Gotham Knights Episode 2 Review
By Paul Maglietta
Well……I promised I would give it a fair chance and here we are. Now after the first episode I will admit I was not looking forward to continuing this particular series, let alone write individual episode reviews. And while episode two marks an improvement in several areas, we have some things to really talk about.
Full Spoilers Ahead
Photos Courtesy of Warner Bros. Entertainment
So as usual, I like to start with the good before I start to tear things down. I will say there is a solid jump in both the acting and chemistry between our leads. Although there is a solid level of predictability with how the script is playing out, the leads are noticeably working better together now especially since we have way less exposition to have to get through. I enjoyed the Knights having to work as a unit to break into Wayne Tower, each bringing something to the table that worked for the most part. With Duela that script really had two choices for her after her betrayal of the team, come back and save the day or be rescued for the first time by her new surrogate family. I am glad they chose the later, and even more glad they massively toned her down from the first episode. In the comics Duela has claimed to be the daughter of many different super villains, the first and considered cannon is actually Harvey Dent. I am curious to see if that will end up being a twist later on in the story, similar how I hope that Turner is actually Tim Drake or Jason Todd (despite how much I hated the Robin twist in The Dark Knight Rises). Another high point for me was the fleshing out of Harper and and Cullen Row, particularly the resolution of Cullen to not only stay for his new friends but also to prove his own strength to himself. Admittedly I really enjoyed the portrayal of Harper in Young Justice so I hope they bring some of that energy to the show. A last high point for me is the full introduction of The Talon. Like an inhuman machine this avian Terminator seems to be an unstoppable force and I enjoyed that even the combined effort of our protagonists barely slowed him (it?) down. I look forward to how comic accurate this portrayal will end up being. And now the bad….
So this show has two glaring problems. One, the ensemble is too large for it to handle. This episode alone has an A and B plot, which is typical of most shows, but also two twists, two action set pieces, and the B plot has little impact on the story. Let us also state that more Misha Collins will only help this show, I would have preferred a show centered around him similar to how Gotham made Jim Gordon the focus. We find Harvey Dent questioning Stephanie Brown in regards to her helping Turner hack the financial systems of Gotham. With the exception of a fun little nod to her father Cluemaster, who is set to appear played by Ethan Embry, I found those scenes the most cringey. Besides the fact that Harvey is questioning a minor, without her parents, the scene ended up leading to wannabe suiter and rival to Turner, Brody March, claiming he did it (for her of course) and then just walking out of the police department. We also have the second problem….this show has all the standard CW tropes. If you took out all the Batman and DC mythology this show would be Riverdale or All American, between the blooming love triangles and secrets you have the recipe the dying network relies on. I will keep trying and hope for more but the verdict is still not looking too good.
Star City Rating 2.5 out of 5