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The Worst Episodes of Gotham

Every episode of Gotham ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Gotham!

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Everyone knows the name Commissioner Gordon. He is one of the crime world's greatest foes, a man whose reputation is synonymous with law and order. But what is known of Gordon's story and his rise

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Gotham Season 1 Episode 3 - The Balloonman
    6.8/10(5620 votes)

    #1 - The Balloonman

    S1:E3

    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.

    Director:Dermott Downs
    Writer:John Stephens

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  2. Gotham Season 1 Episode 4 - Arkham
    7.1/10(5296 votes)

    #2 - Arkham

    S1:E4

    As a contentious city council vote on the future of the Arkham district approaches, politicians from both sides are in danger. Gordon and Bullock must race to protect the council and an old friend visits Gordon.

    Director:T.J. Scott
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  3. Gotham Season 3 Episode 1 - Mad City: Better to Reign in Hell...
    7.1/10(2881 votes)

    #3 - Mad City: Better to Reign in Hell...

    S3:E1

    Gordon works in a monster-ridden Gotham as a bounty hunter and seeks to find answers about the Indian Hill escapees, and why their powers appear to be killing them. Meanwhile, Bruce's doppelganger roams the streets, and Barbara and Tabitha open a new nightclub called The Sirens.

    Director:Danny Cannon
    Writer:John Stephens

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  4. Gotham Season 3 Episode 7 - Mad City: Red Queen
    7.1/10(2433 votes)

    #4 - Mad City: Red Queen

    S3:E7

    After coming in contact with a substance by the hand of Mad Hatter, Jim Gordon gets led on a psychedelic trip and must confront his past, present and future. Meanwhile, Penguin struggles with Nygma's new relationship.

    Director:Scott White
    Writer:Megan Mostyn-Brown

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  5. Gotham Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(10832 votes)

    #5 - Pilot

    S1:E1

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

    Director:Danny Cannon
    Writer:Bruno Heller

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  6. Gotham Season 1 Episode 5 - Viper
    7.2/10(4947 votes)

    #6 - Viper

    S1:E5

    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.

    Director:Tim Hunter
    Writer:Rebecca Perry Cutter

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  7. Gotham Season 1 Episode 9 - Harvey Dent
    7.2/10(4390 votes)

    #7 - Harvey Dent

    S1:E9

    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.

    Director:Karen Gaviola
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  8. Gotham Season 3 Episode 2 - Mad City: Burn the Witch
    7.2/10(2638 votes)

    #8 - Mad City: Burn the Witch

    S3:E2

    Fish Mooney takes matters into her own hands to locate Hugo Strange, forcing Gordon to reluctantly team up with journalist Valerie Vale to find her. Penguin rises in popularity after criticizing the work of the GCPD and Bruce's investigation of the Court of Owls is compromised. Meanwhile, Ivy Pepper is reintroduced into Gotham city.

    Director:Danny Cannon
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  9. Gotham Season 3 Episode 6 - Mad City: Follow the White Rabbit
    7.2/10(2531 votes)

    #9 - Mad City: Follow the White Rabbit

    S3:E6

    Mad Hatter sets his eyes on his next victims, forcing Jim Gordon to make some tough decisions. Meanwhile, Penguin and Nygma's relationship evolves, and a familiar face comes back into Nygma's life.

    Director:Nathan Hope
    Writers:Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

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  10. Gotham Season 3 Episode 10 - Mad City: Time Bomb
    7.2/10(2358 votes)

    #10 - Mad City: Time Bomb

    S3:E10

    On the eve of their rehearsal dinner, a threat to Mario and Lee is exposed, and Falcone looks to Jim for help. Meanwhile, Nygma seeks revenge and Bruce learns more about The Court of Owls.

    Director:Hanelle M. Culpepper
    Writer:Robert Hull

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  11. Gotham Season 3 Episode 13 - Mad City: Smile Like You Mean It
    7.2/10(2881 votes)

    #11 - Mad City: Smile Like You Mean It

    S3:E13

    On the run from Gordon and Bullock, Dwight tries to revive Jerome, 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.

    Director:Olatunde Osunsanmi
    Writers:Steven Lilien, Bryan Wynbrandt

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  12. Gotham Season 5 Episode 9 - Legend of Dark Knight: The Trial of Jim Gordon
    7.2/10(1946 votes)

    #12 - Legend of Dark Knight: The Trial of Jim Gordon

    S5:E9

    After Gordon is shot in an attempt to establish a cease-fire, he hallucinates a trial for his life that could have deadly real consequences. Meanwhile, Ivy returns and puts her spell on Bruce, leaving Selina to defend herself. Lee has a life-changing moment as Barbara and Penguin consider their next moves.

