The Penguin’s Cristin Milioti And Deirdre O’Connell Tell Us How $300 Helped Save Their Unforgettable Episode 7 Scene

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As a longtime fan of the gritty and complex world of Gotham City, I must say that the latest episodes of “The Penguin” have truly captured my heart. The intricate character development, especially of Sofia Gigante and Francis Cobb, has added layers to the narrative that I never thought possible.

Head’s up! This discussion may contain spoilers for “The Penguin” Episode 7 titled “Top Hat”. If you haven’t yet caught up with the recent episodes of “The Batman Criminal Odyssey”, consider yourself warned.

On the upcoming TV lineup for 2024, there’s certainly no lack of excitement, particularly for one highly-anticipated series: HBO’s crime drama “The Penguin.” As we approach its season finale next week, I can’t help but ponder if a second season will materialize due to Colin Farrell’s ongoing challenges with his prosthetics.

I truly hope that this part of Gotham City under Lauren LeFranc’s supervision did indeed deliver an extraordinary confrontation between Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Gigante (née Falcone) and Deirdre O’Connell‘s Francis Cobb in Episode 7 – “Top Hat”. What made this specific scene stand out was the turmoil that enveloped the production, yet it was a seemingly insignificant $300 transaction that turned out to be our saving grace.

How Deirdre O’Connell Saved The Penguin Episode 7 With $300

It was an immense honor to sit down with several cast members of The Penguin during the festivities at New York Comic-Con 2024. With roundtable discussions bringing various cast members and the showrunner throughout the room, there was a lot of knowledge to soak up for what will be an eight-episode run. And, it was thanks to our previous round of Penguin interviews that I’d stumbled upon a story that Deirdre O’Connell told to TopMob’s own Sean O’Connell!

During their discussion, Ms. O’Connell shared an anecdote about how the significant scene between Sofia and Frances in “Top Hat” was unexpectedly placed much earlier than expected. This tidbit sparked my curiosity, so I questioned both women about whether this rush could have intensified their performances. As she began her tale, Ms. O’Connell informed TopMob:

Initially, we were filming, it might have been episode three or four. Suddenly, due to the location, bad weather, and impending strikes, things became increasingly challenging. They contacted us saying, “We’re moving on to Episode Seven; we’ll shoot this scene here.” But most of us were taken aback, asking, “What?” At that moment, I was in upstate New York. They offered a car to transport me, but it couldn’t be arranged.

This situation isn’t particularly beneficial, as you can imagine. If I were unexpectedly called for an in-person interview tomorrow, which I thought was scheduled for weeks later, I would also be searching for solutions to make it work. Just like Deirdre O’Connell, the resourcefulness she demonstrated is highlighted in this part of the story due to the $300 she had on hand.

In the end, I managed to find a taxi since I missed my train at the station. A woman named Eve was driving one, and I asked her how much it would cost to take me to New York. She quoted $200, but I countered with $300. Then, I made a bet with HBO that I could secure a ride for $300. As a result, I managed to get Eve to drive me home for $300. The entire journey, I was engrossed in the lines and kept thinking, ‘I adore this scene so much! We don’t have any time to rehearse.’

After discovering more about Ms. O’Connell’s commitment to ensure that “The Penguin” would be released on schedule, I shared this intriguing tale with Cristin Milioti, her counterpart in the “Top Hat” duo. Like our group, she was equally astonished to find out about the last-minute rush for Deirdre O’Connell to make it for their fated encounter.

This incident led the former Black Mirror actress, Cristin Milioti, to disclose her personal account of the intense nature of the schedule change during production. Below, you’ll find Cristin Milioti’s perspective on the matter, as she recently discussed it with TopMob.

Initially, wow, what an amazing performance! That particular scene happened during a particularly challenging period for us. We didn’t have much time to rehearse for it, which is interestingly one of my favorite scenes. I recall thinking, “Oh dear.” They suddenly changed our plans. We were scheduled to film something else that day, but they essentially told us, “We need you to do this instead.” This was quite a shock, especially receiving the call at 10:00 PM on the previous night when we thought the scene was scheduled for two weeks later. However, knowing her exceptional talent, I decided to trust her and go with the flow.

As a devoted fan, I firmly believe that the unexpected two-week leap might have been the hidden spice that made this extraordinary scene simply unforgettable. This is my humble opinion, given the exceptional work The Penguin’s writing team, particularly the “Top Hat” scribe Vladimir Cvetko, has been delivering to us so far. With O’Connell and Milioti’s characters seemingly cornered, that sudden deadline seemed to have fueled their creativity, resulting in even richer content for their script pages.

In other words, I’d like to discuss the impactful scene itself and how the expedited filming process enhanced Cristin Milioti and Deirdre O’Connell’s performances, as their personal accounts have further fueled my admiration for the final product.

