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Gotham has been dubbed Gaytham after the airing of the lesbian filled episode “Arkham.” Barbara Kean (Erin Richards) AKA Batgirl’s mother reveals she ‘teamed up’ with Detective Renee Montoya AKA The Question (Victoria Cartagena), who is one of the few lesbian characters in DC Comics though Barbara is not one of them.
“Years ago before I was with you, she and I were in a relationship,” she tells her fiancé, James Gordon (Ben McKenzie). “It only lasted a year, and then I ended it and moved on.”
The words “relationship” and “year” suggest it wasn’t some so-called experimenting during college. Barbara says she’s over Renee but she’s unsure whether the feeling is mutual. Gordon insists he’s angry with her because she lied not because she’s was with a woman.
Personally, I am a little angry about it. I’m not a fan of retconning characters for the sake of diversity, especially since if a gay or minority character were changed it would cause an uproar. Moreover, lesbians are such a cop out. Even the biggest homophobe will change his tune when it’s two hot women kissing. If they really wanted to mix things up, then they should have revealed Gordon was gay and that he had a relationship with his current partner Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue). Now that would have made for some socially conscience drama.
Not to be outdone, Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) has an actual lesbian kiss on-screen. The mafia boss holds auditions for a new singer at her nightclub. The first singer (Lucille Sharp) has a great voice but the job requires the talent to get their hands dirty, very dirty. Fish asks if she like boys or girls. She answers boys so Fish tells her pretend shes a boy and seduce her. The singer gives her a disappointing shoulder massage and Fish tells her muscle to find someone more appropriate for the job.
“I ain’t looking for no girl,” she tells him. “I’m looking for a weapon.”
Fish is searching for a femme fatale to take out the mafia don, Carmine Falcone (John Doman), who humiliated her by beating up her boy toy. The next candidate is Liza (Makenzie Leigh), who is described as a wild child. She isn’t as talented but she’s much more open-minded. Despite saying she likes boys, Liza doesn’t hold back when Fish asks to be seduced. She hops up on the table for a passionate embrace with her boss.
Fish is unable to decided between the two singers so she makes them fight have a not-so sexy cat fight that ends with Liza smashing her opponents skull into the pavement. The fight probably has less to do with her indecision and more about seeing which girl can handle herself in a fight.
The questions regarding the characters’ sexuality continue in the following episode “Viper.” Liza seductively tells Fish she’s looking for excitement but her boss quickly shuts it down. It’s possible Liza was just staying in character or maybe she always liked girls and just told her boss what she thought she wanted to hear.
Will Batgirl’s mom pop the Question? Will Liza eat Fish? Tune in tonight — same lesbian time, same lesbian channel!
Gotham airs Monday 8PM on Fox.
