Gotham – Fall Finale Wrap-Up And Plot Predictions

This past Monday, Gotham had it’s fall finale episode, LoveCraft.  With new episodes not set to air until January 5, 2015, we have plenty of time to discuss on what has happened and what may happen in the Dark Knight’s future battlegrounds.

Where Are We?

A lot has happened in the first ten episodes.  Let’s go over some major ongoing plot points and see where our characters stand after the fall finale.

Becoming Commissioner Ain’t Easy

It’s been a long road for James Gordon.  When he first arrived at GCPD, everyone hated him — including his assigned partner, the ever-blunt Harvey Bullock.  Even worse, Gordon got the unwanted attention of two of the cleanest cops in Gotham City — Major Crimes Unit Detectives Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen.  Thinking that Gordon was just as corrupt as all the other cops, Montoya and Allen went after him every chance they got.  When the thought-to-be-murdered Oswald Cobblepot suddenly reappears, both Montoya and Allen knew they were wrong about Gordon.

Soon, Gordon’s most staunch opponents within the law enforcement community became his greatest allies.  Bullock softened up and started to trust Gordon more and more.  We also saw a redeeming side to Bullock in Spirit of the Goat.  But just having a few friends in a place like Gotham City isn’t enough.  Gordon has been manipulated at every turn by Oswald Cobblepot, Fish Mooney, and Carmine Falcone.  To add to Gordon’s headaches, the highest office in Gotham City really doesn’t like him.  Mayor Aubrey James sees Gordon as a thorn in his side, and in the fall finale, transfers Gordon to serve as security at Arkham Asylum.  Really!?  Is that the way to treat the detective who saved your life from a hitman (Arkham)?

Aside from Gordon’s political nightmares, he has become a sort of guardian to young Bruce Wayne.  As seen in Penguin’s Umbrella, when Gordon informs Bruce that he may not make it out of an investigation alive, Bruce’s reaction of not wanting to lose another “parent” is evident.

Gordon’s relationship with his significant other has also suffered dramatically.  At the start of the series, Barbara Kean was by Gordon’s side no matter the accusations or outcome.  By the time we get to the last few episodes, we see Barbara leaving Gordon and renewing her affair with Montoya.

Gordon certainly has the weight of the world on his shoulders.  Maybe this is why his hair eventually turns stark white in the comics.

Waddling His Way to the Top

Oswald Cobblepot, a.k.a. the future Penguin, has certainly proved to be a mastermind of sorts.  Playing not just both sides of the field, but multiple sides of the field, Oswald is seen manipulating Mooney, Maroni, Falcone, and Gordon.

Seemingly executed by Gordon via Falcone’s orders, the truth is later revealed as a manipulation by Oswald (Penguin’s Umbrella) — knowing that Gordon is too incorruptible to murder anyone, Oswald chooses him as his “executioner.”  This way, Oswald, who is now dead in the eyes of the public, can freely navigate and collect information for Falcone.

After discovering Liza, Mooney’s spy, Oswald blackmails her into helping him get information from both Falcone and Mooney.  In the fall finale, even when threatened by Falcone, Oswald doesn’t reveal Liza being a mole.  Talking to his associate, Oswald claims to have bigger plans that require a bit more patience.

Biggest Fish in the Pond

Fish Mooney certainly has her eyes set on the big man’s job.  It also seems that Mooney doesn’t just want Falcone’s seat at the head of the table, she wants Falcone’s head in front of her at the table.  In Selina Kyle, Mooney’s animosity towards Falcone can be seen when he has one of her lovers beaten right in front of her.  Mooney’s plans are also later ruined by Oswald when he has her peer, Nikolai, killed.  Mooney originally wanted to set Nikolai on a route of inheriting Falcone’s position, and then stepping in to take it from him later.

In the fall finale, Mooney discusses with Butch Gilzean in starting the initial stages of a coup to take down Falcone.  Due to Falcone’s recent increase in tariffs (to make up for Mooney’s behind-the-scenes destruction of his vault money in Harvey Dent), Mooney feels that this is the right time to gain supporters in ousting the “old man.”

Testing out His Wings

In the first episode, Pilot, audiences were given another account of Bruce Wayne’s parents’ murders, but with a twist — it was witnessed by Selina Kyle, a.k.a. the future Catwoman.  This event triggered Bruce to test himself at every chance he got, sometimes with the results of being admonished by Alfred Pennyworth.  And let’s not forget about this loyal butler.  He’s definitely not the Alfred we’ve seen on television or film.  This is a tougher, leaner, meaner Alfred.  One that has an MI6 background and will not even flinch when shot.

