FOX Is Banking on a High Profile Origin Story Being the First Big Hit of the Fall
When is a show about Batman, not a show about Batman? The answer is: when that show focuses not so much on the Bat, but the infamous criminals that helped make the hero who he is. FOX is hoping that the current comic resurgence in popular culture will give them a hit with "Gotham." The story focuses on Detective James Gordon, the man who will grow to be Commissioner and Batman's greatest ally, and his partner, Harvey Bullock. While investigating the murder of young Bruce Wayne's parents, they are also dealing with the crop of villains that are popping up to terrorize the citizens of America's most dangerous city.
The big question is, will viewers want to back down this well trod path. FOX seems to betting big. If you watched the network at all over the summer, I'm sure you saw a minimum of 3 commercials per show on FOX all summer long. Rather than re-tell the story of how Bruce Wayne became the winged terror of Gotham's underworld, creator Bruno Heller, decided tell the story of some of the Bat's most fearsome foes. How did Oswald Cobblepot go from pathetic underling to the runner of Gotham's mob ties. How did Edward Nygma go from a GCPD coroner to the prince of puzzles, The Riddler? How did young orphan, Selina Kyle, grow up to be Gotham's best burglar, Catwoman? How do Gordon and Bullock fit into this? Can they do anything to stem the tide of crime and make Gotham a decent city?
I think this will make for compelling television, because it's not like "Arrow," where Ollie is striving to save Starling City. Gotham is beyond saving and these new criminals will only make things worse. You are watching everything spiral out of control knowing that Batman is the only one who can bring some sense of order to the chaos. There are heroes, but they are everyday heroes like Benjamin Mckenzie's Gordon who fights against the stem of corruption to be an honest cop, while his partner, Donal Logue's, Bullock fails prey to it.
The producer's are also introducing some new characters like Jada Pinkett Smith's mob boss, Fish Mooney. The cast is rounded out by unknowns which I think was good of the producers. It allows them to put their own stamp on these iconic characters. The producers have also tweaked young Bruce Wayne's origin by making Gordon and Bullock the detectives that are investigating his parents' murder, which ties him into the proceedings.
So, are you planning on watching "Gotham" tonight when it premieres on FOX at 9/8c? Are you excited, nervous, apprehensive? Do you have high hopes? Do you think there is anything new that producers can bring to this? Watch the trailer and then let me know in the comments.
No comments:
Post a Comment