It looks like Jim Gordon and Barbara Kean are done on Gotham. A classic mix-up orchestrated by the young Ivy Pepper left Ms. Kean pretty upset at the end of the last episode and I don't see them getting back together any time soon. Besides, Gordon might be sidling up to Leslie Thompkins on Gotham instead. I'm a fan of this 'ship. I definitely think it could make Detective Gordon more interesting, which isn't something you get to say about a male character very often. Is this the direction the show is taking?
Here is what Morena Baccarin told IGN about her character's relationship with Jim Gordon. She praises how fun their scenes are together, and explains why the make a good pair that will get stronger with each episode.
They sort of hit it off because they're both two people who are trying to do the right thing in a city that's corrupt. And, like him, she's someone who doesn't really stand for bulls**t. She's very pragmatic and isn't fazed by the craziness of Gotham. So they're pretty drawn to each other and they wind up teaming up.
I don't know about you, but this spells work crush to me. Cheers to more television relationships building on healthy partnerships! I would love for this relationship to grow into something more after only one episode, and not just because Baccarin needs a win after Homeland. Anyone is better than Brody. Anyone.
Comic Discrepancies
In the comics, Dr. Thompkins has a relationship with Alfred Pennyworth. However, it doesn't look like those characters will have much reason to be in the same room together just yet, and her relationship with Jim is already established. She was, in the comics and presumably on the show, a friend of Thomas and Martha Wayne. This could get her to the mansion, but I think might have a connection with Gordon more than anyone else.
Another hiccough is that in the comics, Gordon married a woman named Sarah Essen, like the police captain on Gotham, after he and Barbara get a divorce. Are they the endgame ship here? Is Leslie just another stepping stone? I haven't caught any chemistry between actors Ben McKenzie and Zabryna Guevara just yet. If this is where Gotham is headed, it must be the slowest burn of all.
The Bottom Line
However, I'm thinking that Leslie Thompkins was brought on for multiple reasons. She's important to Bruce Wayne's history and the timing of her appearance with Gordon and Barbara's "trial separation" is just a little too suspicious for my tastes. I also think it would be good for Gordon to be in a stable relationship with someone who shares his values and attitude about Gotham City.
Plus, Barbara's her own woman and has her own path in this series. She doesn't need to be romantically linked to Gordon in order to stay on Gotham. She and Renee Montoya are the relationship to fight for, in my opinion. In fact, if she teams up professionally with her ex-girlfriend, it could bring a fun new dynamic to the crime solving aspect of this show.
Images: Jessica Miglio/FOX; Giphy (2)
