BB FANS

Gotham
SERIES 1 - 1. PILOT
Channel 5 Mon 13th Oct 9pm - 10pm
Repeat: Channel 5 +1 Today 10pm
Repeat: Channel 5+24, Channel 5+24 Freeview Tomorrow 9pm
Review by:
David Brown
Seeing as this is a show about the genesis of a superhero, it’s only fitting that Gotham should have a dual identity of its own. But the fact that this admittedly slick US import wants to be part cop drama and part comic-book fantasy doesn’t work in its favour. Those who enjoy police procedurals will be alienated by some of the arch villainy, while Batman fans will find the focus on law enforcement too run-of-the-mill.

Which is a shame, because there are enjoyable aspects to Gotham, particularly the performance of Jada Pinkett Smith as slinky underworld boss Fish Mooney. But I’m not yet buying the relationship between Detective Gordon (Ben McKenzie) and the young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). When Gordon vows to the recently orphaned Bruce that he’ll find the man who killed his parents, there’s a terrible whiff of the overly earnest Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami about the dialogue.


1/16.
This crime thriller based on characters from the Batman comics centres on brave new detective James Gordon. Eager to prove himself, he is partnered with brash police veteran Harvey Bullock, and the pair stumble upon Gotham City's highest profile case - the murder of billionaires Thomas and Martha Wayne. Gordon meets the sole survivor at the scene of the crime - the Waynes' 12-year-old son, Bruce. Moved by his loss, the rookie detective vows to catch the killer. While navigating the shady world of Gotham's criminal justice system, Gordon crosses paths with gang boss Fish Mooney, mob kingpin Carmine Falcone, and characters who will become iconic comic-book villains, including a teenage Selina Kyle (Catwoman), pending Penguin Oswald Cobblepot, and the future Riddler, Edward Nygma. With Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, Sean Pertwee and David Mazouz.
www.radiotimes.com