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The Penguin

For those who have not seen a single second, rest assured that THE PENGUIN is not what you are expecting. Set within the DC world and following the events of Matt Reeves’s THE BATMAN no one would blame you if you had visions of a companion series in the same vein as Marvel’s SHE-HULK or AGATHA ALL ALONG. Or maybe, since we’re dealing with DC entities and the show is airing on Max, you’re imagining something more in line with PEACEMAKER.

THE PENGUIN begins with a quick recap of the events of THE BATMAN and contains a few fun easter eggs along the way, but other than that, there is nothing to suggest that this series has anything to do with the Caped Crusader. In fact, there is nothing that happens within its spectacular eight episode run to lead you to believe that it is set within a comic-book based world. There’s no one with superpowers and there’s not a single character with other-worldly connections. There are a few action sequences, but none of these are particularly bombastic. When it comes right down to it, THE PENGUIN feels more like THE SOPRANOS than it does PEACEMAKER.

After the events of THE BATMAN, Gotham City is in turmoil. With the death of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro in the film, Mark Strong in this series) the underworld is fair game to those with ambition. At the top of that list is Oswald Cobb (Colin Farrell). While he is in the act of recovering some of Carmine’s valuables, he is caught by Carmine’s son, Alberto (Michael Zegen.) Al has a pretty good idea of what Oz is doing, but doesn’t blame the man for making his move. He begins telling Cobb about a new drug that is going to revolutionize the streets, and in doing so, insults Oz and his desires to move up in the world. Oz, who is sensitive to such barbs, shoots Alberto, killing him instantly. As he attempts to dispose of the body, he discovers that a group of teens are trying to steal the rims from his car. One of them, Vic Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) doesn’t quite get away, and Oz forces him to help. Thus begins a relationship that evolves throughout the course of the series.

Upon hearing of the death of her brother, Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) is devastated. Having just been released from Arkham Asylum, she is already in a fragile emotional state. Now, with her father and brother dead, the family business is in turmoil. Unfortunately, given her recent dwelling, the good ol’ boys who had been running things aren’t exactly thrilled to have her back in the mix.

THE PENGUIN improves with each subsequent episode, crafting a story that is unrelentingly gripping. The series captures the dark and desperate feel of the Reeves film, and while we never hear the name Bruce Wayne, the Bat is never missed. Behind the performances of Farrell and Milioti, the truth of the matter is, you rarely give the Dark Knight a second thought. This isn’t his story, and it certainly doesn’t feel like his city.

As was the case in THE BATMAN, Farrell is unrecognizable as the dastardly Oz. This is not, by any means, the reason his turn is so impressive, though its remarkable just the same. His portrayal is stunningly complex, creating a character that has a name that we all recognize, yet feel like we are seeing for the first time. He is a calculating, callous, deplorable monster that should be despised and reviled. And, for many within the series, he is. Yet at the same time, Farrell makes him oddly magnetic, and borderline sympathetic. His relationships with his mother (Deirdre O’Connell) and Vic are touching, though there’s always a nagging feeling that these connections don’t mean nearly as much to Oz as his own ambition. So, eventually, as the best villains often do, he inevitably reminds you why you never should have found him even slightly endearing in the first place.

Farrell will undoubtedly find himself nominated for a plethora of awards for his performance, but this sentiment is equally true for Milioti. She is the true revelation of THE PENGUIN, crafting a performance that is truly unmatched. As the tortured Sofia, she is strong, defiant, ambitious, and hellbent on revenge. She has lived her life in a man’s world, and she is ready to show all of them that they picked the wrong woman to mess with. Milioti is both fierce and vulnerable; an individual that can execute the same form of depravity as Oz, yet does so in a way that make her actions seem justified. By the end, she has proven that this was never just about The Penguin, but the unforgettable Sofia Falcone as well.