WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for this week's episode of Gotham, "They Did What?," which aired Thursday on Fox.
Gotham has spent five season chronicling young Bruce Wayne's journey to becoming Batman, even while teasing the introduction of the true Joker, and a fully realized, and colorful, rogues gallery. Now, in the trailer for next week's series finale, the Fox drama delivers.
At the conclusion of the "No Man's Land"/"Zero Year" storyline, David Mazouz's young Bruce Wayne left the city behind. It could have been a perfectly serviceable conclusion to Gotham, but fans will have one more episode devoted to his return and, yes, his embrace of the Batman identity, some 10 years later.
The trailer does more than merely offer a tease of Gotham's farewell. Its minute of new footage is jam-packed with so many of the iconic firsts viewers have waited so long to see.
Enter the Penguin
Although we've already seen plenty of memorable Batman foes introduced Gotham, the promo goes even further by showing that some of those rogues will fully embrace their villainous personas.
Oswald Cobblepot dons a classic version of his comic book costume, complete with top hat and monocle. What's more, the swarm of reporters around him shows that, like the Penguin in the source material, he doesn't hide in the shadows. That's in contrast to the Riddler. Yes, Edward Nygma has already suited up as his alter ego, but the trailer hints he may now be an even more danger figure who hides in plain sight.
Selina Is All Grown Up
The footage also shows that Selina Kyle has embraced her identity as a cat burglar -- as Catwoman. Clad in a black leather bodysuit, she puts her feline skills to good use as she evades an elaborate security system to steal a diamond. This older Selina Kyle will actually not be played by Camren Bicondova; instead, it's Lili Simmons.
The Joker (and Harley Quinn)
If Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman weren't enough, the finale will also feature Harley Quinn and, yes, the Joker. Ecco is back, wearing a black-and-red costume, and it appears as if she will prove her worth as the Joker's partner by breaking Jeremiah Valeska out of containment -- in a nurse's outfit, no less.
Speaking of Valeska, we've heard him laugh before, but the chilling cackle in this trailer is Gotham's first, true Joker laugh. He may not sport the white make-up and the purple suit, but the previous trailer and official images already debuted the final form of Valeska's Joker, and it's safe to say that he is one of the more disturbing Jokers to have hit the screen.
The Dark Knight Rises
The promo begins with Bruce Wayne's arrival in what we can assume is the Himalayas. It's where, in keeping with Batman lore of the modern era, he will train his body and mind. As far as defining moments go, this is big.
The All-New Wayne Tower
We also see the debut of the new Wayne Tower. In the penultimate episode, Bruce Wayne had no choice but to detonate a bomb that destroyed his company's headquarters to thwart the plans of Bane and Nyssa Al Ghul. This new building is much more modern, and recognizable.
The Bat-Signal
Wayne Tower is not the only change to the Gotham City skyline. We also witness the lighting of the Bat-Signal, as Batman takes to the rooftops. Now sure, we may not see a Bat-symbol just yet, but that may very well come in the final moments.
The Batman... and the Bat-Voice
If all that weren't enough, we also get a glimpse at the first meeting between Batman and Commissioner Gordon. We may not see the two come face-to-face, but Jim is clearly after him. Jim is obviously wary of the vigilante he is hunting down in an empty building, but the Caped Crusader informs him that he is not his enemy. But the voice isn't just Bruce's voice. No, Gotham finally debuts its own version of the Bat-voice. The hushed voice isn't technically a growl -- instead, it appears to be digitally distorted through a modulator, much like Ben Affleck's Batman in the DC Extended Universe.
Airing Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Fox, Gotham stars Ben McKenzie as James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Robin Lord Taylor as Penguin, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth and Shane West as Bane.