The Gotham Season 3 finale introduced major elements of Batman lore.
Now that the season is finished, we look at everything you might have missed in theGothamSeason 3 finale!
Lets get started…but beware of spoilers!
nudge the episode titles to go to full reviews.
Of course, Liam Neeson played Ras inBatman Beginswhile Matt Nable played the character onArrow.
Thats a lot of Ras for one generation!
Instantly, Ras upped the ante when it comes to Bat foes.
But with Ras Al Ghul, Batman was facing an international, James Bond key in threat.
Having Ras around should heat things up inGothammoving forward and raise the stakes considerably.
And where Ras Al Ghul goes the Lazarus Pit follows.
The Lazarus Pits are hidden, mystical bodies of water that gift whoever bathes in them immortality.
We saw Alfred receive a Pits gift this week.
Comic historians will tell you that Cyrus Gold is none other than the long time DC villain Solomon Grundy!
When two criminals murdered Gold, the thugs hide his body in a swamp.
So its totally appropriate to have Butch Grundy smash up TVsGotham.
It really would all blend together nicely.
One also has to speculate if the suddenly deceased Barbara could also have a Lazarus revival in her future.
This sequence mirrored Bruces time as a ski mask wearing vigilante inBatman: Year One.
Young Selina Kyle picks up her famous whip for the first time this week as the iconography continues.
Of course, the whip has long been the weapon of choice for Catwoman.
The finale also saw the first mention of Penguins Iceberg Lounge.
Its like the Gotham City version of Tony Sopranos Bada Bing.
It seems like Foxs only function this past decade and a half is to find antidotes and disarm bombs.
We should start a drinking game next season.
Every time GCPD headquarters gets attacked or destroyed, take a drink.
Wed all have liver problems by the fifth episode.
Hit the next pages for the previous episodes!
Long time Batfans will recognize the name Vale as a grand tradition in Gotham City media.
Like Lois, Vale evolved into a troubleshooting reporter and, unlike Lois, eventual lover to Bruce Wayne.
As far as I know, there has never been a Valerie Vale in the comics.
They are highly trained, fiercely loyal, and deadly.
The Talons are usually taken from circuses at a young age and brainwashed into serving the Court of Owls.
But most of the Talons are like the silent assassin we witnessed in the season premiere.
Talons are highly susceptible to cold which could be a way to bring Mr.
Freeze back to the show, too.
I dont think the very busy Talon costume would translate well to TV.
I also really dug the bond between Selina and Ivy.
Speaking of Harley, Barbara is becoming more and more Harley like as time goes on.
Wouldnt be at all surprised.
But Gothams death touch guy was neither Japanese nor a crime lord so I guess not.
I just wanted to show my nerd cred by referencing Lord Death Man.
We saw the accident that may cause the aging of Ivy Pepper into her more familiar Poison Ivy form.
Youll be missed, Miss Foley.
When Catwoman became more of a sympathetic anti-hero, Poison Ivy took her place as Batmans leading lethal lady.
Like Selina Kyle, in more recent years, Ivy has evolved into an anti-hero herself.
She has also been portrayed as an eco-terrorist, a vengeance obsessed killer and a straight up master criminal.
In this story, Gaiman created the template for the modern day eco-Robin Hood Ivy.
Im not sure how I feel about this Ivy transformation onGotham.
This is a rather creepy direction forGothamto go, and has no precedent in the comics.
Speaking of changes from the comics.
In theCourt of Owlsstoryline, Bruce Wayne discovers the secret society of avian shot callers for the first time.
How did I miss this last season?
In fact, many consider The Monster Men to be the first great Batman tale.
Valerie Vale continues to add something unique to the show.
In fact, Vale channels more classic Lois Lane than Amy Adams has channeled in two Superman films.
Vale is also quite the brilliant and quick thinking character.
This new Vale is so much more than just a hostage in waiting.
The Hatter first appeared as a diminutive criminal who wore a giant top hat.
He only appeared once in the Golden Age.
He was completely devoted to the theft of headgear from every era of history.
Of course, the Holy Grail of his obsession was Batmans famed cowl.
This same version of the character appeared on theBatman66 series.
Both Hatters existed in continuity untilCrisis on Infinite Earths.
In the comics, the Hatter didnt use his hypnotism gimmick untilDetective Comics#526 (1983).
The animated version of the Mad Hatter seems to be whereGothamand actor Benedict Samuel is pulling from.
Either way, Samuel was pretty damn near spot on, huh?
One of the highlights of the week is Selenas concern for Ivy.
Its cool that their love and trust stretch back before they both don costumes.
In the comics, Mario was no doctor nor a lover of Leslie Thompkins.
The comic Mario Falcone was a straight up gangster who ran the Falcone crime empire after Carmine was arrested.
How ballsy/awful/typicallyGothamwould it be if clone Bruce turns out to be the Joker?
