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Major Storylines
These storylines take multiple episodes to conclude or are ongoing.
Storyline: An Appreciation For The Man Who Was Always There
Who Was Involved: Alfred Pennyworth and Bruce Wayne
For nearly the entire season, Bruce is not above pulling rank when it comes to Alfred. Yes, he has been raising him on his own since his parents died and has surely gone beyond the requirements of his duty. Yet, Bruce takes Alfred’s last name, “Pennyworth,” almost like a literal adjective of what Alfred is to him.
However, after Alfred nearly dies as “Batman: Caped Crusader” ventures into the supernatural, Bruce changes his tone and seems more appreciative of the man who raised him, keeps his greatest secret, and is his closest ally.
Storyline: The Fall Of Harvey Dent and Rise of Two-Face
Who Was Involved: Harvey Dent
Harvey Dent may not have been the cleanest of district attorneys; Barbara Gordon could tell you that, but most saw him as honorable. Hence his run for Mayor against Mayor Jessop. However, while Harvey had the ability to put people away and do a good job, what he couldn’t do is connect with the people. His best friends are the likes of Bruce Wayne, and while they lavishly donate to his campaign, his war chest empties as it is clear his chances of winning are slim.
Enter Rupert Thorne, the biggest name of all the gang and mob leaders, who isn’t against playing both sides of the coin, no pun intended. He is willing to utilize Harvey’s current position and shore up his campaign at a price. But, of course, Harvey decides to do the right thing. Hence, acid gets thrown in his face, and because of Harvey’s ego and vanity, this helps give rise to Two-Face.
Storyline: A Complicated Father/ Daughter Relationship
Who Was Involved: Commissioner Gordon and Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon and James Gordon are often at odds with one another. He is trying to put away criminals, and as a defense attorney, a public defender, she is quick to point out when Harvey, Montoya, Bullock, or Flass didn’t cross their letters or put down the right dot. This doesn’t make the two utterly estranged, but it does make it so they are at opposite ends of the playing field and often debating to defend their position.
However, after Barbara becomes a target of the mob, the two grow closer as she and James are in one life-or-death scenario after another, which helps remind them that their relationship matters far more than their careers.
Storyline: Who Needs The Joker When You Got Detective Renee Montoya?
Who Was Involved: Montoya, Harley Quinn
With The Joker not appearing until one of the final scenes of season 1, Harleen Quinzell, similar to Oswalda Cobblepot, has a bit of an altered storyline. For Harley, the focus is far more on her being a doctor, who even claims Bruce as a client to a certain point. Also, her madness isn’t sourced to the mind games of The Joker but rather having to listen to the wretched things the wealthy of Gotham City do and get away with. It pushes her to want to punish people, and perhaps the only thing holding her back from going too far is Detective Montoya.
In this version of Harley, she may not be bi-sexual, pan-sexual, or anything but into women. Enter Detective Montoya, who she goes out with and even when it is clear that she is caught and has to escape, she bids farewell to her love. Leaving us to wonder, in later seasons, will this version of Harley ever fall for her Puddin or even Poison Ivy, or will her heart always be set on a cop who likely will have as complicated of a relationship with her as Batman has had with Catwoman?
Storyline: The Hard Work Of Appeasing Politicians
Who Was Involved: Detective Bullock, Flass, and Montoya, Mayor Jessop, and Commissioner Gordon,
While a good part of Commissioner Gordon’s time is focused on keeping his kid alive, at the same time, he is dealing with the rise of the Batman and Mayor Jessop wanting notable crime wins to shore up his campaign. This leads to many challenges for Commissioner Gordon, who likes good police work and relies on Detective Montoya to get the job done.
The problem is Montoya is young, a woman, and queer, which doesn’t appeal to the likes of Detective Bullock, Detective Flass, and many others. So, whether it is using villains like Firebug or doing things the dirty way, you see a struggle internally against the villains of Gotham, as the crooked cops on the force make justice hard, if not nearly impossible.
Honorable Mentions
These storylines are, for the most part, episodic.
Basil Karlo, aka Clayface
Similar to his “Suicide Squad: Isekai” counterpart, Clayface is an actor. However, in this version of the character, he is taken seriously and not a joke. But, with not being the most handsome, charming, or beautiful, he doesn’t get to be the girl. This weighs on him and causes the need for a transformation to get out of the typecast that allows for consistent work but no growth. Thus leading him to get plastic surgery which causes him to become Clayface and eventually go mad due to the experiments done on him.
Selina Kyle/Catwoman
While a lot of the familiar happens with Catwoman, including her falling for Bruce Wayne and learning of his identity, there is a shift in her backstory to a point. She is a down on her luck, former heiress who still has an eye for the finer things. All she has left, though, is her home and her version of Alfred, who is slowly losing her desire to be loyal since she hasn’t been paid in years. Alas, to make ends meet and return to some form of prominence, she steals and goes back and forth with Batman, and while she is a one-episode appearance like The Penguin, you are left hoping for more in future seasons.
The Rise And Disappearance of Oswalda Cobblepot
For a lot of Batman’s rogue gallery, they get a one episode stint, no matter how big of a name they are. This includes the gender swapped Oswalda Cobblepot. She wanted to usurp Rupert Thorne, potentially blow up the police precinct from their boat, and yet failed despite it all going so well until the Batman showed up. But, this is what happens when your boys are more loyal to money than their mommy.
Potential Storylines
Say Hello To The Joker
The only notable possibility for the second season is a Joker arc. He isn’t in Arkham, but still in the wild, already making people have that demented smile. So, while many characters are at a point where they have their origin story, it seems that Joker will be well-established.
Which leads to the question of how they will have Batman and him bond and become yin and yang? Never mind, with all the changes to the show, will Harley fall for him, or will they skip that? We see Batgirl in the promos, but Barbara Gordon never suits up, so will the show make her stint as Batman’s on-site ally short and turn her into Oracle?
The Potential of Robin Showing Up
Episode 8 features many orphans who seem to be Robin before Bruce Wayne adopts them. So, with that in mind, will we see Batman’s sidekick show up in season 2?
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
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