I'm Still Not Over Nygmobblepot

Fans of the hit Fox show "Gotham," got quite a revelation last season when the Penguin, Oswald Cobblepot, (played to perfection by Robin Lord Taylor) realized that he had romantic feelings for his villainous best friend Ed Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), better known as The Riddler.
The show, which premiered in 2014 chronicles the corrupt ruling of Gotham City in the days before Batman donned his cape and cowl. The featured characters include Bruce Wayne (Batman), Alfred, Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Jim Gordon, Harvey Bullock, Copplebot, Nygma, and a few new characters, such as crime boss Fish Mooney, played by Jada Pinkett Smith.
​The Penguin and the Riddler have joined forces numerous times in the comics and in the 1960s tv show, but never has there been any hint of an attraction or homosexual attraction.
​Robin Lord Taylor is openly gay -- and married, while Cory Michael Smith is straight and allegedly dating "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke. The two actors have bonded on the show and become good friends, which perhaps. explains their intense chemistry.
Long before Oswald developed feelings for Ed, fans shipped them together. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "ship" it's an expression used when a person wishes that two people would date. The fans cleverly dubbed the ship "Nygmobblepot."
When Oswald and Ed first met back in the first season, wannabe villian, Ed admired the criminal Oswald, who showed utterly disdain. In the second season after Oswald fell from grace, Ed took him in and cared for him, thus sparking the friendship. Ed's total devotion to Oswald in season three led to the latter realizing that he had more than friendly feelings for Ed. Oswald was heartbroken when Ed intimated that he had fallen in love with a woman he had met the night before. In a fit of jealous rage, and hoping to console Ed into loving him, Oswald murdered Isabella. When Ed found out that his friend had betrayed him, he plotted to kill Oswald, but when the time came, he hesitated and was bested. The two are currently still at odds.
As it became clear that Nygmobblepot would not happen, some fans accused the writers of "queerbaiting" a term used to describe when a gay relationship is set up to draw in gay fans, but with no intention to actually follow through. When asked about his character's sexuality, Cory Michael Smith answered that Ed is straight.
I do not agree with the queerbaiting accusations at all. Admittedly, I wasn't overly keen on the writers having Oswald be gay -- gay characters are becoming a must-have on every show now -- but as I watched the storyline play out I had a change of heart. Prior to the infatuation with Ed, Oswald showed no sexual interest in anyone -- male or female -- he appeared asexual. After the death of his mother (Carol Kane) in the second season, Oswald had no weaknesses. By developing the relationship between Oswald and Ed, the writers managed to humanize the character a little more. Who hasn't developed a crush on someone because they show a kindness we're not used to?
In the third season finale, Oswald said to Ed, "You were the one time I let love weaken me, and I want you around as a constant reminder to never make that mistake again."
What we have here is a humanizing, learning experience. Through this failed romance, Oswald closed his heart -- perhaps forever -- becoming stronger and more evil. If this was queerbaiting, the relationship would have had no effect on the plot or the characters at all. Instead we got character development!
I'm still saddened by the end of Nygmobblepot -- it would have been great. My fingers are crossed that some day soon Oswald and Ed can make amends.