Gotham Review: They Did What? (Season 5 Episode 11)
Viewers knew it was coming and it finally has. The beginning of the end of Gotham started with a battle for it.
On Gotham Season 5 Episode 11, “They Did What?,” heroes and villains alike align themselves in the final battle for Gotham City.
Though viewers knew this was coming via flash forward on the season’s first episode, “They Did What?” still serves as one of the more compelling episodes of Season 5.
The best part of Gotham has often been when its characters band together to fight for something greater. No matter whether it’s police and criminal, rich kid and thief, hero and villain, any character who loves Gotham City fights for its future.
So, naturally, “They Did What?” is filled with epic scenes and dramatic walks as nearly every main character turns out to fight for the city they love. No matter their past conflicts, which presents also a strong allegory for our modern, divisive times.
Ultimately, “They Did What?” gives both my favorite and least favorite parts of Gotham. The reconciliation, bygones becoming bygones, and banding together to fight a greater evil have always been my absolute favorite.
The repaired relationships are heartwarming, too. Lee and Barbara’s bond, Oswald and Ed’s rekindled friendship, and longer-standing friendships like Bruce and Jim, or Jim and Harvey give “They Did What?” a strong foundation, and make the weaker parts easier to swallow.
Still, it’s littered with strong, heartfelt moments and that unique, Gotham-style humor. Like Oswald’s impassioned speech about staying to fight for Gotham, and Ed’s eloquent echoing of that sentiment.
Ed Nygma: Ditto on that blood and concrete thing
Unfortunately, the worst part of the show is borrowing from the Nolan Batman films, which they’ve also done quite a bit of on “They Did What?” Bane, an Al-Ghul daughter, and Bruce leaving town are all pretty on-the-nose references to the Nolan films.
This is only somewhat troublesome because there is plenty of different territory that Gotham could chart, but instead it sticks with a familiar story. The characters on Gotham have always been so rich and compelling that the safe route doesn’t feel true to the show.
Overall, though, the heartfelt moments on “They Did What?” outweigh the Nolan film retreads for a positive viewing experience.
For all intents and purposes, the Gotham that fans have come to know is over. The upcoming finale is simply an epilogue of sorts. Since there’s one more episode, though, the end doesn’t feel real just yet.
A few stray thoughts:
- Barbara Lee Gordon. So many feels.
- The worst thing that happens on this episode is easily that Ed and Oswald leave the dog on the submarine and Nyssa steals it. That poor dog.
- It’s a bit poetic that Bruce and Selina had to carry out Jeremiah’s plan to save the city. It’s like he helped them too.
- Does anyone else find it unrealistic that Bane just surrenders when the military turns on him?
- I’m sad for Gotham to be over, but I’m stoked to see Batman on the series finale. Who’s with me?
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.