The following contains spoilers for The Penguin Season 1, Episode 1, "After Hours," which debuted Sept. 19 on HBO and HBO Max.
One thing that fans saw from Colin Farrell's Penguin in The Batman was that he wasn't the typical villain from the comics. He didn't have key items such as the hat, monocle, and other gaudy bits of wardrobe that nodded to the source material. Of course, it was understandable, as these stories are being told for a modern audience.
This prototype villain was also seen in the early stages with the Penguin from the Gotham TV series. Dapper business suits, no umbrellas, and a mafia energy were things that were used to shape the gangster in the making. However, come The Penguin TV show, there are connections to the classic Penguin before he ascends the ranks in the criminal underworld. In this case, they are updated smartly, and layered with emotion and nuance.
The Penguin Reveals Purple Is Important to Oswald Cobb
Penguin Uses Purple to Subtly Gloat
In many older comics, as well as various cartoons, purple is part of the Penguin's get-up. No matter how the Penguin is reinterpreted, purple is his main color. It's seen in his suits, cars and umbrellas in the 1966 Batman TV show. It adds a lavish yet outlandish vibe, which fans also recently witnessed with Batman: Caped Crusader's female Penguin.
The Penguin Season 1 plays into this in the first episode and comes via two components. The first is the car that Oswald (aka Oz) is driving, which is purple, bright and very luxurious. Oz accidentally puts a bullet in it when he catches Rhenzy Feliz's Victor Aguilar(aka Vic) and his gang trying to steal rims. Penguin is upset because he doesn't like damaging his vehicle.
This flashy automobile makes him feel large and in charge, especially now that Carmine Falcone has been killed. Penguin thinks this car, especially when he drives it around during the day, makes him a mob boss. He wants to be the top don now that there is a power vacuum, so this is a subtle statement letting people know he is coming up. He wants to look cool, inflict fear and show his aspirations. In time, he has Vic driving it around, admitting that one has to dress the part.
Actors Who Played Live-Action Penguins | Movie/TV Show | Duration | Date of Birth | Place of Birth | Date of Death | Notable Movies | Notable TV Shows |
Burgess Meredith | Batman | 1966 - 1968 | Nov. 16, 1907 | Ohio, USA | Sep. 9, 1997 | Of Mice and Men, Rocky | Search |
Robin Lord Taylor | Gotham | 2014 - 2019 | Jun. 4, 1978 | Iowa, USA | N/A | Another Earth, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | You, Kevin Can F**k Himself |
Colin Farrell | The Batman | 2022 - present | May 31, 1976 | Dublin, Ireland | N/A | The Lobster, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Scrubs, True Detective |
A car is a big piece of that public front. He later tells Cristin Milioti's Sofia Falcone that the real color is plum, not purple. He likes the color a lot and just wants recognition. Oz moved up in her father's gang after being her driver, so he thinks he's paid his dues. Now, he wants everyone to see him. The second purple tie-in comes in during that same meeting with Sofia: his purple suit.
It's a two-piece that, while simple, is elegant and classy. It shows Sofia and the other Falcone gang members that Oz has style, too. He might be lower in the totem pole to them, but Carmine trusted him and didn't mind him stunting now and again. He wants to show them he can be an equal and more.
The Penguin's Waddle Is Explained
Penguin Has a Clubbed Foot
The Penguin was a nickname people gave Oz because of his waddle. Most versions of Penguin have been mocked at some point for the way they walk. Matt Reeves' The Batman kept it close to the chest, creating mystery and intrigue. But Penguin actually highlights the reason for his walk when he gets to his apartment. While Vic surveys the living room, Oz gets into his bedroom and removes his shoes. Fans see one of his feet is clubbed, which he had since childhood. His toes aren't properly aligned, and his foot is swollen.
It looks like he shouldn't be able to walk at all, and reveals he does hide pain and discomfort. It's every bit as physical as it is emotional, as Penguin hated being made fun of. This walk is part of why he wants to go from mid-level mobster to a criminal kingpin with showmanship. People judge, laugh and underestimate him from this waddle, so he's even more driven to create an empire. Once he does so, he can prove he is the most significant criminal mastermind and a chaotic enterprise meant to make millions in Gotham City.
The Penguin Has a Complicated Relationship With His Mother
Francis Cobb Is Emotionally Abusive and Encourages Penguin to Kill
In the source material, Oswald was emotionally abused by his mother and made him keep carrying around an umbrella. She didn't want him getting wet and catching a cold. After his parents died, he kept the umbrella and pushed him to succeed as a criminal. Batman Returns also explored his childhood, with the director, Tim Burton, depicting his abusive parents punishing him for his deformity.
Oswald's parents eventually got rid of him by discarding him down in the sewers. He was later found and raised by Emperor Penguins. The movie leaves clues for audiences to theorize that Penguin eventually found and killed his birth parents. His mother, Esther, really hated him, and the FOX TV series, Gotham, would flip this years later. His mother, Gertrude, was kind, caring and wanted Oz to be a "good boy."
Sadly, Sal Maroni weaponized this and let Gertrude know her son was a fiend. Some of Penguin's enemies killed her, which motivated him act out in rage even more. In The Penguin, Oz hides his mother, Francis, away in a suburb on the outskirts of Gotham. He takes Vic to her house, revealing he doesn't want enemies ever tracking her down. She experiences dementia and memory loss, which complicates things even more. She even forgets her other sons died years ago.
Oz has to rationalize things with her and jumpstart her mind to get back to the present. Vic sees love and empathy. However, audiences witness a darker edge when she comes to her senses. She urges Oz to step up and destroy the Falcones after he admits he killed Carmine's son, Alberto, for bullying him. He confesses the other members will suspect and come for him.
She doesn't want to go on the run, and Penguin must stay and fight for his place in the food chain. At this moment, she instills confidence and conditions Penguin to be an alpha. He is tired of being the prey. This encouragement comes from the right person at home. The mother angle is turned into a battery that charges him up, leaving Vic and the audience wondering if she will be Oz's Achilles' Heel in due time. He's playing his game, but this paints flaws and vulnerability.
Francis also makes Oz's story sympathetic and tragic. Hers is too. One can't be sure of her mental state and if she really understands what she's doing. She might think it's a game, or she may be lost in the many TV shows she watches to pass the time. Ultimately, Francis is going to be a very important character as Penguin keeps plotting their future. He tricks the Falcones into thinking the Maronis waged war and killed Alberto. For now, he is able to hoodwink his rivals, but the moment they learn about his deception and Francis, Oz could lose the person he holds dearest.
The Penguin will air new episodes on Sundays on HBO and Max.
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