Gotham: The evolution of Bruce and Selina’s relationship

SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 26: In this handout photo provided by Warner Bros, Camren Bicondova and David Mazouz of “Gotham” attend Comic-Con International 2014 on July 26, 2014 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Smallz+Raskind/Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. via Getty Images)

Gotham will air its final season next year on Fox. As we bittersweetly wait, here’s a look back (and forward) at one of the show’s central relationships.

Within its origin story format, Gotham has offered a compelling, unconventional take on the iconic relationship between Batman and Catwoman. In most depictions, the two meet, as themselves and as their alter egos, in adulthood. Thus, their famously tumultuous relationship has overt sexual overtones from the get-go.

Gotham has Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) and Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) meet as kids before they assume their alter egos. They have an intense connection and their attraction to one another is never ignored, but their relationship isn’t hot and heavy. It’s deeper than that. First and foremost, the two are star-crossed best friends.

Here’s a look back at major moments in the development of Bruce and Selina’s relationship over the past four seasons and theories as to what might be in store for the pair in season five.

Season One: First Kiss

Adorable — that is the most accurate description of Bruce and Selina’s relationship in season one. Bruce is instantly rather enamored of Selina. She appears to represent everything he wishes he could be: cool, free and fearless. Selina is amused by his crush and yet, despite herself, develops one of her own.

However, their tragic backstories also begin to inform why the pair will always be pushed toward but then pulled away from one another. Bruce is quite open to the idea of being friends, despite his shyness around her. However, he also prioritizes solving the mystery of parents’ murder over having a personal life.

Selina grew up on the streets after being abandoned by her mother. She survived by learning to rely only on herself. She’s terrified by the idea of not keeping people at a distance, but lets Bruce in. Furthermore, looking out for herself is understandably her number one concern, but that changes when she meets Bruce.

On the brink of being sent to juvie for living on the streets, Selina falsely claims to have seen the face of the man who killed Bruce’s parents. She is sent to live at Wayne Manor as part of a makeshift witness protection program.

When assassins come to the Manor, Selina realizes they are after her, but she fears Bruce will abandon her if he realizes that, too. Thus, she lies again and tells Bruce that he is the target. She promises to protect him as they flee to downtown Gotham.

Rather quickly, though, Selina’s care for Bruce compels her to admit the truth. She doesn’t want to unnecessarily endanger his life just because hers is still at risk. She tells him to return home; but to her surprise, unlike everyone else, Bruce refuses to leave her. Later that night, as can be seen above, Selina and Bruce reach a turning point in their relationship.