Gotham season 5 explained
Season Number: | 5 |
Bgcolour: | - 443832
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Num Episodes: | 12 |
Network: | Fox |
Episode List: | List of Gotham episodes |
Prev Season: | Gotham Season 4 |
Next Series: | Pennyworth Season 1 |
The fifth and final season of the American television series Gotham, based on characters from DC Comics related to the Batman franchise, revolves around the characters of James "Jim" Gordon and Bruce Wayne. The season is produced by Primrose Hill Productions, DC Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television, with John Stephens serving as the showrunner. The season was inspired and adapted elements from the comic book storylines of and . The subtitle for the season is Legend of the Dark Knight.
The season was ordered in May 2018. Production began that July and ended that December. Ben McKenzie stars as Gordon, alongside returning principal cast members Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Morena Baccarin, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, Jessica Lucas and Chris Chalk. The fifth season premiered on January 3, 2019, on Fox and concluded on April 25, 2019, consisting of 12 episodes. A prequel series, Pennyworth, developed by a returning Bruno Heller and Danny Cannon, and starring Jack Bannon as a younger version of the iteration of Alfred Pennyworth portrayed by Pertwee in Gotham, began airing its 10-episode first season on Epix in July 2019.[1] [2]
Cast and characters
Main
Recurring
Guest
Episodes
See also: List of Gotham episodes.
Production
Development
On May 13, 2018, Fox renewed Gotham for a fifth and final season.[21] While the season was initially given a 10-episode order,[22] this was later increased to 12,[23] thereby making the season finale the series' 100th episode.[24] John Stephens serves as the season's showrunner.[25]
Writing
The fifth season is shorter than the previous seasons, all of which had 22 episodes each. As a result of this, Stephens said, "We move really quickly [...] We tried to build out the character moments as well. Sometimes we've had so much plot that we had to squeeze out some of the character stuff and now that it's the last chance we have to be with these characters, we're letting them live in these moments." The season is inspired by, and adapts elements from two comic book storylines: , in which the beleaguered Gotham City is cut off from the rest of the world;[26] and , which focuses on Bruce Wayne / Batman's initial period as a costumed vigilante, and his efforts to stop Edward Nygma / Riddler from taking over Gotham.[27] The No Man's Land arc was planned three years in advance, and the producers intended for it to be an "inspiration", rather than a "religious" adaptation of the comic book storyline. The season features ellipsis and analepsis, and therefore three time periods: the season premiere opens 391 days after the events of the season four finale "No Man's Land", before settling back at 87 days. The final episode jumps 10 years into the future, where Bruce is established as a vigilante.[28]
Casting
Main cast members Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Morena Baccarin, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Camren Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, Jessica Lucas and Chris Chalk return from previous seasons as James Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Bruce Wayne, Leslie Thompkins, Alfred Pennyworth,[29] Oswald Cobblepot / Penguin, Barbara Kean,[30] Selina Kyle,[31] Edward Nygma / Riddler, Tabitha Galavan,[32] and Lucius Fox.[33] Despite Lucas initially being advertised as a regular for the season, her character was killed off in the season premiere. For the final episode, Lili Simmons replaced Bicondova to portray Selina as an adult.[34]
Benedict Samuel, who played Jervis Tetch / Mad Hatter as a regular in the third season and a guest in the fourth season, returned as a guest in the fifth season. Andrew Sellon, who recurred as Arthur Penn in the fourth season, returned for the fifth season in a guest capacity. He said his character would have become the series' version of the Ventriloquist, but due to the shortened season and pacing reasons, the idea was initially scrapped.[35] After Fox extended the season's episode count from 10 to 12, the creative team were able to continue with their original plan of making Penn the Ventriloquist. Shane West played the recurring role of Gordon's military ally Eduardo Dorrance, written as the series' version of Bane.[36] In October 2018, Jaime Murray was cast in a recurring role as Theresa Walker; it was eventually revealed that her character was actually Nyssa al Ghul.[37]
Design
John Glaser designed the season's costumes. Stephens compared the Batsuit worn by Bruce Wayne in the season finale to the one seen in the film The Dark Knight Rises (2012) due to being a matte, metallic short-eared battlesuit.[38] Mazouz provided the close up shots and voice for the character,[39] while stunt double Mikhail Mudrik filled in for distant shots to fit with the character's grown-up appearance.[40] Lord Taylor said the season finale would feature Oswald Cobblepot resembling the character as he in the comics. To achieve Cobblepot's fat look, he wore a fatsuit. At Lord Taylor's request, the costume designer consciously avoided making Cobblepot resemble Violet Beauregarde's "blueberry girl" look from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and instead went for a "little more monstrous" look, which included depicting the character with a hunch.[41] Additionally, Edward Nygma's season finale Riddler costume was designed to look exactly as in the comics, by having a green color scheme and being filled with question marks throughout.[42] The final episode sees Selina established as a cat burglar; Bicondova said the costume for this episode eschewed the ears seen in most Catwoman costumes in order to look more grounded.[43]
