New York Comic Con arrived again for another year at the Javits Centre between 5-8 October 2017. The Warner Brothers Television Takeover happened across the road at the Hammersmith Ballroom. At 3:45pm EST 15 members of Gotham took to the stage to talk about the upcoming episode of Gotham and what to expect from the rest of season 4. Damien Holbrook was the Gotham panel host, which I was please to see as he did the Gotham panel at PaleyFest NY, I really like his direction with questions and the time he allows the cast members to talk. The panel started with a presentation of a sizzle reel which recapped season 4 so far, ending with Ra’s al Ghul and Barbara Keen with a freaky creepy new character called Dog Boy. The scene will feature in this weeks episode which airs on Thursday 12th October, this episode has been written by Ben McKenzie and directed by Kenneth Fink. This is exciting news as Ben McKenzie’s director debut was excellent in season 3 and Kenneth Fink directed my favourite episode from season 2 “Mommy’s Little Monster.”
I have put together some of the highlights from The Gotham Panel. The next episode is called “The Demon’s Head” which will focus on Ra’s al Ghul. Ben McKenzie was still writing the episode whilst getting married and being on honeymoon with Morena Baccarin ( Lesley Thompkins ). Ben explained that the process of writing the episode took a few months. The walls of Gotham are closing in during season 4.
David Mazousz ( Bruce Wayne) said he had so much fun playing Billionaire Brat Bruce. There definitely will be a Bat – Cat connection which David was very enthusiastic about. David also mentioned he recently watched Batman Forever to study up and still reads a lot of comics. Camren Bicondova ( Selina Kyle ) feels that Barbara and Tabitha are mom and Dad but Selina is very much the real aldult in the room. Camren made it clear that Selina is only looking out for herself and isn’t really concerned what Bruce is up. Also billionaire brat Bruce was just a taster of what is to come. David mentioned a sequence they have filmed for episode seven and he said it’s was the best fun ever, best nine hours he has ever filmed. David also feels the theme to season 4 of Gotham is control and how to protect the Gothamites and every one has their way. Gordon has his idealistic way, Penguin has pax penguina way and Bruce is going to come up with his way.
Sean Pertwee ( Alfred Pennyworth) confirmed that we get to see a side of Alfred that we have never seen before. He will unravel very quickly and it ain’t going to be pretty. Sean Pertwee felt that his characters defining moment was loving someone so much you allow them to kill you.
Donal Logue ( Harvey Bullock) talked about Bullocks decision in siding with the GCPD instead of going with Gordon in episode 2. Bullock has seen Gotham for a long time, he lost Falcone, Marconi, Fish Mooney, so the underworld he understood is gone and it’s going beyond good and evil. So going along with Penguin will mitigate some of the damage that has already been done and saving some cops lives. This will be the first time we see Jim and Harvey on a collision course where they cannot work it out and causes a rift between them.
Robin Lord Taylor ( Oswald Cobblepot) mentioned if Bruce wants to be the man he wants to be he is going to have to confront everyone. Batman has ultimate control of the city but it’s going to be a fight, lessons will be taught. Robin also mentioned Penguin’s main adversary this season is Jim Gordon, as neither of them want chaos but both want control. Robin discussed during the Q&A with the fans that trying to murder someone in Gotham is a positive thing “you tried to kill me so you care.”
Crystal Reed ( Sofia Falcone) will meet the Penguin for the first time in episode 4. Sofia needs Penguin for a mysterious purpose. Even though the death of Sofia’s brother Mario has not been discussed with Jim, Crystal as an actress she is using that emotion in her character. Sofia’s feelings for Jim are real but not exactly sure what feelings exactly!
You may not recongise Lee when she returns, she will show up in a fight club. She has changed a great deal since the virus and she couldn’t stay away from Gotham. Lee doesn’t want to come back to the GCPD but she starts working in a underground society called The Narrows. She is there to try and help people as the best she can. Morena Baccarin would not say any more. But Lee does finally get her chance to deck Barbara Keen.
Chris Chalk ( Lucius Fox) we will definitely see how the relationship with Bruce develops and how he will keep the masked vilgilante safe, it his main objective. It’s very important to keep Thomas Wayne’s son a saint. Lucius will become more involved in the technical side as well.
Cory Michael Smith ( Edward ‘The Riddler ‘ Nygma ) when he watched the scene where Oswald freaks out because Ed has gone from his ice prison Cory absolutely loved it he loved the reaction. Robin commented that he screamed so loud he nearly passed out and saw stars. Cory commended the writers this season.
Erin Richards ( Barbara Keen) is back with a more zen like look on her world. She has got a different kind of way of moving through the world but you will see she still got the some of the old Barbara inside of her. Barbara is approaching Gotham in a bit more like a business woman now because she learned a lesson she just can’t be crazy because her best friend Tabitha won’t put up with it, she needs family, she needs Tabitha, she needs Selina to create safety around her even though she has new skills.
Jessica Lucas ( Tabitha Galavan ) is smart enough to realise she needs allies and that Barbara and Tabitha are stronger together then they are apart. When Tabitha sees Butch as Grundy she is delighted then horrified!
Drew Powell (Soloman Grundy ) feels that Butch is still somewhere in there, but he doesn’t remember anything, so his team up with Nygma who Butch hated, is so much fun to see these two teaming up. When people of Gotham who knew Butch, see him as Grundy they will be shocked.
Alexander Siddig ( Ra’s al Ghul ) the people he comes into contact will realise Ra’s is insane to late. He explains to Bruce very carefully what his intentions are and starts to exercise those plans. Some of the motives he is keeping to himself, but Barbara is the most useful persuasive ally Ra’s could find at the top of the show. Alexandar thinks it very exciting relationship especially when they doing the martial arts together.
The Gotham panel rounded up with questions from the audience and another sizzle reel which they called the Penguin rap containing scenes from episode 4.
