tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post2877306809670354035..comments2024-03-19T02:43:58.373-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: Gotham: Beware the Green-Eyed MonsterBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-27609767605196652002016-12-09T00:21:30.880-05:002016-12-09T00:21:30.880-05:00Thomas, I see your point but you have to look at t...Thomas, I see your point but you have to look at the whole picture of what Lee has been through, and by that I mean what Jim has put her through. She was engaged and pregnant and got dumped and then had a miscarriage. That is one heck of an emotional rollercoaster. Bearing all that in mind, I can't feel at all sorry for Jim.<br /><br />Basically she knows logically that Jim is wrong for her and Mario is right for her, but she never got the goodbye she deserved so she went looking for it. This is actually her way of setting aside her relationship with Jim prior to getting married so that she knows for sure there is no unfinished business on her wedding day. Considering she said "Goodbye" multiple times and then proceeded with her wedding plans to another man, it would have been clear to any sane person that it was a one time thing.<br /><br />I do feel sorry for Mario and can't blame him for feeling jealous, but I also think he should cut Lee a little slack considering he knows the emotional state she was in when they met and if I'm following the timeline correctly their pre-marital courtship was a short one.Mariannahttp://www.mariannahorn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-33026500143262540162016-12-08T07:00:01.265-05:002016-12-08T07:00:01.265-05:00Re @Marianna:
Lee actively seeked out Jim in his ...Re @Marianna:<br /><br />Lee actively seeked out Jim in his home the day before the wedding to kiss him. Regardless of motivation, isn't that trolling him for affection and validation, not to mention pretty shitty behavior? Not to mention her mentioning the wedding to him to provoke an emotional reaction? I know we aren't lead to sympathize with Mario, but all other things set aside can we really blame him for feeling jealous?<br /><br />Re @millicent:<br /><br />I agree, Ozzie is the only gay man in Gotham City, and as such (as we've discussed in private) that puts him under a microscope. If we are talking positive things about what <i>Gotham</i> has done, it hasn't ever <i>questioned</i> Ozzie's attraction to another man - there's no "look, ew!" moment.<br /><br />For me, the merits of a show have less to do with "representation" as "quantity" and more with "portrayal" as "quality". There are shows - for example, <i>Rectify</i> - which have no bisexual or homosexual relationships at all and are yet stellar. While the Isabella encounter thus far has been a very negative sign - for several reasons! - I think the jury is still out on Oswald. If nothing else, I think that a "cure the gay" scenario is extremely unlikely.<br /><br />Finally, I at least hope that Cory and Robin's obvious enthusiasm about the storyline means something positive. They are hardly the reactionary sort. We shall see.Thomas Ijon Tichyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01401298696128080459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-23156762117863780842016-12-08T03:44:33.333-05:002016-12-08T03:44:33.333-05:00As for Ed and Oswald-it’s both the best and worst ...As for Ed and Oswald-it’s both the best and worst of times. Their interactions have been pure gold, and they have an amazing energy together. The sour notes have been the introduction of Isabella, which may or may not be the introduction of an unfortunate trope; and the fact that the writers have painted themselves into a corner re: issues of inclusion. This story has the potential to go very, very sour.<br /><br />I’ve watched enough of the other DCEU comic based shows to know that Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow are all light years ahead of Gotham when it comes to LGBT+ representation. I believe Gotham could, and should have followed their lead, instead of languishing in the 19th century.<br /><br />Gotham could have picked some (good or neutral) character in the supporting cast, and had him come out as gay; and shown a male/male relationship already- before they approached this story with Ed and Oswald. They could have added a few male/male couples to their crowd scenes. Gotham could have normalized male/male relationships by doing so.<br /><br />Instead, they’ve portrayed Gotham as a place where there are a few gay/bi women, but all the men are straight. It’s against this backdrop that we see Ed and Oswald. Oswald admits that he loves a man, and now there’s a gay man in Gotham! Finally! No one expects a happy ending in Gotham, but many characters have enjoyed temporary happiness; interludes; honeymoon periods.<br /><br />But before Oswald can declare his love, we get a triangle. A cliche. Worse, we get a woman coming between two men. Ed certainly acted like he was crazy about Oswald before Isabella appeared, and then, it was as if Oswald never existed. If that was the end of Isabella, and we hear nothing more about her being part of any other plot, then it’s as bad as it looks. We’ve been shown some random woman appearing from out of no where, and sabotaging a relationship that’s been built up- bit by bit-over two and a half seasons of the show.