The Mind-Blowing Twist of Gotham Knights Finale that Left Fans Speechless

The finale of Gotham Knights left a bittersweet taste, teasing what could have been if the show had been given another season. Unfortunately, circumstances were not in its favor, with changes in management at both DC Studios and The CW, making a renewal highly unlikely. Additionally, the show struggled to find an audience, as it existed outside of the Arrowverse and was yet another Batman-related series without Batman.

Ironically, Gotham Knights flawlessly adapted the modern Batman comics, drawing inspiration from the works of Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV. Although the show lacked some of the more well-known sidekicks of the Dark Knight, it introduced accurate representations of teenage heroes such as Stephanie "Spoiler" Brown and Harper "Bluebird" Row. It also included the first live-action portrayal of Robin Carrie Kelley from The Dark Knight Returns. This attention to the Batman mythology was evident in the lead-up to the series finale and the ultimate clash between the Gotham Knights and the Court of Owls.

Rebecca March Identity Twist Explained

Originally portrayed as Harvey Dent's lost love and the wife of his political rival, Rebecca March's true identity was gradually revealed in Gotham Knights. Initially, it appeared that Rebecca was solely influential in her husband's mayoral campaign, but it was later discovered that she was also a high-ranking member of the secretive Court of Owls. In the pivotal episode titled "City of Owls," it was unveiled that Rebecca March was actually Dr. Rebekah Leviticus, the mastermind behind the process that granted the Court of Owls' Talon soldiers the ability to cheat death over a century ago.

Dr. Leviticus disclosed to Harvey Dent about the Court of Owls' plan to falsely incriminate him, but her love for him motivated her to betray both the Court and her husband. She offered Harvey the opportunity to attain immortality through her formula, enabling them to embark on a fresh life together. However, Harvey declined her proposition. The episode concluded with Dr. Leviticus deploying her newly augmented Talon army to pursue the imprisoned Knights, whom she had framed for the murders of the Court of Owls' leadership.

A Sadistic Choice For Harvey Dent

Despite refusing to join her,

Duela Chooses To Be A Hero

had one last maneuver to attempt in order to win back her beloved. She revealed that she had successfully captured Duela Doe, the biological daughter that

Duela Chooses To Be A Hero

never knew existed, and tethered her to a bomb located in their concealed hideout on the 13th floor of Wayne Tower. Rebecca agreed to disclose the code to disarm the bomb, but under the condition that

Duela Chooses To Be A Hero

allowed their suppressed dissociative alter ego to take control. This left Gotham Knights'

Duela Chooses To Be A Hero

with a difficult decision - save the daughter they unintentionally abandoned or prevent the release of this dangerous persona.

Following their successful defense of GCPD Headquarters against the Talons, the Gotham Knights embarked on a mission to decipher Rebecca March's nefarious plot. Through her phone, acting as a receiver for her bomb, Duela managed to contact them by means of her hacking skills. Promptly, the Knights deduced that Duela's explosive device was just one of many scattered across Gotham City. Furthermore, they discovered that these bombs were interconnected in a way that disarming any one of them would trigger the others. It became evident that Rebecca intended to achieve two objectives simultaneously - obliterating her secret laboratories and framing Duela for the devastating loss of thousands of lives.

The Knights were divided in their opinions about whether the chaotic Duela, who had been raised to believe she was the Joker's daughter, would disable the bomb in order to save herself. Most believed that she would make the right decision when faced with the ultimate test. The entire situation served as a twist of irony, reminiscent of Joker's ferry dilemma in The Dark Knight. However, Duela ultimately proved herself not to be the Joker's daughter as she chose to sacrifice her own life rather than harm innocent people. Fortunately, her fellow Knights intervened and saved her before she had to make that sacrifice to protect Gotham City.

Harvey Dent Becomes Two-Face

Gotham Knights Ends On A Cliffhanger

: After the explosion at Wayne Tower, Harvey went missing, leaving his whereabouts a mystery to both the GCPD and the Gotham Knights. Eventually, it was revealed that Harvey, now horrifically scarred and consumed by his darker side, tracked down Jane Doe, the mother of Duela. Jane had betrayed their daughter to Rebecca March. In a menacing act, Harvey engaged Jane in a coin toss using the dented coin that once saved his life, leaving her fate hanging in the balance. The sound of two gunshots echoed through the air, confirming that Harvey Dent had fully transformed into the notorious villain Two-Face.

After heading to Bruce Wayne's office at Wayne Tower to retrieve his journals, Turner Hayes mysteriously vanished. He found himself in a perilous situation when the surviving Talons and Rebecca March unexpectedly ambushed him during his escape. However, his fortunes took a sudden turn when a group of heavily armed mercenaries, speaking a foreign language, came to his rescue. The concluding moment of Gotham Knights showed Turner in an enchanting villa, where he came face to face with Henri Ducard. Ducard, a seasoned detective and expert tracker, revealed that he had not only trained Batman but also Turner's parents. Now, he offered to extend his guiding hand to Turner for his training as well.

How Gotham Knights' Finale Set Up Season 2

Why Gotham Knights Season 2 DIdn't Happen

As Turner's presumed demise casts a shroud of sorrow over the Gotham Knights, their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the city remains resolute in his honor. It is subtly hinted that the GCPD, led by Police Commissioner Soto and a select group of officers, are now privy to their clandestine identities, pledging their support. It is also inferred that the majority of the team will lead dual lives as ordinary students attending Gotham Academy. However, one exception looms in Duela, as her focus lies solely on tracking down Harvey Dent, and aiding his benevolent persona in reclaiming control over his body.

Gotham Knights faced numerous challenges leading to its cancellation, primarily due to the inability to attract a dedicated audience. The absence of Batman in a series set in Gotham City, following the exploration of similar themes in shows like Gotham, Batwoman, and Pennyworth, failed to resonate with many Bat-fans. Additionally, Arrowverse enthusiasts were hesitant to engage with the show once it became known that Gotham Knights was not situated within the Earth-Prime universe.

Gotham Knights, aside from its core concept, faced challenges due to shifts in management at The CW and DC Studios. The CW's shift towards targeting older viewers and reducing the number of scripted dramas made it incompatible with a show centered around teenage vigilantes. Additionally, DC Studios was not interested in featuring Gotham Knights on the Max streaming service, as they were actively downsizing their lineup of independent series set outside of the DC Universe setting.

You can now stream Season 1 of Gotham Knights on CWTV.com.