There are nine significant storylines in Gotham that ultimately went nowhere, leaving some unanswered questions about the DC series. Gotham is known for its ambitious narratives and bold reimaginings of Batman’s origin and the DCU timeline. It featured numerous gripping narratives, yet some of the most intriguing were abandoned or forgotten about. From unresolved character arcs to dropped teases of iconic villains, the show left many threads dangling.
Gotham was a prequel series focused on the origins of Batman’s world, following Jim Gordon’s rise through the ranks of the Gotham City Police Department. It provided new takes on classic villains and explored Bruce Wayne’s evolution into the Dark Knight. However, due to behind-the-scenes challenges, the final season was shortened drastically, forcing writers to condense the planned storylines into just 12 episodes. This required the writers to fast-track Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman, which meant some characters and Gotham storylines were cut entirely. That said, other stories seem like they were simply forgotten about.
9
The Man-Bat Tease
Gotham Season 4, Episode 22 “A Dark Knight: No Man's Land"
In the season 4 finale, Gotham teased the introduction of Man-Bat, a winged humanoid figure glimpsed during a montage of new Gotham villains during its descent into chaos. The moment was thrilling, as Man-Bat is a unique and fascinating villain in Batman’s rogues’ gallery. However, the mysterious creature was never addressed again in the final season. Given the show’s love for exploring Gotham’s more bizarre and supernatural elements, Man-Bat seemed like a perfect addition to the narrative.
Gotham’s unexpectedly curtailed final season meant that some classic DC characters who were planned for the show ultimately never materialized.
Man-Bat, known in the comics as Kirk Langstrom is a captivating and tragic villain whose transformations into the giant monster are depicted as an affliction. This would have made him ideal for Gotham’s themes and old-timey noir themes including duality and hubris. Unfortunately, season 5’s shortened run left no room to follow up on this intriguing tease. The Man-Bat tease now feels like a missed opportunity to introduce a visually striking and thematically rich antagonist.
8
Thomas Wayne's Used Bulletproof Vest
Gotham Season 2, Episode 2 “Knock Knock”
In season 2, Bruce Wayne and Alfred discover a hidden office in Wayne Manor, revealing a bulletproof vest with a bullet hole that had belonged to Thomas Wayne. The discovery hinted at a deeper mystery surrounding Thomas’s life and the possible dangers he faced before his murder. However, this intriguing detail was never elaborated upon in subsequent episodes. The bulletproof vest suggested that Thomas Wayne may have been involved in covert activities or had enemies who sought to harm him.
It was speculated that this plot point could tie into the larger conspiracy surrounding Wayne Enterprises, but the show never revisited it. The vest’s inclusion felt like an intentional clue, but its lack of follow-up made it seem like a throwaway detail. This unresolved storyline left viewers wondering about Thomas Wayne’s secret life and its potential impact on Bruce’s journey. It’s another example of how Gotham introduced compelling ideas without fully exploring their implications.
7
The Executioner Escapes
Gotham Season 3, Episode 19 "Heroes Rise: All Will Be Judged"
Nathaniel Barnes was a former GCPD captain who became a version of the DC villain, the Executioner. Barnes had a gripping arc throughout Gotham, but it ended abruptly in season 3. After succumbing to the effects of the Tetch virus, Barnes becomes a murderous vigilante targeting Gotham’s criminals. He is captured by Gordon and Bullock and sent to Arkham Asylum. However, during his transfer, Barnes escapes custody, leaving his fate unresolved. The Executioner’s escape seemed to set up a future confrontation with Gordon or a possible redemption arc.
From bazookas to zombies, Gotham brought all of the unhinged chaos of the Batman mythos to the small screen like no other DC series has.
It was therefore expected that Barnes would return, particularly given his significance in earlier seasons, but he never reappeared. His story, which had explored themes of justice and corruption, was left hanging. The absence of closure for Barnes’s character is disappointing, as he was one of the show’s more complex antagonists. His unresolved arc highlights Gotham’s tendency to abandon promising storylines in favor of introducing new characters and plots.
6
Sofia Falcone Survives And Returns To Gotham
Gotham Season 4, Episode 15 “A Dark Knight: The Sinking Ship, The Grand Applause”
Sofia Falcone’s arc in Gotham season 4 ended with a dramatic twist: she survived being shot in the head by Lee Thompkins, who was trying to protect Jim Gordon. The dialogue surrounding her survival heavily implied that Sofia would return to seek revenge or reclaim her family’s power. However, she never reappeared in the series. Sofia’s character had been a formidable presence throughout season 4, manipulating Gordon and consolidating control over Gotham’s criminal underworld.
Sofia Falcone’s survival set up the potential for an explosive comeback, but the show failed to deliver on this promise. The decision to keep her alive but not continue her story was baffling, especially as the character has such a rich history in the comics. The lack of resolution for Sofia’s character undermines the dramatic impact of her arc. Her absence in season 5 is particularly glaring, given her significance in earlier episodes.
