“The Penguin,” HBO’s new miniseries, is a gritty expansion of Gotham’s criminal underworld, following Colin Farrell’s captivating portrayal of Oswald Cobblepot, a character that first gained attention in “The Batman” (2022).
Set one week after the assassination of crime boss Carmine Falcone and the catastrophic flooding of Gotham, the show delves deep into the Penguin’s rise to power. The show has posted great reviews and even a 94% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. The show received 5.3 million viewers in last Sunday’s episode.
Farrell’s physical transformation— complete with prosthetics and a thick accent— makes Cobblepot feel fully developed, far from the other versions seen in previous films or shows. Oswald is not merely a quirky villain but a complex and ambitious figure caught between Gotham’s competing criminal factions, trying to rise above the chaos. Oswald’s motivation to rise to power in Gotham and seek revenge on anyone who crosses him has been very entertaining to watch so far. The show uses Cobblepot’s ruthless climb through Gotham’s underworld as a vehicle for exploring larger themes of power, loyalty, and survival.
The series picks up immediately after the events of “The Batman,” making it a seamless continuation of the universe crafted by director Matt Reeves. With Gotham in disarray, Oswald quickly becomes embroiled in a deadly power struggle with the Falcone family, led by Carmine’s unhinged daughter, Sofia Falcone. The dynamic between Sofia and Oswald is central to the series, with Sofia trying to maintain her family’s dominance while Cobblepot seeks to build his empire. This power struggle is filled with betrayal, violence, and intricate schemes, making the show a gripping crime drama.
“The Penguin’s” commitment to represent Gotham City in the show is also very presentable to the audience. The show illustrates the city and gives it its own character in a sense. The dark, rainy, eerie feeling is shown repeatedly. Mob-filled drama with the city in disarray gives an atmosphere to the storytelling compared to a traditional superhero show.
The show’s supporting cast is equally impressive. Cristin Milioti shines as Sofia Falcone, giving the character a volatile, unpredictable edge, while Clancy Brown’s Salvatore Maroni adds gravitas as another key player in Gotham’s criminal ecosystem. Their performances help ground the series, making it not just about Cobblepot’s ascent, but about a broader power struggle that engulfs everyone in Gotham’s underworld.
The show also adds emotional layers by exploring Oswald’s relationships, particularly with his mother, Francis Cobb, played by Deirdre O’Connell. The complicated, almost tragic, bond between them humanizes Cobblepot, showing him not only as a criminal mastermind but also as someone shaped by family and personal loss.
Every new episode will air at 9 PM Eastern time on HBO. This mini-series has eight episodes; episode three was the last one that aired. “The Penguin” explores the rise of one of Gotham’s most iconic villains and offers a fresh take on the comic-book genre, blending crime drama and psychological thriller elements.