<br /><br />The potential for more ugliness is great, and it depends not only on Ed and Oswald’s, but on what happens next, plot wise. If they don’t materialize as a couple, what happens next? Does Oswald find at least some kind of temporary happiness with another man? Or, does it get even worse-do they portray him as “confused”, and cure him of his same gender attraction by providing him with a female love interest? Or, just as bad, make sure that he’s alone and unhappy, thus punishing him for being attracted to a man?<br /><br />I could go on, but I think I’ve hit the highlights. Where Gotham goes with this is important. I love Gotham, and don’t want it to look like a dinosaur compared to the other shows I’ve mentioned.<br />millicentcordelianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-18971319277204819582016-12-08T03:43:29.055-05:002016-12-08T03:43:29.055-05:00 I think it’s important to talk about both the are... I think it’s important to talk about both the areas where a show is excelling, and the areas that need improvement. If someone is relentlessly negative, or unceasingly positive, either way it’s unrealistic. I also don’t consider constructive criticism to be “negative”; it means you care enough about something, to want it to be better than it is.<br /><br />First off, I agree with you that from the beginning, Gotham’s never hit the wrong note with Bruce and Selina, both together and separately. Seeing them and Alfred working as a team in episode 11 was electrifying; it also brought them both into a situation where they’re poised to take on the Court as the season continues. I’m curious to see why Selina’s mom has shown up, and what she’s all about.<br /><br />Likewise, I concur that casting Benedict Samuel as Jervis was brilliant. They’ve done a superb job of casting all along, and the Mad Hatter is no exception. I also agree that Barnes’ story has been very satisfying, and that Michael Chiklis has made the transformation chilling and believable.<br /><br />Yes, they’ve had trouble all along with Jim, and I think we can sum it up easily: Jim is supposed to be everyman. The protagonist. By the end of season two, he’d become someone impossible to like, and it doesn’t work to have a main character that the audience feels no sympathy for, or empathy with. Maybe introducing more of his backstory this season will help-but along with that, we need to see Jim laugh, and cry, and do something besides as you said, being cold or angry.<br /><br />Ivy’s age-up still bothers me, but she hasn’t had much on screen time, and that’s all to the good. millicentcordelianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-60891665503525087442016-12-07T15:41:53.914-05:002016-12-07T15:41:53.914-05:00How I've missed Montoya and Allen!
I disagree...How I've missed Montoya and Allen!<br /><br />I disagree with the assessment of Lee trolling for Jim's affections. I think she's a victim of Jim cutting off their relationship harshly and is looking for closure so she can move on with her life. That's it. Given what Jim put her through, I don't blame her. I do agree that the drama between them has been drawn out way past the point of interest.<br /><br />Jim is constantly driving me crazy. He always thinks he's the only one who can do something for some reason when often he's the last person who should be doing whatever it is, like arresting the husband of the woman he just professed his love to like a crazy person. Seriously Jim, call Harvey once in a while. Mariannahttp://www.mariannahorn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-70083339292116599922016-12-06T10:54:43.033-05:002016-12-06T10:54:43.033-05:00This review is spot on! Will you please send it t...This review is spot on! Will you please send it to the writers of the show? I just can't stand the way they portray Jim Gordon, it makes him unlikable and even an idiot, not a good place for a lead character to be. Yes, please get rid of Ivy or fix her character. Why do they insist on these annoying storylines that detract from the show and keep it from being the amazing show that it has the potential to be. Phyllis Stricklandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04316626487629706306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-9646467708697260152016-12-05T17:17:20.990-05:002016-12-05T17:17:20.990-05:00Thanks for the correction, Maze. Brain fart.Thanks for the correction, Maze. Brain fart.Thomas Ijon Tichyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01401298696128080459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-49797772391277646942016-12-05T16:37:26.862-05:002016-12-05T16:37:26.862-05:00Benedict Wong was Wong on "Doctor Strange&quo...Benedict Wong was Wong on "Doctor Strange", B.D Wong was Professor Strange on "Gotham."<br />Not liking where Jim is at right now with Lee.<br />Oh I suppose I ship Ed and Ozzie, but I never thought they would have an easy path ahead, being insane and evil both. We shall see how it plays out. The Isabella twist was stupid, but perpahs she'll come back and reveal herself as a criminal mastermind bent on revenge. I hope.<br /><br />The Ivy storyline was a colossal waste of time.<br />This show. But there is no finer gothic melodrama on right now, what with Penny Dreadful being cancelled and no other show having the necessary madness to try and equal it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com