Ep 1. Pilot

The show Gotham season 1 episode 1, named Pilot, introduces us to the world of DC Comics' Batman franchise, specifically the city of Gotham and the character of James Gordon. The opening scene shows the murder of the Wayne family in a secluded alleyway, witnessed only by their son, Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz).

The episode picks up on Gordon (Ben McKenzie), a young detective who has been recently transferred from the Chicago Police Department, partnered up with the more experienced but equally ethical Detective Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue). The two are tasked with investigating the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. As he begins his investigation, Gordon quickly learns that corruption is deeply rooted in the city's politics and law enforcement, with mobsters and organized crime pervading every aspect of daily life.

Throughout the episode, we are introduced to several important characters - some new and some familiar from the comics. We meet Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), a low-level mobster who hatches a scheme to gain the trust of his boss Salvatore Maroni (David Zayas) by tipping off the detectives to information about a rival gang. We also meet Selina Kyle (Camren Bicondova), a young street thief who witnesses the murders of the Wayne family and becomes a key witness in Gordon's investigation.

The episode also features a few familiar faces from Batman's rogues' gallery. Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith), a ruthless gangster and nightclub owner, and Carmine Falcone (John Doman), a powerful mob boss who controls much of the criminal underworld in Gotham, both make their debut appearances.

Meanwhile, Gordon struggles to reconcile his own morality with the corruption he encounters every day. He is put to the test when he and Bullock are tasked with capturing a suspect in the Wayne murders. After a showdown with the suspect in an abandoned warehouse, Gordon is ultimately forced to compromise his principles in order to bring the suspect in alive.

The episode ends on a dramatic note, with Gordon promising Bruce Wayne that he will find the person responsible for his parents' death. As the camera pans back, we see Cobblepot emerging from the river, alive and well after being pushed off a pier by Maroni.

Overall, the pilot episode of Gotham sets the stage for the series - a dark, noirish tale of corruption and crime in one of the most iconic cities in the pantheon of comic book lore. While the episode was not without its flaws (some of the dialogue felt a bit stilted, and the pacing was a bit uneven), it did a good job of introducing us to the key players and setting up the conflicts and storylines that would carry throughout the rest of the season. Fans of Batman will undoubtedly enjoy seeing some of their favorite characters brought to life in a new way, but even viewers unfamiliar with the source material will likely find much to enjoy in the moody atmosphere and compelling performances of the show's lead actors.