Is The Penguin Orchestrating a Hidden Confrontation Between Oz Cobb and Batman?
This article contains spoilers for the latest episode of “The Penguin.”
While I may think of “The Batman” as a nod to “Seven” but with a twist, there was still a great deal to appreciate about the film. Director Matt Reeves introduced a fresh perspective on the Dark Knight, transforming Bruce Wayne from a wealthy playboy into a troubled recluse reminiscent of a later Kurt Cobain. While Reeves drew from classic crime dramas like “Chinatown” for inspiration, “The Batman” undeniably followed a David Fincher blueprint, with “Seven” being an unmistakable influence, alongside “Zodiac,” which partially shaped the visual style of Paul Dano’s Riddler.
One of the most intriguing changes to Batman’s mythology was the reimagining of the Batcave. In “The Batman,” Robert Pattinson’s character operates from an abandoned train station beneath Wayne Tower, strategically positioned in the heart of Gotham. This alteration would have surely impressed Christopher Nolan, as it provided the practical advantage of enabling Bruce to navigate the city seamlessly via the neglected underground passages below.
Now, “The Penguin” invites audiences to explore similar subterranean realms of Gotham, as Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb aims to solidify his drug empire from a comparable abandoned underground cavern. This leads us to ponder: Is this where “The Penguin” and “The Batman” notably intersect?
Oz’s secret lair is remarkably reminiscent of the Batcave. In episode 5 of “The Penguin,” Oz showcases his brutal nature by igniting the wife and son of his adversary Sal Maroni, all while striving to secure his dominance over Gotham’s narcotics market. Towards the episode’s conclusion, he reveals the scope of his ambitions, guiding his young apprentice Victor Aguilar — who offers a unique take on the Batman and Robin dynamic — to a concealed entrance of the city’s old trolley tunnel system. As they traverse the tunnels, they arrive at a chamber echoing Bruce Wayne’s train station Batcave from “The Batman.” That lair, constructed within the framework of Wayne Terminal, mirrors the makeshift decor of Penguin’s underground hideout, complete with vacant trolley cars that reflect the industrious spirit of its occupant.
While there’s no explicit indication that these are the same tunnels utilized by Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, it’s intriguing to note that as they enter the hidden chamber, Penguin remarks, “These tunnels go everywhere. They give us access to the whole damn city.” This begs the question: Could “The Penguin” be paving the way for a future confrontation between Oz and Bruce?
Considering that “The Penguin” doesn’t feature Robert Pattinson’s Batman, and the series has largely maintained its distance from Matt Reeves’ cinematic universe, two points remain to be examined. First, HBO recently released a mid-season trailer for “The Penguin,” which begins with footage of a motorcyclist navigating through the underground tunnels. Although the identity of the rider isn’t disclosed, speculation among fans suggests it could be Bruce Wayne or even Victor Aguilar. The mysterious clips leave viewers guessing about who this figure is and their motives before transitioning to a shot of an above-ground train station.
Secondly, even in the absence of Bruce Wayne in “The Penguin,” it does not eliminate the possibility of a future encounter between him and Oz in the impending “The Batman Part II.” As Oz continues to run his operations from this underground haven, it could set the stage for an exciting showdown between the Dark Knight and Penguin on film. This scenario might also offer a chance to keep the more humorous side of Oz alive, reminiscent of his now-meme-inducing quote, “Take it easy, sweetheart.”
Imagining a situation where Oz unexpectedly meets Pattinson’s vigilante deep in the forsaken tunnels could yield another memorable, meme-worthy moment, or perhaps Bruce could stumble upon Penguin’s operation and monitor it from the shadows, remaining under Oz’s radar.
Regardless of how events unfold, the inclusion of an underground lair in “The Penguin” draws a fascinating parallel between Bruce and Oz. Both figures, products of Gotham, find a strange sense of belonging within the city’s damp underbelly, encapsulated by Oz’s declaration in the episode: “This place. Calling me home.” Yet, this line provokes a deeper concern regarding his fate: “It’s humid down here, it’s dark. You know what thrives in a place like this?” The answer, of course, is Bats.
New episodes of “The Penguin” are available Sundays on HBO and Max.
