Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue, David Mazouz, Morena Baccarin, Sean Pertwee, Robin Lord Taylor, Erin Richards, Carmen Bicondova, Cory Michael Smith, Jessica Lucas, Chris Chalk, Drew Powell, Maggie Geha, Benedict Samuel, Jamie Chung, James Carpinello, Naian Gonzalez Norvind, Ivana Milicevic, James Remar, Raymond J. Barry, Alexander Siddig.
It is often bewildering to see that some television series are not appreciated at the time of their showing, viewer apathy perhaps, a certain level of niggling tedium born arguably of the fact that society, in the main, has got too used to everything being on demand, too eager to binge and then becoming bored because the art form doesn’t move along as quick as their racing and almost jumbled thoughts.
It is an argument that has seen viewer rating drop in what can only be described as otherwise excellently delivered narrative series, to which the third series of Gotham is, it is also one that has the emotional joy and punch of seeing the Christopher Nolan films tie in loosely with its small screen medium, this cannot be underestimated and shows the forethought taken by the makers of Gotham to make the back story hold firm, to bring it into line with some of the great graphic novels that have been produced by D.C. Comics. The series of course will end, as all series do, but that doesn’t mean that this particular American import to British television cannot be enjoyed and appreciated for what it has given the viewer.
Aside from bringing in the entertaining Benedict Samuel as the psychopath and incestuous leaning Jervis Tetch, the producers of the show have racked up the tension with all sides of the Gotham coin being shown to be as combustible as each other.
The relationship between Jim Gordon and Leslie Thompkins is fraught with the love/hate divide of the antagonistic belief of former lovers, the marvellous Robin Lord Taylor has arguably become the greatest depiction of the Penguin/Oswald Cobblepott ever placed on screen, the young David Mazouz has easily stepped into the same framing of the Bruce Wayne character that Christian Bale inhabited and the excellent Sean Pertwee has come of age perfectly as Alfred Pennyworth.
It is in the combustible and rage that society is able to look at itself more clearly, a city, a relationship, lovers, divided, all have the same itch to scratch, the rigidness of normality is what we all seek but perhaps underneath the darkness is all too willing to howl to be set free. It is perhaps though to Donal Logue and his portrayal as Detective Harvey Bullock that the series has the ability to show such divide, a man to whom is willing to cross the line for his friend but who also understands how big cities such as Gotham work; and how the rage and beauty can work hand in hand to produce something extraordinary.
If ever there was a series that got into the heart of the unconscious human desire to slip into the darkness, then Gotham wins hands down; a scintillating series, one that reflects our current state of being so closely that it is a perfect, terrifying thrill.
Ian D. Hall