| “ | You promised me fun. When are we gonna unleash a little hell? | „ |
| ~ Tabitha to Theo Galavan. |
Tabitha Galavan is a major antagonist of the TV series Gotham. She acts as one of the two secondary antagonists (alongside Ethel Peabody) of the second season and an anti-villainess in the following seasons.
She is the sister and enforcer of Theo Galavan, killing those who endanger or interfere with his plans. However, near the end of the first half of the second season, Tabitha grows more and more dispirited about how Theo treats his family, which ultimately leads to her leaving Theo behind to save her niece Silver St. Cloud.
After Theo's death, she allies herself and falls in love with Butch Gilzean, who is now the new ruler of the Gotham Underworld after Oswald Cobblepot's empire crumbles. After Edward Nygma mistakenly assumes that Butch is responsible for his girlfriend's murder, Nygma captures both Butch and Tabitha. Although Oswald is eventually revealed as the true killer, Tabitha loses her hand in Nygma's interrogation. Much later, Butch was killed by Oswald to avenge the death of his mother at Tabitha's hand. Wanting to avenge Butch, Tabitha tried to kill Oswald but failed and was killed by him.
She was portrayed by Jessica Lucas, who also played Olivia in the Evil Dead remake.
Personality
Tabitha shows numerous traits of a sadist, as well as those of a sociopath, and relishes pushing people's buttons, almost regardless of the danger. She seems less calculating than her brother and more prone to act on impulse. She is shown to be flirtatious with anyone she finds attractive but can also develop an emotional attraction to others, which was demonstrated when she sent assassins to kill James Gordon for putting Barbara Kean in a coma, and when she defends Silver St. Cloud from Theo Galavan.
Tabitha has a low tolerance for those who threaten her with violence, as she impulsively attacked Alfred Pennyworth after he interrogated her about the whereabouts of Bruce Wayne, and she left Theo Galavan to die after he threatened her and Silver St. Cloud.
Despite betraying Theo, she still seemed to care for him and was angry at Oswald Cobblepot for "killing" him. When Theo returned from the dead as Azrael, she attempted to get through to him and even reminisced about their childhood before the monks took him away.
Despite her frequent attempts to act indifferent towards Butch, she also seems to harbor affection for him, even going so far as to allow herself to be mutilated to save his life.
Because of many facts, including Barbara's toxic insanity, Butch's death and a confrontation with Lee (mutated by Tetch virus) who reflected her own cruelty, Tabitha seems to act with less impulsivity and more calm or conviction.
Victims
Kill count: 12
- Three Arkham Asylum security guards - Shot
- Richard Sionis - Stabbed
- Arnold Dobkins - Shot
- Gertrud Kapelput - Stabbed in the back
- Cobblepot Double - Shot
- Martinez - Stabbed his throat with her heels
- Alfred Pennyworth - Stabbed (Survived)
- Theo Galavan - Left him behind to be killed by James Gordon and Oswald Cobblepot
- Two unnamed mobsters - Sliced their throats
- Tommy Bones
- Barbara Kean - Electrocuted (Resurrected)
Episode appearances
| Appearances for Tabitha Galavan |
|---|
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
|
Trivia
- She is the first-live action version of the DC villainess Tigress.Tabitha Galavan appears to be an original creation of the show, she is very loosely based on the character.
- Her choice of using a whip is a possible nod to Catwoman.
- In the finale of the third season, Tabitha actually becomes a mentor for Selina Kyle and trains her to use a whip.
- Her appearance and choice of clothing are familiar to another assassin, Larissa Diaz (Copperhead) from the first season.
