While Batman is almost always the center of attention when it comes to the Caped Crusader's story (as well as the villains), Alfred Pennyworth (Batman/Bruce Wayne's butler and father figure) is a large part of the superhero's success. However, aside from his loyal services to the Dark Knight, Alfred's past has never been depicted on film or TV. Pennyworth is a series worth watching because it depicts a young Alfred, who's a skilled soldier, a tough fighter, and a man with plenty of guilt.

Before he became a loyal butler to Bruce and the Wayne family, Alfred had a challenging life as a young man, which is revealed in the EPIX TV show, Pennyworth. The series works as an origin story and an espionage thriller, with plenty of action, tension, and humor. There are also younger versions of familiar characters aside from Alfred, including Thomas Wayne and Martha Kane (before they get married and have Bruce), and Lucius Fox.

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The series takes place in London, England, and centers around an ongoing feud between an evil dictatorial organization called the Raven Society and the No Name League. The Raven Society is controlled by Lord James Harwood, a leading figure of evil who lies to the people of England by claiming he will give them what they want in terms of bringing the British out of poverty and war, but really intends to cause mass destruction. Harwood plans to destroy the British government, including the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, with the use of highly advanced nuclear weapons, and intends to turn England into a fascist society.

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The No Name League is a more democratic group, but with less people and limited resources. Thomas Wayne (who works for the CIA) and Martha Kane (an American agent) are two high-ranking members of the league who spy on the Raven Society to uncover their treacherous plans. Lucius Fox is also a CIA agent working with the league to spy on the evil organization, due to his skills as a scientist and his expertise on nuclear bombs. Inspector Aziz (a detective for London's police force who later becomes the prime minister of England) is another crucial member who becomes the leader of the league because of his experience with analyzing corruption in England.

In the middle is Alfred, a complex young man who is close with his mother (Mary) and father (Arthur), and tries to make a living for himself in London after his days of warfare as a British SAS soldier (a special forces unit). Alfred, along with his army buddies Wallace ' Dave Boy' MacDougal (a heavy drinker) and Deon 'Bazza' Bashford, run their own security detail at a fancy nightclub in London. Alfred and his friends intend to make a lot of money so that they can go to America one day in order to become more prosperous.

While Alfred wants to run a successful business in his club, and take his friends and family to the U.S. in the future, the young ex-soldier is always being pulled back into a world of violence and danger. Thomas and Martha constantly ask for Alfred's help in taking down the Raven Society, whether that means planning attacks, retrieving individuals for interrogation, and stealing valuable information. While he doesn't like doing this, Alfred cares very much about his home country and intends to save it by defeating evil organizations like the Raven Society.

Alfred is a good man, but he has done a lot of things he isn't proud of, such as stealing money in order to buy his way into America. He was also forced to take heist jobs from his former SAS commander, Captain Gulliver Troy (a stern man who occasionally beats his wife). Alfred also has nightmares due to his experience in war and feels guilty for being an expert killer. While he's good at what he does, he intends to leave his time as a soldier, killer, and occasional thief behind him one day.

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Alfred is also quite the ladies' man. He initially had a brief interest in Martha (until Thomas gained Martha's attention). Alfred was also in love with Esme, a nightclub dancer who is unfortunately murdered by a retired military Captain in the SAS. Sandra, an aspiring singer who works in Alfred's nightclub, also gets Alfred's attention, even though it becomes an on-and-off relationship.

Alfred was also briefly with Troy's wife, Melanie, before helping her escape from her abusive husband, and sending her to America in order to stop an incoming attack in England from the Raven Society. While the primary characters sometimes have a hard time being truthful to one another due to both personal and professional dilemmas, Alfred manages to have a good working relationship with Thomas and Martha, helping each other out when England is in crisis. Thomas and Martha also have a playful relationship, despite some arguments over classified information.

The show's production design adequately captures the essence of the 1950s and 1960s, including the elaborate wardrobe, the old television sets, and the traditional houses and buildings (including Harwood's bleak and mechanical facility). The action is raw and brutal, the love scenes are explicit, and the atmosphere of England is both dark and beautiful in its display of a world where people are caught up in lies, deception, and corruption. The villains, such as Harwood and Gulliver, are ruthless, especially Bet Sykes (a crazy, darkly funny, but slightly sympathetic killer who occasionally works for her friend Harwood, and also helps Alfred at times due to her likability towards Esme).

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Pennyworth may seem like an espionage thriller that's been done many times before, but this series serves as a great display for Alfred's backstory, and how he's both a hero and a conflicted ex-soldier with a lot of demons. Younger versions of Bruce Wayne's parents, Thomas and Martha, are also introduced as American agents willing to do good and help the people of England out of war and poverty. This series is proof that other characters connected to Batman can have their own central storyline in a film or TV series. Fans will have to wait and see what season three brings in store for Alfred and his allies in their pursuit for freedom and justice.

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