Article originally published as GOTHAM Season 2 Premiere Preview on Seat42F.
FOX’s
GOTHAM is back! I just watched the first episode, “Damned If You Do…,”
and I have to say, I’m really pumped about the new season. Since you may
be reading this prior to the hour airing, I’m going to do my absolute
best to tease without outright spoiling, but take it from me, this
sophomore premiere is great!
First, when last we leave Jim Gordon
(Ben McKenzie), he is reeling from a showdown with a bunch of villains
and the turning of his ex, Barbara (Erin Richards), into a murderer.
“Damned If You Do…” picks up about a month later, and things have only
gotten worse for Gordon. Bullock (Donal Logue) is no longer with the
force and Commissioner Loeb (Peter Scolari) is fully back in power. It’s
not a good place for Gordon to be, and if he wants to restore a status
quo or find a better life for himself, Jim is going to have to go to The
Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) for help. We all know what a bad idea that
is.
GOTHAM toys a bit with the line between
good and bad in its first season; Bullock, especially, straddles the
gray. But never is Jim stepping so precariously as he is in the season
premiere. I doubt this will be the last time. The Batman franchise has
always thrived in the darkness, with heroes willing to put their morals
on hold for the greater good. It makes for rich character material, and
“Damned If You Do…” has some of the best in the show so far, and I’m not
just talking about Jim here.
The Penguin is having pretty much the
opposite life as Jim. With Fish Mooney, Sal Maroni, and Carmine Falcone
gone, he has little competition for the city. Along with Butch (Drew
Powell, now a series regular) and Zsasz (Anthony Carrigan), few can
stand in Oswald’s way. For now.
Who rules GOTHAM is fluid, as viewers
see in the freshman run. While on top at the moment, The Penguin is far
from alone in the city. Nygma (Cory Michael Smith) is still facing what
he has done, and Barbara isn’t exactly a saint any more. Viewers also
get to meet some of the new cast members, as Theo (James Frain, True
Detective, Grimm) and Tabitha Galavan (Jessica Lucas, Gracepoint, Cult)
make an entrance, Jerome (Cameron Monaghan) returns, and a few newbies
pop up, including one very cartoonish, very entertaining personality
that is not from the comics.
GOTHAM is a city teetering on the edge.
If it seems like there are more bad guys than good, that’s because there
are. A lot more. Villains keep joining the scene in every episode, and
Jim can only do so much. We know Batman is years away from entering the
picture, even as Bruce (David Mazouz) gets ever closer to his destiny,
so things will get worse before they get better. “Damned If You Do…”
shows us some of that, but I think we’re merely scratching the surface
of what this season will be.
Speaking of Bruce, he’s changing, too.
Part of me hopes that GOTHAM will not wait for him to reach adulthood
before allowing him to don the cape. It has made other changes to the
traditional lore, Barbara’s descent being one of them, and I wouldn’t
mind if it takes a different approach. I know Batman is on the big
screen right now, but surely the character can be shared with this very
different project? Mazouz has a very original take on the role, showing
the awkward, teenage years that are usually glossed right over.
Other things of note in this episode
include a good moment for Essen (Zabryna Guevara), a new role for Selina
(Camren Bicondova), yet another chilling scene for The Penguin, and a
heart-wrenching letter that perfectly sums up some of the themes of the
program, so much so that I considered quoting some of the text in the
review, but chose not to for fear of spoiling something really cool.
GOTHAM is a unique show that deftly
balances a great many characters. It’s impressive to see something to
complex and deep on the broadcast networks, and I’m pleased it’s finding
an audience. In a time where superhero stuff is everyone, this show
manages to find its own niche that no one else is intruding on. I can’t
wait to see what happens next.
GOTHAM begins its second year September 21st of FOX.
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