Penguin & Gotham's Queer Embrace

My value isn't purchasable, but a mere glance can make me susceptible to theft. I hold no worth for an individual, yet possess immeasurable value for a pair. This narrative stands as an enduring classic… the amorous connection between the Penguin and the Riddler.

The series Gotham has carved out a reputation as the sole program reliably venturing into territory other shows wouldn't dare contemplate. This sometimes manifests as transforming Jim Gordon into a remorseless assassin, and at other times, it involves the Penguin and the Riddler finding themselves in a romantic embrace.

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That which many of us had suspected from the very first season of Gotham, specifically after Edward Nygma's act of rescuing and subsequently tending to the Penguin, was ultimately validated when the show depicted the Penguin openly confessing his deep affection for the Riddler. While this sentiment hasn't been verbally reciprocated, at least not yet, this is precisely the nature of Gotham; happy relationships are a rarity. Nevertheless, Gotham proceeded to affirm that the Penguin is, unequivocally, deeply in love with the Riddler.

Thus, indeed, the Penguin harbors profound feelings for the Riddler, though the latter's response is somewhat less than enthusiastic. Alright, alright, Ed actively endeavors to end Oswald's life, but this stems solely from the Penguin having eliminated the woman Ed cherished, driven by his own envy. Observe, emotional entanglements can be rather convoluted, but at their core, the story being unfurled is an peculiar and singular one, featuring two Gotham antagonists entwined by affection: fan-written narratives truly materialize.

And is that not a remarkable phenomenon?

Can you identify any other superhero program on the television landscape that would exhibit the audacity to portray two such prominent figures in a romantic involvement? Can you conceive of any series that would take a character inherently heterosexual in the original comic narratives, possessing an equivalent level of widespread recognition as the Penguin, and reorient him towards a homosexual identity? Because Gotham achieved precisely that. This is an entirely original creation of Gotham, and it is genuinely, overwhelmingly splendid.

Indeed, this particular connection might very well stand as DC's most exceptional homosexual relationship to date.

For starters, the series presents this relationship with complete normalcy. It is not depicted lasciviously, nor is it imbued with excessive drama - it is rather presented with the same matter-of-fact approach as the bond between Jim Gordon and Lee Thompkins (another excellent, non-canonical coupling). The relationship is certainly not without its challenges, but it is never framed as a "gay relationship"; rather, it is simply "a" relationship.

This might seem straightforward, but regrettably, it is an occurrence that seldom, if ever, takes place. Consider some of the most lauded portrayals of homosexual characters within comic book narratives - Midnighter and Apollo, for instance - and you will discern that there are invariably certain complications, to put it mildly.

The inherent difficulty with characters like Midnighter and Apollo, and indeed with homosexual characters in comics generally, is that attention is frequently fixated upon them, or the fact of their homosexual orientation is emphasized as a significant aspect. It is deemed outside the norm, peculiar enough to warrant special mention, despite existing within a universe where colossal monsters routinely unleash their fury. Even within exceptional programs like Supergirl, the homosexual identity of a character is presented as a momentous event, with storylines dedicated to the character's coming out and the subsequent reactions of others. Yet, within Gotham, this aspect garners no particular notice. Certainly, the Penguin (currently serving as mayor) harbors affections for his closest confidant and personal aide. Who takes heed, when we are confronted with rampaging monstrosities and assailants clad in owl masks?

Witnessing a male articulate his literal devotion to another male presented with such... ordinariness... is truly awe-inspiring. It is a breath of fresh air, and it is a development that could conceivably occur only within the context of Gotham. This is attributable to Gotham's profoundly, exceptionally campy nature.

Campy elements have consistently possessed the capacity for singular subversion. This serves as one rationale behind the immense popularity of John Waters' cinematic works, and one reason why midnight screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show continue to draw crowds decades after the film's initial release. Homosexuality can comfortably find a home within campiness. Reflect upon the Village People's rendition of YMCA - a song that, to many, appears to be nothing more than a straightforward and kitschy tune, yet actually serves as a homosexual anthem celebrating public intimacy! The mainstream societal sphere has long ostracized homosexual individuals, and even presently tends to regard it as an unusual aberration. Consequently, the sole domain where it can be perceived as natural and commonplace is within a setting where nothing adheres to conventional norms or regularity.

This is precisely why, within Gotham, the dynamic between the Riddler and the Penguin is so exceptionally noteworthy - it is because it is not, in reality, portrayed as anything extraordinary whatsoever.

Presently, there exist other same-sex relationships within Gotham, including a significant one that you might presume we are overlooking: the connection between Tabitha Galivan and Barbara Kean. However, we are not neglecting them; it is simply that their dynamic is neither as polished nor as compelling as that of the Penguin and the Riddler. While Barbara and Tabitha have shared an extended relationship, one that has been depicted with a comparable degree of consideration and dedication, there are several factors that render it somewhat less remarkable than the Penguin and Riddler dynamic.

For one thing, the presence of two women in a romantic relationship on television is almost... standard. Even FRIENDS, a program that exhibited numerous shortcomings regarding LGBTQ+ representation, featured lesbians in one of its initial episodes. However, more crucially, Gotham's Barbara stands out as one of the most vexing and irritating characters to grace the television screen - the archetypal 'crazy bisexual.' She embodies an entire character archetype, thus her involvement with a woman doesn't inherently possess a high degree of uniqueness or peculiarity. Furthermore, Barbara generally seems to exhibit minimal genuine affection for Tabitha, and Tabitha, in turn, was involved with Solomon Grundy. Perhaps the most contentious aspect is that Barbara's relationship with women was treated as a startling secret, presented with an almost melodramatic, soap-opera-esque flourish. When this revelation first occurred, Gotham was still in its nascent first season, and it was conveyed to the viewers with the same theatricality and dramatic intensity as typical gay relationship unveilings, subtly laced with a degree of the male gaze.

Beyond all these considerations, the undeniable truth is that within the established lore of Batman, Barbara Kean and Tabitha Galivan occupy relatively minor roles. Conversely, the identities of the Penguin and the Riddler are universally recognized. Indeed, both of these characters have previously graced the silver screen, brought to life by the performances of Danny DeVito and Jim Carrey, two immensely prominent actors. If you have children, there's a substantial probability they possess merchandise featuring these characters. They are colossal, immensely significant adversaries, and Gotham has ingeniously rendered one of them homosexual, and the other? Well, the future remains to be seen.

Who can predict the unfolding events? Will Gotham achieve the distinction of presenting the first-ever supervillain kiss? We certainly hold out hope. Granted, as evidenced in the season finale, their romantic connection is currently in a state of dormancy, but we remain confident that it will resurface in Season 4, hopefully with even greater intensity.