Some Spoilers Ahead
Gotham is a show that has me on the edge. I can't tell if it is amazing or amazingly corny. The weeks have been back and forth in quality and there are still some growing pains. Still it manages to keep me entertained and that is really all I look for in a TV show.
This week followed Gordon and Bullock chasing a criminal know as the Balloonman. Not a very intimidating man, but he knows what to do. I personally felt that this week was much more focused then weeks in the past. It is fun to see the picture painted of how corrupt the city is. Bullock doesn't care about much until his life is in danger. That gave him the kick in the pants he needed to go look for the Balloonman. There wasn't much to it in the sense that they go looking, hit a wall, catch a break, and find him. But I loved the end. It hinted at Batman, and while it might've been in your face, I liked that Bruce was also following the events. I also liked the fact that the Balloonman was a parallel to Batman. Just a cool inclusion.
There were other things going on in this episode, too. Penguin finally returned to Gotham. I really like this character. It is fun to see how unhinged he is getting. Every week is like a step closer to the Penguin we love. I really can't wait to see him as a powerful crime lord. Speaking of crime lords, we got our introduction to Sal Maroni through the Penguin. I really liked Maroni and I think he will be an interesting foil to Falcone and Fish. Three different types of mob bosses going into a war with Arkham somehow involved sounds like a recipe for success.
Bruce was on point this week. He has been an iffy character just because of the material he is given, but he was great tonight. Alfred was also pretty good. I liked their training scene together, especially since it once again hinted at him being Batman. Bruce didn't seem stupid this week. He seemed like a competent kid who is dealing with a traumatic experience. The kid playing him did a fantastic job with his delivery this week. I am really liking Alfred and Bruce and I do hope they get some kid material to work with in the coming weeks.
The show still has some problems. I don't like Barbara's relationship with Montoya. It seems to only be there for Montoya to implicate Jim and have Barbara question him. I don't like stoic Gordon. I am still waiting for that glimmer of hope in his eye. I hate that the characters really don't have any weight. They are pieces in a game and that is all. I am waiting for someone to make something of themselves and actually have true value. The thing that bothers me most, though, is that this doesn't really feel like a Batman show. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Batman running around every week. It just doesn't feel set in that universe. They tell us it is and that is about as far as it goes. I want them to show it. Prove it is in the Batman universe.
Overall, Gotham still has some work to do. The potential is there. The characters are there. Now they need to really unlock those two key pieces and the show could be something great. Everything I have seen so far has been slightly disappointing, but if the coming weeks are even half as good as the trailers point out, then we are in for a huge jump in quality.
Gotham is a show that has me on the edge. I can't tell if it is amazing or amazingly corny. The weeks have been back and forth in quality and there are still some growing pains. Still it manages to keep me entertained and that is really all I look for in a TV show.
This week followed Gordon and Bullock chasing a criminal know as the Balloonman. Not a very intimidating man, but he knows what to do. I personally felt that this week was much more focused then weeks in the past. It is fun to see the picture painted of how corrupt the city is. Bullock doesn't care about much until his life is in danger. That gave him the kick in the pants he needed to go look for the Balloonman. There wasn't much to it in the sense that they go looking, hit a wall, catch a break, and find him. But I loved the end. It hinted at Batman, and while it might've been in your face, I liked that Bruce was also following the events. I also liked the fact that the Balloonman was a parallel to Batman. Just a cool inclusion.
There were other things going on in this episode, too. Penguin finally returned to Gotham. I really like this character. It is fun to see how unhinged he is getting. Every week is like a step closer to the Penguin we love. I really can't wait to see him as a powerful crime lord. Speaking of crime lords, we got our introduction to Sal Maroni through the Penguin. I really liked Maroni and I think he will be an interesting foil to Falcone and Fish. Three different types of mob bosses going into a war with Arkham somehow involved sounds like a recipe for success.
Bruce was on point this week. He has been an iffy character just because of the material he is given, but he was great tonight. Alfred was also pretty good. I liked their training scene together, especially since it once again hinted at him being Batman. Bruce didn't seem stupid this week. He seemed like a competent kid who is dealing with a traumatic experience. The kid playing him did a fantastic job with his delivery this week. I am really liking Alfred and Bruce and I do hope they get some kid material to work with in the coming weeks.
The show still has some problems. I don't like Barbara's relationship with Montoya. It seems to only be there for Montoya to implicate Jim and have Barbara question him. I don't like stoic Gordon. I am still waiting for that glimmer of hope in his eye. I hate that the characters really don't have any weight. They are pieces in a game and that is all. I am waiting for someone to make something of themselves and actually have true value. The thing that bothers me most, though, is that this doesn't really feel like a Batman show. Don't get me wrong, I don't want Batman running around every week. It just doesn't feel set in that universe. They tell us it is and that is about as far as it goes. I want them to show it. Prove it is in the Batman universe.
Overall, Gotham still has some work to do. The potential is there. The characters are there. Now they need to really unlock those two key pieces and the show could be something great. Everything I have seen so far has been slightly disappointing, but if the coming weeks are even half as good as the trailers point out, then we are in for a huge jump in quality.
Highlights:
| The Score: 7 out of 10 Stars |