Summary
- The Penguin finale didn't bring Batman, but Colin Farrell's transformation into Oz Cobb earned praise for makeup.
- Episode 7 hinted at Selina Kyle's real father, Rex Calabrese, setting up a potential connection in season two.
- The Penguin references DC Comics' New 52 lore, hinting at a tie between Catwoman and Sofia Falcone in future episodes.
The Penguin episode eight has finally come to a close, marking the finale of the new HBO DC series. Even though fans didn't get the arrival of Batman they seemed to crave (yet) or an actual physical appearance from Selina Kyle aka Catwoman, episode seven revealed an unmistakable and hidden nod to Gotham City's expert thief. Developed by Lauren LeFranc for HBO, who also worked on other popular TV shows, including Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Penguin took DC fans into the murky underbelly of Gothic City as it lifted the lid on Oz Cobb's criminal escapades following the events of 2022's The Batman.
Starring Colin Farrell as Oz and Cristin Milioti as Carmine Falcone's "unhinged" daughter Sofia, The Penguin has been praised for its incredible acting performances, deeply engaging writing and has already been primed by fans to receive countless awards. Farrell's transformation into Oz, in particular, has probably gotten the most attention, as viewers see the handsome Irish actor change his rugged good looks into something rather sinister and slimy with the use of some skillful prosthetics. Recently, Matt Reeves, who was deeply involved in the show's direction, revealed which video games inspired Oz's vulnerable appearance. As for Catwoman herself, The Penguin episode seven offered up one of its best Easter eggs in the form of Selina's real father, which some viewers probably missed.
The Penguin Episode 7 Catwoman Easter Egg
In The Penguin episode seven, fans got a deeper look into Oz's childhood as it was revealed how his brothers tragically died. However, in the moments before the sad event where the brothers head down into the sewers, viewers are briefly introduced to a gangster called Rex Calabrese on the streets, a neighborhood legend who is seen giving money to Oz's brother, Jack. This is where The Penguin gives DC comic fans a juicy big reference to the beloved Selina Kyle, who, just so happens to be Catwoman's (or rather Selina Calabrese) real father and was introduced in the 2010s Batman Universe comics, The New 52.
In this specific continuity in DC Comics' lore, Calabrese took on the nickname “The Lion,” and towered over Gotham, even before Batman came into the picture - that was until he was edged out by Carmine “the Roman” Falcone. He then went into hiding and renamed himself “Leo Leone”, but unfortunately for him, his lion-like demeanor didn't serve him too well in the end where he was caught and thrown into Blackgate Penitentiary. Of course, being who he was, prison wasn't going to stop his ruthless plans for Gotham's underbelly and took on the alias Calabrese before making himself known to Catwoman on a mission to inform her who her real family was.
Although The Penguin season one doesn't indulge in any ties to Rex Calabrese being Catwoman's father, it's still a fantastic throwback to The New 52 comics and certainly something that non-diehard DC fans could have missed fairly easily. However, this Easter egg, as small as it is, could set up a great connection between Selina Kyle and Sofia Falcone in some capacity in season two of The Penguin, since they both share the same father in this Batman universe.
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
- Showrunner
- Lauren LeFranc
- Directors
- Craig Zobel
- Writers
- Lauren LeFranc
- Franchise(s)
- Batman, DC Elseworlds
Cast
-
Colin FarrellOz Cobb -
Cristin MiliotiSofia Falcone
WHERE TO WATCH
Created by Lauren LeFranc and starring Colin Farrell, The Penguin builds on 2022's The Batman. The Max series chronicles the eponymous villain's attempt to reach Gotham's criminal peak, rising through the underworld in the middle of a power struggle.
- Seasons
- 1
- Prequel
- The Batman (2022)
- Story By
- Bill Finger, Bob Kane
- Streaming Service(s)
- MAX
- Avg Episode Length
- 60 Mins
