Gotham Review

A good Jim.

What can I say about Fox’s new show, Gotham? It’s good, but I’m still apprehensive about it. I’m getting a little ahead of myself, let’s jump back a little and go over this step by step.

You are such a stickler for order, aren’t you?

Yes, Joker, yes I am. In case you’re wondering, Joker is here mostly because Riddler and Penguin wouldn’t return my calls. Yes, I know it's suspicious, but I've only got so much time to wait. He’s got, what I think is, a small cameo in this so he still works as a guest host.

How dare they stick me with a cameo? I’m the Joker, for Bat’s sake.

We’ll get to that Joker. Now, a brief summary. The show opens with a young Selina Kyle, (Catwoman, when she was Catgirl, I guess) stealing some things, before going right to the murder of the Waynes. Wow, playing their biggest card right away, risky move. Flash over to Jim Gordon being a super cop and Harvey Bullock being a less than adequate cop.

A yin to every yang, as they say. Of course, I find myself wondering if we're suppose to find him likeable or despicable.

Quite right, Joker. Bullock's scumminess has more of a "I'm a dirty cop because I have to be" vibe to it. It's hard to get a read on him. Back on task. On his first major case since joining the GCPD, Jim and Bullock get their hands on the Wayne double murder. As they try to piece things together, meeting colorful characters like coroner Edward Nygma, low level gang flunky Oswald Cobblepot, a little girl named Ivy Pepper and her father Mario, and most powerful gangster in Gotham Carmine Falcone.

Pretty awesome logo, not gonna lie.

Why’d they change Pamela’s name? It’s like making my“real” name Joe Ker. Where’s the fun in that?

I don’t know Joker, I just don’t know. Jim and Harvey believe that they catch the murderer, Mario Pepper, but Jim still has misgivings after speaking with young Bruce Wayne. Jim also discovers just how deep the corruption of the Gotham Police Department has gotten, and resolves to find the real murder and do his best to help fix the problems with GCPD.

You forgot to mention me!

Right, there is a young comedian with a dark sense of humor that I believe is supposed to be a pre-Ace Chemical dump Joker, but I’m not sure if that is what they were trying to imply.

Not sure if it’s true or not, okay, maybe it’s a good cameo. A good Joker is a mysterious Joker, after all.

That’s very true Joker, but the thought that we’ll probably never see you as you on the show is a little depressing, don’t you think?

He get's a bigger role then me. THE RIDDLER.
This will not stand!

Yes, yes its. Oh the inhumanity!

Okay, lets get on with the things I –er we like and dislike about the show. I like the casting choices for this show, Ben McKenzie does a great job as the young and idealistic Jim Gordon. Donal Logue is great as the despicable, but not outright awful Harvey Bullock. Everyone else was great too. The writing was solid, but a few of the changes were odd.

Like not having me murder the Waynes? That was a golden opportunity wasted, for what? To imply that the “crime of passion” murder of the Waynes was a pro hit? Kind of missing the mark.

First, Joe Chill murdered the Waynes, you killing them was a change from one of the earlier Batman films. But, yes, I find it odd that they are trying to imply that the Waynes’ were killed by a pro. Was it to make the death seem more believable in a more modern setting? Because the thought that the richest man in the city would walk down CRIME ALLEY without a full security detail seems pretty stupid no matter what era of human history they are in.

But honestly, my biggest fear for this show is its ability to stay interesting. I get that at least the first season is going to focus on Jim figuring out the Wayne murder, but what else can they do? Aside from Carmine Falcone and a cadre of mob related criminals, most of Batman’s baddies were relatively normal individuals until right around when Batman showed up. Victor Fries was a normal man until the lab accident that gave him his ice-powers. Nigma didn’t snap until Batman started kicking butt. Joker was a question mark until the Ace Chemical plant episode.

Take the Batman out of Gotham and what do you have? A cop show. Plain and simple. And rather dull, after too long. I’m not around to make Gotham laugh, Batman’s not around to clean up the streets, it’s just cops doing cop stuff with people with fun names like Oswald Cobblepot and Eddie Nygma.

Thanks for summarizing my feelings Mr. J. I’m not saying it’s a bad show, far from it, it was a very good start. But, again, I’m just worried how a show about Batman’s support cast can hold up without Batman around to do any of the crime fighting. I’ll watch a few more episodes, but it’ll have to really wow me to dispel my misgivings.

And I’ll whip away the tears.

Joker, you’re crying?

Yes, Gotham without the Joker? It’s just so depressing. <Sniff> I’m going to go spread chaos and maybe be horrible to Harley for a while, that always cheers me up.

Messed up clown. Next time, my first request, the Punisher!

Ah, I could watch this for hours.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_McKenzie

 http://screencrush.com/fox-gotham-photos-logo-synopsis-batman/

 http://comicbook.com/blog/2014/05/12/gotham-promotes-the-riddler-renee-montoya-and-crispus-allen-to-series-regulars/

http://www.residententertainment.com/gotham-tv-show-trailer-images/