Gotham

:

Season 1
  • Network: FOX
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2014
Season #: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 730 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 545 out of 730
  2. Mixed: 91 out of 730
  3. Negative: 94 out of 730
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User Reviews

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  1. MarcioTadeu
    Oct 10, 2014
    3
    Bad writing, bad acting, really bad ideias with my favorite characters. Gotham should get axed before it makes more damage. Episode 3 of Gotham and I`m still not liking at all. Beginning to think this show should get cancelled before they screw even more with my favorite characters.
  2. DEADSHOT
    Oct 10, 2014
    10
    This series is awesome !!!
    I think this series is one of the most popular series are transformed over time into !
    Over time, the charm of the series would increase with the addition of characters with stories that have ever heard ness !
  3. tombren
    Oct 9, 2014
    0
    I really really wanted to like this. The first episode had a flub within minutes. But still a decent start. This last episode, well is the last episode I will watch. I get that the comic book beginnings did not tell us how the characters started ( ie. James Gordon) But, I know that no one was a lesbian in the original comics.
  4. Eliut
    Oct 9, 2014
    9
    The show begins well, with several surprises and immediately recognize enemies. Do not forget that is an adaptation and not going to be 100% faithful to the comic.
  5. mrmonster
    Oct 8, 2014
    8
    Its not perfect, but it exceeded my expectations. At first, I was sceptical, I thought "Oh boy, another cop shoe.". Needless to say, this show blew me away.
  6. BredToMaim
    Oct 7, 2014
    9
    I was afraid to be disappointed, but I am not. At least so far, with the 3 episodes. Fish Mooney, as i expected isn't so great. But the Penguin is, i think the actor is the best one in the show. The first episode felt kind of too fast-paced, but i loved it. The second one isn't so memorable, but it has a nice Catwoman origin story. The third episode is as good as the others, maybe better,I was afraid to be disappointed, but I am not. At least so far, with the 3 episodes. Fish Mooney, as i expected isn't so great. But the Penguin is, i think the actor is the best one in the show. The first episode felt kind of too fast-paced, but i loved it. The second one isn't so memorable, but it has a nice Catwoman origin story. The third episode is as good as the others, maybe better, as things evolve in the story and the universe that Gotham City is.… Expand
  7. Another_Nerd
    Oct 6, 2014
    9
    Impressive pilot. The very fact that it is supposed to be without any superheroes and have such a great impression is great. There was some good acting, and a really intense atmosphere as well.

    I would recommend this for anybody who would want an introduction to Batman. It's good, it's thrilling. I guess my rating may go one notch up after a few episodes!
  8. AlessioSclok
    Oct 5, 2014
    6
    It seems a good start for this series. The city is very well built and you can sense it from the beginning. Sometimes the acting is not so good. Hope to see the real batman in the future of the show.
  9. Bgrod
    Oct 3, 2014
    2
    A real downer of a comic book inspired series. If Gotham spent even half as much time on developing characters I could care about and interesting stories with at least a little tongue in cheek humor rather than self consciously emphasizing how great its film noir looks are, it might be a bearable hour. Otherwise, this is a depressing, dour and boring way to spend an hour.
  10. reellm
    Oct 3, 2014
    7
    3.5/5★

    Origin stories are tricky, but done right they can be fascinating. The comic book movie adaptations of the last decade have proven there is an audience for it, in large part from the coveted 18-49 demographic. The networks took notice and TV shows followed: Smallville, Arrow, The Flash, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. just to name a few. Most of these shows, the C.W. ones especially, are    3.5/5★

    Origin stories are tricky, but done right they can be fascinating. The comic book movie adaptations of the last decade have proven there is an audience for it, in large part from the coveted 18-49 demographic. The networks took notice and TV shows followed: Smallville, Arrow, The Flash, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. just to name a few. Most of these shows, the C.W. ones especially, are about growing up, taking responsibility for your actions and using abilities for good. Gotham is The Wire of these shows: it portrays the city as a dark, crime infested place, and how it influences its inhabitants as they struggle to live and survive. Gotham brings to life the stories of heroes and villains before they made the choices that set them on the path of superhood.

    The show is well cast, with Donal Logues Harvey Bullock a standout, bringing some much needed levity to Ben McKenzie intense James Gordon.