Filming
The season began production in July 2018.[44] Before the season began filming, Ben McKenzie began growing a moustache to accurately resemble Gordon as seen in the comics.[45] However, since he had only two days to grow the moustache, it was ultimately decided that he sport a fake one.[46] Erin Richards directed "The Trial of Jim Gordon", which was the season's twelfth and final episode to be produced but ninth to air, making her directorial debut on television.[47] Filming for the season ended in December.[48]
Release
The season premiered on January 3, 2019, on Fox in the United States, and ended on April 25, 2019. The season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 11, 2019.[49]
Reception
Critical response
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% approval rating with an average rating of 7.17/10 based on 20 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Gotham concludes in a glorious free-for-all that takes full advantage of the series' dense roster of colorful villains, making for an extended climax that is equal parts daffy and thrilling."[50]
Notes and References
- Web site: New "Pennyworth" Series Confirmed Same Universe as "Gotham". Bleeding Cool. Kade. Leigh. July 19, 2019. July 19, 2019. live. November 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201101075525/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/new-pennyworth-series-confirmed-same-universe-as-gotham/.
- Pennyworth Season Two Cast & Producer Interview – EPIX. October 12, 2020. Heller. Bruno. Bruno Heller. October 12, 2020. YouTube. Popverse.
- Web site: Petski . Denise . October 30, 2018 . 'Gotham': Jaime Murray Set For Key Role on Fox's Batman Prequel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190130074323/https://deadline.com/2018/10/gotham-jaime-murray-recurring-role-fox-batman-prequel-1202492082/ . January 30, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . Deadline Hollywood.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . December 6, 2018 . 'Gotham' Star Reveals New Ecco Photo Looking a Lot Like Harley Quinn . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181207144141/https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/12/06/gotham-season-5-harley-quinn-ecco-photo/ . December 7, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: DeJesus . Jaime . January 23, 2019 . Sunset Park "Gotham" actor says goodbye to show after five seasons . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216113025/https://brooklynreporter.com/2019/01/sunset-park-gotham-actor-says-goodbye-to-show-after-five-seasons/ . February 16, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . The Brooklyn Home Reporter.
- Web site: Damore . Meagan . December 27, 2018 . EXCLUSIVE: Gotham's Monaghan Teases Jeremiah's Girlfriend & 'Weird Complexes' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181228122155/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-season-5-cameron-monaghan-interview/ . December 28, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . September 11, 2018 . 'Gotham': Shane West Set For Key Role on Final Season of Fox's Batman Prequel . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181223160343/https://deadline.com/2018/09/shane-west-cast-gotham-season-5-final-season-eduardo-dorrance-bane-edmund-batman-prequel-fox-1202462923/ . December 23, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Deadline Hollywood.
- Web site: (GTH-501) "Year Zero" . February 17, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: Venable . Nick . February 20, 2019 . Gotham Is Bringing A Dead Character Back As A Surprising Batman Villain . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190224154322/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2467175/gotham-is-bringing-a-dead-character-back-as-a-surprising-batman-villain . February 24, 2019 . February 24, 2019 . Cinema Blend.
- Web site: (GTH-502) "Trespassers" . February 17, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-504) "Ruin" . February 17, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-505) "Pena Dura" . February 17, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-506) "13 Stitches" . February 17, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: Ridgeley . Charlie . February 12, 2019 . 'Gotham': Mad Hatter Returns in New "Ace Chemicals" Photos . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220093716/https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/02/12/gotham-ace-chemicals-photos-mad-hatter-return . February 20, 2019 . February 20, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Bucksbaum . Sydney . March 2, 2019 . DC TV Watch: 'Gotham' Unites Iconic Villains, Kills Two Others . November 21, 2019 . . March 2, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190302220521/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/dc-tv-watch-riddler-penguin-team-up-ventriloquist-jane-doe-killed-1191596 . live .
