Gotham’s penultimate episode “They Did What?” aired last night, and indeed – they did what?!?
This was a jam-packed episode, but nothing really felt rushed while they checked off a lot of Batman lore boxes. Some of those included the naming or Barbara and Jim’s daughter, Barbara Lee Kean (yes, future Batgirl!), Bruce deciding to leave Gotham, and the origin to Penguin’s monocle.
The episode saw everyone working together to stop Nyssa and Bane, aided by the military, from destroying Gotham. Meaning an interesting turn took place: the original villains of Gotham helped to save their damaged city! Penguin, ready to leave on a sub with Nygma, decided that he didn’t want to watch his city perish from a distance, and not long after Nygma joined in, too, claiming he likes the city the way it is.
But before the ultimate take-down can happen, Jim needs to save his baby and baby mama from Nyssa. They end up stabbing her with the same knife that killed her father. Sadly, she gets away and leaves Gotham, for now, because Bane can still carry out the plan. Since Alfred is still on the sidelines, Bruce and Selina head to Wayne Enterprises to blow it up with Jeremiah’s bomb to thwart the army from attacking. Man, that moment really came full circle.
While all of that slowed the inevitable down, Bane still showed up with the army. But so did Gordon and the dwindling GCPD, and then Lee and Barbara and the people of Gotham all showed up, too! Ultimately the army turned on Bane and got him arrested. All seems good and well in Gotham finally, but not everyone is thrilled.
While Jim, Barbara, and Bruce are all getting praised, Penguin and Nygma are thrown to the wayside, and they don’t really like that. In true frenemy fashion, they agree to take back Gotham together with a hug and knives to each other’s backs. But friendship wins this time! And Bruce, distraught over the harm he’s caused Gotham, decides to leave and train for when the city really needs him. This leaves Alfred to rebuild all things Wayne, and abandons Selina altogether.
There will definitely be a time jump next week, and I think we’ll see a lot more boxes checked off. While I can’t wait, I also know this is the end, and that really makes me sad. Double-edged sword, Gotham.