The Penguin’s most underrated character (so far)

As a mental health professional who has worked with families grappling with dementia and Alzheimer’s, I find the portrayal of Francis’ struggle in ‘The Penguin’ spin-off particularly poignant and heartbreaking. The way the show delves into the human experience of watching a loved one slowly fade away, while still keeping the gritty crime drama aspect intact, is commendable.

In the darkest, hidden corners of Gotham City lies its troubled heart, shrouded in secrets that the wealthy elite try to keep hidden behind a facade of light. Much like a volcano simmering beneath the earth, these troubles threaten to erupt at any moment, revealing a world plagued by crime and sorrow. Yet, those who profit from the city’s suffering work tirelessly to suppress them.

2022’s film “The Batman,” helmed by Matt Reeves, showcased a captivating Gotham City teeming with intriguing characters. Jeffrey Wright played the rugged Jim Gordon, Andy Serkis brought warmth to Alfred Pennyworth, Zoë Kravitz portrayed the enigmatic Selina Kyle (also known as Catwoman), Paul Dano delivered a chilling performance as the Riddler, and Robert Pattinson offered a compelling portrayal of Bruce Wayne and Batman, who were both hopeful yet tormented.

In the group of actors, it was Colin Farrell who particularly shone as he metamorphosed into The Penguin’s distinctive appearance. Underneath all the makeup and artificial additions lies the Irish actor famous for movies such as “The Banshees of Inisherin”, “The Killing of a Sacred Deer”, “Miami Vice”, and “Minority Report”. Known for his work in comic books too, he previously played Bullseye in the 2003 film “Daredevil”.

Drawing inspiration from the rugged and weary appearance of character Oswald “Oz” Cobb, Farrell models his portrayal on mafia/mob figures from classic films and series of yesteryear, like Fredo Corleone from The Godfather, as mentioned in an interview with Deadline.

Effortlessly, Penguin emerged as the star of the movie. Blending seamlessly into the rough texture of his character, Colin Farrell’s rugged New York accent gave life to the iconic Batman adversary in a way that felt authentic yet undeniably true to his comic book roots.

Due to the immense popularity of the character, DC chose to delve deeper into the infamous villain that Matt Reeves proposed as the central figure in a sequel movie. However, studio executives preferred a unique approach; a spin-off TV series designed to connect the storylines between “The Batman” and “The Batman: Part II”.

The sequence unfolding offers a more profound understanding of Gotham City, given the occurrences after the events depicted in “The Batman”.

Spoilers ahead.

The characters of The Penguin

In this series, Oz Cobb’s ambition to be a kingpin is clearly central, yet there are several aspects that hint at deeper problems prevalent in the notorious city. Although Cobb is captivating and engaging on his own, he’s not the sole figure of interest.

The Penguin delves into the efforts of Gotham’s residents to rebound from the flood, revealing the city’s flaws when it’s poorly managed and tainted by crime and corruption, causing even its most virtuous inhabitants to succumb to shadows.

In Oz, there’s a homeless teenager named Victor “Vic” Aguilar who was caught trying to steal car rims with some gang friends. Angered by this act, he manages to push them away, leaving only Vic behind. As a result of his unsuccessful theft, Oz makes him drive around Gotham City to perform various tasks as reparation.

Despite being initially rough with Vic, Oz soon grows fond of him. There’s something about the teenager that Oz recognizes but Vic isn’t aware of within himself.

What captivates about Vic is that he’s a result of the chaos left behind by the Riddler’s bombing and flooding of Gotham: He’s lost his family, homeless, and neglected by society. This resonates with Oz, as he sees similarities between them. As he issues commands, he commends the teenager, viewing him as a potential ally who could stand alongside him to govern Gotham.

Overwhelmed by the flood and losing everything he owned, Vic struggles with PTSD and severe stuttering. It’s difficult not to sympathize with him given his hardships, especially as they mount up so rapidly. He truly deserves some respite. However, in order to improve his life, he must carefully consider many challenging decisions that often lead him down a tough road.

Vic has nothing now except a girlfriend (who aims to leave Gotham by season 1 episode 3, “Bliss”) and Oz. We learn that Vic was already on a bad path, becoming friends with a known drug dealer, someone his parents disapprove of, but he maintains the character of a still good youth, someone who’s lost and perhaps needs to get out of the city.

