Gotham ‘The Last Laugh’ Review

This season is turning out to be an incredible improvement. It has now been two weeks in a row that I can honestly say that I was left in shock and awe of both the acting and writing. Though multiple villains were in this episode there was still one clear climax, and it was a doozy at that. Fans are in dismay over tonight's festivities, and I can't blame them. Is it possible that the fate of this show hangs on the thread of one charachter, and if so, what happens if that charachter ceases to exits?

***Massive Spoilers Ahead***

The episode begins with Jerome and Huntress paying a visit to Jerome’s estranged, blind father. Jerome goes on a tangent about his incredibly tragic and abusive childhood, then kills his father. However, not before his father gives him a looming farewell speech about how Jerome will insight death into the mind of Gotham. We discover that Theo Galavan’s (James Frain) family literally built Gotham and his goal is to take back what is his.

The episode focuses around a charity gala that is being held for Gotham’s children’s hospital. Detective Gordon’s current girlfriend, Dr. Leslie Thompkins (Morena Baccarin). One of the biggest promises of the evening is that there will be a magician performing. Everyone who’s anyone is in attendance, except of course, Gotham PD. Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova) is present picking pockets and has a brief conversation with Bruce before she blows him off. Bruce Wayne is called up as a volunteer on stage by the magician and his assistant who are really Jerome and Barbara Kean disguised. Chaos then ensues when the two hold the attendee’s hostage. As per usual the whole thing is filmed, and Dr. Leslie is held captive. Theo Galavan in a rehearsed scene gets up and confronts Jerome in front of Gotham’s socialites, begging him to “Take him, and let these people go home to their families.” This goes on for a bit, and Jerome threatens to start killing people unless Gotham PD starts giving in to some ridiculous demands. It seems as though the gala is going to end up just as the Gotham Precinct did last episode until BAM! Theo Galavan kills Jerome. Barbara Kean escapes and Jerome’s body is wheeled out of the gala on a gurney.

The episode ends with the broadcast of the evening’s events to various homes in Gotham and a number of children mirror the sinister last laugh of the late and great Jerome. All the while his father’s last words play low in the background, “You will be a curse upon Gotham. Children will wake from sleep dreaming with the thought of you. Your legacy will be death and madness.”

Let’s talk about this. One of the major attributes to this season was the blissfully eerie and incredible performance of Cameron Monaghan portraying Jerome Valeska. There have been rumors floating and speculations of him playing Batman’s arch nemesis, Joker. I can attest to the fact that I was completely blind sighted by this, and I know I’m not alone. A lot of people believe that the only reason that this season has been noteworthy in any aspect is because of the story arch that Monaghan was championing. His early exit from the show is a little bit concerning for the plot. It seems to be that Gotham is finally starting to find their way and suddenly, it’s gone. So what now?

Jerome’s death was important to this show for a lot of reasons. With a plot like Gotham, it’s important for the focus to not be solely on one character. With his death, and the final scene, we’re also privy to the manic chaos that has been put on many citizens in the city. It also brought to our attention that Theo Galavan (James Frain) is the head of the operation and is playing the long game of trying to reclaim Gotham. This lays ground for a very interesting open world of destruction, that is soon to come.

This definitely shuts down our Joker theories, but did Jerome possibly inspire the Joker to be? I think it’s a bit unrealistic to think that Cameron Monaghan was going to stay on the show. He’s been one of the lead actors in Emmy nominated “Shameless” for quite some time, and it’s a bit farfetched to assume he would be able to do both. He’s only one person! One amazingly talented and incredible person!

I’m excited to see how the rest of this plays out.

Penguin is featured for a minute near the end of the episode, and I’m praying that the story doesn’t revert back to him becoming king of the mountain. However, if it does, there is a whole new plot element of a game of power, and it will no doubt be interesting to watch as it plays out. For now, goodbye Jerome, and a big hello to whoever is going to fill the void of your absence.