It’s safe to say that we raved and raved nonstop about this upcoming TV series, about a time before Batman, called #Gotham. You might remember the first time we talked about it, which was back in May. Well, a lot has changed since then, from the unveiling of the “Gotham” villains to the suspense-filled promotional teasers posters – because, you know, FOX is pretty good at keeping fans interested like that. But wait, will “Gotham” live up to the hype? Will we all be disappointed if/when it tanks?
Thanks to our friends from Warner TV Asia, we got a first look at the series before it premieres in Malaysia tomorrow (25th September). Safe to say that it was an hour-long’s worth of satisfaction!
Source: Warner TV
The origin story of these DC Comics super-villains and vigilantes reveals an entirely new chapter that’s never been told before – before Batman, there was Gotham. From executive producer and writer Bruno Heller (The Mentalist and Rome), “Gotham” follows one cop’s rise through a dangerously corrupt city teetering on the edge of evil and chronicles the genesis of one of the most popular superheroes of our time.
So, here are 7 things you can expect from “Gotham” tomorrow when it premieres exclusively on WarnerTV HD (HyppTV Channel 613):
1. Oh hello there, Selina Kyle!
How very nice it was that Selina Kyle aka “baby Catwoman” (played by Camren Bicondova) was our official introduction to “Gotham” as she’s the first person you’ll see on screen. But here’s the thing – she doesn’t talk, none of the main characters actually notice her, and she doesn’t really do anything except for prancing around on walls, which irritated us till no end because come on, Selina Kyle! What do we have to do to get a word (or two) out of her? One thing’s for sure, it’s making us want to keep watching the show just so that we can finally hear her speak. Meowr.
2. Tragic right from the very beginning
The producers of “Gotham” wasted no time in talking about how the dark, caped crusader loses his parents at a very young age. In fact, they dealt straight away with the back alley murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne aka loving parents of little Bruce Wayne aka “baby Batman” (played by David Mazouz). So it’s best you prepare to get your heart broken within the first 15 minutes or so of the series because we weren’t prepared at all! At this point, you can already see a little of the Dark Knight shine through little Bruce Wayne’s character. Also, this is where you’ll meet the less-wrinkled version of Alfred Pennyworth 
3. Gordon, because he who stays true
We know James (Jim) Gordon, don’t we all? The man who will eventually become Commissioner aka the man with the access to the Batsignal aka Batman’s future man on the inside. We like how they played Detective James Gordon (played by Ben McKenzie) out to be a clean detective in “Gotham”, which actually still stays true to his later character in the movies. We were also introduced to his no-good partner Harvey Bullock (not to be confused with Harvey Dent aka Two-Face). What we loved most was when Gordon met little Bruce Wayne for the first time and how they continued to bond over the pilot episode. That bond though! No wonder the Dark Knight in the movies would later be cheeky enough to disappear in the middle of a discussion whenever Gordon’s back is turned 
4. A less deformed, less grotesque version of The Penguin
Oswald Cobblepot (played by Robin Lord Taylor) is local crime boss Fish Mooney’s (played by Jada Pinkett Smith) henchman in the seedy underworld. We say henchman but he’s actually very much a slave through and through. Oh, also, he’s the man that everyone calls “The Penguin” and it annoys the heck out of him because, let’s face it, at this point, he’s not very much of a penguin – yet. But we already love how the character is developing e.g. interesting, quirky, curious, and a devious rat. Also, the pilot episode will tell you why the villain would end up walking funny. Well played, Warner Bros TV and FOX, well played.
5. Jada Pinkett Smith
Yes, just Jada Pinkett Smith. We have to admit that we had our reservations when she was initially announced as the person who will play Fish Mooney, a sadistic gangster boss and nightclub owner. But all of that has quickly diminished ever since we watched the pilot episode of “Gotham”! First of all, nice hair. Secondly, how much more bad ass can this chick get? She’s quickly becoming one our favourite villains although we’ll have you know that the character Fish Mooney was created especially for the TV series as she wasn’t in any of the DC Universe cinematic projects or even the comic.
6. Dirty business is the root of Gotham
Sure, the release of “The Dark Knight” trilogy painted the grimiest and dirtiest picture of Gotham city, thanks to Christopher Nolan, but we’ll have you know that Gotham was dirty right from the very beginning. No doubt, in the TV series, everything is still shinier and less toxic/rust-looking. In fact, so far, there’s no sign of it being rainy, gloomy, or dark all the time. But you’ll be enlightened by how the machinations in both the police precinct and the underworld will begin to intersect in the pilot episode of “Gotham”. What, so soon? Yup! Schemes, betrayals, agendas, dirty businesses, and crimes are all quickly unpacked in just one episode.
7. Spot the other Batman villains
There seemed to be no end to the surprises in tow because you will also be quickly introduced to The Riddler and Poison Ivy. Without giving away too much, The Riddler (played by Corey Michael Smith) will already show signs of being a rambling annoyance in his limited on screen time. As for Ivy Pepper aka Poison Ivy (played by Clare Foley), let’s just say that you’ll feel empathetic for her childhood. Um, and no, no sign of The Joker yet.
So far, “Gotham” has been pretty faithful to Batman’s origin story, right down to the pearls falling off his mother’s necklace and dropping on the ground when she is murdered. Sure, there were some changes here and there e.g. the introduction of Fish Mooney, Poison Ivy’s real name is actually Pamela Isley in the Batman comic, but we’re not complaining.
Bring on the entire season of “Gotham”!
Don’t forget to tune in to WarnerTV HD (HyppTV Channel 613) on 25th September (Thursday) at 9pm to catch the exclusive Malaysian premiere of Gotham! New episodes will air every Thursday at 9pm with repeats on Thursdays at 11:30pm; Fridays at 12noon, and Sundays at 10pm.
You know you want to
For more information, visit the TV series’ official website.