starting to realize that he might need to resort to some questionable tactics to do so.

As Bruce is still investigating his family's legacy, Oswald Cobblepot is starting to make major moves in the Gotham underworld. He takes advantage of the chaos caused by the Red Hood to become the new power player in the criminal world. This puts him in direct collision course with Maroni, who believes that Cobblepot has overstepped his boundaries.

The episode focuses on the origins of the Red Hood gang, showing how they were once a group of desperate men that were pushed to the brink of crime by their financial struggles. They were inspired by a circus trickster wearing a red hood, who exemplified the joy of bringing chaos and confusion to everyday life. The Red Hood's leader, Gus Floyd, became mesmerized by the trickster and started to see him as a symbol of hope that could turn their lives around.

However, things took a dark turn when the Red Hood's heists attracted the attention of the GCPD, who tried to put them into custody. During a high-speed chase, Gus Floyd fell into a vat of chemicals at a chemical plant. When he emerged, he was no longer Gus Floyd, but a mysterious figure that could mesmerize anyone into following him. Donning the red hood, he renamed himself the Red Hood and founded a new incarnation of the gang.

The episode's climax focuses on a showdown between the Red Hood and the GCPD. In a daring heist, the Red Hood manages to steal a huge amount of cash from a bank. As the police chase after him, he manages to mesmerize a massive crowd of bystanders, causing chaos and destruction. Eventually, he is cornered by Jim Gordon and Harvey Bullock, but he manages to mesmerize them as well.

In a shocking twist, one member of the Red Hood gang turns out to be Jerome Valeska, a man we met earlier in the season who worships chaos and anarchy. He reveals that he was inspired by Gus Floyd's transformation and wants to become the next Red Hood. Eventually, he does become the Joker, as we see in later episodes of the show.

Overall, the Red Hood represents a fascinating case study in criminal psychology. It shows how ordinary people can become villains when pushed beyond their limits, and how a charismatic leader can turn them into a worshipping cult. The episode also provides more insight into the Joker's origins, which is always welcome in a Batman show. Lastly, it sets the stage for the continuing power struggle between Cobblepot and Maroni, which becomes one of the major storylines of the rest of the season.