9 Years Ago Today, This Divisive Batman Show Gave Us a Killer Joker Twist Unlike Anything We’ve Ever Seen

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Batman’s history is incredibly complex and layered, arguably more so than any other superhero’s, and The Joker perfectly illustrates this. The Joker has become a worldwide icon, even starring in his own films. While many consider Todd Phillips’ Joker and Joker: Folie A Deux to be strange and unusual adaptations, they actually fit within the already extensive and often bizarre scope of the character’s backstory.

Nine years ago today, a Batman TV episode aired that completely shocked fans. The episode featured a Joker storyline that had been building for years, and it ended with a surprising twist no one saw coming.

Gotham‘s Infamous “Smile Like You Mean It” Episode Premiered 9 Years Ago

As a huge fan of Gotham, I remember when Season 3, Episode 13, “Smile Like You Mean It” originally aired on Fox back in January 2017. By that point, things had gotten really interesting with Dwight Pollard, a seriously unhinged character, starting a full-blown cult around Jerome Valeska. Now, Jerome – played brilliantly by Cameron Monaghan – was this chaotic, Joker-esque serial killer who’d caused all sorts of trouble after escaping Arkham. It was a real shame when Monaghan left the show after Season 2, because his performance as Jerome was captivating. He went from this seemingly shy guy to a full-on, maniacal killer – even murdering his own mother! – all during a single police interrogation. Fans, myself included, were definitely disappointed to see him go.

The team making Gotham knew Cameron Monaghan, who played Jerome, was a valuable asset. They deliberately prolonged his return for over a season, first hinting at ways he could be brought back to life and then creating a whole group of fans within the show who were obsessed with resurrecting him – a playful nod to the real-life dedication to the character. When the episode started, it seemed like Gotham was going to mislead viewers again, showcasing Jerome’s body instead of actually bringing him back. But they surprised everyone: Jerome did return from the dead, though with a shocking twist – Dwight had cut off his face and was wearing it as a mask!

Jerome didn’t handle the Face/Off situation well. He attacked Lee Thompkins and went to the TV station the cult was targeting to kidnap Dwight. The episode dramatically ended with Jerome blowing up Gotham’s power plant, taking Dwight with it and causing a city-wide blackout. John Monaghan’s performance was outstanding, solidifying his role in Gotham and eventually leading him to portray both Jerome and his twin brother, Jeremiah – with Jeremiah becoming the show’s main version of the Joker.

“Smile Like You Mean It” Brought One of Batman’s Craziest Stories to TV

Beyond Monaghan’s acting, the episode “Smile Like You Mean It” stood out because it was the first time the popular Batman comic storyline “Death of the Family” – written by Scott Snyder, the creator of acclaimed Batman stories like Absolute Batman and Batman: The Court of Owls – was brought to life in a live-action format.

The storyline unfolded from late 2012 to early 2013 and marked the Joker’s return after a year of being off the radar. As part of a twisted ‘new beginning,’ another villain, Dollmaker, surgically removed his face. The Joker then reclaimed it, grotesquely reattaching it like a mask. It was revealed he’d been secretly watching the entire Bat-Family for a year, and he captured them – including even Alfred – forcing them into a disturbing dinner within the Batcave. Ultimately, the Joker aimed to mentally break Batman, making him believe his friends and allies were hindering his work. He also sowed distrust within the Bat-Family, convincing them Bruce had been keeping secrets – specifically, that the Joker may have known Batman’s identity, the identities of his allies, and the location of the Batcave from the very beginning.

Even now, people admire Gotham for its bold vision and the impressive makeup used to bring the disturbing imagery of Death of the Family‘s Joker-Face to television. The uniquely horrifying look of Jerome, particularly his face held together by staples, has become a memorable part of Batman and Joker history, especially for viewers who grew up watching Gotham.

You can buy the show on many different digital platforms. Plus, join the conversation about this exciting news and more on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-23 17:18