When I started watching the Fox hit show “Gotham” back in 2014, I was immediately drawn to the villains in particular. I was intrigued especially by Oswald Cobblepot aka Penguin, and Ed Nygma aka The Riddler. Both characters demand attention on screen and in the Gotham universe as well. They crave power and revenge, and are also both hungry for murder at times. But they are also multi-dimensional villains which makes them so fascinating. In Season 2, Oswald and Ed form an unexpected friendship after the deaths of both Oswald’s mother and Ed’s love Kristen Kringle. Their chemistry is truly a highlight of the show and fans began to comment asking and begging for more scenes of the two villains together. This, however, eventually became a conflict.

In Season 3 which premiered this fall, Oswald and Ed are closer than ever before and Oswald admits to himself that he’s in love with Ed. Prior to this moment, Nygmobblepot became the No. 1 ship of the show and for many fans, their love for the two villains could not be compared to any of the other characters on the show. This being said, a lot of die-hard comic fans were not only appalled by the possibility of Nygmobblepot becoming canon, but they were also outraged that Penguin could be gay. As a member of the Nygmobblepot fandom, I have to take a stand for my fellow shippers.

In the original Batman universe, a lot of the characters’ story lines were different. Every fan of the show knows this. However, those fans who are outraged have no problem with Bruce and Selena being friends as teens and exploring their romantic feelings for one another early on. In the original comics, Batman and Catwoman don’t encounter each other until they’re adults. In addition, we must also address that in “Gotham,” Barbara is bisexual. In the original comics, she and Jim end up together. But do you see anyone complaining about that? NO- because the fans can be pro girl-on-girl action but are outraged at possible gay guy action. Those fans will insult the writers and the creators of the show and demand Penguin stay “true” to his original character. But for all the homophobes: Gotham may be based on the Batman universe, but it stands on its own, expanding on the villains and numerous characters of the comics, adding new twists and plot lines as well. The possibility of Penguin having romantic feelings for Nygma adds an unexplored layer to his character. If you are a “true” fan of the show, you would give the actors and writers love and support for this amazing one-of-a-kind series. And not show hate for changes that stray away from the original comics.

Furthermore, just to be clear, Penguin is not explicitly gay. It’s quite evident, that if any other character had shown him care and emotional support the way Ed did when he needed it most, he would’ve felt strong feelings towards them regardless. Penguin and Ed have great chemistry as a team, and based on the current plot of Season 3, things between them are very complicated. Ed falls in love with a Kristen Kringle doppelgänger and I personally love seeing Penguin jealous and fighting for Ed. You never get to see that side of a major villain anywhere else. I cannot wait to see where this season progresses and I fight for Nygmobblepot, just as the actors who play the two villains respectively, support the ship as well.