Hero Report: Gotham is back and better than ever in midseason premiere
Photo Credit: FOX
Gotham
When Gotham announced it would be recasting Poison Ivy for the third time, a collective groan from fans could be heard. However, Peyton List is easily one of the best parts of “A Dark Knight: Pieces of a Broken Mirror,” as a new villain rising within the city. She’s the perfect amount of unhinged — yet in control — and suddenly the Poison Ivy storyline has gotten ten times more interesting.
She isn’t the only one thriving, with the Sirens club flourishing under Tabitha, Barbara, and Selina’s new leadership. However, Gotham is ready to mix up the status quo with Bruce acting like a wealthy brat that no longer cares about his friendship with either Selina or Alfred.
Speaking of Alfred, he has moved into a seedier part of town where he takes on the role of a lonely vigilante trying to save a girl from her abusive boyfriend. Sadly, she ends up dying but it does allow for Alfred to team-up with Bullock to form a partnership that viewers never knew they wanted.
Also, the Riddler makes his murderous return trying to put out a hit on Lee (much to Ed’s dismay), and drama-loving Barbara gleefully tells Jim where to find his former fiancee.
Hero Report Grade: A
Photo Credit: ABC
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. returns from the break with an incredibly surprising episode, however, it’s hard to decide if the shock value is bold or cruel.
“All the Comforts of Home” has a couple of fun moments, specifically the ones with Deke since the man from the future did indeed survive the trip to the present day. He’s hilariously disgusted by beer and seems to be the comic relief intended for the rest of the season.
However, as much fun as it is to take a break from the bleakness of the first ten episodes, the rest of the episode is a high-stakes problem. New character Ruby (played by Disney Channel star Dove Cameron), is the daughter of Hale and seems to be their greatest weapon. She’s kept in a vaulted room where she idolizes Quake, and it’s unclear how that obsession will play out throughout the rest of the season.
However, the shocking moment is when Yo-Yo ends up losing both arms — something that definitely establishes the risks of these last ten episodes but still feels a little cruel.
Hero Report Grade: B-
The CW was once the reigning champion for superhero shows on cable but ABC and FOX have been getting better with every year. Gotham and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. have notably improved with every season, and it’s exciting to see them return to the Hero Report.
Next: Jessica Jones gets a final round of photos before premiere
Next week, it looks like The Flash and Arrow plan to continue the angst as they drag themselves towards the finish line this season. Hopefully, they take a page from the other series next year and learn to take themselves less seriously.