TV Review: Gotham - "Selina Kyle"

Gotham - "Selina Kyle" (1x02) FOX, Mondays, 8 p.m.


The first question facing Fox's new show "Gotham" was whether it could it recreate the gritty, dark atmosphere of a pre-Batman Gotham City. The pilot episode proved it could, filling it with a wide range of characters from the some 80 years of comic book lore.

The second question was whether the show could continue the momentum established in the pilot. "Selina Kyle" proves it can do that as well.

Building off the story lines set up in the pilot, the episode also introduces us to a case of the week revolving a pair of child abductors (Frank Whaley and Lili Taylor), stealing homeless kids off the streets of Gotham.

Of course Jim and Harvey get the case, bringing them back into the territory of Fish Mooney, who almost had them killed last week. The case also puts Jim in contact with young Selina Kyle (or Cat as she preferred to be called), which I'm sure is a big step in his pursuit of the Waynes' murderer(s).

The B-story follows the repercussions of Oswald Cobblepot's supposed death at the end of the pilot, with Oswald trying to land on his feet outside the city, while mob boss Carmine Falcone confronts Mooney about her aborted coup attempt.



Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald and Donal Logue as Harvey are still favorite actors on this show through two episode, topping a stellar all-around cast. I also love the little touches the show adds to the occasional swooping shot of the city skyline, adding Wayne Enterprise's elevated trains as well as gargoyles adorning the buildings.

The pilot episode showed great promise, and the second episode delivered on that promise.

BEYOND HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

For an episode entitled "Selina Kyle," she really didn't have too much to do, although she did get to escape the abductors (twice), not to mention putting one their henchmen's eyes out. That was a bit extreme considering she's only 13, but it gives us the idea that this show isn't really interested in pulling its punches when it comes to stories involving the younger members of its cast. I have no problem with that.

Although the child abductors were pretty much a case of the week, the writers tied it into the greater overall story, with Jim learning at the end that Selina in fact witnessed the Waynes' murder. Additionally, the abductors mentioned the Doll Maker, who has appeared in DC comics several times over the years, the latest in the form of a mass murderer with a penchant for skinning his victims and making human dolls. It's never clearly stated, but it is implied that this wasn't the first shipment of children sent off the Dollmaker, which is quite disturbing indeed. It's also unclear if the Doll Maker will be playing any further role in the show, and only time will tell.

The one character who really isn't working for me up to this point is Alfred Pennyworth. I can see what the writers are trying to do, making him a reluctant and ill-prepared parent, but it's not entirely hitting the mark so far. I'm going to give it a few more episodes before I call it a full-blown problem though.

Last week I wondered if the show was going to give us cases of the week or work on their larger story arcs. This episode proved that at least through one episode beyond the pilot, they can find a balance between the two. I'm sure this series will always fall closer toward its serial nature than your typical cop show, and with such a rich playground of stories and characters to play with, it's probably the right way to go.