In the sixth episode of The Penguin, viewers will discover a plethora of Easter eggs and references that pay homage to Batman, comic lore, and noteworthy historical nods relating to the title character, Oz Cobb. The Penguin is steadily solidifying his reputation within Gotham’s criminal world, having established a burgeoning drug trade, Bliss, hidden beneath the city’s surface.
As Oz gears up for confrontations with rivals like the Maronis and Gigantes, new characters linked to the D.C. Comics universe emerge.
In episode six, the Penguin has significantly broadened his operations for Bliss, utilizing the deserted trolley system for distribution.
Remaining a step ahead of adversaries like Salvatore Maroni and Sofia Gigante, the Penguin is actively seeking crucial partnerships as the imminent battle looms.
Below are some of the most noteworthy Easter eggs and references found in episode 6 of The Penguin.
8. What Makes Victor’s Tunnel Ride So Familiar in The Penguin?
Victor’s growth is evident, transforming from mere buckets of mushrooms into a robust criminal entity with numerous crews operating under him in Crown Point. This evokes memories of the opening scenes from The Batman (2022), where Bruce Wayne rides back to his Batcave on a motorcycle after unraveling the mystery behind Mayor Don Mitchell Jr.’s murder at the hands of The Riddler.
The likeness between Bruce’s ride through subterranean access routes toward the Batcave is striking, but it’s essential to note that the Penguin and his members explore different tunnels, none other than the now-closed Wayne Terminus, a site once privately owned by the Wayne Family, in contrast to the former public trolley lines.
7. Who Is Able Crown, and How Does He Command the Burnley Town Massive?
Penguin is determined to engage with the Burnley Town Massive and the smaller gangs operating within Gotham. In the comics, the Massive, an African-American gang, is headed by the formidable Able Crown.
Despite being mentioned post-episode 6 during Oz’s “Gold Summit,” Crown and his crew aim to unite against Sal and Sofia to reclaim Gotham and put an end to their petty thievery from the dominant crime families.
Able and the B.T.M. met their demise during the crossover event in Batman: War Games, along with numerous other gangs and criminals. This crossfire resulted in Batman terminating the partnership with his sidekick, Stephanie Brown, after 71 days.
Desperate to redeem herself, Brown resorted to a long-standing Batman contingency plan that sought to unify the gangs under Bruce’s guise as Matches Malone. Unfortunately, chaos erupted, culminating in an all-out war that left many casualties, including Crown himself.
6. Who Are the LoBoys, and What Defines Their Legacy in Gotham’s Underworld?
Episode six of The Penguin introduces another legendary Gotham gang from the comics, the LoBoys. This group, sometimes referred to as Lo-Boys or LoBoyz, prominently featured in Fox’s Gotham, specifically during its No Man’s Land storyline, where they engaged in mock conflicts with the Penguin, played by Robin Lord Taylor.
While episode six does not delve deeply into the LoBoys’ background, it notably presents two female representatives of the clan at Oz’s summit, where he acknowledges their tendency to tussle with anyone for acknowledgment.
5. What Legacy Does the Sullivan Crime Family Hold as Gotham’s Longstanding Gang?
Despite being the oldest crime syndicate in Gotham, the Sullivan Family lacks significant strength. In the original DC comics, “Donny Boy” is present at the Penguin’s summit, with the family nicknamed “The Irish Gang” led by brothers Donny and Mickey. Historically, they served as hitmen for Carmine Falcone before being wiped out in one night by the Holiday Killer, as depicted in The Long Halloween.
A mention of Pauli’s Diner serves as a nostalgic touchpoint for fans of Batman: Arkham Knight, being the location where players first encounter a GCPD officer suffering from Scarecrow’s fear toxin exposure. The diner’s title cleverly nods to esteemed Batman writer Paul Dini and even appears in the LEGO DC Supervillains game.
4. Exploring Rex Calabrese’s Ties to Penguin’s Legacy
As Francis grapples with her dementia, she mistakenly believes Oz is his father, expressing her frustration by threatening to seek out “Rex” if he doesn’t support his children. This reference points to Rex Calabrese, a founding gangster in Gotham, whose mentorship Oz admired in his youth.
This episode marks the first mention of Rex and Francis Cobb’s potential familial ties, suggesting the possibility that Oz was Rex’s son without his knowledge.
This theory might indicate that Oz’s destiny to become one of Gotham’s most feared criminals was embedded in his lineage, setting him apart from his deceased brothers, Jack and Benny, who were “taken by the city.”
3. What Influence Do Penguin’s Brothers Have on His Narrative in Gotham?
In a surprising twist, Sal and Sofia invade Penguin’s former apartment seeking leverage against Oz. During their search, Sal unearths a childhood photograph of Oz alongside his brothers, Jack and Benny, raising questions about their mysterious deaths. This image becomes pivotal, enhancing the narrative of Penguin’s familial connections.
In a significant reveal, Sofia learns that Francis Cobb, whom Oz had long claimed was dead, is actually alive. This discovery leads to Sofia locating Francis in Crown Point by the episode’s conclusion, hinting at her intention to use Oz’s mother as a pawn in her power plays in forthcoming episodes.
2. What are the Corrupt Actions of Councilman Hady in the Comics, and Their Impact on Gotham?
Oz confronts Councilman Hady, growing increasingly agitated over the persistent lack of electricity in Crown Point as he attempts to support his ailing mother.
Employing a pair of pliers, he clamps down on Hady’s nose, coercing him to redirect power back to the lower-income sectors of the city. Hady, introduced in the comics as one of Gotham’s shady politicians, falls victim to the narrative that The Penguin bluntly presents.
In this episode, it’s confirmed that Councilman Hady was blackmailed by Carmine Falcone following the revelation that he misappropriated public funds to settle his gambling debts. By episode’s end, Hady honors his commitment, restoring power to the neighborhoods, indicating that Penguin has successfully secured his influence over a politician. This growing relationship lays fertile ground for Penguin’s continued ascent in Gotham’s underbelly.
1. How Does the Umbrella Light in Eve’s Reflect the Complex Dynamics Among Key Characters in Gotham?
In an intriguing scene, Sofia meets Eve in her apartment, interrogating her about Oz’s whereabouts while an umbrella-shaped lamp casts a shadow over the bed. In a narrative laden with symbolism, the umbrella elicits a deeper connection, representative of their commitment to look after each other as partners.
Yet Eve’s dedication to protecting her daughters has its limits. After Sofia reveals that Oz unjustly imprisoned her in Arkham for a decade as “The Hangman,” Eve ultimately divulges Oz’s location.
About The Penguin
The Penguin is a new American television miniseries crafted by Lauren LeFranc exclusively for HBO. Drawing inspiration from the DC Comics character Penguin, this series acts as a spin-off to the film The Batman (2022), delving into Penguin’s ascent within Gotham City’s criminal sphere. LeFranc takes on the role of showrunner, with production by DC Studios and Warner Bros. Television.
Colin Farrell reprises his role as the Penguin, joined by an ensemble that includes 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. Following developmental stages in September 2021, HBO Max greenlit the series in March 2022 after the release of The Batman. The show’s writer was overseen by the film’s director, Matt Reeves, who also contributed to assembling the creative team. Although filming began in March 2023 in New York, production faced a halt in June due to labor disputes, ultimately resuming in late November and wrapping up in February 2024. The show transitioned from HBO Max to HBO in July 2024, with Craig Zobel directing the initial three episodes.
Debuting in the United States on HBO on September 19, 2024, The Penguin is set to run for eight episodes until November 10.
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