Although it feels like January’s midseason finale was an eternity ago, we can take solace in knowing that Gotham will make its triumphant return in exactly three weeks. Aside from a brief trailer for the next episode, “How The Riddler Got His Name,” we haven’t had any other footage to go on. Thankfully, that changes today.
Unlike the aforementioned promo that focused mainly on Edward Nygma continuing his journey to becoming an iconic villain, the latest offering seems to tease other major developments to come throughout season 3B, chief of which are Bruce Wayne’s first strides toward becoming Batman. As we can see, the Shaman enters the burgeoning hero’s life, perhaps bringing some martial arts lessons along with him. Not only that, but Bruce looks like he’s run into the wrong West Side Story enthusiasts.
Future Batman aside, returning villains are teased, namely a criminally underused Poison Ivy, Firefly and someone who appears to be Nathaniel Barnes, only now in a stylish costume. Perhaps he’s ready to formally adopt the name of “the Executioner.” Furthermore, Bruce’s sporadically seen doppelganger can also be spotted, so hopefully this means we’ll be seeing more of the Court of Owls, whom we now know to be controlled by none other than Ra’s al Ghul.
One detail that not many are discussing is that it appears season 3B’s subtitle has revealed: “Heroes Rise.” Much like how season 2 was divided into “Rise of the Villains” and “Wrath of the Villains,” it stood to reason that this entire year wouldn’t fall under the umbrella of “Mad City.” I guess we’ll know for sure when official synopses are released in the next week or two.
Gotham returns with new episodes on Monday, April 24 on Fox.