    Director:Erin Richards
    Writer:Ben McKenzie

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  13. Gotham Season 2 Episode 5 - Rise of the Villains: Scarification
    7.3/10(3260 votes)

    #13 - Rise of the Villains: Scarification

    S2:E5

    Galavan and Penguin join forces with a dangerous family in Gotham. Then, as the rivalry between the Waynes and the Galavans resurfaces, Gordon struggles to maintain order in the city.

    Director:Bill Eagles
    Writer:Jordan Harper

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  14. Gotham Season 2 Episode 21 - Wrath of the Villains: A Legion of Horribles
    7.3/10(2758 votes)

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

    S2:E21

    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.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Jordan Harper

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  15. Gotham Season 3 Episode 8 - Mad City: Blood Rush
    7.3/10(2341 votes)

    #15 - Mad City: Blood Rush

    S3:E8

    The effects of a recent incident begin to cause Barnes to go mad; Nygma is over his head in his relationship with Isabella; Carmine Falcone throws an engagement party for Lee and Mario.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Tze Chun

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  16. Gotham Season 3 Episode 9 - Mad City: The Executioner
    7.3/10(2336 votes)

    #16 - Mad City: The Executioner

    S3:E9

    Gordon and Bullock sift through evidence from the murder at Lee and Mario's engagement party; Ivy discloses her identity to Selina and Bruce.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  17. Gotham Season 3 Episode 12 - Mad City: Ghosts
    7.3/10(2388 votes)

    #17 - Mad City: Ghosts

    S3:E12

    Falcone places a hit on Gordon after learning that he shot Mario. Gordon and Bullock discover a follower of Jerome, who plans to bring him back to life. Meanwhile, Penguin spirals out of control before the biggest television interview of his Mayoral career, and Bruce and Selina deal with Selina's mom's return to Gotham.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Danny Cannon

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  18. Gotham Season 4 Episode 5 - A Dark Knight: The Blade's Path
    7.3/10(2184 votes)

    #18 - A Dark Knight: The Blade's Path

    S4:E5

    Nygma comes face-to-face with Butch Gilzean, but he is not who he used to be. In an attempt to regain power and identity, Nygma decides to put his former partner's skills to the test. Meanwhile, Sofia Falcone takes action to protect her own life by appealing to Penguin's vulnerable side. With the power of the dagger in his possession, Bruce surprises those around him with his bold actions.

    Director:Scott White
    Writer:Tze Chun

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  19. Gotham Season 1 Episode 8 - The Mask
    7.4/10(4490 votes)

    #19 - The Mask

    S1:E8

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

    Director:Paul A. Edwards
    Writer:John Stephens

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  20. Gotham Season 1 Episode 15 - The Scarecrow
    7.4/10(3896 votes)

    #20 - The Scarecrow

    S1:E15

    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.

    Director:Nick Copus
    Writer:Ken Woodruff

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  21. Gotham Season 1 Episode 17 - Red Hood
    7.4/10(3858 votes)

    #21 - Red Hood

    S1:E17

    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.

    Director:Nathan Hope
    Writer:Danny Cannon

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  22. Gotham Season 2 Episode 22 - Wrath of the Villains: Transference
    7.4/10(2901 votes)

    #22 - Wrath of the Villains: Transference

    S2:E22

    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 in Gotham.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Bruno Heller

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  23. Gotham Season 3 Episode 3 - Mad City: Look Into My Eyes
    7.4/10(2558 votes)

    #23 - Mad City: Look Into My Eyes

    S3:E3

    Hypnotist Jervis Tetch/Mad Hatter arrives in Gotham to search for his sister, Alice, and hires Gordon to help find her. Meanwhile, Penguin decides to run for mayor and Bruce's doppelganger begins to channel him, causing some confusion around town.

    Director:Rob Bailey
    Writer:Danny Cannon

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  24. Gotham Season 3 Episode 4 - Mad City: New Day Rising
    7.4/10(2505 votes)

    #24 - Mad City: New Day Rising

    S3:E4

    Penguin gains power as he narrows in on the nomination for Mayor of Gotham. Meanwhile, Gordon turns Alice into the GCPD for the bounty. Also, Bruce and Alfred race to find Bruce's doppelganger after learning he's assumed Bruce's identity.

    Director:Eagle Egilsson
    Writer:Robert Hull

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  25. Gotham Season 3 Episode 16 - Heroes Rise: These Delicate and Dark Obsessions
    7.4/10(2269 votes)

    #25 - Heroes Rise: These Delicate and Dark Obsessions

    S3:E16

    The Court of Owls devises a new plan regarding the future of Gotham, as Gordon uncovers information about his father and uncle's past, connecting him back to the organization. Meanwhile, Bruce wakes up in the temple and learns of the Shaman's wish for him.

    Director:Ben McKenzie
    Writer:Robert Hull

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The Balloonman" is the worst rated episode of "Gotham". It scored 6.8/10 based on 5620 votes. Directed by Dermott Downs and written by John Stephens, it aired on 10/6/2014. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Arkham".