Something that’s rung true when it comes to Gotham is that the Batman prequel series has certainly seen no shortage of villains, a quality that some fans will argue as being either a strength or a detriment. But no matter how you feel, you have to admit that its refreshing takes on the likes of Penguin, Riddler, Hugo Strange, Mr. Freeze and even a proto-Joker have made for some compelling television.
With the show beginning the final stretch of season 3 later tonight, much discussion continues to surround major elements of the Batman mythos that will come to be before the current run wraps. One of those is that of the introduction of none other than Ra’s al Ghul, whom those who’ve been keeping up on the latest news know to be the man behind this version of the Court of Owls.
From the sound of it, executive producer Danny Cannon didn’t sound all too happy about word of the Demon’s Head’s involvement getting out, as he recently said to members of the press ahead of tonight’s spring premiere:
“It’s a shame. We wanted Ra’s to be really a big surprise, because it’s a great intro, but these things get out. But the idea of like, how does the journey with the Court of Owls end? With ancient mysticism. They are such a political party, a Machiavellian, Borgia kind of world, that we wanted to go more mystic, and go back centuries and talk about history and stuff like that – which is the next evolution of our villain; which Ra’s is really good for that.
“So that’s where that comes in, and that — really, the end of the season is about, just when you thought you found the bottom of the rabbit hole, just when you know what’s in the shadows, comes guys who live in the shadows.”
Another situation that we’ve been keeping a close eye on is that of Barbara Kean likely transforming into the character of Harley Quinn. Needless to say, the evidence in support of this happening keeps mounting and Cannon’s coy response to the matter does nothing but strengthen the theory:
“I can’t. I can’t. All I can tell you is, the great thing, the joy of working with Erin [Richards] is the range. The reason we changed her character, [is] because we knew what she could do. We’re like, ‘We can’t keep you in one place. You’ve got to keep evolving.’ So she’s going to evolve again. That’s all I can tell you.”
Gotham airs on Monday nights on Fox.