I was watching the latest episode of Gotham yesterday and got to thinking about the dangers of prequels.
My knowledge of Batman is limited to the campiness of Adam West and the movie incarnations of Batman. I was never a huge fan of the Batman comics growing up, just never got into them. I read a few here and there, but was not a huge fan. SO, that being said, my knowledge of the back story of what is going on in Gotham is somewhat limited. Appearances of different characters on the show that would make some fans squee with joy go over my head.
All this aside, I do know the major players – Penguin, Riddler, James Gordon etc. And here is my issue with Gotham, and most prequels in general: we KNOW that these characters have to be around later in the mythology, so there is no sense of danger or suspense.
This week for example, Oswald Cobblepot was (yet again) getting the crap kicked out of him and in danger of being killed by another gangster. But we know that Cobblepot will survive, because he becomes a crime kingpin that will face off against Batman. So, what’s the point in watching? Shows like The Walking Dead are so riveting because you never know who will die, or how, or when, so if someone is in a fight, there is a sense of actual danger and fear. Not so with Gotham, because no matter what happens, you KNOW the character HAS to survive. What’s the point in watching?
Yes, the show is an interesting character study in how characters evolved, but that will really only hold my interest for so long. Something else needs to happen to up the ante. Will I keep watching? Probably, for now, but for season 2? Not sure, will depend if the writers can somehow dig themselves out of the prequel pitfall.
Are you watching Gotham? What do you think?
My Geek Out 