The Penguin Episode 1 Review
Here’s my The Penguin Episode 1 review which is now streaming on HBO Go starring Colin Farrell who reprises his role as Oz Cobblepot from The Batman.
If you told me years ago that there would be a Penguin TV series and that it would be good I would have laughed hard at man this new series streaming on HBO Go was just awesome.
Since they’ve already established the vibe and the style of Gotham City from Matt Reeves’ The Batman starring Robert Pattinson its easy going forward. As long as you know what happened in Batman and you know that this world is both beautiful, grim and gritty, then you’re good.
Farrell owns the role. He was already a breakout character in The Batman and he continues to be that smartass character in this one. Farrell owns the role and move it up to the next level. He had limited moments in the film but for the series, we get to see what makes him work and how much of a competent person he is. Sofia Falcone summed it up best when she said goodbye to Oz, people underestimate him a lot but she knows just how competent and deadly he is. I feel like this is going to be a recurring theme for this season although I’m hoping that this season will be getting us Oz’s rise to power immediately.
The series picks up a week after the ending of The Batman with Gotham still reeling from the flooding attack that was caused by The Riddler (Paul Dano) and the death of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro). Oz has laid in wait for the chance to take over the crime family. Along the way, he’s going to make some enemies along the way and we start watching Oz try to do his usual power moves OR squirm his way out situations.
Also have to comment the wardrobe department for the make up and the looks for the characters particularly Oz and Sofia’s. Props also to Colin Farrell to his dedication to transforming into this tubby guy poised to take over the world.
What’s also new for the series is Oz getting a sidekick of sorts in the form of Vic who goes along with him as he does his manueverings in this episode. Through Vic we learn more about Cobblepot’s past and it’s certainly different from what we’re used to via Batman Returns. It’s also through Vic that we learn what it takes to be ruthless and cunning when dealing with powerful mob bosses. I also like that in a way, Oz has gotten himself a “Robin” for his Batman, somebody he takes under his wing also at the same time opens up his vulnerabilities with. The dude literally saw how much of a mama’s boy Oswald is after all.
Salvatore Maroni is also an important character in Batman’s early existence and he’s making an appearance in this story too played by Clancy Brown.
Cristin Milioti also joins the series as Carmine’s daughter Sofia Falcone who is also out to make a name for herself in the crime world and set herself up as one of the people standing in Oz’s way of becoming the future Gotham crime boss and Batman enemy.
Milioti provides some nice tense moments in Episode 1 where she intimidates Cobblepot especially during that moment where she confronts Oz about knowing something her brother would only about. And then shows us just how evil and vile she can be when forced to deal her hand. I still like that end part where Cobblepot proves victorious when it comes to scheming and planning and that’s why this is such a good series to follow.
Initially I was also hoping that this would tie into a potential Batman: Dark Victory with Sofia being in prison but apparently the events of that story has already transpired minus Batman’s involvement. But skimming over Dark Victory and even Long Halloween to some extend makes this an interesting series for me and sort of kicks us with a reminder that some things will happen regardless of whether there’s a dark knight involved or not.
10/10
Now give us more episodes already.
