Disclaimer: While I consider myself an avid Batman fan, I have never actually read any of the comics. Any factual or plot discrepancies that I take issue with in “Gotham” are based solely off of my obsession with the Christopher Nolan “Dark Knight” trilogy and random things I put the effort into looking up online.
“Gotham” should’ve been advertised as, “We get it, he’s not Gary Oldman, but, like, capitalizing on a trend, ya know?” There might be a lot of love for Ben McKenzie from the “OC” generation, but his portrayal of a younger Jim Gordon comes right on the heels of the conclusion to the spectacular “Dark Knight” trilogy and isn’t enough to carry a show with so many different focal points.
What is apparent in the first episode is that character development will be central to the series. Not only does the episode develop Detective Gordon’s backstory, but his wife’s, his early partner’s and also all of the villains’. In just the first episode, the audience is introduced to the Penguin, The Riddler, Catwoman and Poison Ivy. So, unless McKenzie picks it up, it’ll probably be the villains bringing the viewers in.
Harvey? Is that you?
Gordon's partner in "Gotham" is someone named Harvey Bullock. To clarify, this is not Harvey Dent from "The Dark Knight," it's a completely different Harvey, which is annoying because Harvey really isn't THAT common of a name. So, dirty cop or not, this Harvey will not be morphing into the villain Two Face. Though, that's not to say Two Face might not appear later in the series.
Baby Batman’s Got the Power
Sure, “Gotham” isn’t actually about Batman, but it still is about the boy that became Batman (how not cliche). The episode opens with the murder of the Wayne parents, while little Bat watches it all. Baby Bruce is troubled but incredibly mature for his age. He calmly accepts that the suspected murderer was killed instead of getting a proper trial, and continues to trust in Gordon when he explains the complications in the case and renews his promise that “there will be light.”
Soon–to–be–Mrs. Gordon Probably Had a Lesbian Lover
Right off the bat (lol), “Gotham” introduces viewers to characters that have gone largely unnoticed, Barbara Kean being one of them. At first, she’s kinda confusing because she seems to be loaded, even though she works at an art gallery. But then rival cop from major crimes, Detective Renee Montoya, shows up talking about their “history,” and suddenly Ms. Kean is even more interesting and no longer a sideline character.
The Penguin is Alive!
Because, of course, Jim Gordon didn’t shoot him. He’s supposed to be the one person who is right and true and virtuous in the Gotham universe! As it has been, so it always will be. But in some twisted reaction to the mercy he has been shown, Penguin takes this as a cue to start killing everyone. It should be noted that while penguins are seemingly one of the least harmful animals, this dude is crazy psychotic, and definitely someone with the potential to totally fuck shit up.
