Gotham
Series, 2014, Gotham, Set in Young Bruce and Jim Gordon
Gotham is #19 of 26 in release order and #25 of 26 in chronological order in the Batman.
The story
Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon. He is one of the crime world's greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon's story and his rise from rookie detective to Police Commissioner? What did it take to navigate the multiple layers of corruption that secretly ruled Gotham City, the spawning ground of the world's most iconic villains? And what circumstances created them – the larger-than-life personas who would become Catwoman, The Penguin, The Riddler, Two-Face and The Joker?
Gotham recap
After Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered, rookie detective Jim Gordon promises young Bruce Wayne he will find the killer, and the hunt runs through all five seasons. Season 1 pulls Gordon into a gang war between Carmine Falcone, Sal Maroni and Fish Mooney, and follows Oswald Cobblepot's rise from errand boy to the Penguin. Season 2 brings the Galavan family and Hugo Strange's experiments at Indian Hill, and Edward Nygma becomes the Riddler. In season 3, Jervis Tetch spreads a madness virus and Bruce is drawn toward the League of Shadows. Season 4 has Bruce training as a masked vigilante while Jeremiah Valeska, a version of the Joker, rises. In season 5, Gotham is cut off from the mainland, a no man's land, and Gordon and Bruce fight to save it.
Gotham ending explained
The finale, "The Beginning...", jumps ten years: Gotham has recovered, and Gordon is about to retire as commissioner. Bruce returns as a bat-themed vigilante, stops Penguin and Riddler from killing Gordon, and recaptures Jeremiah after he escapes Arkham. Gordon decides to stay and switches on the searchlight on police headquarters to call the new vigilante, the Batman.
Where to watch Gotham
Gotham isn't on a US streaming service right now. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.8/10
Where it fits
- Release order: after Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, before Batman: The Killing Joke.
- Chronological order: after Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2, before Batman: Caped Crusader.
What to watch before Gotham
Nothing. Gotham (2014) doesn't continue an earlier version, so it stands on its own.
Cast
- Ben McKenzie as James 'Jim' Gordon
- Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock
- David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne
- Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth
- Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot
- Erin Richards as Barbara Kean
- Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle
- Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma
- Morena Baccarin as Dr. Leslie "Lee" Thompkins
- Drew Powell as Solomon Grundy
- Jessica Lucas as Tabitha Galavan
- Chris Chalk as Lucius Fox
Created by Bruno Heller.