- Web site: (GTH-511) "Nothing's Shocking" . February 18, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-512) "The Trial of Jim Gordon" . February 18, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-508) "I Am Bane" . March 1, 2019 . The Futon Critic.
- Web site: (GTH-509) "They Did What?" . March 28, 2019 . The Futon Critic . July 27, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230727112039/http://thefutoncritic.com/listings/20190328fox07/ . live .
- Web site: (GTH-510) "The Beginning..." . April 4, 2019 . The Futon Critic . May 11, 2019 . https://archive.today/20190511042112/http://thefutoncritic.com/listings/20190403fox07/ . live .
- News: Turchiano . Danielle . May 13, 2018 . 'Gotham' Renewed for Fifth and Final Season at Fox . . live . February 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180815160127/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/gotham-renewed-fox-last-season-1202800288/ . August 15, 2018.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . June 4, 2018 . 'Gotham' Star Confirms Season 5 Will Only Be 10 Episodes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180720050243/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/06/04/gotham-season-5-10-episodes-fox/ . July 20, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Hood . Cooper . October 29, 2018 . Gotham Season 5 Gets January 2019 Premiere Date & Expanded Episode Count . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181107100418/https://screenrant.com/gotham-season-5-premiere-date-episode-count/ . November 7, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Screen Rant.
- Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . October 29, 2018 . Gotham's Bigger Final Season, Cosmos Among Fox's Midseason Dates . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116121913/https://tvline.com/2018/10/29/gotham-final-season-5-premiere-date-orville-season-2/ . November 16, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . TVLine.
- Web site: Bucksbaum . Sydney . December 29, 2018 . DC TV Watch: How 'Gotham's' Final Season Sets Up Batman's Beginning . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181229192338/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/gotham-final-season-spoilers-ben-mckenzie-dc-tv-watch-1171668 . December 29, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . The Hollywood Reporter.
- Web site: Damore . Meagan . January 3, 2019 . Gotham: How 'No Man's Land' Draws from the Iconic Comic Story . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190203021435/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-no-mans-land-comics/ . February 3, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . May 21, 2018 . Exclusive: 'Gotham' Season 5 to Adapt 'Batman: Zero Year' . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180713172800/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/05/21/gotham-season-5-batman-zero-year-dc-comic/ . July 13, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Hayner . Chris E. . October 15, 2018 . Gotham Season 5 Has Three Time Jumps And That Is Very Important . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190102163103/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gotham-season-5-has-three-time-jumps-and-that-is-v/1100-6462384/ . January 2, 2019 . February 26, 2019 . GameSpot.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . October 29, 2018 . 'Gotham's Sean Pertwee on How Bruce and Alfred Will Grow in Season 5 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116021101/https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/10/29/gotham-traditional-alfred-bruce-relationship-sean-pertwee/ . November 16, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Houghton . Rianne . August 8, 2018 . Gotham season 5 reveals new look for Barbara Kean . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220094312/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a863450/gotham-season-5-barbara-kean-new-look-pictures/ . February 20, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . Digital Spy.
- Web site: Murray . Rebecca . December 17, 2018 . Gotham – Camren Bicondova Season 5 Interview on Selina's State of Mind . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220094312/https://www.showbizjunkies.com/tv/gotham-camren-bicondova-interview-season-5/ . February 20, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . ShowbizJunkies.
- Web site: Cardona . Ian . January 3, 2019 . Gotham's Final Season Delivers Its First Major Casualty . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190203032627/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-season-5-premiere-tabitha-galavan-death/ . February 3, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- Web site: Morales . Wilson . January 17, 2019 . Exclusive: Chris Chalk On Playing Lucius Fox In Final Season Of Gotham . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216104602/https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2019/01/exclusive-chris-chalk-on-playing-lucius-fox-in-final-season-of-gotham/ . February 16, 2019 . February 16, 2019 . Blackfilm.
- Web site: Stone . Sam . April 19, 2019 . Gotham: Why Camren Bicondova Won't Appear in the Series Finale . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190420043550/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-camren-bicondova-series-finale/ . April 20, 2019 . April 20, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- Web site: January 17, 2019 . EXCLUSIVE Gotham Interview Andrew Sellon Mr. Penn from Gotham – Gotham TV Podcast Episode 132 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190220090010/https://gothamtvpodcast.com/exclusive-gotham-interview-andrew-sellon-mr-penn-from-gotham-gotham-tv-podcast-episode-132/ . February 20, 2019 . February 20, 2019 . Gotham TV Podcast.
