How Fox's 100-Episode 'Gotham' Became One of the Wildest Sci-Fi Thrillers of the Century

Fox's 'Gotham,' which ran for 100 episodes from 2014 to 2019, began as a grounded police procedural in Batman's universe but quickly evolved into one of the most unhinged sci-fi thrillers on network TV. The series, developed by Bruno Heller, starred Ben McKenzie as young Detective James Gordon, with Robin Lord Taylor's Penguin and Cameron Monaghan's proto-Joker earning cult followings. Unlike the CW's 'Smallville,' which also stretched a superhero prequel into a decade-long saga, 'Gotham' embraced full comic-book absurdity—cloning, resurrection, and city-wide insanity became routine. The show's tonal whiplash, from noir crime drama to campy horror, divided critics but kept it a ratings anchor for Fox, especially in the 18–49 demo. Why it matters: 'Gotham' proved that even without Batman front and center, Gotham City's rogues' gallery could sustain a long-running, wildly unpredictable series. Its legacy lives on in streaming, where new viewers keep discovering its bonkers charm.