    Verdict: Watch. It will last a season.    … Expand
  11. OMM
    Oct 2, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The show is really good, you get get a since of how corrupt Gothem is since you see corruption at all levels, something that is hidden when Batman is just beating up bad guys. There are no major plot holes as suggested, even with the drugging of the children. If you're to kidnap a bunch of homeless kids, why how you poison the food you give them? One you have ZERO guarantee that they will eat it right there. Two most drugs that knock you out are destroyed by your stomach acids. This why you are given intravenous sedatives when you're scheduled for surgery. Lastly, how do you know they want them dead? The idea that they were used as food was debunked in the same episode! If want to see a show that focuses on the over corruption & shows you why Bruce Wayne is a metal case (they do a really good job here) watch the show.… Expand
  12. Garon010
    Oct 1, 2014
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. For a life-long fan of comic books - particularly, Batman, I might add - this was a major letdown. The grit of the comics, recent movies and games has been abandoned in favour of sloppy scenes and senseless and random violence. There is hardly any build-up to the shaky-cam chase scenes (guess, they needed to fill the hour) and comic regulars are dropped in here and there - perhaps 'crammed in' is more apt. Even if one could ignore the cheap treatment of the source material, one is left by a badly produced show: many scenes are brief and utterly pointless. For example, when Gordon's future wife goes to the GCPD in hopes of discovering the whereabouts of her dearest, Gordon's cookie-cutter-dirty-cop partner informs her that he is on a stake-out and "his phone ran out of juice". Without batting an eye, she except his word and leaves. These are minutes of my life I lost forever...… Expand
  13. cloud34156
    Oct 1, 2014
    9
    The show begins with arguably the most influential deaths in comic book history and it only gets better from there. I'm going to keep this readable so I'll begin with the pros and move onto the cons.

    ==Pros== - Cinematography - This show is one of the best shot I've ever seen. Exciting camera angles when it's warranted, dramatic backdrops taken right from the pages of Batman and a    The show begins with arguably the most influential deaths in comic book history and it only gets better from there. I'm going to keep this readable so I'll begin with the pros and move onto the cons.

    ==Pros==

    - Cinematography - This show is one of the best shot I've ever seen. Exciting camera angles when it's warranted, dramatic backdrops taken right from the pages of Batman and a tone which is right on par with the Christopher Nolan trilogy.

    - Acting - The cast is absolutely phenomenal. You always expect actors to be finding their feet in the first season of a show but honestly this is one of the best collection of actors and actresses I've ever seen on a TV show.

    - Plot - I've read Batman for years and yes this is an origin story we all know but getting a glimpse at those years which forged the character we all know and love outside of a bunch of flashbacks is a real treat. The Pilot kept me hooked from start to finish and by the end of it I wanted to jump right into the next episode.

    - Characters - The various nods and character introductions may annoy some people but I thought they were handled wonderfully. A lot of characters got introduced but it wasn't just a case of here's catwoman, looks here's penguin oh and riddler too. It felt like each character was given their time on screen and yes they all had little quirks which suggested who they were to become but I felt it was charming not forced.

    - Music - Much in the way we all seem to know what Star Wars music should sound like there is a similar expectation for the Batman series. Well although it isn't breaking new ground in terms of score I found the music captured the dark, seedy world Batman was born from and once again was on par with it's movie counterparts.

    ==Cons==

    - Mystery Shooter - One of the reasons why I love the Batman origin story so much is that the man who killed his parents was nothing more than just a regular, lowlife criminal in it for the money. Although there have been attempts to change this it's never really stuck. I feel they are going to revolve a lot around who the shooter was and why he did it which I just believe takes something away from what makes Batman's story truly tragic.

    - Alfred - Now I don't mean the actor playing him I think he's good at what he does. However my first impressions of Alfred are a little disappointing. I guess I was hoping for more of an Alfred from the animated series as opposed too the most recent beware the batman. Hopefully we will see Alfred grow into the backbone of the Batman legacy that we know him as today.

    -----------------------------------------------------------Conclusion------------------------------------------------------------------

