By Ben Konuch
“They don’t even know what they got, cause they always had it. Never hungry, born full. But not us. The world wasn’t built for guys like us.”
Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” was one of the greatest superhero films we’ve gotten in recent years, and without a doubt the best product out of a tortured DC Studios in decades. It portrayed of Batman and his world as gritty and realistic yet undoubtedly “comic-book-ish” in its storytelling and aesthetics. So, when DC announced a standalone television series featuring the Penguin, set to bridge the gap between “The Batman” and its upcoming sequel, I was both excited and apprehensive.
Colin Farrel’s portrayal of the Penguin was a highlight of “The Batman,” and his position as an established character of Gotham’s underworld by the end of the film made me hopeful for his appearances in future projects. Yet, by giving the Penguin his own eight-episode series, I wondered if a lowered TV budget and episodic formula would do the universe of “The Batman” justice.
If the first episode of “The Penguin” is any indication, my fears are put to rest.
“The Penguin” isn’t a superhero show and it certainly isn’t for younger comic book fans; it shares more in common with “The Godfather” and “Sopranos” than “Justice League.” Batman is nowhere to be seen here, presumably dealing with bigger threats while the criminal underworld runs rampant. There are no bright shiny heroes in this series, only the rich who exploit the poor and the downtrodden who are tired of doing nothing about it.
The series follows the titular Oz Cobb, or The Penguin as he’s known within Gotham’s criminal world, as the city reels from the catastrophic flooding and the death of Carmine Falcone at the end of “The Batman.” The power vacuum caused by the death of the Falcone family’s leader could be the perfect stepping stone for Oz to finally carve out the power and respect he’s demanded. However, the sudden return of Carmine’s daughter Sofia from Arkham Asylum throws the future of the Falcone family into chaos – and Oz’s aspirations of power into jeopardy.
I already loved Colin Ferrell’s portrayal of the Penguin, but what I didn’t expect from this series was to elevate Oz’s cunning and planning. “The Penguin” shows in the first episode how wise, ruthless and cunning Oz can be in his ambition, but the weaknesses of his impulses threaten to undo all of his careful planning. He’s not just a henchman making a power grab but is a worthy equal to Carmine Falcone.
The people around him, including the rest of the Falcone family, underestimate him, which is Oz’s greatest blessing and his curse. He can use their low expectations as a weapon to wield back at them, but his pride, ego and desire to be loved and feared make him unstable and impulsive. An early scene that ends with Oz gunning down a man in rash anger for laughing at him is the inciting conflict for the episode and the entire series., While Oz is smart enough to solve the problems he causes, he may prove to be his biggest threat throughout this series.
That isn’t to overshadow the nuances and danger of Sofia Falcone, played here by Cristin Milioti. Sofia has claim to the Falcone family “business,” and while violence has run in her family for generations, she makes no effort to restrain it. Sofia spent time in Arkham for mass murder, and in an eerie way, she serves as Oz’s equal.
Both have ambition, both demand respect and both are underestimated and misunderstood by those around them. While everyone else counts Oz out, Sofia sees him as an equal and as a threat. Watching the ways both will try to manipulate and control one another will be one of the most fascinating conflicts in “The Penguin.”
While the storytelling so far is top tier, the production quality of the series is exceptionally high, with Gotham looking as grimy and old as it did in “The Batman.” This isn’t some pseudo-Chicago like “The Dark Knight” showed, but a city that seems full of history and retains the iconic art deco architecture of the comics. While the cinematography isn’t quite up to the standard that Greig Fraser left behind in “The Batman,” the aesthetics of the world are perfectly preserved even when the lens we see it through isn’t quite the same.
A few awkward CGI shots aside, “The Penguin” retains the look and feel of “The Batman,” while its storytelling and character work so far proves it to be a worthy successor. There are many fascinating plotlines set forward in this episode that I can’t wait to see explored, such as the odd mentorship Oz begins with a young man he caught trying to steal from him. As the main plotline comes into focus with an all-out gang war between the Falcones and the Maronis, the side plots and themes of power, respect and control promise a fascinating and brutal watch.
I give “The Penguin” episode one a 9/10
The first episode of “The Penguin” is now streaming on Max
Ben Konuch is a senior Strategic Communication student who serves as a writer for Cedars A&E and as their social media lead. He enjoys getting sucked into good stories, playing video games and swing dancing in the rain.
Images courtesy of Max
No Replies to "'The Penguin' premiere shows the many faces of darkness in Gotham City"