( CNN ) -- With Fox 's `` Gotham , '' we have the chance to see Batman begin once more . The much-hyped fall series made its debut on Monday night , starting off with a storyline that 's pretty familiar to Batman fans and non-fans alike : the death of Bruce Wayne 's parents . `` Gotham 's '' take on the scene was more violent than usual , but it also added a new twist . A young Selina Kyle ( played by Camren Bicondova , and destined to become Catwoman ) also witnessed the young couple being gunned down . Monday 's premiere did give screen time to a young Bruce ( David Mazouz ) as he grieved the loss of his parents , but the future superhero is n't the real star of the show . That title belongs to Detective Jim Gordon , who 's not yet a commissioner , as played by `` The OC '' and `` Southland '' star Ben McKenzie . Gordon arrives in Gotham City because it 's where the action is , but he soon finds out that things are far more complicated . Crime bosses Fish Mooney ( Jada Pinkett-Smith ) and Carmine Falcone run the city 's underworld , and Gordon 's partner , Harvey Bullock , is n't exactly the most ethical cop around . But compared to McKenzie 's straight-as-an-arrow Gordon , the villains are so far the best part of `` Gotham . '' Fish and her lackey Oswald Cobblepot -- who 's also called by the nickname he hates , '' Penguin '' -- were a treat to watch , as were the younger versions of Gotham bad guys Riddler and Poison Ivy during their very brief introductions . Thus far , McKenzie 's Gordon seems like a one-note , righteous character , so we 'll have to see if he gets fleshed out in future episodes . For critics , `` Gotham '' had a nice start but doubtful longevity . `` Taken strictly on its own terms , the Fox series is a handsome , gritty crime drama , with Ben McKenzie as the idealistic young cop and Donal Logue as his grizzled , ethically compromised partner , '' Brian Lowry said in Variety 's review . `` Yet if the show is supposed to work for its peripheral connection to the Dark Knight and his colorful menagerie of villains before they became such ... well , that bat simply wo n't fly . '' Mike Hale at the New York Times tried to focus on the positive , pointing out that at the very least , `` Gotham '' has `` consistent style . '' `` If you 're going to make yet another show or movie about an honest cop in a corrupt city , '' Hale said , `` you 'd better make it look good . ( A ) nd this Gotham City , with its nightmarish gothic skyline under perpetually gray skies , looks pretty good . '' Viewers on Twitter had mostly positive responses to the show -- and particularly its casting -- although not everyone was immediately sold . `` Amazing cast . I was impressed because this is n't the type of show I would watch in the past , '' said KE Vargas Barrett . Added another fan , `` I like the look and style . Characters known and unknown seem interesting . Glad Gordon was the focus . We 'll see how it goes . '' Marcus Alan Sheperd , however , `` was disappointed , '' he tweeted . `` Good thing I follow a 3 episode rule . '' What did you think of the premiere ? Share your views in the comments .
Much - hyped ` ` Gotham '' premiered that night on Fox . The new series looks at Gotham City many years before the emergence of Batman . The villains were the focus of the first season .