Actress Cristin Milioti, well-known for her role in “How I Met Your Mother”, is gaining recognition for her portrayal of Sofia Falcone, a former Arkham Asylum inmate and serial killer. Having just been released from Arkham, Sofia’s brother, Alberto Falcone, is murdered, causing distress. Her mental state already precarious from prison life, the enigma surrounding her brother’s disappearance worsens her condition further.

Initially reluctant towards Oz, even going so far as to inflict pain upon him at one instance, Sofia eventually reveals a fraction of herself to him. Traumatized by the treachery that led her to Arkham and the shocking disappearance of Alberto, culminating in discovering his lifeless body, Sofia’s behavior becomes erratic. As time progresses, she is seen eating messily with her hands instead of using utensils, and lashing out, with each episode causing her to grow more unstable.

Although hesitant, she chooses to ally with Oz by negotiating a deal with a Triad crime lord to distribute a novel drug previously tested in Arkham, emphasizing its allure for Gotham residents desperate for a diversion from the city’s devastating floods. This collaboration appears promising for her.

Oz, in essence, has a tendency to prioritize self-preservation over others, even if it means betraying them. At his very heart, he’s a resentful and timid individual who can manipulate power effectively but lacks the compassion to refrain from misusing it.

In episode 3 titled “Bliss”, Oz unfortunately has to deceive Sofia for his own survival amidst the Maroni family. The following episode, “Cent’Anni”, saw her long-held suspicions about him proven true as it was unveiled that he had murdered Alberto. This serves as a recurring pattern in the series, with men exploiting and shattering her trust, which explains her present character traits.

Milioti’s portrayal of Sofia Falcone in “The Penguin” has been widely praised by fans for her outstanding performance. Sharing the screen with Colin Farrell under layers of prosthetics and delivering one of his finest performances is no small task, but Milioti makes every moment on screen captivating. Her character’s struggle to claim her spot in a world that turns out to be deeply flawed echoes a universal truth. In this way, Milioti helps make the show a compelling watch each Sunday.

As a dedicated admirer, I can’t help but notice that he seems fond of Vic, yet there’s a strong possibility he might compromise Vic’s position, as he has done with Sofia in the past. However, there exists someone or something that he holds so dear, making it highly unlikely for him to act treacherously towards them.

A character who plays a minor but significant part in The Penguin, skillfully connecting the elements of myth, reality, and tragedy.

Francis Cobb and Late Parenthood

In the initial scene of the show, Oz’s mother, Francis, appears somewhat distressed. In the first episode titled “After Hours”, Oz and Vic go to visit her home. Oz presents her with a stylish necklace. She seems loving and proud of her son, but there’s an undercurrent of unease about her.

The initial sign of trouble arises when Oz discovers her pills floating in a water-filled bathtub. He queries her about it, to which she explains that she had already consumed them for breakfast. However, given the tub is full, Oz suspects something else. She responds, “The boys were enjoying their bath play; they didn’t want to get out.” This action may seem peculiar to some viewers, but others might find it disturbingly familiar. The expression on Oz’s face, lost in bewilderment, hints at the gravity of the situation.

In her everyday life, Francis grapples with a significant, existential burden, as the Alzheimer’s Association explains, because people living with such conditions often struggle to recall events accurately or keep track of the progression of time and seasons. If she frequently feels like she’s reliving past moments or different days based on old habits, this is a clear indication of her struggle.

Even though this situation seems peculiar, I can sense something fishy is happening here, especially with Oz hinting at a sudden advice, his mysterious gift in hand, and the enigmatic Vic lurking around.

In a different phrasing: Oz admits they must depart the town due to his actions against Alberto Falcone, whom he murdered out of humiliation. However, instead of agreeing, she offers him a firm rebuke. She explains that he’s not a coward (to put it mildly) and that his act wasn’t an impulsive decision, but rather a reaction driven by instinct. With a mix of pride and tears, she emphasizes how close he is to obtaining everything he yearned for, everything he deserved, and encourages him to seize the opportunity and achieve it.

There’s so much love that Francis has for Oz. She thinks the world of him. There’s a lack of filter on her, as she’s a very particular woman, so she may be blunt and harsh but she wants the best for him, even as she’s crumbling and doesn’t see it.

