Gotham plays with Batman origin story

A prequel to the traditional Batman saga, Gotham is one the most unique and compelling superhero shows on television. Currently in its third season on Fox, the show opens with the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, witnessed by their 12-year-old son Bruce (David Mazouz), who will grow to become Batman, and 14-year-old street kid Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova), who will grow to become Catwoman.

The murder has repercussions for all the residents of Gotham City and catalyzes the city’s descent into darkness, madness and chaos that makes Batman’s rise necessary.

However unlike most other superhero shows, Gotham is not centered on one character. It features a true ensemble cast, giving equal time and equally sympathetic treatment to both heroes and villains. It proves that the battle between good and evil is actually far less compelling than the battle within the gray area in between.

The Villains: Gotham is to the Batman villains what Wicked is to the Wicked Witch of the West. It presents the backstories of classic Batman villains, including The Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), The Riddler (Cory Michael Smith) and a quasi-Joker (Cameron Monaghan) in a complex, sympathetic and thrilling new light.

Penguin, aka Oswald Cobblepot, is introduced as a young, ambitious nobody looking to make a name for himself in the Gotham mob scene as a lackey to boss Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith). Through keen insight and brilliant manipulation that often fools characters and viewers alike, Penguin begins working his way up the food chain. Taylor’s outstandingly nuanced performance, makes him one of Gotham’s best villains and one you might actually find yourself rooting for.

The character of Fish Mooney was actually created specifically for the show and plays a crucial role in Cobblepot’s evolution into Penguin. Pinkett Smith makes her a captivating villain in her own right with a commanding on-screen presence.

The Riddler, aka Edward Nygma, is perhaps Gotham’s most inconspicuous villain. He is introduced as a genuinely mild-mannered, albeit odd, forensic scientist at the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD). His love of riddles and stunted social skills frustrate his co-workers, but he is certainly not seen as a threat by anyone. However, as the season progresses, he uncovers a dark, psychotic part of himself that he struggles to suppress. This battle is quite affectingly portrayed on-screen and puts Nygma on the path to becoming The Riddler.

Gotham’s quasi-Joker Jerome Valeska is introduced late in season one as a carnie kid whose mother is murdered when the circus comes to town. Though seemingly innocent, his true sociopathic nature is soon revealed and is chillingly portrayed by Cameron Monaghan. He is depicted as a Joker-like character who later inspires a band of crazy followers. Whether it is Valeska or one of his disciples who will go on to become The Joker is a card the showrunners are purposefully holding close to their chests.

The Kids: Selina and Young Master B, as butler and legal guardian Alfred (Sean Pertwee) calls him, offer an adorable storyline that will make you the most invested you’ve been in a teen relationship since your Disney Channel days. But the show by no means shies away from Bruce’s devastation at being orphaned and his transformative mission to avenge them nor Selina’s complicated psyche that makes her fierce, closed-off, vulnerable, loving, protective and harsh all at the same time.

The Cop Bromance: Gotham introduces Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie), who is the GCPD Commissioner in Batman’s time, as a rookie detective with high hopes of cleaning up the city and the corrupt precinct.

Paired with veteran Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), who’s determined to not interfere with the criminal underground, Gordon jumps at the chance to prove himself by solving the Wayne murders but soon discovers that operating inside the law may not be as easy or effective as he’d initially envisioned. However, Gordon also inspires Bullock to kind of meet him halfway, and the two eventually form one of the show’s most heartwarming bonds.

Gotham returns Monday, April 24 with the final eight episodes of its third season.