Author: Maxwell Rekela Jasper, Copy Editor for The Metropolitan

When the first episodes of The Penguin aired, Penguin actor Colin Farrell warned audiences that by the finale, they’d loathe his character. Boy, was he spot on.

What makes The Penguin such a gripping and thrilling series is its ability to engage viewers from the start, thanks to its great characters.

Oz Cobb, has a rich backstory that reveals his ruthless nature, despite his seemingly unassuming demeanor. While previous portrayals of The Penguin, such as Burgess Meredith’s comic-accurate version in the 1960s TV show, Danny DeVito’s dark take in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, and Robin Lord Taylor’s complex portrayal in the TV show Gotham, each had their unique flair, Colin Farrell’s interpretation stands out above them for his consistency. Farrell’s Penguin is a borderline psychopath, single-mindedly focused on his self-interest. His ruthlessness hinted at in The Batman through his interactions with Carmine Falcone, becomes fully apparent in this series.

Cobb’s relationship with his mother, played by Deirdre O’Connell, adds another layer of complexity. He craves her validation rather than her love, highlighted when he dances with Carmen Ejogo’s Eve Karlo, Cobb’s lady friend, dressed in his mother’s clothes, during the finale, after murdering his charismatic partner, Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz). The conclusion of the series solidifies his transformation into the Penguin, making me eagerly await his role in The Batman Part II.

Another standout character from the series is Sofia Falcone, portrayed by Cristin Milioti. She endured a decade in the Arkham State Hospital for crimes she didn’t commit, only to emerge almost as ruthless as Cobb. Her story is a heartbreaking tale of injustice, leaving me hopeful for her eventual revenge against Cobb.

In summary, The Penguin is a five-star show that brilliantly extends The Batman universe while remaining a strong standalone masterpiece. I eagerly await the continuation in The Batman Part II, set for release in 2026.