The BEST episodes of Gotham

Every episode of Gotham ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Gotham!

The story behind Detective James Gordon's rise to prominence in Gotham City in the years before Batman's arrival.

Last Updated: 2/14/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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Heroes Rise: HeavyDirtySoul
star
8.26
2020 votes

#1 - Heroes Rise: HeavyDirtySoul

Season 3 - Episode 22 - Aired 6/5/2017

As the third season concludes, Gordon tries to win back Lee, and past alliances within Gotham City are broken, while new alliances are formed.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Writer: Robert Hull
Heroes Rise: Destiny Calling
star
8.16
3638 votes

#2 - Heroes Rise: Destiny Calling

Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 6/5/2017

With the deadly virus spreading throughout the city, the search for the antidote continues, as Fish Mooney, The Riddler and Penguin reveal plans of their own. Bruce meets Ra's Al Ghul and completes his last task in order to fulfill his destiny, but realizes he can't let go of his past.

Directors: Nathan Hope
Writer: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
All Happy Families are Alike
star
8.10
3651 votes

#3 - All Happy Families are Alike

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/4/2015

As Gotham City’s gang war reaches its boiling point, Fish Mooney goes head-to-head with Maroni and Penguin in an attempt to re-stake her claim on the city. Meanwhile, Barbara and Leslie Thompkins are brought together after recent events, and Bruce searches Wayne Manor for any hints that his father might have left behind.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Beginning...
star
8.09
1729 votes

#4 - The Beginning...

Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/25/2019

The series flash-forwards 10 years into the future, as Bruce is set to return to Gotham for the opening of the new Wayne Tower. A series of crimes leads Gordon to believe Penguin and The Riddler are up to their old tricks. However, when Bullock is framed for a murder, Gordon begins to piece together an even more sinister plot targeting the city, and a new figure emerges from the shadows to be the hero Gotham desperately needs.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Dark Knight: No Man's Land
star
8.09
2103 votes

#5 - A Dark Knight: No Man's Land

Season 4 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/17/2018

Jeremiah warns a skeptical Gordon of more destruction coming Gotham's way, and Gordon is forced to make a potentially devastating decision. Meanwhile, Barbara rallies together a team to secure her position, as alliances in the underworld shift and prove no one can be trusted. Then, Bruce is forced to come to terms with the future.

Directors: Nathan Hope
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Penguin's Umbrella
star
8.05
4602 votes

#6 - Penguin's Umbrella

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/3/2014

As violence between Maroni and Falcone continues to escalate, Penguin reveals a new element of his manipulative strategy, forcing Gordon to deal with the consequences of his decision to spare Penguin’s life.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Dark Knight: One Bad Day
star
8.03
2119 votes

#7 - A Dark Knight: One Bad Day

Season 4 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/10/2018

As Gotham falls into complete anarchy, a team of unlikely heroes step up to save it. Bullock takes the lead at the GCPD and Bruce's psychological limits are tested as those close to him are put in danger.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Writer: Tze Chun
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Rise of the Villains: The Son of Gotham
star
8.02
3620 votes

#8 - Rise of the Villains: The Son of Gotham

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/23/2015

Gordon confronts a suspect who is connected to Galavan, but falls short of obtaining any information. Meanwhile, Bruce gets one step closer to discovering the name of his parent's killer.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Rise of the Villains: Knock, Knock
star
8.01
4043 votes

#9 - Rise of the Villains: Knock, Knock

Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/28/2015

On the heels of his reinstatement, Gordon is thrust onto the high-profile case tracking the deadly inmate escape from Arkham Asylum. Meanwhile, Galavan plans his next move, while Bruce asks for help from his fathe's old friend to unlock the secrets in his office, and Nygma asks out Kristin Kringle on a date.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Writer: Ken Woodruff
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Rise of the Villains: Worse Than A Crime
star
8.00
3719 votes

#10 - Rise of the Villains: Worse Than A Crime

Season 2 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/30/2015

When Bruce Wayne is kidnapped, Gordon must look to some unlikely and dangerous allies for help. It is a battle of the villains, and not everyone makes it out alive.

Directors: Jeffrey G. Hunt
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Transference
star
7.99
4318 votes

#11 - Wrath of the Villains: Transference

Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/23/2016

While Gordon, Bruce and Lucius remain at Indian Hill, the city of Gotham will be met with a new threat as Hugo Strange's inmates devise a plan to escape and start their new lives.

Directors: Eagle Egilsson
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Into the Woods
star
7.97
4321 votes

#12 - Wrath of the Villains: Into the Woods

Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/11/2016

In an attempt to clear his name, Gordon steals his case file and approaches Nygma for help. Meanwhile, Penguin discovers his step-family's role in his father's death, and awakens from his conditioning.

Directors: Oz Scott
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mad City: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
star
7.97
4311 votes

#13 - Mad City: The Gentle Art of Making Enemies

Season 3 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/30/2017

With Jerome on the loose with one target in mind, Bruce and Alfred's safety is compromised. Meanwhile, Gordon's uncle Frank pays him a visit, and Nygma and Penguin are forced to confront their issues face-to-face, with possible deadly consequences.

