Pretty Hate Machine (Gotham)

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Pretty Hate Machine is the twentieth episode of Gotham’s third season, which aired on May 29, 2017. Directed by Danny Cannon and written by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, the episode continues the season’s dangerous mix of Court of Owls intrigue and the Alice Tetch virus storyline.

In this instalment, Lee is influenced by the virus and tries to lure Jim Gordon into chaos, kidnapping him and burying him alive in a coffin with a syringe of the virus as his only escape. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne and the Shaman push ahead with their plan to take down the Court and trigger a “dark hero rise” by detonating a bomb, while Alfred races to find Bruce before time runs out. Cobblepot and Ivy are on the run, with Nygma, Barbara, and Tabitha closing in; Selina is captured during the pursuit.

Bruce, the Shaman, and Hugo Strange uncover a bomb containing the virus and plan to unleash it to spread the plague across Gotham. After a raid by Bullock and Alfred, Strange is arrested, and Alfred confronts Bruce as the plan unfolds. Gordon escapes his burial by injecting himself with the virus and uses his strength to break free, while the city faces a dangerous threat as the bomb is set to detonate at a train station.

As the action escalates, Cobblepot’s whereabouts become tangled with Fish Mooney’s arrival, who abducts him. The virus cloud spreads through the station and beyond as Bruce detonates the device. The episode ends on a high-stakes note, with the city in chaos and the broader season arc setting up the finale. The title references Nine Inch Nails’ 1989 album Pretty Hate Machine.

Reception: The episode drew about 3.03 million viewers and a 1.0/4 share in the 18–49 demographic. Critics generally praised the character development and the escalating stakes, though some subplots drew mixed reactions. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a favorable score, and several outlets highlighted it as a strong lead-in to the finale, with notes on the bold moves and tonal shifts the episode embraced.