‘We Tried A Bajillion Versions’: The Penguin Director Tells Us The Big Episode 1 Moment They Wrestled Over, And How It Sets Up Oz For The Rest Of The Season

‘We Tried A Bajillion Versions’: The Penguin Director Tells Us The Big Episode 1 Moment They Wrestled Over, And How It Sets Up Oz For The Rest Of The Season

As a seasoned gamer who has navigated countless virtual worlds, I can confidently say that “The Penguin” series is a riveting addition to the Batman universe. The cold-blooded execution of Alberto Falcone by Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell) in the premiere episode was a chilling display of power and vulnerability that has left me on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting each new episode.


Initially appearing in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman”, Oswald Cobblepot, or Oz for short, operates a well-known yet shady nightspot called The Iceberg Lounge. However, it swiftly becomes evident that his businesses in Gotham are mostly illicit and not legitimized by law. With a wealth of damaging information on numerous individuals, he’s like a shadowy puppet master. This aspect is vividly depicted in the opening episode of HBO’s original series “The Penguin”, where Oz can be seen gathering compromising photos of Johnny Viti (Michael Kelly). A scene from the first episode caused some consternation among the creative team, as it powerfully set the tone for who Oz Cobb is and the kind of program that “The Penguin” could become.

To avoid any potential spoilers about Episode 1 of The Penguin, it’s recommended you watch it first before proceeding with the following content. Enjoy!

The most significant event in the first episode that could influence the entire series is when Oz chooses to fatally shoot Alberto Falcone (portrayed by Michael Zegen), who takes over as head of the Falcone family after his father, Carmine Falcone, was killed by The Riddler in “The Batman”. For a brief moment, it appears that Oz is considering a fresh strategy to control Alberto. He first gives him powerful Drops, and then shares a heartfelt tale about Rex Calabrese, a gangster from Oz’s past whom he seems to respect deeply.

1) In a foolish move, Alberto mocks Oz. Then, in an unexpected turn of events, the hot-headed individual, who resembles a soldier, commits the unimaginable – he strikes the Boss.

In an interview with TopMob, the director of ‘The Penguin’, Craig Zobel, shared insights into the intricate process behind the creation of the series. When I inquired about the challenging scene where Oz takes the life of Alberto Falcone, Zobel disclosed:

At the instant prior to firing the gun, I found it most thrilling. We experimented with countless variations, and this is one depiction of Oz reacting to Alberto’s mockery. However, Colin’s talent produced numerous captivating scenarios. Eventually, a decision had to be made. In my opinion, understanding that the path would mirror, ‘Yes, his weakness is being ridiculed,’ was crucial. This individual has been ridiculed before. The term “Penguin” doesn’t hold any negativity for him. He has conquered insecurity numerous times. Thus, it was fascinating to explore this aspect.

Previously, we had a conversation with Colin Farrell during a Penguin press event, discussing how his character ‘Oz’ feels about being called “The Penguin”. It appears that ‘Oz’ dislikes the nickname intensely. Although Alberto refrains from directly addressing Oz by his derogatory gang name, he manages to make him feel humiliated. This provocation is sufficient for Oz to draw a weapon and shoot him.

In the given scene, Craig Zobel shared various backstage discussions they’d had, providing further insights into the character of Oz. Zobel confided in TopMob about these additional details.

After adopting a more analytical approach, he seemed to be contemplating, “How quickly does he fire at the man?” Instead, let’s imagine a scenario where he makes a deliberate decision or has enough time to comprehend. In due course, it became apparent that this was the most suitable strategy. It was as if he was pausing the conversation, not with the intention of educating Alberto or injuring him, but rather signaling that he should no longer speak any further. Is this explanation clearer?

In the show, it’s evident that Oz silenced Alberto Falcone. However, this action seems to have sparked numerous complications, some of which are unfolding in this initial episode. Sofia Falcone (portrayed by Cristin Milioti) is seeking explanations regarding her brother’s predicament. The Maroni family appears to be the prime suspect, but it remains to be seen how long Oz can uphold that facade. Although Batman might not make an appearance in this series titled The Penguin, there’s plenty of intrigue surrounding the criminal activities within and around Gotham City to keep viewers engaged.

Don’t miss out on the second installment of “The Penguin” airing on HBO this coming Sunday, September 29. Ensure that your subscription is current to catch all the action!

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2024-09-21 02:07