| “ | Have you ever been with a woman..? Didn't think so. They need a firm hand. That goes double for Kringle. Girl's got a tongue. | „ |
| ~ Tom Dougherty to Edward Nygma. |
Thomas "Tom" Dougherty is a minor antagonist in Gotham, appearing as a detective working at the Gotham City Police Department and the abusive boyfriend of Kristen Kringle. He is murdered by forensics analyst Edward Nygma. Despite his minor role, he is responsible for Nygma's descent in insanity and transformation into the Riddler.
He was portrayed by Zachary Spicer.
Biography[]
After the arrest of her corrupt cop boyfriend Arnold Flass, Kristen Kringle later got together with Tom Dougherty. He is first seen talking with Kringle at his desk when Edward Nygma approaches her to ask her out on a date, only to be disappointed that she has plans for a dinner date with Dougherty. Dougherty called Edward "Riddle Man" and asks him for a riddle before heading off.
Dougherty getting stabbed by Nygma.
Although appearing more friendlier unlike Flass, Edward noticed that Kringle had bruises on her arms and knew that she was being abused by Dougherty. Edward confronts Dougherty over the matter, however he is goaded and told that women need to be put in their place. Later that evening Edward parked across the road from Kringle's home and noticing Dougherty approaching the house called him over. Edward told Dougherty to leave Gotham City and never return, but this resulted in him getting a punch to the stomach. Before Dougherty could land another punch on Edward, he ends up being stabbed repeatedly to death. This causes Edward to have an emotional breakdown.
Edward cuts up Dougherty's corpse and stuffs it into suitcases and takes it to the G.C.P.D headquarters and destroys the remains in the morgue by melting away the flesh and skin and smashing the bones into tiny little bits. Edward forges a note for Kringle by Dougherty claiming he has left Gotham, however he leaves a hidden clue in which the first letter of each line spells out NYGMA. Kringle later notices this and questions Edward over the matter, however he puts it down to coincidence and she leaves.
Months later, after Kristen has sex with Nygma she tells him that she is afraid because Tom told her that he would kill her if he ever saw her with another man. To calm her Edward tells her that he killed Tom. Kristen is disturbed and tries to escape from Edwards apartment but is accidentally killed by Nygma in the process.
Appearances[]
Season One[]
- "Everyone Has a Cobblepot"
- "Under the Knife"
- "The Anvil or the Hammer"
Trivia[]
- Despite being a minor antagonist in the show, Dougherty acts as a catalyst for Edward Nygma's dark path to becoming The Riddler.
