The streaming service MAX’s, new series, The Penguin, offers a new angle on the DC character, The Penguin/Oz Cobb. The character was previously introduced in the film The Batman, directed by Matt Reeves. This new series takes place directly after the movie, showing the chaos and mayhem after the arrest of The Riddler.
This first episode of the series sets The Penguin in a predicament that will follow him throughout the series. The Penguin murders Falcone’s son, Alberto Falcone, the new head of the business. While dragging the body to his plum-colored car, he encounters a group of older kids trying to steal from that car. The Penguin traps one of the boys, Victor, and ties him to the crime, threatening his life. He forces him to do his dirty work and further work for him.
Oz begins his plan with Victor by hiding the body of Alberto in the trunk, and slowly creates an alibi. Oz begins by confiding with a woman named Cinnamon, who is long friends with Oz.
The Penguin later meets with Sofia Falcone, Carmine’s daughter, who is suspicious of him. Sofia, recently released from Arkham, is looking for her missing brother. She knows that Oz was the last person to see him, so Oz strategically continues to execute his plan and utilizes Victor to save their lives. While Sofia tortures Oz for details of her brother’s location, Victor proves reliable. As ordered, Victor delivers Alberto’s body in an empty car with the message “PAYBACK”. This saves Oz’s life, while making another organization the primary suspect. Victor and Oz’s bond strengthens, and the two plan to run the city together, concluding the episode.
From planting evidence to securing his position, this first episode shows what OZ is truly capable of. This first episode allows viewers to begin to get a glimpse of reoccurring characters and the overall setting within Gotham. Audiences are left intrigued and curious of the following plot of this Sopranos meets Gotham series. This series has similar qualities as the HBO hit series The Sopranos; from the gangster life to mentally ill mother characters, though without the exquisite moments of comedy-gold. While this series seems one-dimensional, this unique spin-off piques the interest of many DC fans. Overall, this episode was solid, and straight to the point while executing the important world-building of the series.
Rating: 8/10