It will be fun to see howGothams little political story arc goes pear shaped for dear Pengie.
This is the first live action appearance of long time Batman villains Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
In recent years, both Tweedledee and Tweedledum have been frequently utilized as henchmen for the Mad Hatter.
But there once was a time when the Tweed brothers were big deal Bat villains.
Gothamdepicted the Tweeds as white luchadores which was kind of strange.
OnGothamthere were like six Tweed brothers with only two not getting arrested or killed.
Hmm, the Court of Owls kidnapping clone Bruce is an interesting little direction.
Could Bruce become the first Talon or will there be a more unexpected transformation in store for Bruce 2.0?
But it is kind of cool to see the Red Hoods as an almost urban legend throw in gang.
It also further explains why the Joker would adopt that identity ifGothamever goes that route.
Edward Nygma looked right smart in that green blazer didnt he?
We saw Ivy with a hapless, brain-addled male patsy at Cobblepots party.
This is a major part of Poison Ivys MO.
She frequently uses her abilities and looks to manipulate men of means into being her mind controlled sugar daddies.
Man, how unsettling is Mad Hatter now?
Way to up the ante on Jervis Tetch, Gotham.
Lets see if Im right.
Man, this is a weird episode.
Lets examine some interesting factoids.
This creepy, sexually obsessed mind manipulator trope has followed the character of the Mad Hatter ever since.
But it also makes a once elegant Dini crafted elegant backstory more convoluted.
And speaking of Lewis Carroll characters, we have our first proper appearance of Tweedledee and Tweedledum this episode.
Decked out in their bowler hats and tuxes, the Tweeds were in their classic Golden Age garb.
You ever thought wed get live action versions of the Tweeds?
Thats a deep cut right there and I love it.
Wealmosthad another Carroll inspired Bat character in the White Rabbit.
White Rabbit is a recent rogue that was introduced in the New 52.
When the Vicki Vale character was introduced back in the 50s, she basically became Batmans Lois Lane.
She seemed to just exist to be rescued by Batman.
Its really not good that Valerie Vale has taken on that same role over sixty years later.
I think its a nice little character wrinkle to make Penguin openly gay.
Does this makeGothams Penguin first openly LBGT Bat villain in any media?
The dude that sold Jervis Tetch the Red Queen drug sure was rocking the Tim Burton hair wasnt he?
He is now, but hey, why not?
Its not likeGothamis known for subtlety.
Now, we just need to origin of the monocle.
0 Gordons bad trip reminds one of another bad trip that Gordon once had to famously endure.
Compared to that, Mad Hatters drug trip was weaponized narcotic spring training.
And whoa, that ending.
In fact, Isabellas bee hive like hair style is very reminiscent of Yvonne Craigs old school bouffant.
Not sure if the hair similarities were intentional, but if so, bravoGotham.
In this episode, Captain Barnes brutalizes a thug who calls himself Toad.
A version of the villainous Dollmaker already appeared in the first season ofGothamplayed by Colm Feore.
This Dollmaker is most famous for removing the Jokers face at the Clown Prince of Crimes behest.
Kind of an obscure villain to double down on though.
Even more odd since a version of the character also once appeared on Arrow.
For decades now, Ivys pheromone controlling perfume has been a staple of the character.
All we need now is the poison lipstick and we will have the full Ivy package.
And what was with that antiquities dealer that Ivy robs?
He was like a chimera of Terrence Stamp, Ras Al Ghul, and Gomez Addams.
In the comics, Edward Nygma never really had an inciting incident that made him the Riddler.
The Riddler always kind of just…was.
AhGotham, always needlessly convoluted.
These past few weeks, weve been speculating on what classic DC villain Barnes could be becoming.
Now, I guess that answer is…nobody?
Weve guessed Solomon Grundy; weve guessed Lock Up, but it looks like Barnes is just Barnes.
Or perhaps the not-so-good Captains identity lies in a very deep layer of Bat lore.
There is in fact an Executioner in Batmans rogues gallery.
DCs Executioner first appeared inDetective Comics#191 (1953).
Hows that for a deep cut?
Yeah, we like Judge Dredd, too, but having Barnes constantly spout I am the law!
is a bit on the nose.
I so need to own that portrait of Cobblepot and Nygma.
It would look great hanging in my nerd cave.
Spoiler warning though: it doesnt end with Mario Falcone becoming a jealousy fueled rage monster.
Gothamreally missed a hanging curve this time.
Edward Nygma kidnaps Butch and Tabitha Galavan, anddoesnt leave clues?
If Nygma isnt leaving clues then hes just kind of an obsessed mad man notthe Riddler.
At leastGothamis nailing the Court of Owls.
The series also nails the comic vibe of the organization even if the Talons dress like Kato fromGreen Hornet.
Costume budgets just aint what they used to be.
I could be wrong, but was this the first time the name Talon was said onGotham?
The Talons are the Court of Owls elite squad of highly trained killers.
