As a long-time aficionado of the Caped Crusader’s gritty underworld, I can confidently say that The Penguin has left me spellbound and yearning for more. Yet, despite my initial excitement for another Oz Cobbs escapade, I find myself doubting if he truly deserves a second round after his heartless betrayal of Vic.
If you haven’t yet watched the series ‘The Penguin’ on HBO or streamed it with a Max subscription, beware! There are spoilers ahead.
Initially, I was confident that “The Penguin” would make an excellent spinoff from Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” yet I was still surprised to find it among my top favorites in the 2024 TV lineup, even surpassing Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb in my mind for a brief moment. From its intriguing origins set in a flooded cityscape to its conclusion high above ground, complete with that ever-annoying Bat Signal, “The Penguin” achieved near-perfection at times, leaving me eager for more.
After taking some time to ponder over the events that unfolded in the final episode of Penguin, I’ve come to realize that my expectations for Season 2 were misplaced, and Oz doesn’t deserve another chance in the limelight given his actions towards Vic. At this point, it remains uncertain what lies ahead for this character, as he is only set to appear sporadically in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II, which won’t hit the screens until October 2026.
After such a long gap, it seems much more logical for Reeves and HBO to delve into the origins and daily routines of a new villain in a separate TV series, rather than continuing with the story of Sofia Falcone, who, let’s admit, has been equally captivating alongside Farrell’s impressive prosthetic acting. The antagonist I am most eager to see causing chaos on prime-time television is the one I would pick for this standalone show.
I Want A Show Based On The Scarecrow Himself, Dr. Jonathan Crane
The primary obstacle for this concept is the extensive exposure of The Scarecrow character, which has been showcased across numerous platforms, such as animated and live-action Batman series like movies. Prior to his Oscar win in ‘Oppenheimer’, Cillian Murphy played both psychiatrist Jonathan Crane and his fear-inducing alter ego, the Scarecrow, in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy. The role was also portrayed in ‘Gotham’ and ‘Titans’. Additionally, Ted Knight from ‘The Mary Tyler Moore Show’ and John DiMaggio from ‘Futurama’ are among many who have given voice to this villain over time.
To me, it seems like “The Scarecrow character has potential for in-depth analysis and development.” Regarding your second point, Crane and his Fear Toxin are primarily used for brief scenes of terrifying nightmares when he’s at his most menacing. However, the concept of a gradually intensifying psychological drama transforming into a hallucinatory horror show is what I consider top-tier television, especially if Hugo Strange is part of it too. (Bonus points for including Hugo Strange!)
In a similar manner, if showrunner Lauren LeFranc utilized ‘The Penguin’ to delve deeply into Oz Cobb’s bottomless selfishness and self-deception, a Scarecrow series could explore not only Crane’s deepest fears (such as bats, for instance) but also the fears of other Gotham City residents, particularly those confined within Arkham Asylum. An intriguing approach to delve into these characters’ complex minds might be through unsettling hallucinations and visually trippy scenes.
Instead of following a complete origin story about the character’s life, the main narrative of the show could focus on the evolution of the Fear Toxin. This transformation would take us from its modest and limited origins to a potent version that might draw Batman’s attention in the future. As the visuals and Crane’s connection with reality grow increasingly unhinged and bizarre.
In my opinion, a Scarecrow series could potentially be just as unconventional as FX and Marvel’s Legion, starring Dan Stevens and Aubrey Plaza. This show might draw inspiration from an overplayed VHS copy of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, with traces of Requiem for a Dream layered on top of it, much like how The Penguin is influenced by The Sopranos.
But I’d Also Love To See Carmen Ejogo’s Eve Karlo Become Lady Clayface
As a gaming enthusiast, I wouldn’t want HBO to introduce a character outside The Batman’s universe. In a pinch, I’d be equally intrigued by a Penguin spinoff centered around Carmen Ejogo’s Eve Karlo. Frankly, it leaves me wondering why her surname is the same as Basil Karlo, famously known as Clayface in comic books.
As a gamer, I can’t help but notice the significance of the character’s name, which seems to allude to more than just a thematic reference. It’d be thrilling to delve deeper into this character’s journey over an extended period, perhaps beyond the confines of a single heist. And let’s not forget, there have been multiple female Clayfaces in the source material, so expanding on this aspect wouldn’t stray too far from the original narrative.
Despite The Penguin seldom using the Clayface disguise, Eve adapts and transforms herself to satisfy her clients. This transformation was so effective that she served as a convincing substitute for Oz’s mother Francis in the final scene where he plunged into Oedipal scenarios. While it’s not evident that her body undergoes physical shape-shifting, the essence of this ability is indeed present.
It’s possible that prior to her life as a female companion in Gotham’s underworld, Eve may have pursued a career in Hollywood stardom, much like Basil Karlo before his comic book transformation. This interpretation of the character might preserve this live-action universe’s emphasis on realism, and instead of granting her supernatural powers, Eve could assume others’ identities by stealing their faces and skin.
As a gamer, it’s clear that Eve is usually level-headed, but if she were to turn into Gotham City’s main antagonist, it would be in response to Oz’s actions, especially after hearing about him from Sofia. The idea of taking revenge on him was definitely weighing heavily on her mind as she donned Francis’ dress and accessories. However, with no Oz for her to focus on, there’s less chance for any Clayface tendencies to surface.
In the meantime, let’s proceed with creating a unique Two-Face TV show centered around courtroom suspense. Unlike other shows, we won’t delay revealing his descent into darkness until the final episode; instead, he’ll be transformed by acid earlier in the season. However, please note that a Catwoman series is not on the table as Casey Bloys, HBO’s head honcho, has turned down that concept.
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2024-11-15 18:43