Gotham

:

Season 2
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2014
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 213 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 151 out of 213
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 213
  3. Negative: 32 out of 213
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User Reviews

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  1. aguarner11
    May 28, 2016
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I loved most of this second season. I really like the evolution of Bruce Wayne and Gordon's storyline. What I didn't like was Fish Mooney's comeback... Man, I hated that woman. With all the monsters around Gotham, season 3 looks really good. Overall, Gotham season 2 has been very interesting until the very end, and I hope season 3 is even better with the Court of Owls.… Expand
  2. eagleeyeviking
    Sep 26, 2016
    5
    Season 2 of Gotham is still the entertaining mess that Season 1 was. While things get darker this time around, the lack of consistency in terms of quality of the episodes is a put off.
  3. YorkMan
    Mar 15, 2016
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gotham is a distinctly average show. It's well acted, directed, scored etc... From a production standpoint, it's hard to fault.
    The problem is the nature of the series' narrative.

    The show is set in Gotham about 10 years or so before Batman shows up. Sounds intriguing in principle, but in actuality it's nothing more than a means to provide extremely brief nerdgasms for those who have an interest in Batman and the lore surrounding him.

    The problem stems from the fact that Batman has been around since the early 1940's, as a character, and has gone through innumerate different media formats to the present day. As such, people watching the show will automatically know where nearly every main character's story arc will go.

    You have teenagers Bruce Wayne (Batman), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Ivy Pepper (Poison Ivy), and Bridget Pike (Firefly)...

    As well as the 'evil' adult characters.... Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin), Edward Nygma (The Riddler), Victor Fries (Mr. Freeze), Hugo Strange (Doctor Strange) and Harvey Dent (Two-Face)

    And the 'good' ones, without alter-egos.... Inspector Jim Gordon (the 'star' of the show), Harvey Bullock, Alfred Pennyworth, Leslie Thompkins, and Lucius Fox.

    Now, unless the people writing the show decide to get all 'Game Of Thrones', and kill off one (or more) of these 'well established in DC Comic lore' characters, then we have incredibly little suspense, and by that I mean the ones from that list YOU don't recognise! Any you do, definitely won't be killed! But even then, a few characters have appeared to have died, and just turned up in Arkham Asylum under the care of Doctor Strange... So, it's not like death is a definite end to an actor's paycheck in Gotham!

    But, as a viewer, what this means is every time young Bruce Wayne is in danger, there is no actual suspense. We KNOW he'll get out of it, same with Jim Gordon, Penguin, E. Nygma and the like....

    So, how do writer's overcome this niggle? Well, in a good series they would endeavour to avoid easy tropes, cliched storylines, and 'magical' explanations for why certain things happen to get our heroes (and villains) out of danger.
    But this isn't a good series. So, we get very tired and predictable stories that aren't very interesting.

    However, I'm a man, so as long as we still have the very attractive female characters, I'll keep watching to see what figure-hugging, cleavage showing outfits they end up wearing.

    Taking a shot whenever you see some cleavage is an excellent drinking game!    … Expand
  4. Tony1984
    May 17, 2017
    5
    Season 1 was all Penguin and in Season 2 we've moved away from Oswald Cobblepot and onto to the other characters in the Batman universe. And unfortunately it just doesn't entertain as much as it should or even could. It feels weak and lifeless when Penguin isn't on the screen. Especially Master Bruce.. He and his mini characters are a bore. Alfred, Nygma, Bullock are good everything elseSeason 1 was all Penguin and in Season 2 we've moved away from Oswald Cobblepot and onto to the other characters in the Batman universe. And unfortunately it just doesn't entertain as much as it should or even could. It feels weak and lifeless when Penguin isn't on the screen. Especially Master Bruce.. He and his mini characters are a bore. Alfred, Nygma, Bullock are good everything else is only fair.… Expand
  5. Elofson
    Nov 1, 2015
    9
    The second season is definitely better than season 1 and is closer to the authentic dark Batman atmosphere. Strangely, the Metacritic score has gone down for season 2, but that's probably because most critics just want a drama with the emphasis on human relations, and don't appreciate the weird character gallery and don't like the violence.
  6. Ripandread
    Oct 27, 2015
    9
    This program only gets better. And this year with the focus on the criminal element that eventually will be the nemesis for Batman has made Gotham even more enjoyable to watch.

