8 Reasons Gotham's Second Season Could Fail Miserably

8. Major Shifts Away From Premise

James Gordon has been a stalwart ally of Batman and Gotham, upholding the law while recognizing Gotham's need for Batman's work. Though never a very colorful character by the comics' standards, much of Gordon's appeal lies in his grounded nature, his stability, and most of all, his incorruptibility both personally and as a cop. All of this distinguishes James Gordon as a hero unto himself in a city which tempts everyone to go a little mad sometimes.

When it was announced that Gotham would focus on Gordon's career, fans were as excited as curious. Stories like Frank Miller's Batman: Year One and others represent a rich history the show could draw on. As its first season progressed, however, it appeared that villains like Oswald Cobblepot might again draw too much of the focus away from Gotham's central hero.

Smallville ostensibly outgrew its premise after the 4th or 5th season, yet its well-established characters sustained its core audience. While the Batman connection will always be important, there was a chance from the start for the show to grow legs of its own as a bizarre police procedural. 

Heller and crew could still exploit that chance and take Gordon in any number of interesting directions, yet some signs predict an even more splintered story-line in which Penguin, Riddler, Catwoman and others threaten to render Gordon's arc incidental.