DC movies are famous for their subtle hints and references to the other works of the studio in its universe. Does The Penguin also step into the shoes of its predecessors and follow the tradition? (Spoiler: it does)
Read on to find out!
1What Role Does Bella Reál Play in Episode 3?
The episode starts with a throwback to the flood orchestrated by the Riddler in The Batman. Fans are now meet a new perspective when they see Victor Aguilar teaming up with Oswald “Oz” Cobb.
And that’s where Bella Reál’s campaign posters meet the camera. Yep, that’s the politician from The Batman who sought to drive corruption out of the city of Gotham.
With these posters, fans get a flashback to the many references from the previous DC movies.
2Is Squid Really from the Original DC Comics?
As we see the rooftop reunion of Victor and his buddies, we also get introduced to a small-time dealer “Squid”. Here, it can easily be drawn that this Squid is a subtle homage to the old DC Comics villain Squid, who happened to be a crime boss in Gotham.
Except this time, neither is Squid a “Crime Lord” per se, nor does he have the giant squid “Gertrude” as the comics portrayed. As far as eyes go, he’s a far cry from comics’ portrayal, and is merely a petty dealer in Gotham.
3How Does the Riddler’s Flood Impact Crown Point?
The flashback goes on to show Riddler’s flood causing destruction of the Crown Point region, the hardest-hit neighborhood in the flood.
Going to the vantage point of Victor Aguilar, the flood only meant one thing – the loss of his family in front of eyes, as he stood incapable of doing anything to save them.
This scene in itself was a great portrayal of how stunted the Riddler’s plan was, as it ended up tramping upon the lives of the vulnerable under the name of toppling the elite. The emotional impact of this sequence so deeply felt, that it alone could show class divide in Gotham and the depth of DC comics as well.
4Why is the “Stop Drops” Billboard Significant?
When we noticed the “Stop Drops” anti-drug billboard in The Penguin, we were all reminded of the drug epidemic in The Batman.
The logo on the billboard is a direct throwback to the movie, where the narcotic substance “Drops” was abused rampantly in the city of Gotham.
This time, a similar scheme is being attempted by Oz and Sofia with the drug “Bliss”, implying that Gotham’s long-standing struggle with narcotics is yet to see its dusk.
5Could Dr. Trey Bloom Be Mister Bloom?
These drug operations by Oz and Sophia lead us to the discovery of Dr. Trey Bloom, a scientist researching a one-off mushroom strain for the development of Bliss.
True fans noticed something here; remember Mister Bloom from the comics?
The villain who created artificial metahumans appears to have returned as Dr. Bloom. And obviously, as a live-action adaptation, he’s more realistic as a scientist who develops a potent drug instead of superpowers.
6What Are the Triads Doing in Gotham?
The episode also features the introduction of the Triads, a major criminal organization, who are sought by Oz and Sofia for the distribution of Bliss, the drug developed by Dr. Bloom.
The Triads’ appearance in DC Comics has formed their image as a formidable force in Gotham’s underworld, and this only adds malevolence to Oz and Sophia’s characters.
7Why Does the Music in the Club Scene Sound Familiar?
The gala of Easter Eggs does not stop at references, characters and billboards; there’s music involved too. If one recalls the track that plays in background in a club scene, one might recognize this as “Came for the Low” by Partywithray and Zhu.
“WHAT’S MARVEL DOING HERE?” one might ask, surprised. For those wondering, it’s the same song from Falcon and the Winter Soldier that featured Zemo’s Madripoor viral dance number.
Some might argue that it’s merely a fun coincidence, plenty believe this to be an unexpected hinting of a creative link between DC Comics and MCU, appreciated by fans of both superhero studios.
8What’s the Origin of the New Drug Bliss?
As revealed by Sofia, Bliss was originally put to use at the Arkham State Hospital to subdue patients (Well, that took quite a turn).
In the story of Gotham’s institutions becoming corrupt, the misuse of Bliss stands out as one of the most remarkably infamous examples. This expose formed a link between the operations of Sofia and Oz, Dr. Bloom, and their intentions to outpace Drops as Gotham’s new addiction.
9Are the Neon Dragons a Threat to Sofia and Oz’s Plans?
There’s a subtle mention about the Neon Dragons by Sofia. ND are another criminal gang in the DC Comics universe, that don’t make a direct appearance.
Despite their on-screen absence, their mention in itself serves testament to the multi-layered criminal world of Gotham city, thickening the air with an apprehensive undertone.
10Who is the Odessa Mob and What Could They Mean for Future Episodes?
By the finale, there’s yet another reference, and this time it’s the Odessa Mob that grabs our attention. This Russian-origin crime syndicate in DC Comics appears to pose a potential threat to the operations of Sofia and Oz.
Originally, the Mob was prominent during the highly chaotic No Man’s Land Era of Gotham, but the fact that they’re still functional speaks volumes of their strength and ambition. And yes, they’re definitely the biggest challenge for Oz, if he wants to rule Gotham.
Final Thoughts
The Penguin was famously succeeded in opening the darker corners of Gotham for the viewers, connecting bits and pieces of the OG comic lore, garnished with sprinkles of movie callbacks.
Much to the delight of fans, there are more Easter Eggs with each passing episode. Here’s to more ahead!
About The Penguin
The Penguin is an American television miniseries created by Lauren LeFranc for HBO. Based on the DC Comics character Penguin, it is a spin-off from the film The Batman (2022) that explores the Penguin’s rise to power in Gotham City’s criminal underworld. LeFranc serves as the showrunner of the series, which is produced by DC Studios in association with Warner Bros. Television.
Colin Farrell stars as the Penguin, reprising his role from The Batman, alongside Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, Carmen Ejogo, Michael Zegen, Berto Colón, James Madio, Joshua Bitton, David H. Holmes, Daniel J. Watts, Ben Cook, Jayme Lawson, Michael Kelly and Mark Strong. Development was underway by September 2021, and HBO Max ordered it in March 2022, after The Batman was released. The film’s director, Matt Reeves, supervised the writing and was involved in hiring the creative team. Filming began in March 2023 in New York, but was halted in June by the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes. Production resumed in late November and concluded in February 2024. The series moved from HBO Max’s successor Max to HBO in July 2024. Craig Zobel directed the first three episodes.
The Penguin premiered in the United States on HBO on September 19, 2024, and is set to run for eight episodes until November 10.
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