Key Takeaways
- Making The Penguin more realistic and sympathetic may lead to difficulty in portraying him as a villain again.
- The surge of antihero characters has blurred the lines between rooting for villains and heroes.
- The absence of a counterbalance like Batman in the show could pose challenges in portraying The Penguin as a clear baddie.
As a long-time Batman fan and gaming enthusiast who has seen his fair share of villains turned antiheroes, I must admit that The Penguin show is a refreshing take on a classic character. However, it seems that the creators have gone a bit too far in making Oz Cobb more sympathetic than he should be.
2024 saw The Penguin rise as one of the most beloved shows, and as a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the genius behind it. What sets this adaptation apart is that Lauren Lefranc and Matt Reeves have breathed life into the Batman villain in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences. Gone are the quirks like bird-like mannerisms or raw fish dinners; instead, we see a more grounded portrayal of a character struggling with a mobster lifestyle due to an unfortunate physical condition affecting his foot. The Penguin’s transformation from a comic book oddity to a relatable figure on screen is nothing short of goldmining!
Through enhancing the realism of “The Penguin” character, they’ve simultaneously made him an individual whom viewers can empathize with. This is particularly significant when considering that Oz Cobb encounters mistreatment from various characters throughout the series, making him a character that audiences wish to support. He is likable because he refuses to be pushed around by others. Moreover, his intelligence adds to his appeal. As a result, he has emerged as the show’s protagonist thus far, posing a challenge. The issue lies in the fact that The Penguin is essentially a Batman villain at heart. Eventually, Reeves and Lefranc may want viewers to turn against him once more. However, given his current portrayal, this might prove challenging.
The Penguin Isn’t An Antihero
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in media characters who are more antihero than traditional heroic figures. Characters like Deadpool and The Mandalorian (initially) fall into this category. Many video games have also offered players a chance to embody an antihero, or even shape their character in that direction if they so choose.
| Creator/Showrunner | Lauren LeFranc |
|---|---|
| Stars | Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and Rhenzy Feliz |
| Number of Episodes | 8 |
| Air Dates | September 19, 2024–November 10, 2024 |
| Streaming On | HBO Max |
This increase has led people to perceive antiheroes as individuals they aspire to identify with or support. Characters like The Penguin, for instance, might seem appealing enough for rooting, but it’s essential to note that Oz Cobb is not an antihero. Rather, he functions as the antagonist in Gotham City, causing suffering and chaos.
He’s the bad guy that is causing pain and destruction in Gotham City.
Oz faces obstacles from other antagonists in the city, and while Sofia Falcone may win over some fans initially, she could eventually become a villain whom Batman supporters will need to dislike, unless she is killed off before the end of “The Penguin.” If there’s a confrontation between Oz and Sofia, with both surviving, fans might be eagerly anticipating this matchup for “Batman 2,” which could potentially put them in a position where they’re rooting against Batman instead.
It’s quite possible that the series has become so engaging by creating a character that audiences have grown fond of. With only a few episodes left this season, there seems to be a lot that could happen with Oz, and fans might be ready to forgive or rationalize any issues that arise. This is often a challenge when a show delves deep into the complexities of a villain, making them appear more heroic in the eyes of the audience. The audience becomes so invested in understanding the villain’s perspective that they may begin to perceive them as the protagonist.
The Drawback Of No Batman
It’s clear why Matt Reeves and Lauren LeFranc opted to create a series without Robert Pattinson’s character as the central focus. They recognized that if Batman entered the picture, the show would primarily revolve around him. However, upon reflection, it appears that an additional character was needed to serve as a contrast. Someone who could have highlighted that Oz’s actions were not justified, and that the man whom Vic initially believed was going to harm him was not simply a good-hearted individual misunderstood by society.
Colin Farrell, who plays Oz Cobb in the show, believes it could prove challenging for viewers to take a liking to his character towards the end. A few scenes or acts might even cause some audience members to turn against him, but whether or not this happens is uncertain. Given Farrell’s understanding of acting and the impact he can have on an audience, it’s possible he may be underestimating the sympathy viewers will feel for his character.
In a different phrasing: If Oz’s actions lead to the death of either Vic or Sofia, it might make some viewers dislike him. However, it seems that not having a character who is clearly good on the opposing side might provoke The Penguin to act more wickedly in Matt Reeves’ upcoming project, which could ultimately be counterproductive.
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2024-10-28 04:03