    It is also great to see Michael Chickles back on TV. He was great in “The Shield” and his character as the crime-fighting captain adds more dimension to the show.
  7. Cathatakrap
    Sep 26, 2015
    10
    This show is just awesome. I'm always surprised by what is going to happen next. This is not Batman!!! This is better than Batman ever was. It's always shocking what the characters do or not do.
  8. jseph1234
    Sep 22, 2015
    7
    The show had some interesting moral dilemmas and one thing that I have to keep in mind is that they can't pack the entire season into one episode. They can only introduce the beginnings of the threads and hope they are enough to keep the viewer's attention.

    Having said that, I think there were more of the Bruce Wayne superiority, "perfectness" which galls me and as you watch you will    The show had some interesting moral dilemmas and one thing that I have to keep in mind is that they can't pack the entire season into one episode. They can only introduce the beginnings of the threads and hope they are enough to keep the viewer's attention.

    Having said that, I think there were more of the Bruce Wayne superiority, "perfectness" which galls me and as you watch you will see what I mean. Also, campyness from the 1960's "Batman" which I loathe and feel is inappropriate for this. I gave it a 6.5 and rounded it up to 7.    … Expand
  9. mrmonster
    Sep 21, 2015
    10
    Absolutely fantastic. Last season was great, but this season is much more brutal, much bloodier. The level of shock and awe is almost equivalent to that of the Walking Dead. Gotham is the first great returning show of the year.
  10. roinujrino
    Sep 21, 2015
    6
    The perfect series became just another story about Batman and its villains, maybe that's what it was since the beginning, but somehow they made it look like it could be something different. Well, it is not different at all, and it makes me really sad.
  11. royv
    Mar 1, 2016
    10
    Enters Dr. strange, a further unveiling/ expansion of season ones characters, Mr. freeze, butch and his unlikely new ally, the emergence of the riddler, a frenzy of converging plots, and the penguin (hobble-pot) solidifying his base……the writers are top tier, the sequence of events well placed therefore well thought out, the suspense (terribly suspenseful), and my attention……well, they hadEnters Dr. strange, a further unveiling/ expansion of season ones characters, Mr. freeze, butch and his unlikely new ally, the emergence of the riddler, a frenzy of converging plots, and the penguin (hobble-pot) solidifying his base……the writers are top tier, the sequence of events well placed therefore well thought out, the suspense (terribly suspenseful), and my attention……well, they had me from the beginning!… Expand
  12. Knighthawk81
    Sep 22, 2015
    4
    I wanted to love "Gotham," but I just thought the first season was OK. This season was billed as being darker, and the first episode kind of was, but not in a great way. Who is the hero in this show? It's not Jim Gordon, who's now just as bent as the criminals he seeks to stop.
  13. cwilliamhud
    Mar 28, 2016
    8
    It boasts a much more cohesive story than the first season and begins to explore more of each villains journey to darkness. Still very compelling and remains a must watch for any Batman fan.
  14. MHowe
    Dec 8, 2015
    9
    Season 2 steps up and justifies this show's existence in explaining the origins of Gotham, its heroes and its villains. It's darker, dirtier and downright devious. Okay, you have to take a few leaps of faith such as Jim Gordon's ability to defeat elite assassins with little more than his fists, but it is based on a comic books after all. A strength in the aesthetics is the seamless mergingSeason 2 steps up and justifies this show's existence in explaining the origins of Gotham, its heroes and its villains. It's darker, dirtier and downright devious. Okay, you have to take a few leaps of faith such as Jim Gordon's ability to defeat elite assassins with little more than his fists, but it is based on a comic books after all. A strength in the aesthetics is the seamless merging of old school Americana with modern technology in a way where both seem natural. The character development of Edward Nigma (Riddler) answers questions in all the right places and the card switch on the Joker's history is played as a deft hand.… Expand
  15. TornadoCreator
    Apr 9, 2016
    10
    Without exception this is the single greatest series to come out of the new focus on comics over the last decade or so. While the first season focused on the city and the police, with James Gordan as the main character, and his relationship with his partner, his attitudes to corruption, and his attempts to police through a city controlled by organised crime... this season takes all thatWithout exception this is the single greatest series to come out of the new focus on comics over the last decade or so. While the first season focused on the city and the police, with James Gordan as the main character, and his relationship with his partner, his attitudes to corruption, and his attempts to police through a city controlled by organised crime... this season takes all that and builds on it perfectly.