Of course, Graysons destiny was to be way different.
Pffft, fetus Robin.
Speaking off all that, the Talons mask is really similar to Nightwings mask, innit?
Well played,Gotham, well played.
You just gotta love Jervis Tetchs newspaper top hat.
Nothing like a little classic Batman iconography to jazz up the world ofGotham.
The serialized nature ofGothamallows fans to witnesses little moments in Bruce Waynes evolution.
This time, we got to see his first rope walk.
Or at least he tries to, but ol Bruce still kind of sucks at it.
So we have Gotham Citys other ropemeister Selena Kyle take care of business.
You know Victor Zsasz is one of the deadliest killers in Gotham City, right?
Jim Gordon sure just left Zsasz unconscious on a couch, huh?
Not going to call that one in, Jimbo?
I guess Gordon is now responsible for every one Zsasz murders from here on out.
Nice little touch having Penguin pay tribute to some dude that wrote The History of Gothams Sewers.
After all, in theBatman Returnsfilm, the Penguin dwelled in those sewers because of Tim Burton reasons.
So who else wishes thatGothamcould have landed Michelle Pfeiffer in the role of Selenas darling mum?
Yet, Basil Karlo makes a nice surprising and important return in Ghosts.
IsGothamjust trolling us now?
As many of you will recall, Dastmalchian also played one of Heath Ledgers minions inThe Dark Knight.
Remember, he was the dude Harvey Dent tied up before the DA went full Two-Face.
Dastmalchian was all twitchy and wonderful in the role kicking off his comic book film career.
Dastmalchian also played Scott Langs Russian hacker pal inAnt-Man.
Yes, Gothamites, were talking about the Jokers skinned face.
Joker then goes into exile for a year but returns with his visage strapped to his flailed head.
Hes even rocking the obvious Heath Ledger voice now.
If Jerome is the Joker, the characters origins have become a whole lot more convoluted.
The comic origin is simple and elegant.
The chemicals bleached his skin and drove him mad, and the Joker was born.
It may be overly complex, but Jerome still rocks.
Jeromes disciples really reminds on theBatman Beyonds The Jokerz.
The Jokerz are a street gang that run rampant in the far future of Gotham City.
Did you see Bruce and Selena going at it this week?
I swear future Cat and Bat are channeling a little Michael Keaton and Michelle Pfeiffer as they throw down.
Each one might have had more story oomph if there werent two narrow escapes, you know?
First there is the carnival itself.
We also get to see Jerome use killer piranhas this episode.
Killer fish play a part in two classic Joker stories.
And it all began with a piranha.
Hey listen, if you got to homage, homage from the best, rightGotham?
The wardrobes of Edward Nygma and Oswald Cobblepot are becoming more and more familiar each week.
I never thought Id get so much joy for a bowler hat, but there you go.
I kind of dig the idea of Nygma becoming the Riddler years before Bruce Wayne takes up the cowl.
And we had Bruce Wayne training as a knife thrower.
Seeing Bruce Wayne in an alley fight even if he is so young is always a thrill.
I would watch the hell out of a weekly series featuring Lucius Fox and Harvey Bullock solving crimes together.
Lots of Arnold Drake getting multi-media love this week.
If that was Nanda Parbat, of course.
But the question is, does Raymond J. Barry play Ras Al Ghul?
Could the Shaman be a seriously in need of a dip in the Lazarus Pit Ras?
Time will tell, but this direction is intriguing.
Perhaps we will see a young Talia soon as well?
I would totally watch a sitcom starring Ivy and Oswald.
Certainly, the idea of the senior Gordon being killed by the Court of Owls is new.
That certainly makes the bond between the future vigilante and future commissioner much more synergistic.
Man, how many overweight gunsels are going to betray Penguin?
You would have through that good old Oswald would have learned his lesson with Butch.
And really, who the heck thought wed ever see the cat CPR business again?
It was strange in 1992 and its strange today.
DC Comics has had many supervillain teams.
But you know what?
I kind of like it and I would totally read a comic starring this rag tag band of freaks.
Gothamis certainly going out of its way to make Barnes remind one of Bane, huh?
In the comics, the Court of Owls Talons weakness is extreme cold.
Things went in the opposite direction this week as Firefly takes down a Talon using extreme heat.
So why would the staff of Arkham Asylum allow Jervis Tetch to wear a prison grey Mad Hatter chapeau?
There is no precedent in the comics for evil gothic mastermind Lee Thompkins.
Lee Thompkins is usually portrayed way more Helen Mirren than she is Morticia Addams.
Did Hugo Stranges bomb remind anyone else of Banes bomb inDark Knight Rises?
This weeks episode ofGothamwas entitled Pretty Hate Machine.
This title was lifted fromNine Inch Nails 1989 debut album.
One supposes thats the Court that Bruce Wayne will fight when he becomes a full grown vigilante.
