Gotham Sean Pertwee is Alfred Pennyworth

[TheComicbookKid]

I actually like this Alfred, but if he's going to be a real character then he needs to interact outside of Bruce.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

I have to be honest... it's the one element of the show I'm really not loving. If I were Gordon, I'd be seriously questioning Bruce's welfare.

They are leaning on the ''I'm a badass cockney'' way too much.

 

[Frodo]

I liked him in the pilot where he did seem like a stern, yet streetwise military man. In the second episode he just came off as a jerk and reminded me too much of his Lestrad character on Elementary.

 

[Mysteryman]

I actually like this Alfred, but if he's going to be a real character then he needs to interact outside of Bruce.

Well, he did go to the police station to seek out Gordon.
Thats a start.
It would be interesting to see him interact directly with Bullock .

 

[Verick808]

I could see him slapping Bullock upside down the head.

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Well, he did go to the police station to seek out Gordon.
Thats a start.
It would be interesting to see him interact directly with Bullock .

That was for Bruce.

I'm saying he needs a character to interact with that doesn't involve Bruce. That's why I said bring in Leslie Tompkins so we can hear his thoughts. Doesn't make sense for him to confide in Gordon yet.

 

[Brother Jack]

This is a weirdly written character, tonally out of whack between gritty anger and parental affection. It's kind of emblematic of the whole show actually.

 

[Herolee10]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

This is a weirdly written character, tonally out of whack between gritty anger and parental affection. It's kind of emblematic of the whole show actually.

For me the relationship is so wrong. I think Bruce should be almost shut down emotionally and obsessed with finding his parents killer. The conflict should be from Alfred wanting him to move on and get over such thoughts by having a normal life.

Alfred might not know what it is to be a good parental figure at this stage but they are going about it all wrong. Loeb got it right in 'Dark Victory' with the flashback.

 

[John Locke]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

This is when I started to love this version of the character. It shows that he will become the Alfred that we know and love he just doesn't know what he's doing yet. Especially since later in the episode he tells Gordon that he's never had a kid implying that he does now.

 

[Frodo]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

I had the total opposite reaction and felt they may have went too far with trying to show Alfred is in over his head. That's the moment I think has turned people off the most and he's being called a jerk , etc. I think it depends on how its executed really . Its more of an issue of the direction then the idea of Alfred not knowing what to do and being frustrated. I like the concept but the execution of the concept they need to tread cautiously with because he could easily come off as unsympathetic as opposed to a character the audience roots for .

 

[Human Torch]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

I thought that scene came across well enough.I think the problem is in Pertwee's innate gruffness.If you had Michael Gough doing the same exact scene,guaranteed it'd come off to most people's satisfaction.

It's hard to feel for Alfred with that cockney,Brian Johnson voice thing he's doing.

 

[EssayM]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

I never thought about it like that, but that is actually an interesting interpretation. I definitely would like to see them explore that angle.

Still, I feel like the timing on that moment was a little too fast. Maybe an extra second or two of Alfred seeing Bruce's reaction and realizing he went too far would have made it seem more natural. As it is, he makes the change so fast it almost seems like he's schizophrenic or something.

 

[eon001]

Don't get why people hate this version of Alfred. A hard ass disciplinarian makes sense considering he's raising a young boy. You think young Bruce didn't act like a spoiled brat from time to time. He would have had to be kept in line. As Bruce grows and matures Alfred softens up. Or just stay as a grim bad ass. Doesn't bother me either way I like the change.

 

[Frodo]

Don't get why people hate this version of Alfred. A hard ass disciplinarian makes sense considering he's raising a young boy. You think young Bruce didn't act like a spoiled brat from time to time. He would have had to be kept in line. As Bruce grows and matures Alfred softens up. Or just stay as a grim bad ass. Doesn't bother me either way I like the change.

I don't think people have a problem with the disciplinarian aspect . I think its more that the way its executed makes the character comes off more as a jerk than a stern headmaster type. It may be the way the director is directing or it may be that the actor comes off looking bad doing it. That's why it depends on how the situation is executed or how its written. The point is to have the character at least identifiable and someone the audience can relate or understand. If they stage it in such a way that the character becomes unlikable, fair or not, people will kinda be so turned off that the characters intentions become irrelevant.

 

[storyteller]

For me the relationship is so wrong. I think Bruce should be almost shut down emotionally and obsessed with finding his parents killer. The conflict should be from Alfred wanting him to move on and get over such thoughts by having a normal life.

Alfred might not know what it is to be a good parental figure at this stage but they are going about it all wrong. Loeb got it right in 'Dark Victory' with the flashback.

The thing is that works as a flashback. It works because you have his interaction with Dick to see the development. This doesn't work in a series like this. Alfred would just come off as a wall. At two episodes in though i think it's still been like a 2 weeks since their deaths. I think Alfred will do the "normal life" deal here in the future. But when the kid is hurting himself, he just can't go "Normal life master Bruce".

I think people are just to used to Uncle Ben Alfred and are put off from an Alfred who actually acts sensible.

 

[Rorschach2012]

This Alfred is amazing. Possibly my favorite yet

 

[Farren]

I like this Alfred. He and Bruce's relationship is the only thing that's really roped me in so far.

I think he might be coming off harsh because he's starting to get desperate about Bruce's behavior. I also think he's struggling to find a balance (if there really can be such a balance) between being Bruce's guardian AND his butler at the same time. That's actually something I've always seen as potentially problematic with their relationship, and I think the show captured that in a few scenes already. Such as when Gordon visited and wanted Bruce to remain silent -- Alfred clearly thought it was shady and wanted to kick Gordon out, but Bruce said no. And later when Alfred told Gordon he wasn't going to take Bruce to a doctor because that's not what Thomas Wayne's instructions were.