5
Harvey Dent Becomes Two-Face
Gotham Season 2, Episode 12 “Wrath Of The Villains: Mr. Freeze”
Harvey Dent’s transformation into Two-Face is one of the most iconic arcs in Batman lore, but Gotham never fully explored it. Introduced as a recurring character in season 1 and promoted to series regular in season 2, Dent played a minor role in the show’s narrative. Despite his potential, the character was gradually sidelined and eventually disappeared altogether. Actor Nicholas D’Agosto, who portrayed Dent, revealed that there were no plans to develop his character further, as the show already had a crowded cast of villains.
This decision was disappointing, as Dent’s descent into villainy could have been a compelling storyline. Instead, his character was reduced to a footnote in Gotham’s history. Dent traditionally doesn’t transform until after Bruce Wayne has become Batman, so logically, he shouldn’t have transformed into the villain in the prequel Gotham. However, it seems strange to introduce him and not have him return in time for Batman’s ascension.
4
Nyssa Al Ghul's Quest For Revenge
Gotham Season 5, Episode 11 “Legend Of The Dark Knight: They Did What?”
Nyssa al Ghul, the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul, was introduced in the final season of Gotham. Nyssa appeared as a vengeful antagonist seeking to destroy Gotham and avenge her father’s death, specifically targeting Bruce Wayne and Barbara Kean. Her storyline had the potential to be a major driving force in the No Man’s Land arc, but it was abruptly cut short. Nyssa's entire narrative was shortened substantially for the abridged final season, and though she made it to the penultimate episode, her story was truncated notably.
The Dark Knight Trilogy is one of the most celebrated superhero franchises ever, and even questionable decisions have been vindicated in hindsight.
After a climactic battle with Jim Gordon and Barbara Kean in Gotham, Nyssa was stabbed and retreated, vowing revenge. However, the season ended before she could return to Gotham, leaving her arc unresolved. Given her connection to Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows, Nyssa’s character could have been a significant addition to the series’ mythology. The decision to abbreviate Nyssa’s revenge plot weakens the impact of her introduction and diminishes the stakes of the No Man’s Land storyline.
3
Clayface's Solo Story
Gotham Season 2, Episode 22 “Wrath Of Rhe Villains: Transference”
Clayface, one of Batman’s most iconic villains, appeared in two early episodes of Gotham but never received a solo storyline. Showrunner Danny Cannon hinted in an interview that Clayface was on the show’s to-do list, but his arc was ultimately abandoned due to time constraints. Clayface’s shape-shifting abilities and tragic backstory make him a fascinating character, and his brief appearances in Gotham hinted at his potential.
However, the show never fully explored Clayface’s origins or motivations, leaving him as a generic experiment made by Hugo Strange at Indian Hill. The decision to sideline Clayface feels like a missed opportunity to explore one of Batman’s most visually striking and emotionally complex villains. Given the shortened final season, it’s understandable that some storylines were cut, but Clayface’s absence is particularly disappointing. His unresolved arc highlights Gotham’s struggle to balance its ambitious storytelling with the constraints of its episodic format.
2
The Bruce Wayne Clone Dying
Gotham Season 3, Episode 19 "Heroes Rise: All Will Be Judged"
In season 2, Gotham introduced a clone of Bruce Wayne known as 514A, who infiltrated Bruce’s life and created chaos. The clone suffered from a genetic defect that caused cell degeneration, which was seemingly causing him to die. In his final scene, 514A bid farewell to Alfred and vanished, but not before leaving a cryptic message regarding Bruce’s future and destiny, seemingly hinting that the clone might have more information. Nevertheless, the clone departs and is never seen again.
Batman has one of the most iconic origin stories of all time, which has been depicted in many movies and tv series to different degrees of success.
The Gotham storyline surrounding 514A had the potential to explore themes of identity and purpose, but it was left unresolved. While it’s implied that the clone died due to his condition, the show never explicitly confirmed his fate. This lack of closure was frustrating, as the character’s arc felt incomplete. The Bruce Wayne clone is another example of Gotham introducing an intriguing concept only to abandon it without proper resolution.
1
Jerome And Jeremiah Not Being The Joker
Gotham Season 5, Episode 12 “Legend Of The Dark Knight: The Beginning...”
Jerome Valeska, introduced as a proto-Joker, became one of Gotham’s most popular characters thanks to Cameron Monaghan’s captivating performance. However, the show’s decision to keep Jerome separate from the Joker identity was confusing and frustrating. Throughout the series, Jerome’s character evolved into a chaotic and menacing figure, leading many to believe he would eventually become the Joker. However, the series repeatedly made clear that Jerome was not the Joker, suggesting that Joker was more of an ideology than a single person.
Later, Gotham introduced Jerome’s twin brother, Jeremiah, as a potential successor, further muddying the waters. By the finale, it remained unclear whether either character was meant to be the definitive Joker. The ambiguity surrounding Jerome and Jeremiah’s roles undermined the impact of their storylines. While Monaghan’s performances were widely praised, the lack of a clear resolution was dissatisfying. The decision to tease but not fully commit to the Joker identity is one of Gotham’s most controversial narrative choices.
As a new recruit in Captain Sarah Essen's Gotham City Police Department, Detective James Gordon is paired with Harvey Bullock to solve one of Gotham's most high-profile cases ever: the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. During his investigation, Gordon meets the Waynes' son, Bruce, now in the care of his butler Alfred, which further compels Gordon to catch the killer.
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
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