‘Gotham’ season 2, episode 3 reaction: Cameron Monaghan talks Jerome shocker

“Gotham” has at times during its run disappointed us by taking the road most-traveled with some of its storytelling, and it is for that reason that we are somewhat thrilled with what the show decided to do with Jerome. Rather than have this character be the precursor to the Joker, what they did instead was show that he may have been an inspiration-of-sorts. His actions, plus the very public nature of them, may have caused other Jokers to be born out there, with one of them eventually donning the famous outfit and causing Batman chaos.

In reading online reactions to “The Last Laugh,” we may be in the minority of people out there. Most seem depressed to see Jerome gone from the show, and feeling like it was big mistake. The fact that those emotions exist to us is a great thing. This character only got four episodes, but he burned bright in every one of them. If he had been around more, you run the risk of him feeling redundant, to the point where people out there start to get sick of him. This move ensures that this doesn’t happen, and Cameron Monaghan gets all the praise for a pretty fantastic portrayal of a messed-up kid who finds his joy in killing.

Monaghan spoke to TVLine about the episode after the fact, and explained how he was thrilled with the way his arc came to an end with Theo Galavan killing him after he failed to follow orders:

“I think he’s the Joker in that he represents the idea, the greater concept. And somewhere, some kid or some person watched [his videos/the news coverage] and it burrowed into their mind, and one day it will snap and take them over. The idea of this person will possess someone completely new. So, I love that idea — something about it really is chilling and excited me when I read the episode.”

Are you interested in seeing what lies ahead now on “Gotham”? If you head over here, you can see a promo for the next episode and a first look at Michael Chiklis. Also, sign up here to get some other TV news sent right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: Fox.)