Why The Penguin’s Scheduling Shakeup Helped Amp Up Deidre O’Connell And Cristin Milioti’s Performances

If you believe that the plot centered around The Penguin’s matriarchal role is the most captivating aspect, then this particular scene under discussion is indeed noteworthy and deserves close examination. Approximately five minutes long, it showcases a dialogue between the two actors previously mentioned. To be clear, it’s one of the standout moments in the entire season so far; there’s nothing more dramatic than heated exchanges taking place.

In the intense clash between Francis Cobb and Sofia Gigante, “Top Hat” portrays a struggle of resolve between an ascendant leader and a woman grappling with her ailment. Barbs and warnings fly back and forth, but eventually, Francis is reminded of her tragic past, which is more profoundly depicted through the scenes that frame Episode 7.

The scene is so captivating, it deserves recognition for awards, and as the women unfolded their story about not having time to prepare, there was a palpable sense of tension. This tension paves the way for Deirdre O’Connell’s subsequent comments, where she praises Cristin Miloti.

Upon arrival, we found ourselves in the location we had eagerly anticipated, and suddenly realized that we needed to film our scene right away. Cristin walked in carrying her tea, and I couldn’t help but gaze at her, while Francis felt an unexpected fondness towards her. It was as if he thought, ‘Who does this little girl think she is?’ The moment was instantly entertaining, perhaps because the suddenness of it all made us feel like we were shot out of a cannon. We hadn’t anticipated starting so quickly after hours of preparation. But despite the rush, that day remains one of my favorites and definitely ranks among my top scenes.

Extreme joy” was another term used in their conversation, as the actress from St. Vincent found immense delight in the chaos portrayed by Ms. Milioti’s character, Sofia, in this particular scene. Given that many spectators still associate her with The Penguin’s exceptional performance on How I Met Your Mother, it’s understandable that the journey to this point might have caught viewers off guard too.

Reflecting on that intriguing detail and the matriarchal perspective that “The Penguin” has been assuming, it feels almost amusing, even comical. Despite Sofia’s most maternal moments being her reassurances to her niece Gia (Kenzie Grey) in this week’s episode, it’s hard not to chuckle at the irony of a character like The Penguin embodying such nurturing qualities.

All of this does bring a recent featurette on showrunner Lauren LeFranc’s approach to women in The Batman Epic Crime Saga’s television spinoff to mind. For more on that, please enjoy that clip below:

In Oswald Cobb’s universe, intricate female characters add layers to his narrative, with the novel “Top Hat” exploring the intricacies of this world in a manner that necessitates such complexity. Two women, Francis Cobb and Sofia Gigante, serve as catalysts for his aspirations while simultaneously presenting hurdles he must overcome.

Additionally, presenting characters with conflicts not centered around Oz in a more indirect manner can effectively convey Matt Reeves, the co-writer and director of The Batman,’s perspective that Oz feels inadequate for others. This subtle, yet significant event happening beyond his personal storyline serves as a quiet confirmation that his current character aligns perfectly with this description.

Sofia’s growth from a supporting character Falcone to a powerful Gigante stands out particularly vividly. Returning to the cheerfulness of Cristin Milioti during her menacing scene, she playfully acknowledged her rival, the Penguin, by tipping her hat back in a nod to their past encounter. This is how she expressed the feelings from that time through her perspective:

In this scenario, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect match. It was exhilarating, almost as if we were stepping into a boxing ring and getting knocked out, yet enjoying every second of it. She hadn’t seen me in a while, so she wasn’t fully aware of how enthusiastic I would become when I really got into it. And boy, did she see genuine joy! She exclaimed, “Wow, you really love this,” to which I responded, “Yes, I do! I’m living my best life!” – just like brandishing a weapon with flair.

Among The Penguin’s seven episodes, the showdown between Sofia Gigante and Francis Cobb stands out as a particularly captivating moment, leaving me questioning if anything in the season finale will surpass it. Admittedly, I too was among those who didn’t anticipate that the cliffhanger at the end of Episode 6 would result in Francis’ demise.

Perhaps I was able to explore this scene more thoroughly due to my preconceived notions about where it might lead. However, Michael Kelly’s startling exit as Penguin still caught me off guard. Yet, there seem to be some boundaries in the criminal underworld of Gotham City that are currently in effect.

Although Sofia seems to hold power, it’s not as simple as one might think that Oz’s mother could be used as a decisive tool against Sal Maroni (played by Clancy Brown), who has replaced Oz’s second father. In other words, Oz’s mother isn’t the solution that would easily settle the score.

In simpler terms, Francis urged her son to end her life if she becomes too mentally incapacitated due to her worsening condition. She’s prepared to take her own life so that Oswald Cobb can experience the peak of the world, which seems like a heavy burden to bear as the second-to-last episode approaches. Spending $300 for this event, as Deirdre O’Connell did, is insignificant compared to its profound impact.

As a fan, the eagerness to see what happens in November 10th’s season finale “Great or Small Event” is intensifying. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to have an active HBO or Max subscription, because at 9 PM ET, when Episode 8 goes live, everyone will be focused on Gotham City for this significant event.

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2024-11-05 17:08