Soon, Selina seeks out Gordon to use her witness status as a way to leverage some self-serving gains — getting a home and not being moved into juvenile detention.  With no safe place to hide her, Gordon requests that she stay at Wayne Manor.  Welcoming her into his home, Bruce strikes up a quick friendship with Selina.  Though Bruce’s naivete contrasted with Selina’s street-smart cynicism, there was no doubt the two had feelings that were beyond just being friends.

As Bruce investigates deeper into the reasons behind his parents’ murders, he starts to uncover intricate ties between people in political power and the underworld.  All of this, paired with Gordon’s investigations into the same things, certainly put out a large signal to forces looking to do harm.  And because Selina was a witness to the Wayne murders, a hit was put out on her in the fall finale.  This resulted in both her and Bruce escaping to Gotham City.  In a life and death moment, Bruce saved Selina by not divulging her location.  At the end, she repays him by visiting him at the mansion and kissing him.

Where Are We Going?

When January 5th rolls around, Gotham‘s gears of deception and political corruption will surely be spinning like crazy.  Here are some plot points I think will happen.

Meeting the Residents of Arkham Asylum

If Gotham‘s writers are daring enough, they’ll leave Gordon on his own little island, without any contact with the outside world.  This new dynamic will position Gordon as a lone cop, which requires him to make new friends and allies.

Gordon will definitely need to tread carefully in his newfound surroundings.  From the comics, we all know that Arkham Asylum is the breeding ground for some of the most dangerous villains in Batman’s rogues gallery.  Could we be seeing some familiar baddies before they turned truly evil and powerful?  After all, we did already meet Harvey Dent before he started flipping that coin for more nefarious reasons.  Gordon may also meet Jeremiah Arkham, or even Dr. Roger Huntoon (not sure if legal implications with NBC’s Constantine will prevent that).

It’ll be disappointing if Gordon is back to his old job within two or three episodes.  Gotham‘s writers should challenge themselves and see how this new environment can be a learning experience for Gordon.

Will the Bird Catch the Fish?

Oswald’s patience may finally pay off within the first two episodes airing in January.  Could we be seeing the downfall of Mooney?  Her character also needs to change.  For the past ten episodes, she’s been planning to take down Falcone, but we all know that’s not going to happen.  Falcone needs to be still running the city when Bruce slips on the cape and cowl.  Could Mooney change into a supervillain?  If so, will she be a unique take on a character we’ve already seen in the comics?

Oswald also makes a hint to his associate that Liza is a ticking time bomb.  What type of conclusion is Oswald expecting when Liza is pushed to her limits?  Whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll be a juicy scene where Oswald relishes it in front of an infuriated Mooney.

Bruce’s Investigation

In LoveCraft, Selina explicitly told Bruce that she was not going to testify as a witness to his parents’ murders.  Where does that leave Bruce?  Surely, the ordeal that the two went through should make Selina change her mind.  If their relationship, going forward, is to be built on trust, like she said, helping by testifying is one way of reinforcing that foundation.  If she doesn’t testify, what other avenues will Bruce look into?

His outing with Selina proved that he can survive in a dangerous urban jungle.  Would this experience give him the guts to start going out and investigating the city on his own?  Would he enlist the help of Selina again?

Alfred’s ass-kicking actions will most likely be a source of questions for Bruce.  This is probably a side he’s never seen of his loyal butler.  Could we see a flashback episode that details Alfred’s history and how he came under the employment of the Waynes?

Final Thoughts

Yes, the corruption is deep within Gotham City, but we may only be scratching the surface.  We’ve seen influential men like Mayor James and Dick Lovecraft fear some unseen powers — and we’re not talking about Falcone, Mooney, and Maroni.  There seems to be a bigger evil at play.

How the Waynes are involved is still up for debate.  It seems that their murder was important enough that they sent assassins to kill the only witness.  Most fans would know that in the comics, the man who killed Thomas and Martha Wayne was Joe Chill, but will that be changing on Gotham?

I guess we’ll just have to find out when Fox airs new episodes of Gotham starting on Monday, January 5, 2015 at 8:00PM EST.