Gotham VFX Breakdown: Bruce Becoming Batman In Season 3 Finale

The visual effects studio CoSA VFX, which has been nominated for an Emmy three consecutive years, has released a video showcasing the work its team of artists did on the third season of Gotham.

Last Monday’s two-hour finale was filled with insanity, but it was especially eventful for Bruce Wayne. While still feeling the effects of the Shaman’s brainwashing, Bruce sought out and met Ra’s al Ghul, who believes the lad is destined to be his heir. Then, Ra’s instructed Bruce to kill Alfred Pennyworth, so he plunges a sword through the butler’s chest.

And the moment he does, it breaks the spell he’s been under. Ra’s is impressed that he broke through his conditioning, which only makes the enigmatic leader more confident that Bruce is his heir. Interestingly enough, it is Ra’s who helps Bruce save Alfred, telling him to use the water in the Lazarus Pit.

Later on, when Alfred is in a hospital and out of the woods, the butler goes on a speech telling Bruce to find his “True North” so he can never lose himself again. We then see him eyeballing a news report about the aftermath of the Tetch virus wreaking havoc on the good people of Gotham, and that is when he realizes he should become the city’s protector.

And in the closing moments, starting where it all began, we see a family walking down a dimly-lit alley. A common thug soon steps in front of them, points a gun at them, and demands they hand over their money. Fortunately for them, the city’s newest (and probably youngest) masked vigilante is nearby, makes quick work of the evildoer, and vanishes as quickly as he appeared.

The camera pans to the roof a building where the masked-vigilante stands watch over the city. He then removes his mask, revealing himself to be Bruce, of course. Though the best part of this shot is seeing the dark clouds in front of the full-moon form the Bat-signal. Awesome sauce!

DESTINY AWAITS – With the deadly virus spreading throughout the city, the search for the antidote continues, as Fish Mooney (guest star Jada Pinkett Smith), The Riddler and Penguin reveal plans of their own. Bruce meets Ra’s Al Ghul (guest star Alexander Siddig) and completes his last task in order to fulfill his destiny, but realizes he can’t let go of his past. Meanwhile, Gordon tries to win back Lee, and past alliances within Gotham City are broken, while new alliances are formed.

Cast: Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon, Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Morena Baccarin as Leslie Thompkins, Sean Pertwee as Alfred, Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/the future Riddler, Jessica Lucas as Tabitha Galavan, Chris Chalk as Lucius Fox, Drew Powell as Butch Gilzean, Maggie Geha as the future Poison Ivy, Michael Chiklis as Detective Nathaniel Barnes, Benedict Samuel as Mad Hatter

Guest Cast: Jada Pinkett Smith as Fish Mooney, Alexander Siddig as Ra’s Al Ghul, Camila Perez as Firefly, Nathan Darrow as Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze, BD Wong as Hugo Strange.”

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