Pennyworth Review: Pilot (Season 1 Episode 1)
Not quite ready to be a butler just yet, Alfred Pennyworth strikes out on his own on Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot.”
The show is completely and vibrantly British in its very pores and spirit, able to place you into the world with such ease with the specific phrases, accents, costumes, and beautiful architecture of the buildings surrounding them.
This is coupled with a noir, stylish tone and score, really helping to create a unique tone and atmosphere for Pennyworth. It’s a distinct show that knows itself from the very get-go.
The pilot can be a little tricky nailing down, story-wise, so here goes: Thomas Wayne has uncovered proof of fraud at the hands of the Raven Society, a nefarious group looking to change the country from within, and so they are looking to silence him. They discover Alfred’s business card in their botched attempt, using him to ensnare his girlfriend Esme and have Alfred be their errand boy in finding Wayne.
The secret society and the underdogs taking them down has been done before, certainly. But there’s this refreshing mixture of personality and excitement that the show uses to couple with the been-there, done-that pieces.
The episode’s characters are all just as defined as the atmosphere on display.
Jack Bannon makes a confident lead as Alfred. He’s able to look in over his head and also able to even the odds against several enemies at once. It’s almost as though his kindness is disarming, this gentleness that exudes from him that makes the violence he can cause a surprising turn.
Alfred’s PTSD is an interesting addition, memories of the chaos and bloodshed of the war haunting him as he continues down a path he swore to avoid. That, on top of his connection to the sprightly and exciting presence of Emma Corrin’s Esme, shows some extra sides to his character.
Thomas Wayne is mostly a quick and witty character so far, his attempts to bribe and negotiate his way out of captivity adding some much-needed lightheartedness to a tense episode. Outside of the leads, the Pennyworth clan are a bunch of fighters, that’s for sure. One of the funnier moments of the episode comes through both Pennyworth parents kicking away at the enemy once the threat is eliminated.
Paloma Faith as Bet Sykes is such a striking figure throughout the episode. She has this unnerving sense of danger about her, but there’s this strange urge for her to make people like her, despite threatening them in the process. Her way with words, too, using them like daggers, makes her a strong favorite of the show so far. Faith stands out among an already colorful cast.
Pennyworth does struggle with people getting captured and kidnapped rather often for a single episode, though. By the time the Pennyworth family is at gunpoint and Esme conveniently is at the door to be captured, as well, it started feeling a little like a parody, the amount of kidnapping at that point.
But it’s a very small complaint for an otherwise fun hour of television. Pennyworth Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” is a resounding success as a first step, allowing the time period to shine brightly and brim with personality and possibility.
What did you think of this episode of Pennyworth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Pennyworth airs Sundays at 9/8c on Epix.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.