In the fifth episode of The Penguin, viewers are treated to a rich tapestry of clever nods to DC Comics lore, subtle references to The Batman, and intriguing connections to Tim Burton’s Batman Returns.
By the conclusion, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) overcomes the Maronis, cementing his position within Gotham’s criminal realm. Simultaneously, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) claims her rightful status at the table. These developments are accompanied by a multitude of hints and references as both characters prepare for a crucial confrontation.
In this episode, Sofia takes charge of the Falcone Crime Family, rebranding it as the Gigantes in tribute to her deceased mother, Isabela Gigante. Following the tragic murders of his wife and child by Oz, she also aligns herself with Salvatore Maroni.
While Oz is poised to establish his criminal reign in Gotham, he and his trusted associate Victor Aguilar hunt for the perfect location to expand their new drug enterprise. Here are nine noteworthy Easter eggs and references from the fifth installment of The Penguin.
8. Rex Calabrese’s Iconic Car: A Crucial Element of Gotham’s Underbelly
Oz describes Rex’s ride as his “chariot” —a luxurious gold Cadillac featuring plush white leather interiors. This hints that the striking purple Maserati has its roots in Rex’s vehicle, which Oz once owned.
A nod to the early DC Comics, Rex was a veteran crime lord in Gotham, referred to as “The Lion” until he was ousted by the Falcones. In some comic storylines, Selina Kyle’s father is attributed to be Calabrese. Since Rex is portrayed as Oz’s childhood hero, it would not be surprising if he reappears later in the series after his initial mention in the premiere episode.
7. GCPD Chief Mackenzie Bock: Gotham’s Vigilant Guardian
After taking the lives of her relatives and masking it as a gas leak, Sofia encounters GCPD Chief Mackenzie Bock outside the Falcone estate.
Played by Con O’Neill, Bock expresses skepticism over the seemingly orchestrated killings, pointing out they were committed by a prominent criminal family. Bock was introduced in 2022’s The Batman, where he encountered both The Dark Knight and Lt. Jim Gordon.
Significantly, Bock tells Sofia that Gotham is on the brink of a new chapter, especially regarding Mayor-Elect Bella Reál’s vow to combat crime and corruption. Yet, Sofia reminds him that the GCPD’s hands are hardly clean, as many officers were bribed by the Falcones and participated in the Gotham Renewal Fund scandal. Observing how the GCPD responds as Gotham’s criminal landscape evolves will be intriguing.
6. Gloria (1980): A Timeless Crime Thriller
As Oz sends Victor to secure his mother’s safety, a classic film plays in Francis’ apartment—Gloria, a 1980s thriller starring Gena Rowlands. The story revolves around a former gangster’s girlfriend escaping danger while safeguarding a boy pursued by the mob for information. Given that The Penguin is entrenched in the gangster genre, it’s fitting for such a film to be featured.
5. Don Mitchell Jr. Billboard: A Hidden Indicator in Gotham’s Political Sphere
During a pivotal scene in episode 5, after Penguin eliminates Taj and Nadia Maroni and absconds with a stash of Bliss, an old billboard from Don Mitchell Jr.’s mayoral campaign makes an appearance.
First introduced in 2022’s The Batman, Don Mitchell Jr. was Gotham’s inaugural corrupt mayor, significantly tied to the Gotham Renewal Fund scandal. He was also The Riddler’s first victim at the movie’s outset, his murder prompting Edward Nashton to concoct his famous riddle.
Interestingly, the billboard prominently displays the slogan “Continuity for Gotham,” which encapsulates Riddler’s motivation for eliminating Mitchell, as his potential reelection would perpetuate corruption. Moreover, Mitchell was intricately involved in the Falcones’ illicit activities.
A familiar green question mark, synonymous with Riddler, is spray-painted onto the billboard by supporters to underscore the memory of what he stood against.
4. The Gigante Crime Family: Key Players in Gotham’s Underbelly
After finding her mother’s old coat with her maiden name stitched inside, Sofia Falcone opts to embrace the Gigante surname, leaving behind the legacy of her father.
She gives her criminal organization a new identity as “The Gigantes,” deploying her father’s hidden wealth to gain loyalty from her crew. This twist echoes themes found in early DC Comics.
Sofia Falcone Gigante, originally named after her husband, Rocco Gigante, now carries a name with profound narrative weight, honoring a family member who remained loyal and faced betrayal, mirroring Sofia’s own journey.
3. The Gotham Basketball Team: The Heartbeat of Gotham’s Athletic Scene
While Victor takes Francis to a hidden area in Crown Point, they pass a giant advertisement for Gotham’s leading basketball squad. The team is rumored to be called the Gotham Guardsmen, as referenced in comics and in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, although this is somewhat unclear. The team has also featured under the moniker “Gotham Knights” in various adaptations.
2. “The Zoo” at Crown Point: Examining Gotham’s Unique Locale
Victor takes Francis to a sprawling condominium complex known as “The Zoo” in Crown Point, which is currently condemned. This may be an indirect reference to Danny DeVito’s Penguin in Batman Returns, who had his lair located in the former Gotham zoo. DeVito’s portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot utilized the Arctic World of the Zoo as his base, complete with an entourage of penguins.
1. Gotham’s Underground Trolley System: Unveiling the City’s Concealed Past
Oz and Victor stumble upon the antiquated trolley network hidden beneath Crown Point, sparking memories of Oz’s childhood with his brothers. This forgotten infrastructure not only serves as a sanctuary for their operations but is also ideally suited for reintroducing the Bliss trade due to its humid conditions.
Interestingly, this new lair resembles the Batcave from The Batman, given that it was also a hidden, decommissioned setting. Bruce Wayne, portrayed by Robert Pattinson, utilized the similarly abandoned Wayne Termius station as his secret refuge. Both locations were established in the 1960s and ceased operations in the 1980s.
Bruce’s Batcave functioned as an instrumental hub in his fight against Gotham’s criminals, leveraging its subterranean location beneath Wayne Tower and its tunnel connections. It’s only fitting that Penguin is gearing up to exploit similar advantages for his forthcoming distribution ventures.
About The Penguin
The Penguin is an American miniseries created by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. Based on the DC Comics character, it serves as a spin-off from the film The Batman (2022), exploring the Penguin’s ascent to dominance within Gotham City’s criminal underworld. LeFranc leads the series, produced by DC Studios in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television.
Colin Farrell reprises his role as the Penguin alongside 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, with HBO Max commissioning the series in March 2022 following the release of The Batman. Director Matt Reeves was involved in writing and selecting the creative team. Filming commenced in March 2023 in New York, was paused in June during the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, and resumed in late November, wrapping up in February 2024. The series transitioned from HBO Max, now called Max, to HBO in July 2024. Craig Zobel directed the first three episodes.
The Penguin debuted on HBO in the United States on September 19, 2024, with an eight-episode run concluding on November 10.
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