The latest "Gotham" sure was entertaining (entitled aptly enough, "That's Entertainment") and more than a tad jarring in its historic ramifications.
With Cameron Monaghan playing two parts, as Jerome and his out-of-the-blue brother, Jeremiah, a switch in the Clown Prince of Crime dynamic should have come as no surprise. Still, I'd have preferred Jerome to have been the one. Besides, it would have given Monaghan the continued chance to play two parts. He's a fine actor. The contrast in personalities would have been an ideal fit for his expressive abilities.
With this said, I'm glad the actor remains on the roster. I'd have been heartbroken and angry as hell if it had been fare thee well.
Also, it's about bloody time that the Joker's presence was confirmed on the show...or has it been? Who honestly knows what the "Gotham" writers/producers have in store? I don't trust 'em, which I suppose is both good and bad. Twists are great, but only within reason. The Jerome/Jeremiah deal may be one such excellent case in point.
Anyway, it's probably safe to say that the Joker has been born (or reborn), with some crazy "Killing Joke" panache splashed into the big reveal. It'll be interesting to see what other surprises this season has in store, since this one is unlikely to be topped. I also wonder how the transformed Jeremiah will mesh with the rest of Gotham's mad gang...
Elated to see "Gotham'"s producers have redelivered Cameron Monaghan's Jerome Valeska to the show, now with scary scars and all. We were promised the return of the Maniax's guffawing leader before the third season's start, but seeing is believing. (I still wasn't convinced this was going to occur, even with the tease in "Ghosts", but now that Frankenstein experiment entitled "Smile Like You Mean It" has concluded, how can I deny the obvious?) Still, we really got burnt with a vicious mislead in the early phases of Season 2, for which I (and it appears many other fans) haven't been too forgiving.
It remains debatable whether resurrected Valeska is, in fact, the Joker-to-be. He might simply be a demented guru to Gotham's would-be, greasepainted thugs, from out which the veritable Joker will grow. (If it's the latter, we end up with a foreshadowing of "Batman Beyond" and all those futuristic Jokerz, but for chronological purposes, that rather distorts things.)
All the same, why clown around with us? We got our young Penguin, Riddler, Mad Hatter...Catwoman. It's only right we get our fledgling version of Batman's arch-foe. (Rumor has it that Harley Quinn might appear as well by season's end, but that doesn't grab me: too much projection, far too soon. Let's focus on the Joker right now, and substantiate his presence beyond a doubt.)
Monaghan is a damn good actor, and his absence from "Gotham" has been one of the most embarrassing miscalculations to hit a series in quite some time. At least Jerome's return is a step in the right direction, even if he might yet dash our Clown Prince of Crime hopes.
I'm no Criswell, but when it comes to Fox's "Gotham", I can confidently predict an even grander, more fulfilling season with the second--especially when it comes to its primary villains!!!
With Fish gone (or at least seemingly so), Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) should have ample room to spread his wings as the crafty Penguin. That can only be a plus.
I also foresee bigger and more demented things for the poor, misunderstood Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), the Riddler-to-be.
As for the possible Joker-to-be, Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan), a return is inevitable (if not essential), and though his occupation as the Clown Prince of Crime is still questionable, to peer further into any angle of the arch foe's genesis is a sure-fire means to raise the series to further, maniacal heights.
I'll be posting comments accordingly throughout this season. Can't wait for it to commence. In Dark Knight lore, September 21 is gonna be historic, indeed, reestablishing"Gotham" as one of television's best and most innovative, mythological epics.
