At the opening of the latest episode ofThe Penguin, “Bliss”, we saw a flashback that gave us the perspective of Victor (Rhenzy Feliz) during the climax ofThe Batman. After dropping off supplies to his family, and wondering why his father never wants “a better life” than the modest one they currently possess, Victor meets with his friends on top of a roof with his love interest Graciela (Anire Kim Amoda). Just as they kiss, Riddler (Paul Dano) sets off the explosions, causing the sea walls to collapse and a tsunami to flood the streets. It’s a genuinely horrifying moment that helps add some context to this moment inThe Batman. Not only does it show us the perspective of the people on the ground, but it also betterdemonstrates the physical and mental fallout of such a tragic disaster.
‘The Penguin’ Shows the True Horror of Riddler’s Flood in ‘The Batman’
Whilst it is still an awe-inspiring moment inThe Batman,The Penguinhelps to bring the audience into the tragedy and makes us far more directly engaged with the disturbing events unfolding before us. InThe Batman, the flood is seen as awful because Batman (Robert Pattinson) has lost. Riddler has been able to enact his plan. But we also feel some hope because we are following a protagonist who can actually make a difference. With Batman leading Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson) and the other survivors out of the flooded stadium, we see a world where the people of Gotham can stand behind the cape of the Dark Knight. Whereas inThe Penguin,Vic is totally helpless, watching the wave crush his family. The shots of highways collapsing like twigs in a stream and Vic’s silent cries for help present how disturbing this would be for someone who isn’t the Batman.
10 Movies To Watch if You Love ‘The Penguin’
Oz Cobb’s rise to the top of the criminal underworld makes for perfect movie inspiration.
‘The Penguin’ Displays the True Consequences of Riddler’s Flood for the People of Gotham
This opening scene also displays the consequences of this sea wall breaking for the society of Gotham. InThe Batman, the film ends with the hope that Gotham can rebuild with Batman’s help. However, inThe Penguin,this scene makes the flood feel far more apocalyptic, leading to a collapse in society and morals that many cannot overcome. Through Vic, we see this personified. He already loved the “wild” city and wanted a better life, but he wasn’t interested in hanging around with Squid and his drug dealing squad, sitting by Graciela. Then, by the end of the episode, he’s left Graciela to commit to Oz’s (Colin Farrell) criminal underworld. It sets up what Batman will be up against inThe Batman: Part Two, as no doubt some of the encounters he will have, whether it be henchmen or a villain themselves, will bepeople who see no better option than a criminal life.
It’s rare that a TV show can create such a visual spectacle that both looks real and makes you feel the devastation on screen, even with the higher budgets we are seeing nowadays, yet the flashback seen inThe Penguin’s latest episode certainly did that. The flood of Gotham might be a signal for hope for some,seeing the coming of Batman as a sign of change for the better, but for many, this flood was the end of their lives both literally and metaphorically. This single flashback inThe Penguindemonstrates that beautifully.
The Penguinis available to stream on Max in the U.S.
The Penguin
It follows the transformation of Oswald Cobblepot from a disfigured nobody to a noted Gotham gangster.
