According to Comicbook.com’s recent report, episode five of The Penguin, titled “Homecoming,” delivers a subtle but significant nod to The Batman (2022) with the return of a pivotal character from the Gotham Police Department. Fans of Matt Reeves’ (Cloverfield, The Batman, Let Me In) film may have missed the cameo, but it plays a key role in the unfolding drama of the series.
As the series continues to build on its gritty, crime-laden world, episode five grapples with the aftermath of the shocking events from the previous episode. Warning: spoilers ahead! Sofia Falcone, played by Cristin Milioti (Palm Springs, Made For Love, The Resort) made a power move in episode four, ruthlessly murdering nearly all of her crime family to claim the throne of Gotham’s underworld. With the fall of the Falcone family, the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) arrives in full force to investigate, and one familiar face among them is Chief Mackenzie Bock.
According to Comicbook.com, Chief Bock, played by Con O’Neill (Dancing Through The Dark, Uncle, Cucumber), only had a few scenes in The Batman, but they left a lasting impression. His interactions with Batman played by Robert Pattinson (Remember Me, Twilight, Tenet) were tense, especially as Bock openly opposed Batman’s involvement in police affairs. Fans might remember his key moment in the movie, during the aftermath of the Riddler’s attack on Gotham. Bock confronted Batman at police headquarters after the explosion that killed District Attorney Gil Colson, accusing the masked vigilante of complicity. Despite his brief screen time, Bock’s role as a noble but rigid law enforcement figure stuck with audiences.
As mentioned by Comicbook.com, in The Penguin episode five, Bock’s cameo brings that history back into play. He oversees the crime scene at the Falcone estate, his presence signaling just how serious the fallout of Sofia’s actions is for Gotham. As he questions Sofia about the suspicious circumstances surrounding her survival, she’s one step ahead, deflecting his inquiries with chilling ease. She even goes so far as to suggest that Bock and his officers will relish the Falcone family’s demise, sharing photos of the gruesome scene in a corrupt celebration. Despite her provocations, Bock remains steadfast, offering only sarcastic condolences before leaving.
This cameo is one of many moments that remind viewers that The Penguin is firmly set in The Batman Universe, as mentioned by Comicbook.com. The series continues to skillfully weave in these connections without relying on forced references or overly expositional callbacks. So far, it has managed to maintain its compelling narrative, even without featuring Batman himself, making the show stand out as an excellent example of how to build on a cinematic universe through a television format.
As The Penguin heads into its back half of the season, fans are eager to see how the story will continue to tie into the broader mythology established in The Batman. The show airs Sunday nights on HBO and streams on Max.