You don’t need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

You don't need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that The Penguin is an intriguing addition to the Gotham City landscape, and it’s a must-watch for any Batman enthusiast. But if you’re short on time and want to catch up on the key events from Matt Reeves’ The Batman without investing three hours of your life, I’ve got you covered!

Viewers can expect “The Penguin” to appear alongside Max, which may spark debates about whether it’s essential to watch Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” a three-hour film. Although I highly recommend seeing the movie due to its impressive dark and gritty nature, truthfully, you don’t have to make room for it in your busy day to follow Oz Cobb’s story on HBO.

To fully grasp why Gotham is as it is in “The Penguin” and understand Oz’s sudden power play, as well as an unexpected link that could potentially impact the storyline, I’ll walk you through some key events from the movie that provide context. So buckle up and get ready to learn essential facts before tuning into the show!

You don't need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

How Riddler’s vendetta against Carmine Falcone destabilized Gotham

In the storyline of The Batman, the central focus is on The Riddler’s lethal plan to expose the corrupt officials who perpetrated a false promise of “renewal” in Gotham, which ultimately led to his own troubled upbringing within an orphanage. Prior to his death, Thomas Wayne had pledged to contribute a billion dollars towards a philanthropic fund aimed at enhancing public infrastructure projects like the orphanage where The Riddler spent his formative years.

When I, a gamer immersed in the world of Gotham, learned about Thomas’ demise, it became clear that Carmine Falcone had manipulated the funds, betraying Salvatore Maroni’s drop operation to seize a larger share for himself. He cleverly involved the Gotham Police Department, Mayor Mitchell, Commissioner Pete Savage, and District Attorney Gil Colson in his scheme, aiming to control them like pawns on a chessboard. The Riddler, being privy to these hidden dealings, devised a plan to expose their corruption before meting out justice – or so it seemed.

At the conclusion of “The Batman”, the structure governing the city is on the brink of collapse. However, there’s a glimmer of hope: Bella Reál was elected as Gotham’s mayor during the Riddler’s last act of vengeance. Unlike her predecessors, she comes with a genuine blueprint for reform, aiming to eliminate corruption, address long-neglected areas, and rejuvenate institutions that have suffered under the leadership of Mitchell, Savage, and Colson.

You don't need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

Carmine Falcone dies in The Batman

In his cryptic manner, the Riddler labels Carmine as “winged rat” – a term derived from Spanish meaning “rat with wings.” This is a hint for Batman, implying that Carmine is the one who betrayed Maroni in pursuit of greater power and symbolizing the crime boss’ surname. Once they decipher this clue, Batman and Gordon decide to apprehend Carmine. However, Batman must also deal with an enraged Catwoman, as she seeks revenge because she knows that Carmine was responsible for her friend Annika’s death.

In the end, Batman prevents Selina from firing at Carmine, yet as he’s being taken into GCPD custody, a gunshot echoes, leaving Carmine mortally wounded on the ground. Initially, it seemed like Penguin was responsible for the murder. However, it wasn’t Oz who pulled the trigger; instead, it was the Riddler hiding in a building opposite the scene who fired the fatal shot.

Carmine’s demise leaves a power void that intensifies due to the devastation, loss of life, and desolation sweeping through Gotham after the Riddler detonated the sea wall, causing flooding throughout the city and trapping citizens within the Gotham Square Garden for potential massacre by his Riddler militia. However, these plans never fully materialize due to intervention by Batman.

You don't need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

Selina Kyle is Carmine Falcone’s daughter

It’s worth mentioning that although it might not be significant in “The Penguin,” it’s crucial to understand that Sofia and Alberto Falcone aren’t Carmine’s only offspring. In fact, it’s disclosed in “The Batman” that Selina is a child he never acknowledged. Her mother, Maria, worked at 44 Below, and she often brought Selina along. It was at this establishment where Selina met Carmine, and she found his attention unusual until she realized he was her father. However, when Selina’s mother was murdered, Carmine allowed his daughter to be placed in the system without disclosing their relationship to him.

In the heat of a game, I found myself facing off against Carmine, a man who took the life of my dear friend Annika. She knew too much about his shady business dealings with the renewal fund and those under his control. As we clashed, he confessed to murdering Maria as well, intending to eliminate me next, blaming me for his supposed necessities. But it was none other than Batman who stepped in to save me from Carmine’s wrath. Though I may not be directly connected to the Falcone crime family, my lineage could create some intriguing complications within this universe.

You don't need to watch The Batman before The Penguin but there are 4 key details from the movie to know

Penguin ran the drops operation in The Batman

In the movie, Penguin facilitated transactions for Carmine, specifically dealing with Drops, a profitable substance that seems to be the preferred drug in Gotham. The film suggests that the Falcones may have seized control of this business after they had Salvatore Maroni arrested. The authority over the city’s drug trade is what Oz Cobb covets in “The Penguin”. Since the Iceberg Lounge and 44 Below have been abandoned following Riddler’s assault on Gotham, his only remaining asset is his knack for keeping business thriving through drugs.

In the role as Carmine’s right-hand man, Oz isn’t just privy to the Falcone family’s hidden skeletons and their daily criminal activities; he’s also been keeping an eye on opportunities to seize control of Gotham for himself. The events unfolding in Batman’s recent storyline, happening a week before the series, present him with just such an opportunity, and Oz intends to make full use of it.

2024-09-19 20:31