"Gotham" season 2, episode 3, entitled "The Last Laugh," proved to be full of surprises, a night filled with scheming villains, magic, and murder. Warning, spoilers ahead.
Following the return of James Gordon (Ben McKenzie) to the police force, he and his partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) are more determined to set things right in Gotham. Gordon and Bullock hunts down Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan), turning every stone to find him. Bullock, realizing that they were searching in vain, proposes to seek the aid of the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor). Gordon dismisses Bullock's suggestions and decides to continue head on alone. Bullock then receives information that Jerome's father was in town so the two go after him to get some information.
Meanwhile, after Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas) leaves with Jerome to take care of some business, Theo Galavan (James Frain) proposes a plan to Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) that would help her destroy her ex-boyfriend Gordon, all the while secretly aiming to pursue his own agenda.
Tabitha and Jerome get down to business by killing his father and setting him up as the fall guy in his escape from Arkham Asylum to hide traces of Theo's involvement. The two criminals escape Gordon and Bullock after accomplishing their plan, leaving the two knocked out by gas.
As night falls in Gotham, Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) and Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee) are seen attending a fundraising gala, where they meet Gordon's girlfriend, Lee (Morena Baccarin), who tells the boy she has heard a lot of great things about him. Bruce spots Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) at the celebration and urges her not to steal from the people at the event.
Jerome and Tabitha continue their evil deed by kidnapping the magician who was supposed to perform at the gala, with Theo and Barbara just close by. Jerome assumes the magician's role and calls Bruce on stage to cut the boy in half, which he performs successfully. Unfortunately, the two are discovered by Lee when Tabitha's mask falls off in the middle of a trick, with the deputy mayor exposing her. Jerome kills the deputy mayor and all hell breaks loose. Theo enters the scene acting like a hero, but Barbara pretends to knock him out.
In the middle of the commotion, Selina slips away while Bruce stays behind to help Alfred. Gordon sees Selina escaping but decides to let her go when the officers requested backup.
Back at the ballroom, Jerome continues his reign of terror, taking Alfred as his hostage after failing to coax Bruce to be his victim. Bruce comes out of hiding to save Alfred after Gordon plants a gun in his pocket. Alfred gets hold of the gun and helps Gordon by taking out Jerome's accomplices. Jerome manages to hold Bruce at knifepoint but Theo, who suddenly rouses, stabs him in the neck and kills him before he's able to expose him. Theo ends up being the hero of the night, while Barbara is able to escape the chaos.
Meanwhile, Bullock gives the Penguin a visit to follow up on a rumor placing Gordon in bad light. The Penguin confirms the rumor, and Bullock warns him to stay away from Gordon.
Theo's plans have fallen into place and Jerome's death finally puts to rest the assumption that he is the Joker. But the question still remains: Who is the real Joker? Will it ever be revealed? Hopefully, these questions get answered on the next episode of "Gotham," which airs Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
