“Gotham” is a television series that aired from 2014 to 2019. It is a crime drama that explores the early years of Gotham City before the emergence of Batman. The show primarily follows the character of James Gordon, played by Ben McKenzie, a detective in the Gotham City Police Department.
The series depicts the origins of various iconic Batman villains, such as Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Joker. It also delves into the development of Bruce Wayne, played by David Mazouz, as he copes with the murder of his parents and his journey towards becoming the Dark Knight.
Throughout its five seasons, “Gotham” explores the city’s corrupt underworld, political intrigue, and the struggles of the Gotham City Police Department to maintain law and order. The show received praise for its atmospheric setting, strong performances, and its unique take on the Batman mythology.
Gotham – Season 1 – Summary
The first season of “Gotham” serves as a prequel to the Batman saga, focusing on the origins of Gotham City’s most notorious villains and vigilantes. The story begins with the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, leaving young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) orphaned. Detective James Gordon (Ben McKenzie), newly assigned to the Gotham City Police Department, vows to solve the case and bring justice to the city.
As Gordon delves into the Wayne murders, he uncovers the dark underbelly of Gotham, filled with corruption, crime, and power struggles. He partners with his cynical and corrupt colleague, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), and crosses paths with future villains, including Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), who evolves into the ruthless Penguin, Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova), a street-smart thief who becomes Catwoman, and Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), a forensic scientist who slowly transforms into The Riddler.
Throughout the season, Gordon battles criminal kingpins like Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) and Carmine Falcone (John Doman), trying to maintain his morality in a city plagued by evil. Meanwhile, Bruce begins his journey toward becoming Batman, with the help of his loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee), as he seeks answers about his parents’ deaths and starts investigating Wayne Enterprises’ corruption.
The season ends with the city descending further into chaos, setting the stage for the rise of Gotham’s legendary heroes and villains.
Gotham – Season 1 – Trailer
Gotham – Season 2 – Summary
Season 2 of Gotham, subtitled “Rise of the Villains” and “Wrath of the Villains,” follows the chaotic rise of Gotham City’s most notorious criminals and deepens the storylines of characters destined to shape the city’s fate. The season opens with Theo Galavan, a charismatic billionaire, orchestrating a violent escape from Arkham Asylum, freeing dangerous inmates including Barbara Kean, Jerome Valeska, and others.
Galavan aims to take over Gotham and restore his family’s power while presenting himself as a savior. As he manipulates events from behind the scenes, Jim Gordon, now a detective with the Gotham City Police Department, becomes entangled in Galavan’s schemes, all while facing his internal battle with morality and law enforcement corruption.
Bruce Wayne’s journey continues as he delves deeper into uncovering his parents’ murder. He discovers a secret lair beneath Wayne Manor and begins to understand his destiny, with Alfred Pennyworth and Lucius Fox aiding his path toward becoming Gotham’s future protector.
Bruce’s investigation leads him into direct conflict with Galavan, who holds vital information about the Wayne family. Meanwhile, Edward Nygma’s transformation into the Riddler accelerates as he succumbs to his darker impulses, committing murder and slowly embracing his villainous identity.
The second half of the season shifts to “Wrath of the Villains,” introducing Dr. Hugo Strange, a mad scientist conducting unethical experiments at Indian Hill, a secret facility beneath Arkham Asylum. Strange revives several deceased villains, including Victor Fries (Mr. Freeze) and Theo Galavan (reincarnated as Azrael), unleashing them on Gotham.
Strange’s experiments contribute to the escalating chaos as more dangerous criminals take root in the city. Jim Gordon, who is framed for murder and forced to go on the run, battles to clear his name and uncover the truth about Indian Hill, all while his relationship with Lee Thompkins faces turmoil.
Season 2 culminates in an explosive showdown as Gordon, with the help of allies like Harvey Bullock, Bruce Wayne, and others, confronts Hugo Strange’s monstrous creations.
In the aftermath, Fish Mooney, previously presumed dead, is resurrected and escapes, promising an even darker future for Gotham. The season ends with a mysterious bus filled with Strange’s mutated experiments roaming free, hinting at the rise of even more villains in the city’s already tumultuous landscape.
Gotham – Season 2 – Trailer
Gotham – Season 3 – Summary
Season 3 of “Gotham,” subtitled “Mad City,” dives deeper into the city’s descent into chaos as the story picks up six months after the events of Season 2. The season is marked by the rise of new villains, the emergence of darker themes, and the development of familiar characters.
As the chaos intensifies, Jim Gordon has left the GCPD and now works as a bounty hunter, chasing down the escaped Indian Hill experiments, a group of monstrous creations released into Gotham by Hugo Strange. He is struggling to come to terms with the end of his relationship with Lee Thompkins, who has moved on and is now engaged to another man.