    The tone and style remains as we explore the character of Gordan being repeatedly tested and slowly breaking as he realises he can't police in Gotham without becoming corrupt himself. This alone would make for a stellar series but it was actually the secondary plot for the most part.

    The primary focus is looking at the villains of Gotham, as it takes the characters of 'The Penguin', 'The Riddler', Theo Galavan who is likely to be revealed as another major villain (my guess being 'Ra's al Ghul'), and more. Each of these characters are explored in depth and show shocking arcs that are entertaining and at times disturbing. There's a distinct psychological horror aspect to the show as more and more people who are clearly mentally ill take centre stage and start to effect the direction of the city. This slow shift moves the focus of the show from a crime-noir style to a unique psychological-noir that takes elements from psychological thriller and mixes it with the film-noir aesthetic to provide something truly special.

    Without giving away spoilers it's difficult to discuss the show any further, but suffice to say it's one of the most compelling shows I've ever seen; and watching multiple characters crumble to madness, even the "good guys" in their own way is extremely addictive to watch.    … Expand
  16. ProGamerZix
    Sep 20, 2016
    10
    Holy Sh*t ! Just finished watching this season. Such a good season. The story is much more interesting than the first one. Amazing screenplay and writing, Visuals are on point and the music is much more deep and atmospheric.

    The irony is that this is set in the Batman Universe, but it's so much better than all of the batman movies >.<

    Must watch for anyone
  17. SrPepe
    Jul 5, 2018
    8
    Mucho mejor que la primera, con grandes cambios y una buena trama. Muy bien Jerome.
  18. shortrock692
    Nov 15, 2016
    9
    A very dark alternative view of the Batman tale. The art direction is superb. While some of the acting is a bit thin, Michael Chiklis and Ben McKenzie more than hold their own.
  19. flylex
    May 18, 2017
    8
    The second season of gotham is divided in two parts one on asrael that is reasonable shows the supposed joker jerome, barbara queen pisicopata, tabitha that for the min in this season does not seem to have own opinion or any great characteristic very remarkable, the series is already at that time With character formulated a formulated climate what is lacking is a good and fluid henredo forThe second season of gotham is divided in two parts one on asrael that is reasonable shows the supposed joker jerome, barbara queen pisicopata, tabitha that for the min in this season does not seem to have own opinion or any great characteristic very remarkable, the series is already at that time With character formulated a formulated climate what is lacking is a good and fluid henredo for 45 minutes each episode, however the script contia failed in many situations, character with weak motivations and not justifiable their actions, the second time has a great improvement in the henredo Presenting edward nigma on the way to become the charade and doctor strange, we also have the evolution te bruce wayne as personem already with traces of arrogance and anger, treading his way to become the greatest protector of gotham we have the selina that is reasonable but The script does not make the gaps for her to be a great character, Jim is still the typical good cop who always fights for innocents and harvey so s Erve to disagree with him or point out obvious things even with so many mistakes the series is good and knows how to create a good climax for the situations ahead note 83… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Zach Hollwedel
    Sep 21, 2015
    70
    The show is still subject to the freak-of-the-week formula that so pervasively plagues comic book series, and its treatment of the criminally insane remains more criminally over-the-top than in Gotham's peer programs (Arrow and The Flash, most notably). On the whole, though, Gotham's second season debuts as strong as--if not stronger than--the series premiere, encouraging those who stuck with the hammy inaugural season to settle in for the long haul.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jeff Jensen
    Sep 21, 2015
    50
    With so much hammy and hollow hideousness running wild, Gotham needs its heroes to provide some grounding and winsome humanity. But the fixation with villainy--with anti-heroic postures--extends to them, as well.
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  3. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Sep 21, 2015
    50
    There's a much sharper focus and clearer sense of direction.... [However,] Gotham remains fundamentally unbalanced, and there doesn't seem to be a solution short of a time jump that DC Comics would likely never allow.
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