The BEST episodes of Gotham season 1

Every episode of Gotham season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Gotham season 1!

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

Last Updated: 8/15/2024Network: FOXStatus: Ended
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All Happy Families are Alike
star
8.10
3666 votes

#1 - 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:Amazon
Penguin's Umbrella
star
8.05
4620 votes

#2 - 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:Amazon
Spirit of the Goat
star
7.86
4716 votes

#3 - Spirit of the Goat

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/27/2014

When a killer begins targeting the first born of Gotham's elite, Bullock is forced to confront traumatic memories from a nearly identical case he worked in the past. Gordon is confronted by past decisions.

Directors: T.J. Scott
Writer: Ben Edlund
Watch Now:Amazon
Lovecraft
star
7.86
4206 votes

#4 - Lovecraft

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/24/2014

Selina leads a new friend on a perilous journey through Gotham to evade the assassins who are on her trail. Following a misstep, Gordon is reassigned to duty at Arkham Asylum.

Directors: Guy Ferland
Watch Now:Amazon
The Anvil or the Hammer
star
7.82
3746 votes

#5 - The Anvil or the Hammer

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/27/2015

The Ogre breaks down Barbara’s emotions, while Gordon and Bullock go to great lengths to track him down. Meanwhile, Penguin leads a massacre, beginning an epic war, while Bruce learns the truth about Wayne Enterprises and Nygma deals with his recent actions.

Directors: Paul A. Edwards
Watch Now:Amazon
Harvey Dent
star
7.78
4347 votes

#6 - Harvey Dent

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/17/2014

Trying to close the Wayne murder case, a young Harvey Dent and Gordon team up, much to Mayor James’ chagrin. Meanwhile, Penguin makes contact with Mooney’s secret weapon, Liza.

Directors: Karen Gaviola
Writer: Ken Woodruff
Watch Now:Amazon
The Mask
star
7.78
4259 votes

#7 - The Mask

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/10/2014

Gordon and Bullock investigate a Gothamite who runs a deadly fight club for candidates applying for a job at his financial firm. Meanwhile, Bruce returns to school and gets a visit from a new friend.

Directors: Paul A. Edwards
Watch Now:Amazon
The Balloonman
star
7.77
5411 votes

#8 - The Balloonman

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/6/2014

Gordon and Bullock track down a vigilante who uses weather balloons to kill corrupt citizens; Cobblepot gets a job close to a major figure in the underworld.

Directors: Dermott Downs
Watch Now:Amazon
Viper
star
7.76
4975 votes

#9 - Viper

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/20/2014

Gordon and Bullock search for the source of a new street drug that causes euphoria then death. Oswald Cobblepot works his way deeper into Maroni's inner circle. Fish Mooney continues to plot against Falcone.

Directors: Tim Hunter
Watch Now:Amazon
Pilot
star
7.76
7133 votes

#10 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/2014

Detective James Gordon performs his work in the dangerously corrupt city of Gotham, which consistently teeters between good and evil.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:Amazon
Selina Kyle
star
7.76
5568 votes

#11 - Selina Kyle

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/2014

Detectives Gordon and Bullock investigate a child trafficking ring preying on Gotham's street kids, including Selina Kyle. Penguin resurfaces in the countryside and begins to make his way back to Gotham.

Directors: Danny Cannon
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:Amazon
Arkham
star
7.76
5146 votes

#12 - Arkham

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/13/2014

Politicians on both sides of the Arkham district issue are in danger as the vote approaches; Gordon gets a visit from an old friend.

Directors: T.J. Scott
Writer: Ken Woodruff
Watch Now:Amazon
What the Little Bird Told Him
star
7.70
3329 votes

#13 - What the Little Bird Told Him

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/19/2015

In an attempt to get his job back, Gordon seeks to capture Jack Gruber, a deranged electrical genius who escapes Arkham Asylum. Meanwhile, Falcone struggles to hold onto his empire after Fish Mooney makes her next move.

