So, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. What can I say, I’m a busy guy and I don’t always have interesting stuff to talk about. That said, I was able to catch the ‘Gotham’ premiere this last Monday. I had some specific thoughts on the pilot episode and figured it would be a good reason to post.
Overall, I thought it was a good start. Not great, but definitely good. The camera work is stunning. To me, Gotham (the city) felt convincing, which I think is saying something for television.
Now, on to the stuff I didn’t like.
- I’d like to see the dialogue tightened up. Some of it just felt unrealistic. A stand out for me was the whole ‘there will be light’ speech, which (in my opinion) felt really forced. This ties directly into my next point.
- Some of the acting was a little over the top for my taste (I’m looking at you Penguin).
- Alfred. Alfred just feels wrong. I’m not exactly a fan of the look they gave him. He’s taken the whole thick English accent thing to another level (I could barely understand him sometimes). And he is kind of a dick. Like an unlikable hardass. From him prodding at young Jim Gordon to him yelling at Bruce, he just feels REALLY out of character.
- Maybe I’m imagining this one but, are they suggesting that Barbara Kean and Renee Montoya used to be romantically involved? And if so, why?
- The mustache. I’ve been following the development of this show from the beginning and I’ve known for a while that Jim would not have a mustache (at least not at first). I’ve tried to get over this but, after watching the pilot, this seems like a mistake. I look at Ben McKenzie and I see an aspiring young detective. I don’t necessarily see Jim Gordon. I couldn’t help taking to Photoshop to rectify this issue …
Like I said, overall, I really enjoyed the first episode. I just hope things get tighter, that’s all. And for the love of God … bring back the ‘stache.
I mostly agree. I thought the Penguin was okay. A little tightening up would do wonders for the show. But, my big problem is in the entire concept of the show. Does every goddam villain or person that shows up in Batman’s life later in the comics have to all show up here when Bruce is a child. AT THE SAME DAMN TIME. I hate this conceit and it’s the main reason I’m having trouble connecting with the show.
That’s a good point. That bothers me a little too. Not sure why they tried to force so many villains into the pilot episode. I guess maybe to hold people’s interest but, I’m guessing it will be quite some time before the payoff (when they turn into their villainous personas).
They could also be trying to compensate for the fact that Batman himself will likely never appear in the series.
While I want the show to work, it’s only about 60% – 70% of the way there and I don’t think it will last long.
They’re trying to do, what they’ve been trying to do for years and that’s make a Batman version of Smallville. The issue there is that the powers that make Clark Superman are given to him at birth. So he grows up discovering his powers and learning to use them for good (thus keeping the show alive). On the other hand, the skills, knowledge and gadgets that make Bruce Batman don’t come together until he’s a young adult, when he finally becomes Batman.
That’s true, to a point. But how cool would a show be where Batman is a late teen. He’s traveling the globe meeting masters of various disciplines in fighting, detecting, survival, etc. Learning the tools he’ll need to eventually become Batman. He could even fight bad guys and help people along the way, while also honing his ideas about what he’s trying to do.
I don’t need to see Bane show up as Bruce’s PE teacher. Or Scarecrow to be his psychiatrist. It’s a little dumb.
I agree with you, I think what they’re trying to do is only about 60% there. That being said, they are light years ahead of how Agents of SHIELD started.
Ha, yah know, I’ve yet to watch a single episode of Agents of SHIELD. I love Coulson but, he’s not the reason I watched the Avengers.
That would be interesting to follow Bruce through his training. Similar to ‘The Incredible Hulk’ TV show where David Banner is going from town to town. They would need to make some pretty big changes to the show though, being that “supporting cast” currently play a bigger role than Bruce does.
That’s another thing. They continuously make the show about everything but Batman. It’s all about Gordon. Or it’s all about the villains. WTF. I. WANT. A. BATMAN. SHOW.
Love that image of “correct” Jim Gordon, and I agree they should add the moustache and glasses. That didn’t even bother me until you pointed it out!
Gotham’s coming along slowly, but surely. I just hope it isn’t too slow!