As a fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the dark and intricate world of Gotham, I can confidently say that “The Penguin” is shaping up to be an exceptional addition to the DC Universe. The debut episode was a masterful blend of suspense, drama, and character development, with Colin Farrell delivering a riveting performance as Oswald Cobblepot.
As fans of DC eagerly anticipate Matt Reeves starting production on the sequel to “The Batman,” they’ve found solace in the new HBO Max series, “The Penguin.” This gripping show immerses viewers once again into the dark corners of Gotham City. The storyline continues from where “The Batman” left off, with parts of Gotham submerged due to The Riddler’s (Paul Dano) flood, and the death of Carmine Falcone (John Turturro) leaving a power vacuum that Oswald Cobblepot (Colin Farrell), aka The Penguin, intends to fill. However, he faces competition from emerging crime bosses like Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti), Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown), and others.
In the first episode of The Penguin, it’s clear that Oz Cobb is quick-witted. At times, he finds himself in predicaments of his own making and must act swiftly to navigate them. Other instances show him speaking rapidly to maintain an advantage over opponents who have the upper hand. In the series premiere, Oz found an ally in Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), but there was a close call when Oz, tied up and bare, was facing off against Sofia Falcone; Victor almost didn’t arrive in time to help.
Following the premiere of The Penguin, I had an opportunity to converse with episode director Craig Zobel regarding the behind-the-scenes efforts for the show. During our chat, we delved into the challenging interrogation scene, where extensive hours were spent on makeup effects to portray a bare and exposed Penguin character. According to Zobel’s remarks on TopMob:
As a gamer, let me put it this way: That crucial scene for Cristin had me on edge, three-dimensional worry creeping up on me. I didn’t want the technical aspects to overshadow its intrigue, so I ensured it remained engaging and true to her character development. Cristin couldn’t perform in front of an empty chair; she needed Colin, and it had to feel authentic. The time spent preparing for that was immense – a grueling day for Colin, who couldn’t even step away for a bathroom break. We all had to mentally gear up for the challenge. After countless discussions, this scene was a testament to our perseverance. We postponed shooting it multiple times because we just weren’t ready yet. It was a triumph.
In a striking turn, the show “The Penguin” utilizes a crucial interrogation scene to emphasize Cristin Milioti’s powerful portrayal of Sofia. Despite Colin Farrell’s outstanding performance that could potentially earn him Emmy recognition, this scene serves as an ideal platform to highlight Milioti’s prowess. Sofia suspects that Oz is connected to the disappearance of her brother, Alberto, and in this scene, she demonstrates her strength. The entrance of Oz should not overshadow the message the show aims to convey about Sofia during this pivotal moment.
The Internet took notice:
Wait for it, Milioti will truly shine in just a few episodes of this show. You won’t believe the diverse locations that “The Penguin” visits throughout Season 1. Don’t miss out on this critically-acclaimed series before Episode 2 of “The Penguin” airs on HBO this coming Sunday, Sept. 29.
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2024-09-23 17:07