    I intend to review the first season fully when it ends but having viewed the pilot I feel the show has started out exceptionally strong and is one of the most impressive first episodes I've ever seen. I feel they managed to avoid the pitfalls of being overwhelming to their audience whilst still giving something for DC fans to smile and chuckle at (Come on that riddler moment was brilliant!). By the end of the first episode I felt invested in the characters and plot of the show and feel like it brings something very unique to the superhero TV show formula we've all grown accustomed too.    … Expand
  14. Ravens1294
    Sep 30, 2014
    5
    A really good and interesting start to the only new show I was really going to watch. The second episode was good and better than the pilot. Definitely can't wait for the rest of the season.
  15. vvcrazy01
    Sep 30, 2014
    2
    The pilot was not intriguing at all. The direction was mediocre. It is like the worst cop show ever. I expected more from Gotham. It just failed to entice me. One show off my list. Not going to watch again. Poor acting, except for Ben.
  16. ronsterzz
    Sep 30, 2014
    8
    So far it's not so bad. Although before the series started, they launched a preview of what the show would be and honestly, it wasn't what i was expecting. The preview was more entertaining than the show really is. The show although entertaining because it explores the origin stories of the villains that Batman would be facing in the future, the show lacks a certain mystery. Revealing theSo far it's not so bad. Although before the series started, they launched a preview of what the show would be and honestly, it wasn't what i was expecting. The preview was more entertaining than the show really is. The show although entertaining because it explores the origin stories of the villains that Batman would be facing in the future, the show lacks a certain mystery. Revealing the murder of the Wayne's immediately and plots against certain characters. it does show more of James Gordon trying to rid the city of corruption. The team of Bullock and Gordon as partners is golden, good cop, bad cop routine works for them. As for Bruce and Alfred, they popup from time to time but there is no relevance to the cases the detectives are faced with every episode. Sure Bruce still doesn't know why he is doing what he is doing, but it doesn't really quite fit in the show. And there is also a part of me thinking whether we will get to a part in the show or series where Bruce will appear as Batman. I came to know of Bruno Heller from the The Mentalist, that show is amazing, compelling and mysterious with twists happening all over the place, which made it very interesting. I do hope that Gotham evolves into that kind of level because i would hate to see a series this good get cancelled.… Expand
  17. radamanthys
    Sep 29, 2014
    4
    wtf its in the 1 episode and already got thousands of plot holes and man , where is the gotham gothic style ,where is the characters spirit , and what an awful alfred , what an out of character penguin what an horrible writing , i´ve tried to like it but its just too bad
  18. djrussell
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    I really liked the pilot. I'm a massive Batman fan and it was good to see another take on the series. It felt serious and well written. Reminded me a lot of Nolan's series but with maybe a tiny bit of Burton in there for some of the more dark-gothic backdrops. The only thing I didn't like about the pilot was how many classic villains they tried to cram in (I counted 6). It felt forced.I really liked the pilot. I'm a massive Batman fan and it was good to see another take on the series. It felt serious and well written. Reminded me a lot of Nolan's series but with maybe a tiny bit of Burton in there for some of the more dark-gothic backdrops. The only thing I didn't like about the pilot was how many classic villains they tried to cram in (I counted 6). It felt forced. Apart from that though, it was better than I expected.… Expand
  19. xolve
    Sep 28, 2014
    3
    Pretty poor. I mean, introducing all the major villains in the first episode?
    Just shoehorned in there?
    Granted, comics aren't known for their subtlety, but jeez, they could've made something grim, strong, and unpretentious with this. Instead, we get every major Gotham city character's backstory in the first episode. Poor showing, fan-service, at-best.
  20. Epic_toast
    Sep 27, 2014
    0
    In one word, Garbage, mediocre garbage at that. The only good actor is Ben McKenzie but it seems he is struggling through his lines. The story is a slap in the face of Nolans Batman series, and stinks like CASH IN
  21. doughsleyes
    Sep 26, 2014
    2
    The only part I like was how awesome Gotham City looked... Though it was like a preschooler easteregg hunt for comicbookies.... yup... take Batman outta Batman and you get crap
  22. DARKKNIGHT7
    Sep 26, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It Is AWESOME i am speechless The second Bruce says he is learning to conquer fear And when Gordon says fear is a good thing it doesnt needs conquerance it tells u where d edge is and when Penguin Yeah he is really Superb specially when he starts laughing after beating a man with Baseball bat Gordon BRUCE Selina she just gives d vibe of an innocent sweet and swift and clever Catwoman I like d Origin of Penguin and hope it ll maintain The same power packed performance by lead cast it will surely be worth watching Every second is like a comic book holiness (with liberty os some alterations ).Pilot was Epic… Expand
  23. Jordan20
    Sep 26, 2014
    8
    I like the first episode of Gotham, I'm wondering if we will get to see Arkham Asylum or meet the Arkham family? It would be nice to see the Arkham Family depicted outside comic books. Maybe they were friends of the Waynes. I would like to see them introduced on the show.
  24. raviopatra
    Sep 25, 2014
    9
    The writers and crews who work on the pilot for Gotham must be a genius. The production is next to flawless and it clearly shows how huge the show can be (only if it keeps on taking the right direction) and the tremendous potential the characters and stories in the Batman/DC universe carry. Definitely a game-changer for Fox. Who needs originality when you have authenticity blended with vision!
  25. GreenChum
    Sep 25, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gotham do not deserve all the attention that it get. It isn't a terrible show, but it's certainly not a great show either.

