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- Excluding Batman Gives ‘The Penguin‘ Fresh Perspective
- Where Is Batman in ‘The Penguin’?
As a long-time fan of both Batman and gritty crime dramas, I must say that the decision to exclude Batman from “The Penguin” was a masterstroke by the creators. Coming from someone who’s seen Gotham burn more times than I can count, this series offers a fresh perspective that sheds light on the lives of ordinary citizens caught in the crossfire.
HBO’s series titled “The Penguin” transported viewers to the post-flood streets of Gotham City, depicting the chaos left by The Riddler’s deluge from “The Batman“. In the power struggle that ensued after the demise of Carmine Falcone, Oz Cobb (played by Colin Farrell) aggressively sought control over Gotham’s dominant crime families, the Falcones and the Marones. This move was spurred by his sudden killing of Alberto Falcone, the new Falcone family don. The series unfolded a wide-scale crime war across Gotham, culminating in an explosion at Crown Point when Sofia Falcone (portrayed by Cristin Milioti) demolished Oz’s clandestine drug lab. Despite its gripping narrative, the rampant destruction left many viewers questioning, “Whatever happened to Batman?
Prior to the debut of the HBO series, executive producer Matt Reeves had already confirmed that the character played by Robert Pattinson, Bruce Wayne, would not be featured. They explored several ideas but none seemed fitting or earned in the end. The audience comes closest to seeing Batman in the last scene as the Bat-signal illuminates over Gotham. However, during “The Penguin” episode, one might wonder where Batman was and why the show functions effectively without him.
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Excluding Batman Gives ‘The Penguin’ Fresh Perspective
Not only does watching Bruce Wayne exhibit his toughness as he conceals his feelings, dons the Batman costume, and fights the psychotic (please remember, readers, this is not something you should attempt; instead, seek professional help), every tale about Bruce carries an element of privilege. Despite the often tragic retelling of his parents’ demise, fans have frequently pointed out that Bruce Wayne grieved their passing in luxury, with a personal servant to aid him throughout. However, what about the residents of Gotham who had to struggle without such advantages?
In this context, The Penguin serves as an alternative viewpoint. Residents like Oz Cobb in Crown Point, Gotham strive for wealth and a better life beyond the city’s impoverished neighborhoods. However, they must put in immense effort and sometimes resort to deceit, violence, and theft. By creating The Penguin‘s series, Reeves and showrunner Lauren LeFranc delve into this perspective and expand on the overarching theme of class and privilege within Gotham City. In the featurette The Making of The Penguin, VFX Supervisor Johnny Han explained that the purpose of The Penguin is to present a fresh angle on Gotham City. As Han put it, “In The Batman, we see Gotham City from above. Our show, however, focuses on Oz’s journey from the bottom, gazing up at Gotham to identify opportunities.
Including Batman in the show could create a significant challenge, as his presence might overshadow the distinctive elements of our story. The charisma of Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb and the empathy portrayed by Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone notwithstanding, Batman – the muscular figure donning a bat costume with an impressive vehicle – is bound to grab attention. In essence, introducing Batman could undermine the overall narrative flow, given that he’s not meant to be a secondary character. For audiences who are accustomed to experiencing the world through Bruce Wayne in The Batman, his brief appearance might seem disjointed and out of place.
Where Is Batman in ‘The Penguin’?
If Batman isn’t present when an entire Gotham neighborhood is devastated, then one might wonder where he could be hiding. The exact location of Batman will only be revealed once The Batman: Part II hits the screens. Set to release soon after the original, it is confirmed that Oz Cobb will appear in the sequel. However, it’s yet unclear if Oz will serve as the primary villain for Part II. While it’s assumed Batman continues to aid Gotham’s citizens and recovers from a chest wound inflicted by a shotgun blast, many were anticipating his intervention following a month-long time jump in the series. However, it seems like Batman may still be recovering at this point.
Excluding Batman from “The Penguin” series enhances the show’s quality, creates more intrigue, and builds up excitement for “The Batman: Part II.” If Gotham is under siege without Batman present, it suggests that the enemy he’s battling must be especially formidable. It appears that The Court of Owls, a secretive Illuminati-like organization consisting of Gotham’s elite, could serve as the primary antagonists in the sequel. In this scenario, “The Batman: Part II” might commence with Batman on a mission while events in “The Penguin” are still unfolding, eventually connecting to the final Bat-signal scene. Neither director Matt Reeves nor screenwriter Mattson Tomlin have confirmed the villain for “The Batman: Part II.” The release date for “The Batman: Part II” is set for October 2, 2026. “The Penguin” can be streamed on Max.
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2024-11-20 01:01