The story of The Penguin unfolds one week after the events depicted in The Batman.
It primarily chronicles how Oswald Cobblepot, known as the Penguin (portrayed by Colin Farrell), steadily climbs to become a powerful gang leader in Gotham City's criminal realm.
Now, why is he called "the Penguin"?
It's all because of his short stature, quirky movements, and a walking style that's remarkably similar to a penguin—thus earning him the moniker "Penguin."
At the outset of the story, Gotham City is in a state of upheaval. Carmine, the infamous crime boss, has just passed away, leaving a huge power vacuum within the gang circles.
The Penguin was once Carmine's trusted right-hand man. After Carmine's death, he thinks he has a shot at inheriting Carmine's power.
However, he's not the only one in Gotham's underworld eyeing this inheritance. Other forces, including Carmine's daughter Sofia, are also seeking to take control of the city's underground world.
After watching the first episode, one strong impression I have is that despite his short height and odd behavior, the Penguin is filled with ambition and wisdom.
He is well aware that in a corrupt city like Gotham, only the most ruthless and crafty can survive and rise. So, instead of taking immediate action, he patiently observes the conflicts between other forces.
One of the Penguin's early moves occurs during a secret transaction.
He secretly disrupts a weapons deal led by Morrie, the leader of another major gang in Gotham, to weaken Morrie's strength. Meanwhile, he starts to recruit other capable underlings to join his own group.
This fully demonstrates the Penguin's shrewd and merciless side—he knows how to use schemes and tricks, rather than brute force, to weaken his enemies.
At the same time, the Gotham City Police Department is another major hurdle the Penguin has to deal with.
Even though Batman's shadow hangs over the city, corruption in the Gotham Police Department is still severe, with many officers having intricate connections to the gangs.
The Penguin cleverly makes use of these corrupt police officers to help cover up his illegal activities.
Going back to Carmine's daughter Sofia, whom we mentioned earlier, she and the Penguin are opposing forces, and their images are in sharp contrast. Sofia may seem gentle on the surface, but in reality, she's full of scheming. She is determined to inherit her father's legacy and control Gotham's underground world.
The first encounter between Sofia and the Penguin is full of tension. Although there's no direct conflict, we can feel the undercurrent between them. Sofia tries to win the Penguin over through negotiations, but he isn't convinced. He believes he has the ability to dominate on his own.
Another great highlight is Gotham City's unique atmosphere. The first episode creates a city vibe filled with crime and despair through its dark, damp streets, abandoned buildings, and run-down docks.
The Penguin appears in these scenes multiple times, showing his determination and the methods he'll use to gradually reach the peak of power.
Additionally, there are some noteworthy points in the first episode that are worth pondering, such as the Penguin's interactions with some low-level criminals and gang members in Gotham.
Deep down, these small-time characters are actually filled with awe and anticipation for the Penguin's rise.
Overall, the first episode of The Penguin is of excellent quality. Anyway, I was hooked after watching just one episode.
The Penguin's image, full of ambition and ruthlessness, deeply draws me in. He treads carefully in the gang world, while suppressing rival forces and winning over allies, gradually building his own power structure.
Let's look forward to what the subsequent plot has in store!