The weird mashup of various versions of Gotham City is an interesting place. They’ve taken elements from all sorts of different tellings of the various Bat-related stories, and made something new, with a collection of characters that are mostly from different times and places, with a few originals. With the looming threat of the Court of Owls lurking in the shadows, the band of framed teens have to figure out what to do to clear their names and not get killed as we see their next chapter: “Of Butchers and Betrayals.”

The first thing we see is a crazed man running through Robinson Park (another Gotham location from many stories). After a lot of incoherent babbling, he puts a new spin on the “suicide by cop” idea. Back in the attic at the Academy, most of the crew is working to try and decipher clues in the new information they’ve gotten. Duela, being her usual odd self, is riding around on a scooter making unhelpful comments. Let’s face it, her skill set tends towards weirdness and extreme violence, neither of which they need at the moment. As it turns out, after Turner indulges in a brief pity party, Duela’s clowning ends up giving them a useful clue, although it’s accidental. The news shows coverage of last episode’s death of Mayor Hamilton, and puts Harvey Dent in the lead on the campaign trail. But Harvey can’t have anything easy, and ends up with a new opponent: Lincoln March, father of Steph’s would-be boyfriend Brody and general unpleasant presence. March, when interviewed, makes a joke about Harvey that’s more applicable to the way he turns out in other timelines.

Harvey himself wakes up on his office couch, looking confused. An amused officer comes in and reminds him of a meeting he’s already late for. As he gets ready to go, Harvey finds something puzzling in his pocket, and wonders what’s going on. Running with their new lead, the group finds a lot of cases that might point back to the Court, while Stephanie and Harper bicker, because that’s helpful. Cullen goes undercover again to get them more data. Eventually, they track down the most recent related murder, which leads back to the episode’s opening scene. It turns out, the man we saw has a link to Bruce Wayne, and Turner thinks the man’s house might have another lead for them. Harper agrees to go with him, possibly to get away from Stephanie, and while they search, Turner and Harper talk about Harper’s issue with Stephanie. Duela must not be feeling quite herself, as she turns up another clue on purpose, and we get a nod to the origin of a major Bat-character who doesn’t seem to exist in this world.

Turner and Harper don’t find what they were hoping for, but end up with a different and unexpected source of information, and evidence that the Court is involved in this most recent death. Harvey visits Commissioner DeSoto (the Gordon family are also notably absent from this world) and talks about the Court of Owls, which she clearly doesn’t believe in. As Harvey mulls this over, Turner and Harper get another clue that might help clear their names.

Back in their attic, the team discusses what they’ve learned and end up splitting up. Turner decides on the bold move of revisiting his former home, Wayne Manor, to talk to Cressida. Carrie and a surprisingly changed Duela go try and talk to someone else about a lead on the Court’s enforcer, the feared Talon. Harvey gets a visit from one of the last people he wants to talk to, and his guest shows a surprising link to the ongoing issues with the Court. Harvey is having a very confusing episode, and nothing is getting any easier for the man.

Carrie and Duela make a surprisingly good team, surprising everyone, themselves included. The person they need to talk to is definitely a bit out there, but has some interesting secrets locked in her head. Turner reveals another surprising skill as the group talks over some theories about the weapon the Talon is using. Carrie and Duela get several surprises, from a major hint as to who the Talon actually is, and a big change in the person they’ve been interviewing. You know things are getting weird when even Duela looks uncomfortable and uneasy.

Turner makes his way home and has a talk with Cressida. It seems to be going really well, which we know from past episodes isn’t the case. Back in the hideout/attic, Stephanie and Cullen go over what they’ve learned, and Stephanie makes a surprising admission. Harvey tries to make some progress with his own investigation, and finds a new obstacle that shocks and disturbs him. Carrie and Duela follow up on their interview, and figure out that Turner is probably in a lot of trouble.

Cressida and Turner discuss Turner’s latest clue, and she goes to look for something. As he wanders around the familiar room, Stephanie calls with a well-intentioned, but a bit too late, warning. Turner finds more than he bargained for and is off by himself. It’s like horror movie rules, splitting up is a bad plan. Turner’s visit to his once and former home takes a lot of really unexpected twists that end in violence and the destruction of a big piece of the Bat-mythos. He does get some help finally, but the two of them are forced to retreat.

Back at the attic, Turner is understandably shaken and saddened by what happened. Stephanie does her best to make him feel better, and it’s a nice scene without people snarking at each other, which is rare on this show. Cullen and Harper have a weird discussion about food that leads into the basis of Harper’s issues with Stephanie. It does actually make a kind of sense, especially from Harper’s point of reference. Cullen makes a few good points that clearly annoy his sister.

There are a series of quick scenes to start wrapping up the episode. Harvey works with the cops, going over the Mayor’s limo and confirming something he was already worried about. Carrie and Duela go through the aftermath of their earlier interview, develop a new lead, and even seem to be building the start of some kind of friendship. As the group confirms something they have difficulty believing, we see that a problem they had thought, or at least hoped, was solved most definitely is not.

What I Liked: A bit to my surprise, I really enjoyed Carrie and Duela working together. They made an unexpectedly good team. Steph’s scene with Turner near the end was touching. Cullen’s talk with Stephanie, and later chat with Harper, were both well done characterization moments. I’m intrigued by whatever is going on with Harvey.

What I Didn’t: I’ve never liked the Court of Owls, in part because I have difficulty believing a secret organization was thriving in Gotham City that Batman had no idea about. They upped the ante on that with this storyline, and I really don’t care for it. I get that it’s a different, unique timeline, but I’d really like some hints about the Gordons, Dick Grayson, and the assorted other Robins they haven’t accounted for.

This was a surprising episode in many ways, and I thought they did a good job with it. I’ll give this one a high 3.5 out of 5. I’m curious to see what happens next, and still disappointed that they only got one season.