SPOILERS BELOW for anybody who hasn’t but watched The Penguin’s season finale on HBO or streamed it with a Max subscription, so be warned!
Even after its first episode, The Penguin appeared destined to develop into a beloved standout amidst all the things on the 2024 TV schedule, and the hyper-dark crime drama from showrunner Lauren LeFranc by no means stopped delivering on that promise. Certainly, the season finale featured a smorgasbord of emotional depth with tour de power performances from Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti and Deidre O’Connell, to not point out Rhenzy Feliz’s gut-demolishing last scene. For over an hour, this factor is a strong A+.
But when I could also be so flagrantly dramatic (although with out spittle flying from my lips), the finale’s uncomfortably excellent ending is sort of blown to smithereens by the present’s last connective tissue to Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman movie(s): the Bat Sign. However like, just one.5 seconds of it, brief sufficient that I actually want it hadn’t occurred in any respect.
Why Give Followers The Bat Sign Now?
Proper from the bounce, The Penguin‘s inventive bosses have been clear and up entrance about Robert Pattison’s Batman (or Bruce Wayne) not having any form of presence within the episodic sequence, with the principle thrust being to maintain this world extra grounded as a criminal offense drama. However as viewers have seen by way of references to The Riddler and shared forged members, the HBO present did not shrink back fully from displaying it exists inside the identical universe.
Even so, numerous viewers both did not get that memo, or did not care to agree with it, as a result of absolutely the lack of Batman references has been one of many extra debated points inside the fandom. Some like myself assume it is sensible for the present to bypass all issues batty, because the vigilante continues to be gaining floor in Gotham Metropolis throughout The Penguin‘s timeline, and sure would not have the technique of protecting fixed surveillance on Oz’s neck of the woods.
However others are of the idea that a number of the extra damaging occasions within the TV present, resembling Oz’s underground operation going explosively stomach up, would have completely attracted Batman’s consideration. So maybe that group might be happy to see the sign popping on within the closing seconds, however I would think about many would see it as too little, too late.
Granted, displaying it earlier within the season probably would have induced a slew of followers to see it as Chekov’s Bat Sign, indicating a full-on look from the Caped Crusader earlier than the season concluded. Which might have led to additional disappointment when it did not occur, however nonetheless. Simply haven’t got it in any respect, let this season be all about Oz, and issues solved.
The Letter To Sofia Was Already A Excellent Callback
I actually assume the episode caught the easter egg touchdown, if you wish to name it that, with the letter from Selina Kyle that Dr. Rush delivered to the once-again institutionalized Sofia, teasing their potential future relationship in Matt Reeves’ The Batman: Half II or a possible second season of The Penguin. I liked the sequence going that route, since I admittedly hadn’t thought all that a lot about their familial ties prior to now, since I wasn’t certain if Sofia would even survive past the finale.
Even when Milioti finally ends up touchdown different initiatives and does not return as Sofia Falcone, which might be the worst factor ever, the set-up of that character both teaming up with or butting heads with Zoë Kravitz’s Selina is one thing followers can truly gnaw on between initiatives. It is a seed that may develop widlly in followers’ minds in every kind of how.
However the Bat Sign popping up within the sky does not get any extra context, so there’s nothing additional to think about there. There is not any indication of what main crime can be taking place that may require Batman’s consideration, and we do not even get a shot of Oz or Eve Karlo seeing it from his penthouse home windows.
A Shot Of A New Bat-Machine Or Car Would Have Labored Higher
Had the Bat Sign not existed in The Batman, and we have been simply seeing it for the very first time in The Penguin, that’d be one factor. However we already know what it appears like, and even when it was a totally new design, that may nonetheless be on the less-impressive aspect.
Nevertheless, even I may need geeked out a bit had the HBO sequence ended on a fast shot of an early Batwing prototype or a extra fantastical Batmobile zipping by way of the streets under Oz’s penthouse. Positive, it is in all probability nonetheless too early to herald extra difficult autos like that, however my level is simply that the finale ought to have ended with one thing new to consider for Robert Pattinson’s Darkish Knight, if it was going to make us take into consideration him in any respect.
The Penguin‘s last second makes me take into consideration Gotham‘s sequence finale, which ended with the proto-signal highlight and the primary and solely shot of Batman in-costume. The ultimate scene sparked some criticism on the time, however that form of reveal was natural to the present’s build-up, and squarely put the vigilante’s future exploits fully contained in the minds of audiences.
As gross-feeling as it’s to say it, I believe we’re higher off following the finale by sorting by way of the complexities of Francis having to tearfully stare out of that window, unable to speak simply how depressing she actually is, all whereas listening to Oz gloat with self-importance as he makes one other lady say she’s happy with him. That is the form of hellacious scenario that Batman cannot repair regardless of what number of years of coaching he will get by way of.
So if something, that sign shining within the sky is not actually an indication of hope, however somewhat a reminder that heroes cannot save everybody. Now if everybody will excuse me, I am late for my appointment with Dr. Rush, who I undoubtedly won’t inform all my greatest sins to.
R.I.P. Victor Aguilar. We hardly knew ye, however need to avenge your homicide all the identical.