Should You Try It: The Penguin on Max

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours immersed in the dark and gritty world of Gotham City, I can confidently say that The Penguin is a series that should not be missed. With a rich history of Batman stories under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of spin-offs and adaptations, but this one stands out.

Right now, I’m smack dab in the middle of Fall’s gaming rush, with a ton of fresh viewing options popping up left and right. From high-profile projects to lesser-known series, there’s no shortage of content vying for my attention. But with so many shows out there, it can be tough to know which ones are worth diving into. That’s why I created this guide—to help you make an informed decision. Today, I’m taking a look at a gritty crime series that takes place in the shadowy corners of Gotham City.

Series: The Penguin

Location of the Show: Currently, you can catch “The Pilot” on Max. Starting from September 29, new episodes will be aired every Sunday.

Title Exploration: In the year 2022, the Batman franchise underwent a revival with a fresh installment titled The Batman. Taking center stage as the new Caped Crusader is Robert Pattinson, while writer/director Matt Reeves brings forth a fresh perspective of Gotham City. As we eagerly anticipate the sequel, scheduled for 2026, a new TV series is filling in the time-gap. This show primarily revolves around Oz Cobb, who portrays The Penguin (Colin Farrell), a character that made a significant impact in the movie.

In this story, he played the role of a thug who served under Carmine Falcone (portrayed by John Turturro). Unfortunately, Falcone met his end towards the finale of the movie, leaving quite an empty space. The upcoming series commences with the aftermath of the film’s climax; The Riddler (performed by Paul Dano) detonated bombs along the seafront, causing a surge that submerged Gotham. This event poses one of many challenges for Oz as he strives to expand his influence within the city.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to delve into the topic of succession. Falcone’s son, Alberto (played by Michael Zegen), is primed to take over. He’s not exactly a fan of Oz, and the sentiment seems reciprocal. In a moment of fury, Oz retaliates, which only complicates matters further. He enlists a young street smart character, Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), to aid him as he sets his plan in motion.

A significant aspect involves managing Sofia Falcone (played by Cristin Milioti), who is not only more ruthless and vicious than her brother. When Alberto is absent, she takes charge, compelling Oz to take drastic actions to win her trust and position himself for power grab in Gotham.

You Should Try It If: You’re a fan of crime dramas, a fan of Farrell, or a fan of Batman stories.

One Man’s Opinion of The Penguin

In this new series, instead of Batman himself, we’ll explore tales set within the Batman universe. Despite his absence, The Dark Knight is still significant, serving as a link between films. Although he won’t be managing the day-to-day operations, Matt Reeves is on board as a producer. This makes it a must-watch for Batman franchise enthusiasts, much like Marvel projects that extend their universe to television screens.

They chose an excellent figure as their main focus, and Farrell excelled as Oz Cobb in the movie, making for a captivating lead character in this story. Watching him construct his empire before he probably encounters Batman once more in the next installment is intriguing. The pilot effectively sets up all the components of this limited series nicely as well.

Furthermore, I found Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia quite appealing. She’s a captivating actress who brings depth and complexity to her role, crafting a compelling and ruthless character in the show. The premiere was well-executed, establishing an engaging eight-episode series this fall that will be a fitting addition to our Sunday programming lineup.

2024-09-22 15:32

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