I really want Alfred to step up to the plate and more actively parent Bruce, because clearly this version of Bruce needs it. (Please, Alfred, take him to a doctor, the kid is self-mutilating, jfc). Jim Gordon can't come over once a week for tea and pep talks. I hope the show capitalizes on that.

 

[Brother Jack]

I don't think people have a problem with the disciplinarian aspect . I think its more that the way its executed makes the character comes off more as a jerk than a stern headmaster type. It may be the way the director is directing or it may be that the actor comes off looking bad doing it. That's why it depends on how the situation is executed or how its written. The point is to have the character at least identifiable and someone the audience can relate or understand. If they stage it in such a way that the character becomes unlikable, fair or not, people will kinda be so turned off that the characters intentions become irrelevant.

Yeah, its too thuggish and angry. I think this type of stern headmaster vibe would work better if there was a consistency to it and maybe an emotional distance. Half the time this Alfred just seems like he doesn't like Bruce and/or the responsibility of having to raise him alone. Which is understandable but it can be played much better.

 

[Mindreaper21]

This moment can be looked at quite a few different ways.

Personally, I feel like it just says that Alfred really doesn't know how to quite handle his new responsibility of serving as Bruce's sole caretaker now, thus he realizes that he shouldn't have reacted the way he did at first when confronting Bruce about this and that he has to remember that Bruce is still, deep inside, scared and traumatized from his ordeal and needs him (Alfred) the most right now.

Exactly. This all effects Alfred just as much as it effects Bruce. No one should expect for Alfred to be in total control after recently loosing people that were very close to him and suddenly become a father figure to their son. That's not an easy task. This is a learning experience for him and it will take time for him to grow into the father figure he needs to be for Bruce.

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

The thing is that works as a flashback. It works because you have his interaction with Dick to see the development. This doesn't work in a series like this. Alfred would just come off as a wall. At two episodes in though i think it's still been like a 2 weeks since their deaths. I think Alfred will do the "normal life" deal here in the future. But when the kid is hurting himself, he just can't go "Normal life master Bruce".

I think people are just to used to Uncle Ben Alfred and are put off from an Alfred who actually acts sensible.

I don't think so. Those panels show him having difficulty connecting to the boy which you could develop more. I always see Alfred as the one trying to reconnect Bruce to his humanity and what Caine's Alfred in the Nolan films for Bruce should be what the character wants.

"You are as precious to me as you were to your own mother and father. I swore to them that I would protect you, and I haven't. "

It's perfect. Yes it's been done before but it works. It's been working for a very long time and with a TV show they should be looking to expand on elements that fans have enjoyed and see them realized in live action. Problem with a lot of the Earth One Graphic novel is that it tried to reinvent the wheel more than once and none of it should be the basis for this show because superior interpretations exist before it.

 

[Human Torch]

Yeah,I mean traditionally,Alfred has been used for grounding Bruce.Trying to convince him to be "normal".(Or at least the closest approximation of "normal" he could achieve) The idea of Alfred "toughening him up" or training him somewhat,goes against the standard convention.

 

[Mr_336]

That was for Bruce.

I'm saying he needs a character to interact with that doesn't involve Bruce. That's why I said bring in Leslie Tompkins so we can hear his thoughts. Doesn't make sense for him to confide in Gordon yet.

This! She's needed more than ever. That and I'll need for Heller and co to lay off taking inspiration from Earth One GN for Alfred's characterization. Beware the Batman attempted their take on Badass Al and look where that one is now

 

[Frodo]

I think its a bit unfair to characterize Alfred in other versions as always"warm and fuzzy", thus people are resistant to the Gotham version. It seems people have forgotten Michael Caine's Alfred who told Bruce to put the cowl back on after he was still grieving for Rachel in TDK, Who basically gave him tough love by leaving him to face Bane and all the horrors that awaited Gotham in TDKR, or when Alfred talked back to him more then once in BB about hurting the Wayne family legacy, etc.

Or Michael Gough's Alfred who said in B89 " I'm tired of grieving the loss of old friends , or their sons" as Keaton's Bruce was putting together who murdered his parents. Or in BMOTP when Alfred said to Bruce, "I dive at your bottom , I bloody well out to sir!". Alfred has talked back to Bruce on several instances through out the film and TV, and has set him straight several times so its not like the character has somehow always been portrayed as all hugs and kisses. He's not Uncle Ben, and even Uncle Ben talked back to Peter in ASM so its not like these characters haven't been portrayed as disciplinarians or as putting up with the heroes attitudes or tantrums .

 

[Mr_336]

I think its a bit unfair to characterize Alfred in other versions as always"warm and fuzzy", thus people are resistant to the Gotham version. It seems people have forgotten Michael Caine's Alfred who told Bruce to put the cowl back on after he was still grieving for Rachel in TDK, Who basically gave him tough love by leaving him to face Bane and all the horrors that awaited Gotham in TDKR, or when Alfred talked back to him more then once in BB about hurting the Wayne family legacy, etc.

Or Michael Gough's Alfred who said in B89 " I'm tired of grieving the loss of old friends , or their sons" as Keaton's Bruce was putting together who murdered his parents. Or in BMOTP when Alfred said to Bruce, "I dive at your bottom , I bloody well out to sir!". Alfred has talked back to Bruce on several instances through out the film and TV, and has set him straight several times so its not like the character has somehow always been portrayed as all hugs and kisses. He's not Uncle Ben, and even Uncle Ben talked back to Peter in ASM so its not like these characters haven't been portrayed as disciplinarians or as putting up with the heroes attitudes or tantrums .

The Ben Parker comparisons don't work. Alfred's still alive and Ben's not.