Gotham Review: Year Zero (Season 5 Episode 1)
After what seems like an eternity, Gotham has finally returned to our television screens for its last hurrah. Though it’s sad to see this era begin its end, knowing that this is the final season allowed creators some time to give fans closure, and some time to emotionally prepare for said closure.
On Gotham Season 5 Episode 1, “Year Zero,” we get a glimpse into the utter chaos reigning in Gotham City after the events of the Season 4 finale. Gotham City is cut off from the world, villains are controlling entire sectors, and the good guys who stayed are having trouble keeping the peace.
Of course, “Year Zero” kicks off the television version of the popular comic story “No Man’s Land.”
And boy does it start off with a bang. Literally.
Season 5 opens with a wonderful, further-into-the-future sequence of Gotham‘s heavy hitters (Jim, Harvey, Oswald, and Ed Nygma in particular) preparing for an epic battle, and it is by FAR the best opening sequence of any show in 2019 (Yeah, I know we’re only three days in. Still).
Jim Gordon: Fire on my command. For Gotham!
That epic opening sequence paves the way for an exciting hour of television. It certainly doesn’t bother to slow down at all during the opening hour.
Gotham has always been at its most exciting when it’s boldly embracing the wild and crazy action show. “Year Zero” is certainly no exception, and embraces said action boldly.
A particularly exciting action sequence begins with the anonymous taking down of Bruce’s supply helicopter, and ends with Gordon shooting Penguin in the leg. Penguin, Barbara, and Jim each make a play for the supplies, which results in an exciting, tense sequence.
They don’t even wait one episode before killing off a series regular, either. (Spoilers ahead)
Tabitha Galavan lets her quest for revenge against Penguin get the better of her, and she meets her end at his hand. What has up to this point been a pretty exciting episode then takes a giant leap forward, as all of a sudden the stakes are much higher.
The only subplot not really working as-is would be Bruce and Selina. Bruce is much more interesting when he’s helping Jim and Harvey out of a jam, and much less so when nursing his guilt and romantic feelings for Selina. Hopefully it will work better once she’s back on her feet.
A few stray thoughts:
- I don’t know what’s going on between Ed and his alter-ego, but I’m digging it so far.
- Million dollar question, if Ed is alive then where the heck is Lee Thompkins?
- I recognize that killing off Tabitha will inevitably put Barbara and Jim back together, but I will always ship him with Lee, and that’s never going to change.
- Jeremiah Valeska shot down the helicopter, right? Riiiight?
- Probably my least favorite part: Alfred didn’t get to split any wigs this time.
“Year Zero” is tense, exciting, and sets the stage for what ought to be a wild final season. You can see the Batman-verse starting to take shape, which is really exciting.
What did you think of this episode of Gotham? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Gotham airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Fox.
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Nick Hogan
Nick Hogan is an experienced podcaster and writer (particularly on media topics), who loves discussion and analysis of TV and is always looking for new shows to watch. He is also a parent who loves buffalo wings, blowing raspberries, and his beloved Cincinnati Reds.