The criminal underworld becomes more active, with Oswald Cobblepot, aka Penguin, seizing power and declaring himself the king of Gotham’s criminal empire. As Penguin consolidates his control, he faces competition from new threats, including the enigmatic and manipulative journalist, Valerie Vale, and the return of Fish Mooney, who now possesses the ability to control others through touch.
Meanwhile, Edward Nygma, formerly the GCPD’s forensic scientist, fully embraces his identity as the Riddler and becomes a dangerous ally and rival to Penguin.
Bruce Wayne’s journey toward becoming Batman takes a significant step forward this season. He continues to investigate the secretive Court of Owls, a clandestine organization with deep roots in Gotham’s history that has been manipulating events from behind the scenes.
As Bruce delves deeper into the Court’s secrets, he discovers more about his parents’ murder, leading him on a path that brings him closer to his destiny. Additionally, a mysterious doppelgänger of Bruce, created by Indian Hill experiments, appears in Gotham, adding another layer of intrigue to Bruce’s storyline.
The second half of the season shifts its focus to the emergence of the notorious villain known as the Mad Hatter, Jervis Tetch, a hypnotist seeking revenge for the death of his sister. Tetch’s arrival brings chaos and destruction as he manipulates people’s minds, pushing Gotham to the brink of madness. Meanwhile, Jim Gordon confronts his own demons, struggling with his inner darkness as he tries to find a way to redeem himself and reconcile with Lee, who has become more entangled in Gotham’s dangerous underworld.
As the season progresses, alliances shift, betrayals occur, and the line between good and evil becomes increasingly blurred. The climax builds to an intense confrontation between the heroes and villains, culminating in a battle against the monstrous executioner known as the “Executioner,” who brings terror to the city.
By the season’s end, Bruce Wayne is more determined than ever to protect Gotham, and Jim Gordon realizes that the city’s descent into chaos is far from over, setting the stage for even greater challenges ahead.
Gotham – Season 3 – Trailer
Gotham – Season 4 – Summary
Season 4 of Gotham follows the rise of criminal activity as Penguin seizes control of Gotham City’s underworld, introducing a “crime license” system that legitimizes crime under his authority. This creates a fragile sense of order, but Bruce Wayne, now taking on the vigilante role, begins targeting criminals, trying to restore justice in the city.
As the season progresses, the criminal landscape shifts with the return of iconic villains. Jonathan Crane fully embraces his Scarecrow persona, while Edward Nygma, struggling with his identity as The Riddler, battles his own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, Sofia Falcone, daughter of crime lord Carmine Falcone, arrives in Gotham, setting off a power struggle as she manipulates events to gain control.
The battle for Gotham intensifies as Ra’s al Ghul reveals his interest in Bruce, pushing him towards his destiny. Bruce faces tremendous challenges, including facing his fears and grappling with his dual identity. Jim Gordon, on the other hand, confronts his role in the city’s corruption and allies with Harvey Bullock to restore order.
The season culminates in chaos, as Jeremiah Valeska (Jerome’s twin brother) unleashes a devastating attack, pushing Gotham into anarchy. By the end, the city is left in a state of turmoil, setting the stage for an all-out war and hinting at Bruce’s inevitable transformation into Batman.
Gotham – Season 4 – Trailer
Gotham – Season 5 – Summary
In Season 5 of “Gotham,” the show takes a time jump forward to 10 years into the future. The season is titled “Gotham: Legend of the Dark Knight” and serves as the final season of the series. It consists of 12 episodes and focuses on the city’s descent into chaos and the emergence of Batman.
After the events of Season 4, Gotham City has been cut off from the outside world, isolated and controlled by criminals. James Gordon, now the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, leads a small group of remaining police officers who continue to fight against crime. Bruce Wayne, who has spent the past decade training and honing his skills, returns to Gotham City to confront the threats that plague his city.
Throughout the season, new villains rise to power, including the enigmatic and ruthless Bane, who leads an army of followers. The city is also terrorized by a deadly virus called “The Walker Virus,” which causes people to become violent and uncontrollable. The heroes must find a cure for the virus while battling the various factions vying for control of Gotham City.
As the season progresses, Bruce Wayne embraces his destiny as Batman, donning the iconic cape and cowl to protect the city. He forms alliances with familiar faces such as Selina Kyle (Catwoman) and Jim Gordon to bring justice to Gotham. The season culminates in an epic battle for the soul of the city as Batman faces off against his greatest enemies.
In the series finale, Gotham City is left in a state of transformation, with Batman now patrolling the streets to uphold justice. The season aims to lay the foundation for the Batman mythology and showcases the early stages of Bruce Wayne’s journey towards becoming the iconic Dark Knight.
Gotham – Season 5 – Trailer
