So, "Gotham" has ended. Do tell! In all honesty, I can see more exploits coming: perhaps movies-of-the-week or a miniseries or two down the line. Would that be so unreasonable, so far-fetched? I mean, come on, who we kiddin'? The writing is on the wall.
Though the Dark Knight finale was engaging as heck, it's too bad we didn't get all we desired, even with that ten-year skip. For that matter, the Joker was only just warmin' up, but in truth, the same could be said of any of "Gotham'"s anguished eccentrics: the Penguin, the Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter, Scarecrow, Hugo Strange, Poison Ivy, Bane, "Theresa Walker" (wink, wink); Lee Thompkins...Barbara Kean, Sr and Jr. And though it was sure sweet to see Selina Kyle all grown up (albeit with an unavoidable casting switch) in full, Catwoman gear, we only got the tip of the claw, didn't we? Shoot...
At least the broad inconclusiveness reminds us that the door is open for other avenues, whether alternate-tracked retellings; big-screen epics; or those specialized passages within our multifaceted imaginations.
No matter what the haters claim, "Gotham" (the whole, inherent Batman concept, for that matter) was--and remains--superior to other current DC incarnations and not because of the unfettered violence or wacky characters, but rather its resonating, moral core: most of it enforced by Jim Gordon, Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth. Harvey Bullock, despite a hazy start, plays into this groove, too. Still, what good is any moral message, or the characters who endorse it, if cut short?
Fans kept "Star Trek '66", "Beauty and the Beast '87" and "Alien Nation" on the air beyond their initial cancellations. If folks express how much they care, resurrection is never off the table.
"Gotham" doesn't need an end, but a new beginning, which in a way, the finale gave us, and fans ought to raise holy hell to express their stance. Perhaps if they did, Fox's execs would see the light, and if not, maybe those trailblazing pencil-pushers at Amazon, Hulu, Netflix (uh, never mind) or the should-be-obvious DC Universe Online would. Then there's EPIX: that hip, fee-attached source that's giving us "Pennyworth", but if it wants to galvanize the "Gotham" legacy, the path is sure clear.
Sure, one can speculate until the bats fly home whether more "Gotham" is in store, but one thing's for certain: The series might be "cancelled", but its luminous, dark spirit isn't likely to perish anytime soon.
The latest "Gotham" sure was entertaining (entitled aptly enough, "That's Entertainment") and more than a tad jarring in its historic ramifications.
With Cameron Monaghan playing two parts, as Jerome and his out-of-the-blue brother, Jeremiah, a switch in the Clown Prince of Crime dynamic should have come as no surprise. Still, I'd have preferred Jerome to have been the one. Besides, it would have given Monaghan the continued chance to play two parts. He's a fine actor. The contrast in personalities would have been an ideal fit for his expressive abilities.
With this said, I'm glad the actor remains on the roster. I'd have been heartbroken and angry as hell if it had been fare thee well.
Also, it's about bloody time that the Joker's presence was confirmed on the show...or has it been? Who honestly knows what the "Gotham" writers/producers have in store? I don't trust 'em, which I suppose is both good and bad. Twists are great, but only within reason. The Jerome/Jeremiah deal may be one such excellent case in point.
Anyway, it's probably safe to say that the Joker has been born (or reborn), with some crazy "Killing Joke" panache splashed into the big reveal. It'll be interesting to see what other surprises this season has in store, since this one is unlikely to be topped. I also wonder how the transformed Jeremiah will mesh with the rest of Gotham's mad gang...
Elated to see "Gotham'"s producers have redelivered Cameron Monaghan's Jerome Valeska to the show, now with scary scars and all. We were promised the return of the Maniax's guffawing leader before the third season's start, but seeing is believing. (I still wasn't convinced this was going to occur, even with the tease in "Ghosts", but now that Frankenstein experiment entitled "Smile Like You Mean It" has concluded, how can I deny the obvious?) Still, we really got burnt with a vicious mislead in the early phases of Season 2, for which I (and it appears many other fans) haven't been too forgiving.
It remains debatable whether resurrected Valeska is, in fact, the Joker-to-be. He might simply be a demented guru to Gotham's would-be, greasepainted thugs, from out which the veritable Joker will grow. (If it's the latter, we end up with a foreshadowing of "Batman Beyond" and all those futuristic Jokerz, but for chronological purposes, that rather distorts things.)
