5 Ways Gotham's Shocking Finale Set Up a Better Season 2

All season long, Nygma has been toeing the line between eccentric and batsh*t crazy, and he finally tips to the dark side. Ms. Kringle discovers his hidden message in the forged note from her boyfriend (whom Nygma had murdered) and confronts him about it. Of course, he denies involvement, but when she leaves, he freaks out. I like that he's been lying low so far, but it's clear that Nygma's Riddler side is coming out in season two. Creator Bruce Heller also confirmed that The Riddler is ready to come out, saying he'll be "a larger, more villainous character in season two."

Following her traumatic kidnapping, Barbara agrees to go to counseling, but only if Leslie is her counselor. Reluctantly, Leslie agrees to do it, but regrets it when Barbara admits to murdering her parents. That's right, it wasn't the Ogre who killed them — it was Barbara! Frankly, I'm glad the writers made her more compelling than just being James's needy ex. She appears to be dead after the fight with Leslie, but I'm hoping she's still alive and will resurface as a villain in the second season.

I don't care about Maroni; he's just a gangster. There's nothing particularly special about him, and in a show already crowded with evil personalities, he hasn't added much. Plus, with the Joker coming next season, it's time to trim the fat and make room for the real big baddies. Fish shoots him right in the head, and good riddance, especially after he's so rude to her.

Fish takes out Maroni, but after returning from the ether with a bad haircut and a new lackey (what the hell, Selina?), Fish is shot and then Penguin pushes her off a roof into the water. Jada Pinkett-Smith was only ever contracted to appear in the first season, so we knew something had to happen to Fish, but the writers could have picked a more definitive way to kill her off. I like that she's out of the way for now, but the window is still open for a cameo in future seasons.

Hope you didn't fall asleep for the final minutes of the episode, because Bruce and Alfred have uncovered the Batcave! There have been hints throughout the season that Bruce's father wasn't the man who Bruce thinks he is, and Bruce follows the clues and discovers a hidden door that leads to an ominous passageway. Executive producer Heller says it's being referred to as "Dad's Office," and that the development will definitely impact young Bruce in season two. Finally, let's get to some Batman stuff!