Gotham (TV Series)

Rise of the Villains: Knock, Knock (2015)

James Frain: Theo Galavan

Photos 

Quotes 

• Jerome Valeska : Ladies and gentleman, good evening!

  Theo Galavan : Very good. Boyishly charming. The laugh is fabulous. Use that.

• [Jerome Valeski and Robert Greenwood have a disagreement on who should be the boss] 

  Theo Galavan : Boys, we're a team. We don't fight amongst ourselves.

  Arnold Dobkins : Yeah, we're a team, boys.

  Robert Greenwood : [Greenwood holds onto the sword]  And I'm the captain.

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome drops the electric chainsaw he was holding]  Captain of my foot.

  Robert Greenwood : I've murdered a dozen women. Terrorized the city. What have you done? Chop up your mommy?

  Jerome Valeska : Everybody has to start somewhere. See, I have a vision and ambition and brains. You're just a nutty old cannibal. How many people can you eat before that shtick gets old.

  Robert Greenwood : I could eat one more.

• [Theo Galavan has both Jerome Valeska and Robert Greenwood play a game of Russian Roulette, the winner becomes the boss of the Maniax] 

  Theo Galavan : [Theo pulls out a pistol and one bullet]  You all know this game. right?

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome grins]  Mm, love it.

  Theo Galavan : [Theo loads the gun and holds it out in-between both men]  Who wants to be the boss?

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome looks at Greenwood]  Ladies first.

  [Greenwood takes the gun without hesitation, pulling the trigger, the hammer clicks] 

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome takes the gun from Greenwood]  Hey, Greenwood, what's the secret to good comedy?

  [the hammer clicks] 

  Jerome Valeska : Timing. And what's courage?

  [the hammer clicks] 

  Jerome Valeska : Grace under pressure. And... who's the boss?

  [Jerome with a big smile on his face, fires the hammer of the pistol, as Theo grins and Greenwood flinches] 

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome grimaces into Greenwood's face]  I'm the boss.

  Theo Galavan : [Theo takes the gun]  I believe you are, Jerome. I believe you are.

• [Theo Galavan congratulates the Maniax on making a name for themselves] 

  Theo Galavan : Fine job yesterday, gentleman. We opened big. The whole city knows your name now. So, bravo. Let's give ourselves a round of applause.

  [Arnold is the only one to clap, in circles] 

  Theo Galavan : Now that we have Gotham's attention, it's time for the maniax to make their grand entrance.

  Jerome Valeska : Wasn't that it?

  Theo Galavan : That was the overture. Now the audience is hushed, expectant. The curtain rises...

  Jerome Valeska : Then what happens?

  Theo Galavan : Oh, then we confront Gothamites with their most primal fears. Take from them all they hold dear and sacred.

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome grins]  And then what happens?

  Theo Galavan : Why, then, we offer them salvation. And then they are ours.

• [Theo Galavan tries to prep the Maniax for their next spotlight crime] 

  Theo Galavan : First, you gentleman need to learn a little stagecraft.

  Robert Greenwood : Stagecraft?

  Theo Galavan : You're going to be on TV. You have to present yourselves with style and vigor. Dobkins, say good evening ladies and gentleman.

  Arnold Dobkins : [nervously says]  Good evening, ladies and gentleman.

  Theo Galavan : Again, with a smile.

  Arnold Dobkins : [with a scared smile]  Good evening, ladies and gentleman.

  Theo Galavan : [Theo sighs and points to Robert]  You.

  Robert Greenwood : [Robert clears his throat]  Good evening, ladies and gentleman!

  Theo Galavan : Not bad. Sinister and authoritative.

  Theo Galavan : [Theo looks at Aaron before looking to Jerome]  Never mind. Jerome.

  Jerome Valeska : [Jerome stands on his chair with a high theatrical voice]  Ladies and gentleman, good evening!

  Theo Galavan : [Jerome sits back down chuckling to himself]  Very good. Boyishly charming. The laugh is fabulous. Use that.

• [first lines] 

  Theo Galavan : Mr. Mayor, you want to know what I really am?

  Mayor Aubrey James : [with a box on his head]  Yes, sir.

  Theo Galavan : Shall I tell you?

  Mayor Aubrey James : Please, please.

  Theo Galavan : At heart... I'm an ardent student of human nature. Fascinating paradox, we are. So wise, and yes so foolish. So brave, and yet so fearful. For instance, this is a glass jar. Inside of it is a hairy spider. A tarantula, I guess, but I'm no expert. In a minute, I'm gonna open that little hatch in the front of your box. I'm gonna drop the spider inside, and I'm gonna close it. That's Choice A.

  [the Mayor cries from inside of the box] 

  Theo Galavan : Choice B: I open the hatch, you speak to your lovely secretary Maggie on the telephone, you tell her you've run away with some woman and you'll be sending written instructions shortly. So which is it, Choice A or Choice B?

  Mayor Aubrey James : Choice B, please. Please, Choice B.

  Theo Galavan : The telephone. Of course. It's human nature.

  Theo Galavan : [Theo opens the box hatch]  See? There is no spider. But if you don't do what I ask, you'll wish there was one.

  Mayor Aubrey James : Why are you doing this to me?

  Theo Galavan : Don't fret so. You're part of a great endeavor. A great cleansing. Monsters are coming, Mr. Mayor. Monsters. Who will cleanse this city in blood and fire.