Directors: Eagle Egilsson
Writer: Ben Edlund
Watch Now:Amazon
Under the Knife
star
7.69
3703 votes

#14 - Under the Knife

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/20/2015

Gordon and Bullock continue their investigation of the Ogre, who begins to make his move on someone close to Gordon. Meanwhile, Bruce and Selina team up to expose a corrupt Wayne Enterprises employee and Nygma comes to Kristin Kringle’s defense.

Directors: T.J. Scott
Watch Now:Amazon
Beasts of Prey
star
7.64
3595 votes

#15 - Beasts of Prey

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/13/2015

Gordon and Bullock inspect a cold case involving the Ogre, a serial killer who targets young women in Gotham City. Meanwhile, Fish plots her escape from the Dollmaker, and Bruce and Selina confront Reggie.

Directors: Eagle Egilsson
Writer: Ken Woodruff
Watch Now:Amazon
The Scarecrow
star
7.63
3193 votes

#16 - The Scarecrow

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/9/2015

Gordon and Bullock set out to stop Gerald Crane, a biology teacher who has been harvesting the glands of his murder victims. Meanwhile, after finding herself in an unusual setting, Mooney continues plotting to gain power, and Falcone attempts to change Maroni's plan for the Penguin. Then, Bruce takes a treacherous hike.

Directors: Nick Copus
Writer: Ken Woodruff
Watch Now:Amazon
The Blind Fortune Teller
star
7.62
3187 votes

#17 - The Blind Fortune Teller

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/16/2015

Gordon takes Dr. Leslie Thompkins to the circus, but the day turns quickly when the circus comes under attack. Then, Falcone enlists Butch Gilzean to help Penguin with the night club, while Fish Mooney is otherwise occupied. Also, Bruce Wayne schedules a meeting with the Wayne Enterprises board.

Directors: Jeffrey G. Hunt
Writer: Bruno Heller
Watch Now:Amazon
Red Hood
star
7.62
3259 votes

#18 - Red Hood

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/23/2015

Following several bank robberies, Gordon and Bullock investigate the Red Hood gang. Selina Kyle continues to bond with Barbara, and Fish Mooney tries to reclaim her position in the underworld.

Directors: Nathan Hope
Writer: Danny Cannon
Watch Now:Amazon
Welcome Back, Jim Gordon
star
7.59
3289 votes

#19 - Welcome Back, Jim Gordon

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/26/2015

When the key witness in a homicide ends up dead while being held for questioning by the police, Gordon suspects that it’s an inside job and looks to an old friend for information. Meanwhile, Oswald Cobblepot takes control of one of Fish Mooney’s prized possessions, as she gets a small taste of her own medicine.

Directors: Wendey Stanzler
Watch Now:Amazon
Everyone Has a Cobblepot
star
7.58
3355 votes

#20 - Everyone Has a Cobblepot

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/2/2015

While Gordon seeks information about the recent controversy with Commissioner Loeb, Fish’s allegiance with the prisoners is questioned when she appears to join forces with Dr. Dulmacher. Meanwhile, after an attack close to home, Bruce deals with the aftermath.

Directors: Bill Eagles
Watch Now:Amazon
The Fearsome Dr. Crane
star
7.56
3129 votes

#21 - The Fearsome Dr. Crane

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/2/2015

Fish Mooney reveals a secret of Oswald Cobblepot's, prompting Maroni to take him on a trip to test his loyalty. Meanwhile, Gordon and Bullock hunt down a killer who targets victims with severe phobias and Bruce Wayne confronts Gordon for failing to make progress on his parents' murder case.

Directors: John Behring
Watch Now:Amazon
Rogues' Gallery
star
7.48
3517 votes

#22 - Rogues' Gallery

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/5/2015

Gordon’s assignment at Arkham Asylum gets off to a rocky start when the murder of a guard ignites an investigation, leading him to meet Dr. Leslie Thompkins. Meanwhile, Cobblepot continues to build his army.

Directors: Oz Scott
Writer: Sue Chung
Watch Now:Amazon