    I like the concept, sort of a cop show with the characters from Batman during the youth of Bruce Wayne.
    But too many characters are introduce so the story a little "all-over the place" for me.
    Also, Ben McKenzie isn't convincing in his role. His eyes are almost inexpressive, it's creeping me out! Thankfully, they are some good actors on the show (like Jada Pinkett-Smith, Robin L. Taylor and even David Mazouz (I must admit that I thought he would be horrible, but I'm pleasantly surprised)).
    I also didn't like how the chase scene was shoot, the close-ups on Gordon face were strange.

    Anyway, I'll continue watching for now (mainly because of the villains and young Bruce, but also 'cause of the great visual effects), hoping it will get better.    … Expand
  26. EarthBoundCal
    Sep 25, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. First things first, when I first heard the concept for Gotham I was met with both excitement, and with pessimism. You see, the current landscape for comic book TV programming is exciting. The excellent second season of Arrow has not only opened up the doors to a spin off in The Flash, but it’s also has us comic book nerds salivating at the prospect of having more hours of comic book programming to sink our teeth into. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D is finally finding it’s groove now that it's no longer has the restrictions of The Captain America Winter Soldier’s MCU changing plot twist, Agent Carter has a lot of buzz leading up to its winter premier, The Flash has been received well by most who have had the chance to see the pilot early and Constantine although has not been received greatly by those who have seen the pilot has already implanted change to correct possible toning issues it is said to have. All of these shows warrant our excitement.

    Now onto Gotham, and my pessimistic side; The problem I initially had when hearing the news of a program chronicling both the rise of Jim Gordon within the GCPD and the evolution of a young Bruce Wayne and how he would eventually go on to don the cowl and cape is that I thought it would be a gateway to much frustration ala Smallville (which admittedly improved a lot toward the last quarter of the series). The problem I had with a lot of Smallville was I didn’t really care much for a costume-less Superman, but over time I warmed to Clark Kent, but it was after four seasons.

    So moving onto Gotham, and my thoughts after actually seeing the pilot? For starters I feel like they’ve nailed Gotham, one part Burton, one part Nolan the series creators have done a great job of making Gotham exactly what it should be; alive! A character in itself.
    I felt Ben McKenzie did just fine introducing us to a younger fresher faced Jim Gordon. I wish I could say the same for the actors that played Alfred, Fish Mooney, The Riddler (Edward Nigma) and The Penguin. All of the above seemed a little too overacted for a show that appears to be set in a more grounded Batman universe, I will say that Donal Logue did a fantastic job in his role as Harvey bullock, I foresee him giving us all a character we love to hate. I felt that the pilot squeezed too many Batman rogues into the one episode though.

    All that being said I quite enjoyed the pilot, it had some definite ‘moments’ and quite refreshingly a good amount of blood, not too much, but enough to add a distinguishing trait that isn’t shared by any other comic book TV show currently out there. Give this one a chance, it's not what it is underneath, but what it does as a show that defines it, and what it does is setup a relatively exciting show without a cape or cowl in sight.    … Expand
  27. SullyBaby
    Sep 24, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gotham; who is this show meant for?

    I started watching this pilot with extreme skepticism, expecting the worst, and I finished watching it without pure hatred spewing from every orifice. So, my opinion of Gotham wavers between shear boredom and hopeful optimism. This show is far from great, but its devotion to shoehorn in as many Batman characters makes you wonder what they have in store for these future Dark Knight foes.

    The show starts by introducing us to an approximately 10-year-old Catwoman (Catgirl?) stealing milk for alley cats and witnessing the assassination of Bruce Wayne’s parents. I have to admit it wasn’t badly done for what it was and that’s the problem. I really digged the directing, the actors, and the set designs, they set the tone well. But unfortunately it’s so formula and clichéd, that it comes across dry, humorless, and boring.

    I felt like I was watching a script written to please studio executives. It was formula in a lot of ways, but a well directed, styled formula that makes you wonder what it could be if they took off the proverbial gloves and gave us the gritty batman stories we want. So much potential, but still better in many ways from the 90210 jet-set teenaged, ridiculously good-looking, super-hero wannabes on The CW.

    It’s a bit unsettling having a middle-school aged Batman, Catwoman, and Poison Ivy set in an adult-toned world of CSI style investigations, interrogations, and murder. How are they planning on writing stories that will involve these children in Detective Gordon’s investigations in a corrupt police force without making us suspend belief any more than we already have? Maybe they will all go to school together? Gotham Middle School: The Early Years?