Upon first glance, the comment about boys in a tub prompts raised eyebrows, along with Oz’s response to it. Were these boys family members of Oz – brothers, friends, or cousins? Given his expression, it seems they might be deceased or grown up, causing Oz to forget their current status.

In episode 2 titled “Inside Man”, Oz receives a visit from her landlord, Cesar, who she pays to look after her property. On this occasion, Cesar, dressed smartly but without a coat, finds Oz attempting to go to church, which wasn’t Sunday. Concerned, Cesar expresses his worry that Oz’s early-onset dementia is becoming more severe and she requires ongoing, specialized care.

Oz continues to look after her and pays Cesar to do so as well.

The remainder of the scene unfolds with her dancing to jazz alongside her son, encouraging him to achieve success more swiftly as she longs to escape from a house she despises due to feeling that her time is running out. However, his comforting words don’t alleviate the sense of urgency and pressure he feels. It’s evident that Oz is aware of this situation.

What makes Francis compelling is that she’s affected differently from everyone else in the show. While everyone else reels from The Riddler’s terrorism and the Falcone-Maroni crime war, her affliction is one that human nature itself imbued upon her. And it’s hard to watch.

Broken fragments of a broken past and broken memories with which to forget them.

Experiencing someone you’ve known since childhood going through mental or physical decline is a difficult burden to bear. Seeing a loved one unable to recall shared memories and arguing about events that were once mutual experiences is heartbreaking. It’s painful to watch them struggle with confusion as the threads of their life become tangled, creating a disorienting fog. Even when they seem oblivious, it’s like wringing out a wet cloth – emotionally draining yet unable to alleviate the pain. The tears are held back because there’s little solace to be found in shedding them, for even they cannot quench the fire of fading memories.

In a manner similar to us, the citizens of Gotham continue to live, work, and navigate their way through a dynamic world. However, for individuals like Francis, life feels more akin to a deserted dance hall playing discordant big band tunes or a vacant shopping mall humming faint new wave beats.

In various fictional portrayals, including superhero narratives, Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often depicted. Characters like Peggy Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Professor Charles Xavier in Logan were well-known figures who grew old in a distressing manner for fans. However, the character of Francis (The Penguin) is new to us. Our understanding of her is limited to her interactions with Oz and how Cesar and Vic perceive her. She appears to have made an effort to raise her child or children, but it’s unlikely that she will remember or experience any achievements that Oz may accomplish in the future due to her condition.

Although the ethical nature of his endeavor is questionable, the desire for her to witness him realizing their shared dream remains precariously, with threads worn and weakened.

Despite being immersed in a dark crime drama filled with elements like murder, drugs, sex, and violence, the portrayal of the mother-son relationship adds a distinctive angle to it. Regardless of any challenges that may arise, life goes on and not every dove brings an olive branch.

This spin-off stands out by introducing a captivating ensemble of characters that don’t include Batman, Jim Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, or Gotham’s infamous rogues gallery. Instead, it presents a narrative reminiscent of “The Sopranos,” focusing on rival mafia factions battling for control over a city and its business landscape. However, the story delves deeper into the human condition by exploring the trauma of characters like Sofia and Vic, as well as the deteriorating mental health of Francis, all while maintaining an unforgettable atmosphere steeped in legend, action, and superhero adventures.

Fictional realms hold such an allure, as they offer spaces where people can suspend disbelief and embrace environments that mirror our own in some aspects, but hide vast differences in others we’ve yet to experience. This is why stories have been cherished since the dawn of human communication – they whisk us on a voyage that stirs or diverts our emotions. Essentially, we humans find ourselves transported into new experiences through stories.

In the process of expanding “The Batman” universe and linking the first and second movies, “The Penguin” story unfolds as a dark and amoral tale that delves into the heart of an individual who is relentless in his pursuit of power, aiming to control the world with just one hand.

I’m eager to discover the fate of DC’s cunning villain’s associates – Francis, Vic, Sofia, and Salvatore Maroni. I’ve grown attached to this group of characters, and I’m excited to see how their story unfolds, whether it brings joy or sadness. I can’t wait to witness their journey and its impact on the Penguin in the upcoming chapters of the Batman series.

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2024-10-21 03:02