Gotham - Pilot

I had heard some criticism of the Gotham pilot on how there was just a bit too much "posing" or "posturing" from the Selina Kyle character.  What I didn't count on is that they would actually start the series with her.

A bit of a bold move considering Gotham is the story of the neophyte Jim Gordon and the nascent Batman.  I guess I should have sniffed out "set up" but I was too much into the big picture.

So what was the set up and pay off?

Myth Busters

So, Selina Kyle was there for the birth of the Batman.

That's a break with canon.  I'm an old school Batman guy and I go by ancient scripture.  I had also heard Gotham was going to take a few liberties with the Batman mythology.  

Do I have a problem with that?

No, I give up.  Seriously, you can teach this old dog some new tricks.  I live in the Geoff Johns era now so a little ret-con here and there is okay with me.  Especially when it is tied in nicely.  Catwoman is as much a creature of the night as Batman is so why not start their mutual paths together.

The only catch is we won't be able to see these two grow into adulthood together.  The show can't last that long!  Kids grow fast and Camren Bicondova (Selina) and David Mazouz (Bruce Wayne) will be looking a lot different in just a few short seasons.

Oh wait, that's when the spinoff starts.  (Kidding.  Or not.)

As for Selina's posturing, I get it, she's a cat.  All things feline.  Will it get to be a bit too much?  The kids got style (Stray Cat Strut) so let's give her a break for now.

Myth Busters Two

Barbara Kean is going to be Batgirl!??!!

Ha, no, no, no.  Pretty clever putting her in front of the clockworks though.  Barbara Gordon in the comics is Batgirl who eventually become Oracle, who eventually becomes Batgirl again. 

Barbara Gordon in the comics is also the wife of Commissioner Jim Gordon.

Confused?  Eh, that's the comics for you.  Pick your mythology.  Or time stream for that matter.

As Oracle, Barbara Gordon was in a wheelchair, crippled by the Joker.  Her secret lair was in the Gotham clock tower.  So, yes, a nice send up by the Gotham show.  Also in the comics "Babs" Gordon is the niece of Jim Gordon whom he adopts.  I'd actually like to see that happen here eventually.

It Got A Little Dusty In The Room

How many times have I see Batman's parents get murdered?  About a million.  But when young Bruce runs into the arms of Alfred, well, maybe I should vacuum more often.  (Geez, this keyboard is a little dusty too!)

Sean Pertwee seems to be playing Alfred a bit gruff and a little rough around the edges.  Almost a bit unschooled.  When Bruce calls him out at the time Jim Gordon offers his badge and mea culpa near the end I was surprised Alfred took the admonishment.  Hopefully, Alfred will have a few words with Master Wayne later on.  In some stories, Alfred is ex-SAS.  I can't see him being sassed by Bruce.  Perhaps it was forgiveable considering the sad circumstances.

So how was Ben McKenzie?  Good, I think.  His Jim Gordon either was or wasn't around for the Wayne murders in the comics so why not tie him in also?  Comforting young Bruce was a nice touch and the eventual confessional admitting they got the wrong guy was poignant too.

Going it alone was a rookie mistake but he does have trust issues. (Can you blame him.)

What was funny was seeing his partner getting stuck in the same predicament.  (Hmm, hanging upside down like a couple of bats.  Nice.)

Donal Logue's Bullock was good too.  Scuzzy, dirty, slimy, easily bought and a bit of a coward too.  Trying to weasel his way out of the Wayne murder investigation, how tawdry.

This brings us to one of the great sub plots or threads if you will of this show and that is, who killed the Waynes?  Or better yet, why?

We are introduced to Carmine Falcone, awesomely played by John Doman (also portraying a crime boss in Rizzoli and Isles.)  Washed up king pin Fish Mooney?  Hardly.  He knows something.  More than something.  This will drive our series as the season progresses and I think Gotham handled it very well. 

Odds and Ends

Speaking of Fish Mooney, when are we going to see her lose that wig?  I put the over under at 3 episodes.

As I said a couple of posts ago, Robin Taylor's Oswald Cobblepot is pure gold.  Such empathy, such sympathy and pathos too!  And he's a sniveling back biting coward to boot.  Eggcellent! (oops wrong character.)

Sharp eyes picked out the reflection of the Gotham Casino as the camera panned the city scape during the episode.  (Not me.)  What caught my eye was Oswald resurfacing from the icy depths of Gotham City Harbor.  In the comics the Penguin runs the Iceberg Casino in the harbor.  I bet he was inspired here.

Short shrift was paid to Eddie Nygma the future Riddler.  I like how he is working for the police, sifting through evidence and doling out riddles.  What was even better was the stunned look on his face when Gordon solved his last riddle.  Just a little psycho and that is a good thing.

Young Poison Ivy makes her entry.  She looks a little damaged.  Well, her awful father ends up being shot by the cops and her mother is a wreck.  That explains a few things.  At least she cares for her plants.  (Maybe she should work on the Willis Hypothesis on SyFy's Helix.)

The shaky cam leading Jim Gordon through a wind tunnel chase scene.  Awful.  Never do this again Gotham.



Joker Tease

 
They did tell us we were going to get a few of these.  Here's our first candidate.  Jon Beavers as The Comedian.  (Please tell me someone got my pun there.)  Do I buy it?  Nope!  Fun though.  Wouldn't we rather see The Joker as a child?  It would fit the context of this show.

Watch for psycho kids.

Same Bat time, Same Bat channel Gothamites!