All the same, why clown around with us? We got our young Penguin, Riddler, Mad Hatter...Catwoman. It's only right we get our fledgling version of Batman's arch-foe. (Rumor has it that Harley Quinn might appear as well by season's end, but that doesn't grab me: too much projection, far too soon. Let's focus on the Joker right now, and substantiate his presence beyond a doubt.)
Monaghan is a damn good actor, and his absence from "Gotham" has been one of the most embarrassing miscalculations to hit a series in quite some time. At least Jerome's return is a step in the right direction, even if he might yet dash our Clown Prince of Crime hopes.
I'm no Criswell, but when it comes to Fox's "Gotham", I can confidently predict an even grander, more fulfilling season with the second--especially when it comes to its primary villains!!!
With Fish gone (or at least seemingly so), Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor) should have ample room to spread his wings as the crafty Penguin. That can only be a plus.
I also foresee bigger and more demented things for the poor, misunderstood Edward Nygma (Cory Michael Smith), the Riddler-to-be.
As for the possible Joker-to-be, Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan), a return is inevitable (if not essential), and though his occupation as the Clown Prince of Crime is still questionable, to peer further into any angle of the arch foe's genesis is a sure-fire means to raise the series to further, maniacal heights.
I'll be posting comments accordingly throughout this season. Can't wait for it to commence. In Dark Knight lore, September 21 is gonna be historic, indeed, reestablishing"Gotham" as one of television's best and most innovative, mythological epics.
Fox's "Gotham" is, as most know, a Batman prequel, with Detective Jim Gordon (Ben McKenzie) in the lead, abetted by his questionable partner, Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue). Gordon is reminiscent of Gary Oldman's version in the "Dark Knight" trilogy: compassionate, tough and particularly intolerant of corruption: an admirable, television feature in light of what most cable television prescribes. Yep, no sympathy for the devil here, and yet the devils do certainly rear their insidious heads in this ambitious prelude.
The first episode features fledgling versions of Catwoman (Carmen Bicondova), the Riddler (Corey Michael Smith), Poison Ivy (Clare Foley) and the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), with a pre-Two-Face Harvey Dent and Hugo Strange on the possible horizon.
Tragic, young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz) is also in the mix (how could he not be?), and one can naturally presume that the seedy workings of Gotham (and Wayne's steely thirst for justice) will only perpetuate the ultimate Dark Knight's rise. Of course, faithful Alfred Pennyworth (Sean Pertwee) will also be a recurring character, thus solidifying the Wayne legend.
"Gotham" looks promising, even if it's more a standard cop show when compared to what we've come to expect from Batman lore. Still, it seems more honest than most recent (and often overly praised) crime series, implying at least some form of Steve Ditko distinction between good and bad. It also has a cool, no-nonsense "Mob City" sensibility to it, further distinguishing it from its current counterpart let's-root-for-criminals mush. Indeed, so far, so good. Let's see, though, if it can at least exceed "Birds of Prey'"s brevity, though that seems more than likely...
On the heels of "Gotham", Fox's "Sleepy Hollow" triumphantly returns. As you may recall, I was quite smitten by Season 1's surreal, parallel-realm finale (see Jan '14). The Season 2 premiere admirably continues the concept, with a supernatural key that links to Purgatory. Indeed, as evidence by the season kick-off, and for a loose Washington Irving knock-off, the series remains a fine, modern equivalent to "Kolchak: the Night Stalker", with a distinct (albeit revised) historically patriotic context.
It's also sure nice to see Ichabod (Tom Mison) and Abby (Nicole Beharie) back in investigative swing, and now with John Noble's Sin Eater, ersatz Henry Parrish, revealed as--whoops, maybe I shouldn't spoil it for those not yet in the know. I'm only hoping we'll get some Clancy Brown cameos this season. Such would be most welcome.
As far as monsters go, it's obvious more will appear this season, with the Headless Horseman, of course, remaining in the recurring forefront and the power-hungry Moloch in the driver's seat. Also, the series' perpetually autumnal atmosphere is lovingly reinstated: a perfect place for the otherworldly creatures to infiltrate.
I'm sensing a strong chance for renewal well in advance of the season close. Without question, this one appears destined for longevity.