    So why involve school aged characters at all? Is it to bring in younger viewers? If so, do you want kids to watch the scum of Gotham City get tortured, signs of domestic abuse, murder, and the overall sense of despair? I doubt these scenes would even be interesting to a child if they could be patent enough to sit though the dull, drab plot. Most of the show is Detective Gordon running around town introducing us to a whole cast of villains that would be better served slowly, driveled out and introduced as the plot unraveled. Instead, because we saw so many characters so soon, it eliminates sense of mystery. Removing the need to think, to wonder, to invoke the imagination as to where the story might go. Subtlety is not this shows strong suite. The almost pathological need to force plot-driven dialog that blatantly shove characters with familiar names and similar characteristics down our throats becomes slightly insulting after a while.
    Every time they introduced a Batman villain they had to repeat the name or follow-up with a forced remark that reinforced that they were blatantly shoving a person of interest in our face. At times it seemed as if time slowed down during the introduction of each of these characters and I kept expecting them to break the fourth wall, stare into the camera and make sure that we were still paying attention to the boring script.

    By introducing us to so many future members of Batman’s rouges gallery within one single narrative, it leads us to believe that all of these future super villains operate within the same circle of people; making it seem very incestual. If all of these horrible people emerge from the same neighborhood and all of them play a part in each other’s origins, then it robs them of their individual and unique backgrounds and motivations.
    Now it comes across that, in this Gotham City, superpowers don’t seem to exist. No magic. Nothing that even hints to the existence of anything remotely fun and removes the possibilities of seeing any of the Justice League or any of Batman’s famous super-powered friends. What you see it what you get. Now that may change in the future. They may pull an Arrow and introduce super-powers in the second season. But this show seems ridged, unimaginative, and boring.
    How I wish this was planned out by the likes of J. Michael Straczynski, Joss Whedon, or J.K. Rowling, then we would get the extremely well-planned, multi-year story arcs that we crave. Another missed opportunity to do the Batman story justice.

    Overall, I would give the pilot a “C.” Meaning I don’t hate it and I will give it a few more episodes to see how they start to flesh out the stories. I wouldn’t recommend this to any friends that expect a Batman show. Instead this should only be watched by people that endured the show Smallville and don’t mind sitting on a pair of blue balls for seasons at a time until you get the smallest dose of fan service spoon-fed into your brain.

    It’s not a terrible show but it’s so far removed from what a real Batman TV show should be, that I find myself wondering why I make excuses for shows that fail to deliver. It pretty much comes down to how much horse poop you’re willing to stick your hands in and feel around until you get some Batman gems that will tide you over until we see Ben Affleck don the cape on the big screen in 2016.

    Me, I want to like Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman. I feel that he’s matured since Daredevil and has the potential to put out a decent superhero film.

    Of course, he was da bomb in Phantoms yo! : )    … Expand
  28. tvnewsguido
    Sep 24, 2014
    5
    Gotham will have to become the best police/crime show ever to survive.

    I'm disappointed they didn't roll with something more subtle. Fox can't possibly keep a series going with those silly villain cameos from the Batman mythology week after week.
  29. zildel
    Sep 24, 2014
    10
    The show was surpringly great! Within the first 5 minutes of the show, the tone is set. Then it takes you on a wild ride and you keep wanting more. I'm excited to see the evolution of these characters and how they all become the villians we all know. Fantastic show.
  30. pacifier666
    Sep 23, 2014
    8
    Absolutely awesome its pretty dark and has the mob elements similar to the nolan universe. The dude who plays gordon is great. Show is great. PS please notice the stand up comic role in the pilot might be an Easter egg
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Awards & Rankings

63
#63 Best TV Season of 2014
5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
14
#14 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 34 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Chuck Bowen
    Sep 26, 2014
    50
    Though it abounds in diverting window-dressing, Gotham is literally all dressed up with nowhere to go: It's a derivative copy of a copy in search of a real governing identity.
    Read full review
  2. Sioux City Journal
    Reviewed by: Bruce Miller
    Sep 22, 2014
    80
    An absorbing, intelligent new drama that gives the Batman mythology one more layer of depth.
    Read full review
  3. Newark Star-Ledger
    Reviewed by: Vicki Hyman
    Sep 22, 2014
    91
    The city--neon-washed, Chanderlesque, somewhat anachronistic--is itself also a character, and it turns what could be "Law & Order: Gotham" into something infinitely more layered and watchable.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »