Jerome Valeska is a recurring villain in the television series Gotham and serves as a red herring to a possible origin story of The Joker. He makes his debut in the 16th episode of season 1 "The Blind Fortune Teller", and then appears in the opening three-episodes of season 2 "Rise of the Villains".
History
Jerome is a young man, who worked at Haly's Circus which came to Gotham City. He murders his mother, with his motive that she was a "drunken whore" and a blind fortune teller named Paul Cicero helps Jerome with disposing of the hatchet he used to kill her. Detective James Gordon investigates the case, and with help with Cicero who puts his knowledge down to spiritual contact, helps the police find the weapon. Gordon comes to the conclusion Jerome is the killer and brings him in for questioning. Jerome shows his true colours by dropping his caring, grieving son act and breaks down into maniacal laughter.
Appearances
Gotham
Season 1
- "The Blind Fortune Teller"
Season 2
- "Damned If You Do"
- "Knock, Knock"
- "The Last Laugh"