As a longtime follower of the Batman universe, I must say that the introduction of Julian Rush to Sofia Gigante’s gang has piqued my interest significantly. While it is intriguing to speculate about his potential connection to established characters like Scarecrow or Hugo Strange, I am inclined to believe that he is an original character crafted with a unique backstory.
Beware underestimating The Penguin in Gotham City, as it’s becoming increasingly clear that this series is more than just a precursor to Matt Reeve’s Batman movies. With each passing episode, the show surpasses its initial purpose and is finding its place well on HBO’s Sunday night lineup. While the episode after “Cent’anni” (Sofia’s ‘Hangman origin story’ and brutal family massacre) felt like a return to business as usual, setting the stage for the next phase of Gotham’s gang war.
Despite this, The Penguin persists in offering an enticing blend of Batman villain folklore, American crime-drama motifs, and ample opportunities for Cristin Milioti to excel. In the opening scene, Oz ignites his Plum carriage (farewell, King), reconnects with Victor, and captures Taj Maroni, the Maronis’ unruly son (Aria Shahghasemi), as a hostage for the stolen Bliss mushrooms. Simultaneously, Sofia maneuvers skillfully around the Falcone residence detectives, transforming it into a crime scene. Mackenzie Bock, a corrupt cop who was last seen in Batman, makes a reappearance and brings great amusement with his thick East Coast accent and tough-guy demeanor. Bock begins questioning Sofia about her whereabouts the previous night and the whereabouts of Johnny Viti. However, Sofia swiftly reminds Bock of his position when she mentions that GCPD will now miss out on the kickbacks from the Falcones.
It appears Bock is satisfied for now, giving us a chance to return to Viti, trapped in the crypt and facing the cold. Our next task is finding Viti, who needs our help to find hidden money that Sofia’s father kept. Interestingly, the scene here suggests a dominatrix dynamic: Viti, bound with a horse bit in his mouth, while Sofia smokes a cigarette on a freshly made coffin between rounds of ice-bucket challenges. Sofia wants the untraceable cash because she believes it’s hidden somewhere nearby. All Viti needs to do is guide her.
Sofia shows obvious irritation upon this disclosure, as her temper flares swiftly whenever someone in a tight spot attempts to deceive her for self-preservation. However, Johnny no longer needs to fabricate stories, and he continues to have valuable resources to contribute if Sofia intends to assume control of the family enterprise. The untraceable funds are merely the beginning of what’s at stake.
“I couldn’t help your mother,” he admits. “Let me help you.”
In the meantime, Oz gathers at Eve’s location with Vic (from the Maroni group), along with a few weak supporters from the Falcone camp. “In my opinion,” Oz states, trying to boost morale, “Sofia has actually done us a good turn.” “One family less, one to go,” he concludes.
Here they go, ascending in a blaze. Meanwhile, Mikey, one of Oz’s contacts within Blackgate, attempts and fails to murder Sal brutally with a knife. In response, Oz negotiates a deal with Nadia, placing her gasoline-soaked son into her embrace. It requires minimal effort to set the pair on fire, providing Oz an additional moment to gaze into the flames consuming his adversaries, savoring the triumph’s warmth, a bloodlust fully quenched.
The joyful celebration is abruptly halted by a fire extinguisher falling from above and a shootout. Only Oz and one of his associates manage to escape unharmed, but most of the explosive mushroom containers are damaged. Meanwhile, Sal, who had escaped Blackgate, is already making threats against Oz through the phone of a deceased friend named Mikey. With no other options left, Oz contacts Vic to arrange for his mother to be taken to a safe apartment in Crown Point, their old neighborhood.
In her first stint as the leader of the Gigante crime family, Sofia Falcone surprises everyone by immediately knocking out Viti when she assumes her position at the head of the table. It seems that untraceable money was all she needed from you, buddy. With a conclave of the gang members ahead, where she can solidify her authority, Sofia aims to become the undisputed mafia queen of Gotham once and for all. Moreover, it appears that Julian Rush is now her trusted confidant, and we can almost confirm that he is none other than Dr. Harleen Quinzel, the infatuated lover of Sofia’s alter ego, the Joker.
In the scene where Sofia successfully charms the troops using her father’s money and her argument based on labor theory, she manages to secure an audience with Sal Maroni – marking the first time Milioti and Clancy Brown share the screen together. This encounter is delightful for fans of either actor. In this scene, Sofia, portrayed by Milioti as a sharp and ambitious Sofia Gigante, skillfully positions herself to make a significant impact, while Sal, played by Clancy Brown, appears injured, distressed, and mourning. At this juncture, Sofia’s proposition is crystal clear: the only way out of the current chaos is by joining forces against their mutual adversary, the absent Penguin. Whether this alliance is a genuine strategic move or another instance of deceit remains to be seen.
When Oz arrives at the hideout in Crown Point late in the day, Victor and his mother are comfortably settled but deeply troubled by the spirits of their lost family. Earlier that day, Francis had expressed excitement about assisting them, thinking it would be an easy task ahead. However, with the situation now becoming more challenging, she plans to aid Oz in a way she’s familiar with: through tough love.
According to Oz, the city seized his brothers. As Victor queries about his siblings’ whereabouts, this triggers a recollection in Oz – a City Trolley fare token, along with memories of their childhood in the bustling metropolis, stirs something within him. Intrigued, they venture to the deserted trolley tunnels, once their playground, now transformed into a secret hideout. This dimly lit, damp space offers perfect conditions for cultivating Bliss and strategic vantage points for plotting and eventually seizing power – overthrowing the godfather.
As we approach the last three instalments of the Cobb/Gigante tale, the stage is perfectly set for an exciting confrontation between timeless Gotham villains. I must acknowledge director Helen Shaver’s skill in handling the tone and symbolism of the material in the recent episodes. The crime drama aspect of the show on Sunday nights continues to be satisfactory, occasionally even captivating. However, it’s the series’ emotional attachment to its characters and its treatment of them as tragic pulp heroes that makes The Penguin a crime story worthy of a fortune in untraceable cash piles.
Under the Plum Hood
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve been pondering about this Julian Rush character lately. There seems to be quite a buzz around him potentially joining Batman’s rogues gallery, much like the Scarecrow or even Hugo Strange have done before. The Bliss operation and its red-bleeding Arkham Asylum mushrooms certainly have a Scarecrow-like quality to them, with an initial party drug feel that quickly turns terrifying once the fear sets in. Could it be that Rush is set to become a darker version of Dr. Jonathan Crane in Matt Reeves’ Batman universe?
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2024-10-21 06:55