“The City Will be His.”
A majority of people think of great first seasons of TV are your typical True Detective, Breaking Bad, Chernobyl, or even BoJack Horseman. The Penguin is giving all of them a run for their money right now. Get comfortable, kick your feet up, and stay a while, while we dive into this show.
When Matt Reeves’ Batman was released in theaters in March of 2022, we got our first look as Colin Farell as Penguin, he was a side villain but stole every scene he appeared in. Since then, movie fans have been waiting for a show for him, after over two and a half years of extremely high anticipation HBO MAX came to the rescue and boy oh boy did, they deliver with this masterpiece of a show.
This was the best comic book show of all time, by a landslide as well. Colin Farrell and Cristin Miloti completely outdid themselves as Oz and Sofia Falcone. With only eight episodes in the season, they knew what was at stake, it’s extremely rare for each episode to leave my jaw on the floor, they made it happen.
The comparison of Oz and our other main character Victor Agular to the infamous Tony Soprano and Christopher Moltisanti was so refreshing to see. We as the audience get to truly see how much despite the horrible person Oz is, he cares about this kid like he’s his blood.
The director did a phenomenal job showing us how Oz is willing to do whatever to make sure Gotham is his, whether that means taking the law into his own hands, backstabbing people, or even betraying those closest to him. The backstory we get to some of the best comic book characters was so eye-opening and glorious, specifically referring to Oz and Sofia.
They tackle a variety of genres as well, we know what we’re in for with a crime show, but it has a lot of great action sequences, witty one-liners, or even heartfelt moments that hit home. My favorite thing above it all was how they turned Colin Farell into this infamous villain, all the makeup and props, and you forget you are watching one of the most handsome actors in Hollywood.
Alongside Farrell, the series features a star-studded cast, including characters who are integral to Cobblepot’s rise to power. Farrell’s performance continues to be a highlight, bringing layers of charm, menace, and vulnerability to the role. His portrayal of Cobblepot, the centerpiece of this show, allows the actor to stretch his range and captivate the audience. His ability to evoke both sympathy and disdain for Cobblepot adds a fascinating dimension to a character that has often been reduced to a one-dimensional villain.
The tone of the show made me feel like I was a citizen of Gotham. The production values are high, with a tone that matches the dark, moody atmosphere of The Batman. Gotham feels alive with danger, a city filled with crumbling buildings and underworld deals. The show’s direction, cinematography, and world-building complement the gritty tone set by its predecessor, adding depth and complexity to every scene.
The addition of so much that they added to this great character was so heartwarming, this portrayal makes Cobblepot more relatable as a character that is not just a man with a top hat and an umbrella but someone with a complicated backstory and aspirations that resonate on a more personal level. His desire for power and respect mirrors the struggles of many who feel they’ve been overlooked or underestimated in their lives, making him a character who is as tragic as he is dangerous.
As we concludes the show, we see the Bat signal in the sky in the distance, for what I believe The Batman Part 2 is set to pick up right where The Penguin left off. If that does not send chills down your spine, I’m not sure what will.
As far as the future goes for the show, I’m not sure, would I like to see a second season of this show? Duh. Would I be mad if they just kept it at one season? Absolutely not. They cemented this show into the greats just by the first season alone. Sometimes, perfection is not meant to be tampered with.
