fbpx

Gotham Practices A Little Scarification!

Plot
8
Script
8
Acting
8
Effects
6
Direction
7
Reader Rating0 Votes
0
Progress
Selina, Oswald, and Edward receive the development they much deserve
Bruce begins on his journey towards becoming a crimefighter
Digress
How many more classic villains are we going to meet before Batman even begins?
The overall consistency of the show still requires work
7.4

Gotham may have had a rocky start in season 1 but it seemed to have found its footing by the end of the season and it’s sure keeping that momentum for season without missing a beat.

While many eyebrows have been raised over the show’s liberally loose use of Batman mythos in benefit of the show, even naysayers have found undoubted favourites in Donal Logue’s Harvey Bullock, Sean Pertwee’s Alfred Pennyworth and Robin Lord Taylor’s Oswald “The Penguin” Cobblepot.

Related: Gotham’s Got Potential… Somewhere…

But what’s really heating in Gotham is Cory Michael Smith’s Edward Nygma. Much like the the character in the comics, Smith’s portrayal of the character dives past the cartoonish gimmick of his eventual namesake as he tries to find a cure for his being in the love of a woman who other wise rejects and refuses to acknowledge or see his existence. Almost as if he were creating himself a riddle to solve.

In keeping with the character’s future, viewers will notice the slow introduction of the connection between Nygma and the colour green–during the apartment scene you will notice he lives in front of a sign that is neon green, and it flashes brightly through his window. Of course this is an indication of his costume in the comics, but it is also an homage to the character’s previous live action appearance in Batman Forever, having been played by the slightly over-the-top Jim Carrey.

Okay, fine, Carrey was completely off his rocker in that one, but at least his suit didn’t have nipples.

On the note of great acting, Robin Lord Taylor’s portrayal of the totured Penguin continues shining brighter than the Batsignal and more so than ever in this week’s episodes with the development of the new “acquaintanceship” between him and Galavan. Taylor easily brings a new sense of emotion and real tragedy in his portrayal of Penguin compelling you feel for the guy despite knowing that may one day end up looking like a mutant Danny DeVito.

More interestingly is Galavan’s sister. While the leather wearing, whip snapping female badass has been clearly set-up to foreshadow the future of a certain Selina “Cat” Kyle, Tabitha Galavan herself is based off another recurring DC villainess, Tigress. How befitting if the Tigress were to apprentice the Cat.

Speaking of Ms. Selina Kyle, her future romance to Bruce as well as their back and forth status as enemies is given a nod to when Alfred has a chat with her. This helps with building a foundation for a back story that actually has ground work, as opposed to good guy loves criminal girl, and it just won’t work tale.

The second thing to note is the introduction of Bruce’s formal training to be Batman. Much like the comics and animated series, Alfred plays a significant role in the training of Bruce Wayne. Given the casting of Jeremy Irons as Alfred in the upcoming Batman V. Superman (in itself a clear homage to Batman: Earth One) the writers of Gotham are clearly working towards a parallel if not similar take on Alfred. And rightfully so ’cause Alfred’s awesome.

Also, this student-teacher relationship only serves to further deepen the father-son tone made popular in the Batman movies and has been recurring throughout this series.

A final word of warning: go into this one with an open heart cause Penguin gets serious real quick.