Writer: Seth Boston
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Heroes Rise: Pretty Hate Machine
star
7.97
4045 votes

#14 - Heroes Rise: Pretty Hate Machine

Season 3 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/29/2017

Gordon races against the clock to save the city from the Alice Tetch virus, when Lee Thompkins intercepts with a plan of her own. Also, Alfred sees a big change in Bruce Wayne after his work with The Shaman. Meanwhile, some of Gotham's most deranged villains band together.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Unleashed
star
7.96
4161 votes

#15 - Wrath of the Villains: Unleashed

Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/9/2016

Azrael is on the loose in Gotham City, which sparks Penguin's need for revenge. Meanwhile, Bruce enlists the help of Selina Kyle to help track down Professor Strange, as he evades arrest for his experiments.

Directors: Paul A. Edwards
Writer: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh
star
7.94
3865 votes

#16 - Rise of the Villains: The Last Laugh

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/5/2015

Gordon and Bullock track down a nemesis from the past, leading to a standoff between Jerome and Gordon. Meanwhile, a magic show at the Gotham Children's Hospital gala turns into a hostage situation.

Directors: Eagle Egilsson
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mad City: Smile Like You Mean It
star
7.92
4194 votes

#17 - Mad City: Smile Like You Mean It

Season 3 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/23/2017

On the run from Gordon and Bullock, Dwight tries to revive Jerome and, in turn, activates his acolytes around Gotham City. Meanwhile, Selina's mom's intentions in Gotham are revealed, and the power play between Penguin and Nygma escalates as Barbara's plans are set in place.

Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
A Dark Knight: Queen Takes Knight
star
7.92
2617 votes

#18 - A Dark Knight: Queen Takes Knight

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/7/2017

Things get complicated for Gordon, Sophia and Penguin when Carmine Falcone comes to town. Alfred tries to get through to Bruce once and for all, while Nygma struggles to gain control over The Riddler persona and Tabitha attempts to make Grundy remember his past. Meanwhile, a familiar smile resurfaces in Gotham.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Mad City: Beware the Green-Eyed Monster
star
7.90
4374 votes

#19 - Mad City: Beware the Green-Eyed Monster

Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/28/2016

As the virus begins to spread in Gotham, the laboratory that is developing a cure is compromised. Mario and Gordon face off before the wedding, Selina meets an unexpected face and Barbara comes to Nygma with information about Isabella.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:Apple TV
Rise of the Villains: Mommy's Little Monster
star
7.89
3619 votes

#20 - Rise of the Villains: Mommy's Little Monster

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/2/2015

Butch leads Penguin and his men to the warehouse where Gertrude is being held, as Penguin plots his revenge on Galavan for kidnapping his mother. Meanwhile, Nygma deals with the aftermath of a deadly accident.

Directors: Kenneth Fink
Writer: Robert Hull
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Wrath of the Villains: A Legion of Horribles
star
7.88
4219 votes

#21 - Wrath of the Villains: A Legion of Horribles

Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/16/2016

Hugo Strange welcomes a familiar face to Gotham after he resurrects Fish Mooney in Indian Hill. Later, Bruce discovers a friend is in danger and teams up with Gordon, Alfred and Lucius, while uncovering more of Strange's experiments.

Directors: Rob Bailey
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Pinewood
star
7.87
4233 votes

#22 - Wrath of the Villains: Pinewood

Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/18/2016

After leaving Arkham Asylum, Barbara attempts to make amends with Gordon. Then, Bruce and Alfred track down one of Thomas Wayne's former friends from Project Chimera, but Hugo Strange disrupts their plans.

Directors: John Stephens
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Prisoners
star
7.87
4079 votes

#23 - Wrath of the Villains: Prisoners

Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/28/2016

After Gordon is removed from protective custody, he begins to face new threats and dangers inside prison walls. In order to survive, he must rely on a new friend, as well as Bullock and other outside help. Meanwhile, Penguin grows closer to his father, while his step-mother and step-siblings move forward with their own plans for the family.

Directors: Scott White
Writer: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:Apple TV
Wrath of the Villains: Mad Grey Dawn
star
7.86
3939 votes

#24 - Wrath of the Villains: Mad Grey Dawn

Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/21/2016

Gordon and Bullock investigate a trail of clues left in a museum robbery, which, unbeknownst to them, were left by Nygma in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse. Meanwhile, Gordon's past comes back to haunt him when an anonymous person threatens to expose his hand in Galavan's murder. Also, Penguin's visit to some old friends leads him to meet his father, Elijah Van Dalh, and Bruce practices his street smarts.

Directors: Nick Copus
Writer: Robert Hull
Watch Now:Apple TV
Rise of the Villains: Tonight's the Night
star
7.86
3600 votes

#25 - Rise of the Villains: Tonight's the Night

Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/9/2015

Galavan sends Barbara after Jim Gordon, while he tries to make a business deal with Bruce Wayne. Barnes and Bullock are hot on Barbara's trail, and Nygma has a run-in with a familiar face.

Directors: Jeffrey G. Hunt
Writer: Jim Barnes
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV