Gotham gives a fresh take on a weary hero

November 4, 2014 Clara Scott - Ranger Reporter Culture 0

COURTESY PHOTO An ensemble cast makes up the heroes and villains in the new FOX television series Gotham. — COURTESY PHOTO
An ensemble cast makes up the heroes and villains in the new FOX television series Gotham.

The same scene opens the new show, Gotham, that opens every Batman movie: The murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne.

However, Gotham differs in that it doesn’t skip ahead to Bruce Wayne’s adulthood. It is focused more on Jim Gordon, who eventually becomes Commissioner in the Batman universe, and it also follows the young Bruce Wayne.

One of the main themes found in Gotham is corruption. Gotham is in turmoil, and Jim Gordon is struggling to hold to his strong values.

In a way, Bruce Wayne is corrupting himself by trying to train himself to be tougher and stronger, and he won’t stop at anything to discover who his parents’ murderer is.

The way this series introduces familiar characters is intriguing, and several villains already have been revealed even in the initial episodes. Robin Lord Taylor plays Oswald Cobblepot, an early version of the Penguin, and finds a way to make you almost want to root for him. Other future villains such as Poison Ivy and Cat Woman are introduced in the pilot.

Because it follows the young Bruce Wayne, the show could have the potential to have a long lifespan such as the show Smallville.

It also is stylized to fit any time period. There is a limited use of cellular phones, and they are older models. I saw two cell phone appearances in the first three episodes that I watched, which, in comparison to other TV shows today, is very few.

The costuming and set design is a vintage-contemporary hybrid. Anyone who is interested in stylized pieces would love this show. I know that I was hooked, and I’ve never even been a huge fan of Batman. The action is intense for me at times, but I am a little more prone to being “jumpy.”

I’m sure most viewers wouldn’t have a problem with the level of violence in this show.

All-in-all, I enjoyed the fresh take on a superhero who has been done time and time again. It has great plot lines, intricate character development and fabulous costuming. Also, it’s a perfect date night kind of show. Action and fighting for the guys and Benjamin McKenzie for the ladies. Am I right?

Gotham airs on Fox at 7 p.m. Mondays. If you need me at that time, you know where to find me.