Last year, I took a look at the events that lead up to "The Batman" with Paul Dano's "Riddler: Year One" prequel comic. This year, we move the story of Matt Reeves' crime saga forward with the HBO series focused on Colin Farrell's depiction of the Penguin. From start to finish, this series makes this Batman universe three for three in straight-up fire storytelling.
While we focused on Bruce's crusade in "The Batman", "The Penguin" flips the script by showing us the seedy underbelly of Gotham from the crime side of things. The TV-MA allows us dive deep into it with elevated violence and harsher language compared to what we would normally get from a mainstream Batman movie, and Reeves was already pushing the PG-13 limit.
It's been very enjoyable returning to the world of "The Batman", with Michael Giacchino once again composing the score helping to retain the same atmosphere. What makes this visit to this version of Gotham so interesting is exploring the "Post-Riddler" landscape. The main plot involves the crime families of the city trying to grab or retain power in the wake of Carmine Falcone's death, with Oz seeing this struggle as his chance to rise to the top. We also see the wider consequences of Riddler flooding the city and how it affected certain citizens, including a flashback with a firsthand account of the devastating act of terror. And yet, Riddler followers are still seen in the city at times throughout the series. It makes me think of Thanos in that making a statement was more important than the goal of helping people (and we even got the "Thanos Was Right" blurbs in "Hawkeye").
It's been very enjoyable returning to the world of "The Batman", with Michael Giacchino once again composing the score helping to retain the same atmosphere. What makes this visit to this version of Gotham so interesting is exploring the "Post-Riddler" landscape. The main plot involves the crime families of the city trying to grab or retain power in the wake of Carmine Falcone's death, with Oz seeing this struggle as his chance to rise to the top. We also see the wider consequences of Riddler flooding the city and how it affected certain citizens, including a flashback with a firsthand account of the devastating act of terror. And yet, Riddler followers are still seen in the city at times throughout the series. It makes me think of Thanos in that making a statement was more important than the goal of helping people (and we even got the "Thanos Was Right" blurbs in "Hawkeye").
Colin Farrell's already turned in a great performance as Penguin in "The Batman" and his own series allows him to flesh out the character more. To borrow a line from another of the Dark Knight's rogues gallery, one of Oz's main goals is to give the city "a better class of criminal." And this depiction of the Penguin is towing the line between a traditional gangster and the more "freakish" figures as Batman and Riddler; it showcases the evolution of crime in Gotham from the mob to the super criminal fans come to expect. Farrel's performance also brings a complexity to the character where as we watch him make his plays for power, you're not sure if any emotional moments he shares with others are genuine. And as we learn more about his backstory, we see how deep his demons lied.
In a stacked supporting cast, none of them steal the show as greatly as Cristin Milioti as Sofia Gigante, Carmine Falcone's daughter. Milioti brings an intense and scary good performance the moment she walks on screen. By the time we get to the fourth episode that focuses on her background, you may find yourself on her side for the rest of the series. After being framed by her father as a serial killer and left to rot in Arkham for a decade, we see how hardened she's become in the present and you will want this queen protected at all costs. And speaking of Arkham, we spend some extended time within its walls and all I'll say is it was a major missed opportunity that spin-off series got scrapped.
While it does set up part of the stage, it's hard to say at this point whether this will be essential viewing for "The Batman Part II" in 2026. Nonetheless, "The Penguin" in its own right is must-watch TV, delivering a well written gangster drama full of complex characters you'll love or love to hate.
