TV Piolet - Gotham
“The New Colossus”
Gotham “The New Colossus” by Michael Green is a murder mystery with supernatural elements. Persisting in investigating a homicide with no clues, female detective Annie Travers finds out the secret of the New York City—there are people with magical powers who consider it a privilege. While doubting her life and beliefs, she continues her investigation and discovers more about the hidden world of magic users: some can help, others are threatening the safety of the city, and herself might not be common as well.
Gotham “The New Colossus”
Idea Pitch
The core idea revolves around self-recognition and delves into the power dynamics and social issues present in NYC, the city full of opportunities and uneasiness, and many other contradictions. Detective Annie Travers, raised by the city as a foundling, wishes to make the city better and cares about every homicide case. That pulls her to an unknown department, where she realizes the existence of people with magic living in the same city as her. Including the victim of the most recent case, these people with supernatural powers stay hidden in the city of Gotham. The Alderman of the city, who supervises the supernatural cases, wishes "the common girl" Travers could help to solve this crime that's all about magic power. When Travers works with people with magic, she sees those people using magic as a privilege--from easily attracting people, to get a cab or a job, to killing someone in an untraceable way--these all made her doubt her life and beliefs. In the end, Travers finds out someone with magic is running for mayoral election and tries to rule New York City. She was furious that no one could stop him, until she discovered that she might not be "common".
Character Description & Analysis
1
Annie Travers
Foundling raised in foster care who grew up to be a good detective and aims to make the city better. Described in files as "intuitive, resourceful, tenacious... combative." Lonely and feeling she does not belong to any home but the city as a whole, which might result from her experience of being fostered, or relate to the mysterious source of her magic. Good at observing details and determined to seek justice even if it is a case no one else cares about. This brings her to the attention of the Alderman, who gives her the task to solve the magic crime with Boyo. As she meets more people with magic, it shakes her belief of how to make life better, as someone can cheat by magic.
Alderman, the Clock Man, becomes her new boss, assigning Boyo as her new partner in the case. Boyo then leads her to find Dottie, who knows everything about the city through the eyes of pigeons, helping them find the murderer, Beach. Riga, who is running for mayor with unfair magic power and is also the mastermind behind the murder, will be her future enemy.
She is professional as a detective, determined and works hard. Detectives wear conservative business attire so perhaps a pants suit. Maybe grey, so coffee spill became obvious.
2
Gabriel Riga
The CEO of Salmagundi and mayoral election candidate, he possesses both magic and wealth, yet he desires more: to rule the entire city. A cold-blooded businessman and politician, he manipulates both rules and minds—preferring not to get his hands dirty, but rather having someone else do the killing for him. He helps and leads Travers to find the murderer Beach without any leaks revealing his involvement. Being super rich and driving a limo, he would be seen wearing couture hand-made suits.
3
The Clock Man
He calls himself the Alderman of the city and is responsible for managing people with magic to prevent them from abusing their powers or taking advantage of the common folk. He might be the owner of Boyo, who is referred to as his 'constable' and the owner of the last slave. However, he showed no concern when Boyo was badly injured. Knowledgeable but also autocratic, he pulls Travers into all this and commands both the girl and Boyo to work without allowing any room for refusal. A dapper gentleman would wear a three-piece suit.
4
Beach, the club bouncer
The big bouncer works for a "popular club," which is later revealed to be a facade created by the owner, Ratter's magic object. Beach is jealous and hates Ratter, considering him an asshole not only because Ratter takes all the profits of the club but also because he sleeps with many girls and other people's girlfriends. Though Beach makes excuses to justify killing Ratter, he only does so to acquire the club. The bouncer might wear a short-sleeved shirt to showcase his strong arms.
5
Dottie, the pigeon lady
Guardian or keeper, or perhaps simply the central intelligence of EVERY PIGEON IN MANHATTAN. Described as ageless but aged, jumble-brained, and covered in pigeons, they seem to have a warm heart and enjoy saving people, including Travers, by scaring them out of danger with the help of the pigeons. I imagine her covered in a lot of feathers, and to better blend in with pigeons, she wears layers of white/grey dress similar to what an old lady would wear, along with a teal-purple blend scarf.
