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There are no two ways about it —The Penguinhas been one of the biggest shows of 2024. Colin Farrell nailed it as Oz Cobb, Gotham’s sleaziest, scheming crime boss, and Matt Reeves’ vision of Gotham has kept us glued to our screens again.
While fans loved seeing Oz climb the underworld ranks, do we actually need another season ofThe Penguin? Maybe not. Here are three reasons why it might be better off without a second outing, at least for now.
1It’s meant to be a bridge, not a franchise
In a gluttonous era of endless streaming shows and multiseason stories being stretched out to a thread, it’s easy to forget that sometimes good things can be short and sweet.The Penguinwas made to bridge the gap betweenThe Batmanand its upcoming sequel (The Batman – Part II), not to be a long-running series.
The show has served its purpose, reminding fans of DC why Gotham City and its villains are so captivating. While doing so it was also able to set the stage forThe Batman’s next chapter. It’s even enhanced the character of Oz Cobb, so by the time we meet him inThe Batman – Part II, he’ll be every bit the classic Penguin we know and fear. It would seem like mission accomplished, right?
2Colin Farrell needs a break from all those prosthetics
Colin Farrellas Oz was riveting, but filming a whole series while wearing layers of prosthetics and heavy costumes? Brutal. Farrell was open about the challenge, tellingTotal Filmjust how exhausting it was.
By the end of it, I was bitching and moaning to anyone who would listen to me that I f*cking wanted it to be finished
Farrell’s dedication to the character is obvious, but eight episodes is a long time to stay in that much makeup, and let’s face it—it’s easier for him to do a couple of scenes inThe Batmanmovies than it is to lead an entire series as Oz.
Yes, Farrell admitted that he would consider a return“in a year”if the story was right. But it’s clear that he wouldn’t be in a rush to get back in that suit. And honestly, do we really want Farrell to suffer through all that again just for the sake of another season? Let’s keep this one special.
3There’s so much more to explore in Gotham
One of the great things about Gotham is that it has a seemingly endless list of vagabonds, vigilantes, and villains.The Penguinwas awesome because it took us into Oz’s world, but it doesn’t mean he needs to be the main villain in every story.
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Matt Reeveshas hinted at the possibility of other spinoffs with characters like Two-Face, Poison Ivy, or even Mr. Freeze. (ice-puns, yes please). On how he looked at origin stories, Reeves shared optimisticallyto Esquire,
It’s sort of like Batman’s story—the way that I did it—because there’d been so many origin tales. It’s the early days, it’s the origins of all of the rogues’-gallery characters.
The Penguinalso managed to tell a full and complete story without leaving us on a cliffhanger, that demands another season. With the ending, we can see where Oz is headed, and we know he’ll be back forThe Batman – Part II. If there’s another Gotham-centric show down the line, it could open the door to newer alleys and give other characters their chance to shine.
So, does this meanThe Penguinis done for good?
Well, not necessarily. The show’s popularity means that HBO and Warner Bros. might reconsider, and showrunner Lauren LeFranc has already talked to Farrell about a potential second season. ButThe Penguinwas designed as a limited series, and its purpose was to set the stage for future films, not to expand endlessly. Besides, Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb will be back in the next Batman movie, which is set to bring him face-to-face withRobert Pattinson’sBatman. It sounds like plenty.
The Penguinhas been one hell of a ride, but it’s okay if that’s where the ride ends.
The Penguin Episode 8’s Most Devastating Death May Not be Permanent: Colin Farrell’s Oz Will Have a New Enemy in Season 2
Farrell, Milioti, and the rest have given us a Penguin (and more so) we won’t soon forget, and the series has set up Gotham’s next big chapter beautifully. Sometimes, less really is more.
Jayant Chhabra
Articles Published :123
Jayant Chhabra is a long-form writer and Creative Producer, who has worked with several renowned publications and production houses. Yet, there’s more to Jayant than meets the word count. You’ll find him cheering for the Red Devils, trying to produce music, or yet again being enamoured by the countless films, essays, and books that he holds close to his heart.
