Gotham: next villain is "no joke"

steamwright

The trailer for the next episode of Gotham teases that the next villain is "no joke".

Cameron Monaghan guest stars in a role that might turn out to be the Joker. I say "might" because, as some fans have noted, showrunner Bruno Heller has suggested they'll put several possibilities out there to tease the fans. At least one was already done: a struggling comic auditioning for Fish Mooney. (One alert fan noted last month that they heard the Joker laugh in Arkham during the riot that Gordon had to deal with.) Last month Heller stated that they'd do just a little bit, "scratch the surface" on a Joker origin before the end of the season. As another fan stated, Heller spearheaded the Mentalist, putting twists and turns into the Red John story to keep people guessing. It is likely we'll see such here.

markhawkman

Or maybe it'll be Jack Napier. An eccentric, but vicious criminal who refers poisons to traditional weapons.

IE, tell the story of the Joker, before he became the Joker.

artan42

I completely forgot Gotham was still on, I haven't seen an episode since Christmas .

Is it getting any better?

steamwright

"Getting any better" would be a matter of preference. That said, I think it is picking up steam. Since Christmas we've had major developments in Penguin, Carmine Falcone, Marone, and Fish Mooney. Riddler's story has progressed some, Harvey is showing a bit more spine, and continues to be funny. Gordon is in a new relationship with a canonical character who has joined the cast. A couple of the canonical villains have joined the storyline (Electrocutioner, Jonathan Crane). Selena had a few strong episodes, and has blended back into the shadows for the moment. Alfred is demonstrating a steel-in-velvet approach towards raising Bruce.

I know of one episode that folks felt was poorly done, but otherwise, I think the series is progressing nicely. One thing that could derail the series, however, is if the big four crime lord continue their dance around each other without permanent consequences. Currently, they all remain alive & kicking, positions and properties change hands, sometimes dramatically, but could easily change back given the right circumstances. Something will need to give, permanently, or it will wear on the audience's suspension of belief. I think in my own case, I need to see the GPD begin to come around to Gordon's viewpoint. Currently, they're shamed into tolerating his unyielding enforcement of the law, with only his captain and Bullock seemingly making progess towards being the crusaders for justice and reform, and even they blanch at times still.