Salt meets with the League to discuss peace on his terms. Alfred decides to confront Gully to see if they can’t resolve their issues peacefully. Martha finally lets Thomas in on her secret.

Alfred suddenly redeemed himself a fair way last time out, choosing to remain in the UK and fight for his country. Of course, that doesn’t mean all his troubles are over, by a long shot.

After spending the first half of the episode having Dave Boy watch over his mum when he isn’t around as he’s convinced Gully is going to enact terrible revenge, Alfred decides he’s had enough. Going to Gully’s house to confront him man to man may not be his best ever idea though. Though there’s still (apparently) genuine mutual respect there, Alfred did sleep with the man’s wife, and that isn’t the sort of slight Troy is likely to forgive easily (or at all).

Meanwhile, in the wake of Lord Harwood’s death, Salt and the Union are trying to make the best of matters, and Salt seeks to sit down with the Queen and Prime Minister Aziz to discuss terms. Only issue is, the two sides are seeing things from very different perspectives in that regard. It’s clear that Salt has an itchy trigger finger when it comes to Stormcloud, and it’s starting to look like the Army will go along with him on it as well – what’s left to stop the madman?

The Sykes sisters are up to their usual antics, determined to enact some measure of revenge against Salt for the death of their friend Harwood, and this sets up a bit of growth for Bet. Once again, she’s forced to choose between violence and her relationship with Katie. I wonder how long this dynamic will persist, especially given the circles in which the Sykes move and their own internal family dynamics.

Martha finally decides to come clean with Thomas about her pregnancy, as their relationship seems to be on an upward turn once again, but of course Thomas’ reaction soon takes care of that. It’s hard to picture these two becoming Bruce Wayne’s dedicated parents in all honesty. They are so on/off with their relationship and the nature of their affections, plus they are just very different people.

The best parts of this episode without doubt involve Mrs Pennyworth. Whether it’s her verbal sparring with her son, her delightful exchanges with Dave Boy or her other talents which get a reveal here when the situation demands, Dorothy Atkinson has always brought a quiet strength and suggestions of surprising power to Ma Pennyworth, and it’s lovely to see the script making full use of her here, even if she may never fully forgive her wayward son.

The final scene before the credits involves quite the reveal, and an unexpected one even by the standards of this show. I look forward to seeing where the show takes it all as we head into the final episodes.

Verdict: Stylish and often surprising, with a star turn by Mrs Pennyworth the highlight. 8/10

Greg D. Smith