Slowly but surely, people see Edward Nygma a.k.a. The Riddler grow. If in earlier "Gotham" episodes he always takes a backseat in favor of colleagues Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue).
This time, he is starting to learn to work on his own. He did not back down in his first face-to-face meeting with the notorious Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor).
As for his personal agenda, he is starting to move on his own to make female co-worker Kristen feel how he appreciates her. Although he has been turned down several times, Nygma remains determined. This failed attempts of Smith's character may not look like a big deal compared to struggle of other characters but according to the actor himself, that is the start of bigger things for him to eventually become the infamous Batman nemesis The Riddler.
"We've ended in [Episode] 18 where he finally -- he's taking bigger challenges, getting a little more brave," Smith told Comic Book Resources when asked for a "Gotham" episode guide regarding the growth of his character.
"He finally goes up to Kristen [Kringle] and actually asks her on a date rather than just giving her cupcakes and bullets and stuff. So he's really reaching out. That's a big deal. It's a really big deal, and he totally gets shot down."
Smith told in his "Gotham" episode guide the frustration in his love life could be one key why Nygma will discover his dark side.
"So that's a moment, a flash of very much darker things that Edward has inside that we will unlock the door to and take a peek at. It's quite horrifying, really, the man inside. I think the veneer of trying... he tries. There's so much effort. And underneath that, what's behind that is, he's a pretty hurt guy that he doesn't really let show. And then the last few episodes, you'll spend some time alone with Edward in a room with no one else there. God help America and Canada and France and everyone! It's not a pretty place up here."
The show will return next week for the episode "Beasts of Prey" after almost one month of hiatus. Read the full "Gotham" episode guide here.
