HBO’s The Penguin delves deep into the enigmatic world of Gotham’s criminal landscape, highlighting the relentless ascent of Oswald “Oz”Cobblepot, portrayed by Colin Farrell. However, the pivotal inquiry isn’t solely about Oz’s ambitions—it’s also about how this narrative intertwines with The Batman.
Let’s explore the storyline of The Penguin and draw connections to the occurrences within Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe.
What is the Connection Between Riddler’s Flood and The Penguin?
This series kicks off just a week following the gripping finale of The Batman, indicating that The Penguin unfolds in the wake of the turmoil instigated by the Riddler (played by Paul Dano).
In The Batman, the narrative peaks with a devastating flood engulfing Gotham City after the Riddler sets off explosives around the city’s seawalls. This tumultuous chapter concludes on November 6, 2022, as Batman (played by Robert Pattinson) aids in rescuing victims at Gotham Square Garden.
How is The Penguin Related to The Batman?
To trace the timeline connecting The Penguin and The Batman, we must consider the aftermath of Carmine Falcone’s demise. Falcone (played by John Turturro) is unmasked as a key informant and meets his end at the hands of the Riddler.
His murder creates a significant power gap in Gotham’s organized crime scene, prompting The Penguin to spotlight Oz Cobblepot’s ambition to ascend in this shadowy hierarchy.
Once Falcone’s right-hand man, Oz now views Falcone’s death as a golden opportunity—an opening to elevate his status within Gotham’s criminal realm.
As the series unfolds, we witness Oz resorting to increasingly brutal tactics to establish dominion over the city’s illegal operations. This indicates the start of his transformation into the notorious “Penguin,” a prominent adversary of Batman.
What are the Major Events in The Penguin?
In the premiere episode, Oz makes a daring decision by eliminating Carmine Falcone’s son, Alberto Falcone (portrayed by Michael Zegen).
This cold-blooded act establishes a menacing atmosphere for the series, suggesting that Oz will go to any lengths to secure his position at the apex of Gotham’s criminal hierarchy.
Alberto’s funeral serves as a crucial chronological marker, occurring on November 13, 2022—just a week post the events of The Batman.
How does The Penguin Examine Gotham’s Criminal Factions?
A significant element of The Penguin is its in-depth analysis of the various criminal factions within Gotham. In The Batman, we observe a city riddled with corruption, with Carmine Falcone reigning supreme.
With Falcone now out of the picture, Gotham’s underbelly is thrown into turmoil, as distinct factions struggle for dominance.
Concluding Remarks
In summary, The Penguin kicks off merely a week after the gripping occurrences of The Batman, encapsulating a time of great upheaval and devastation in Gotham City.
The shifting power dynamics have shifted with Carmine Falcone’s death and Riddler’s chaotic outcomes; Gotham is a landscape of transition, turmoil, and rampant crime.
This series serves as a seamless continuation of The Batman, reflecting the power-hungry mindset of criminals like Oz and strategically setting the stage for The Batman 2. Concurrently, it portrays the rise of the Penguin’s empire as the underworld faces another formidable force.
With its dark and gritty portrayal of Gotham’s criminal environment, The Penguin is poised to ignite significant excitement within the DC Comics Universe.
About The Penguin
The Penguin is an American limited series created by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. Drawing from the DC Comics character Penguin, it serves as a spin-off from the movie The Batman (2022), focusing on the Penguin’s ascent within Gotham City’s criminal realm. LeFranc is at the helm as the showrunner, with DC Studios producing in conjunction with Warner Bros. Television.
Colin Farrell reprises his role as the Penguin, joined by a talented cast including Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Berto Colón, James Madio, Joshua Bitton, David H. Holmes, Daniel J. Watts, Ben Cook, Jayme Lawson, Michael Kelly, and Mark Strong. Development began in September 2021, and HBO Max greenlit the project in March 2022 following the release of The Batman. The film’s director, Matt Reeves, played a crucial role in writing and assembling the creative team. Filming commenced in March 2023 in New York but faced a brief halt in June due to the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes. Production resumed in late November and wrapped up in February 2024. The series transitioned from HBO Max to HBO in July 2024. Craig Zobel directed the initial three episodes.
The Penguin made its debut in the United States on HBO on September 19, 2024, with plans for an eight-episode run concluding on November 10.
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