- Web site: Vick . Megan . October 7, 2018 . Shane West's Character Is Finally Confirmed in Gotham Final Season . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190121094307/https://www.tvguide.com/news/gotham-shane-west-bane-first-look-trailer/ . January 21, 2019 . March 5, 2019 . TV Guide.
- Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . March 22, 2019 . Gotham and Arrowverse Share Yet Another Character, With Walker Reveal — Plus, Whose Back Did Bane Break? . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190322032810/https://tvline.com/2019/03/21/gotham-recap-season-5-episode-10-walker-is-nyssa-al-ghul/ . March 22, 2019 . March 23, 2019 . TVLine.
- Web site: Lapin-Bertone . Joshua . October 10, 2018 . Gotham season 5: Details on Bruce Wayne's Batsuit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190104003046/https://bamsmackpow.com/2018/10/10/gotham-season-5-details-bruce-waynes-batsuit/ . January 4, 2019 . February 25, 2019 . Bam Smack Pow.
- Web site: Whitbrook . James . February 6, 2019 . David Mazouz Will Become Batman Before Gotham Ends, But He Won't be the One in the Batsuit . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207115912/https://io9.gizmodo.com/david-mazouz-will-become-batman-before-gotham-ends-but-1832408570 . February 7, 2019 . February 26, 2019 . io9.
- Web site: Nolan . L.D. . April 27, 2019 . Gotham Set Video Reveals Best Look Yet at Batman Costume . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190427223822/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-set-video-batman-costume/ . April 27, 2019 . April 28, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- News: Pearce . Tilly . January 19, 2019 . Gotham's Robin Lord-Taylor confirms fat suit will complete Penguin transformation in season 5 time jump . . live . February 26, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204060914/https://metro.co.uk/2019/01/19/gothams-robin-lord-taylor-confirms-fat-suit-will-complete-penguin-transformation-season-5-time-jump-8362486/ . February 4, 2019.
- Web site: Ridgeley . Charlie . November 19, 2018 . 'Gotham' Final Season Set Photos Reveal Penguin & Riddler in Classic Comic Costumes . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190207183415/https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/11/19/gotham-riddler-penguin-classic-comic-costumes/ . February 7, 2019 . February 26, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . January 18, 2019 . 'Gotham' Star Camren Bicondova Says Selina's Catwoman Costume Won't Have Ears . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190206062504/https://comicbook.com/dc/amp/2019/01/18/gotham-catwoman-suit-no-ears/ . February 6, 2019 . February 26, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Ridgely . Charlie . June 18, 2018 . 'Gotham' Final Season to Begin Shooting Next Month . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180623091146/http://comicbook.com/dc/2018/06/18/gotham-final-season-shooting-july-fox . June 23, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . Comicbook.com.
- Web site: Arvedon . Jon . May 24, 2018 . Gotham: Jim Gordon's Mustache to Debut in Season 5 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190227032954/https://www.cbr.com/gotham-season-five-jim-gordon-mustache/ . February 27, 2019 . February 26, 2019 . Comic Book Resources.
- Web site: Elvy . Craig . March 26, 2019 . Gotham: Jim Gordon's Iconic Mustache Won't Be Entirely Real . April 29, 2019 . . May 13, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190513045439/https://screenrant.com/gotham-gordon-mustache-real-fake/ . live .
- Web site: Gotham . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190225134132/http://events.foxflash.com/files/7bdf131b60/GOTHAMWinter2019.pdf . February 25, 2019 . February 25, 2019 . . 1.
- Web site: Darwish . Meaghan . December 12, 2018 . 'Gotham' Wraps Filming on the Final Season – See How the Cast Said Goodbye (PHOTOS) . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181213135148/https://www.tvinsider.com/737635/gotham-final-season-5-wraps-filming-cast-photos/ . December 13, 2018 . February 16, 2019 . TV Insider.
- Web site: February 20, 2019 . Gotham Season 5, Complete Series Blu-ray Releasing in June . live . https://archive.today/20190222040718/https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/1041723-gotham-season-5-complete-series-blu-ray-box-set-releasing-in-june . February 22, 2019 . February 22, 2019 . ComingSoon.net.
- Web site: Gotham: Season 5 . June 18, 2019 . . . February 16, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190216121455/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/gotham/s05/ . live .