• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

Gotham Season 1 Episode 14 Review – ‘The Fearsome Dr. Crane’

February 5, 2015 by Gary Collinson

Martin Carr reviews the fourteenth episode of Gotham…

Julian Sands has always been a jobbing actor in predominantly risible fare. Warlock with the far superior Richard E Grant anyone? Or perhaps you prefer the less than engaging Boxing Helena with Miss Twin Peaks herself Sherilynn Fenn. Whatever you’re particular brand of vodka it would be fair to say that Sands is always the bridesmaid never the bride, or a lesser son of greater sires if one were feeling particularly nasty.

It is no surprise then that his appearance in Gotham leaves less an impression more of a divot in proceedings. Akin in many respects to an errant piece of turf, Mr.Sands more closely resembles an underpaid government official with grunges than anything as formidable as say The Scarecrow. Whether offing his fellow city dwellers or admonishing his son for neglecting the parking meter, Sands exudes all the quiet menace of a CBBC co-presenter.

David Zayas’s Salvatore Maroni on the other hand gets a decent amount of screen time, which he employs to great affect against Lord Taylor on top form. Exploiting an increasingly bright spotlight Taylor continues playing one against another in a game which is proving progressively dicey. Meanwhile teenage angst returns in the form of Bruce Wayne, who begins isolating himself from others in a search which will come to define him. Whilst the emergence of an easy chemistry between Bullock, Gordon and Captain Sarah Essen as portrayed by Zabryna Guevara, only helps highlight the superfluous nature of other cast members.

Morena Baccarin who was brought in a few weeks ago as replacement to Gordon’s former love interest, is slowly wheedling her way in to little end. In a thankless role for which she is overqualified Baccarin is given nothing to do and no time in which to do it. I said a few weeks ago that her looks would be a problem and so it has transpired. What the writers clearly think is that she only need be on screen for audiences to watch. It is true that this actress is very striking, but the issue is not created by her but by them. Here is an actress with an admirable resume being given walk on and smile scenes which she is coasting through. As a doctor from within an asylum you expect her to have something more insightful to contribute, maybe a rough edge or two which would add depth and emotional substance. This reliance on a genetic factor is sheer laziness in my opinion. I appreciate that her character is only around for a limited time if IMDb is to be believed, but even so this flagrant waste of talent is appalling.

In spite of these flaws Gotham is fast becoming essential viewing for those in search of a break from the norm. Police procedural it may be, but there is a rich tapestry of characters here being readily tapped into by actors on top form. If some are failing to hit the mark then so be it, them is the breaks people. Whether overqualified and under used, or decidedly average and riding a wave of stereotypical type casting, you must take the rough with the smooth. And Gotham; well Gotham is a lot smoother than most.

Martin Carr – Follow me on Twitter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszFJHnpNzqHh6gswQ0Srpi5E&v=qqtW2LRPtQY&feature=player_embedded

Filed Under: Martin Carr, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Batman, DC, Gotham

About Gary Collinson

Gary Collinson is a film, TV and digital content producer and writer, who is the founder of the pop culture website Flickering Myth and producer of the gothic horror feature film 'The Baby in the Basket' and the upcoming suspense thriller 'Death Among the Pines'.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The Essential Exorcism Movies of the 21st Century

Fantastical, Flawed and Madcap: 80s British Horror Cinema

15 Movies To Watch On Tubi UK

10 Creepy Horror Movies Jump Scares

The Film Feud of the 90s: Steven Seagal vs Jean-Claude Van Damme

Hasbro’s G.I. Joe Classified Series: A Real American Hero Reimagined

Ranking The Police Academy Franchise From Worst to Best

The Essential Action Movies of 1985

PM Entertainment and the Art of Rip-offs With Razzmatazz

Forgotten Horror Movie Gems From 25 Years Ago

Top Stories:

Great TV Shows That Were Cancelled Too Soon

Harry Potter TV series begins production, shares first look at Harry and Hagrid

Movie Review – Eddington (2025)

Comic Book Review – Star Trek: Red Shirts #1

Movie Review – Saint Clare (2025)

18 Incredible 21st Century Films You May Have Missed

Feel the Heat: 10 Uncomfortably Hot and Sweaty Films

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

10 Great Forgotten 90s Thrillers You Need To See

Not for the Faint of Heart: The Most Shocking Movies of All Time

Max Headroom: The Story Behind the 80s A.I. Icon

10 Great Modern Horror Classics You Have To See

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket