A new version of the iconic Oswald Cobblepot hits our TV screens Penguinand if you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out on some of the best television right now.
Penguinis a spin-off of Matt Reeves’ new work batman Universe, which follows the titular villain (played by the amazing Colin Farrell) in the aftermath of dark and bleak events batman— literally, like in the aftermath of the Riddler’s terrorist attack.
Penguin will explore Oz Cobb (as he is called here) as he attempts to assert his place in Gotham’s criminal underworld, filling the role of Carmine Falcone (John Turtle) in the film Luo), and his backstory. What drives him? What dark secrets from his past have made him the Penguin he is today?
This is a character driven crime story Montenegro family. It’s a dark and complex story that takes viewers to new and interesting places batman universe. But today, we want to take a look at the first episode, and three elements of the writing that hooked viewers from the opening scene.
spoilers Penguin Episode 1 “After Hours” is as follows.
Penguinexcellent rhythm
There is no need for the audience to see it batmanbut this framing might be helpful, since the story begins exactly where the movie ends. Gotham is in chaos. Who walks into the abandoned Iceberg Lounge? It was none other than Ozzy Cobb.
You may be familiar with the term in media res, which literally means “getting into the middle of things.” This is one of the simplest screenwriting techniques. In fact, it just starts your story in the midst of ongoing action.
In this case, Oz is already in action at the beginning of the episode. We followed Oz into the lounge, wondering what he was doing. We soon see him robbing Falcone’s safe, only to be interrupted by the supposed heir to the family, Alberto Falcone (Michael Zegen). Oz’s actions in the following scenes kick off the overall storyline of the season.
The murder of Alberto also sets Oz on a mini-adventure this episode, as he must rush to dispose of Alberto’s body. He encounters Victor (Renzi Feliz) outside, interrupts him and a group of young thugs trying to steal Oz’s hubcaps, and unexpectedly recruits the kid to help him.
This episode gives us an extremely tense storyline with clear stakes and conflicts. Oz must hide this evidence or Gotham’s biggest mob family will come after him, and he needs to do it quickly. The underlying danger in his relationship with Victor gives their interactions a unique weight.
You may have also heard the screenwriting adage of “get up late and leave early” on set, and that applies here too.
Each scene leads into the next with quick cuts, giving us just enough information to keep us engaged. There are no unnecessary arrivals or setups, and the beats don’t last longer than they need to. Find that scene button and get out.
We visit Oz’s home, visit his visibly ill mother (Deirdre O’Connell), and meet a lover who will serve as his alibi. The pacing here is excellent and never gets bogged down in detail or unnecessary beats.
Read more: 5 levels of stunning script pacing
“Penguin” (2024)
Get to know Ozzy Cobb from the beginning
Let’s get back to Alberto Falcone’s pivotal opening scene. Yes, it’s important as the inciting incident of the series. But it also serves as some very clever character development, setting up Oz as the protagonist.
ScreenCraft has previously written about the elements that make for compelling characters, including their differences, empathy, and motivation. In this scene we get all three. Oz has always been unique and one of Batman’s most important villains. But sometimes, he’s an antihero, a loser.
To me at least, that makes him very empathetic. I’ve seen comic book analysis that points out that Penguin often “attacks” when it comes to achieving his goals. Everyone dismisses him, no one sees him as a threat, and that’s something the audience can relate to.
But what about his motivation? In this scene, Oz tells Alberto about a man named Rex Calabrese from his childhood neighbor, whom everyone admired. This person helps people in need. He held a certain authority through what Oz considered to be charity, and was so beloved that a parade was held in his honor when he died.
Even though Ozzy doesn’t say it outright, we as the audience know – that’s what he wants. He craves that power and respect, and may even consider himself selfless.
Of course, when Alberto scoffs at this, Oz reacts a little strongly and shoots him.
This is probably one of the most important scenes in the entire series, as the writers had to establish Oz’s character motivations. Doing that through story gives us exposition and context in an interesting way, and it’s a realistic way for the character to say, “This is my goal and this is who I want to be.” ”
You don’t want this moment to be awkward. Remember the importance of subtext and support this motivation through character choices and actions throughout your work.
“Penguin” (2024)
Penguin‘s theme set to inform the rest of the season
There are several central themes Penguin Designed to be explored, many of these are set up in this episode. One is that crime presents itself as an opportunity to these people whose system has failed them. We see this in Victor, who is struggling to make ends meet after losing everything in a disaster zone in the city.
He did go with Oz because he feared for his life, but later, Oz used this theme to convince Victor (and others) to join him in his plan. Those in power don’t look out for them, so they have to look out for each other.
Another is the perception of wealth and how it is expressed through appearance. This goes hand in hand with Oz, who drives around Gotham City in a flashy purple Maserati and has a tacky fake fireplace in his loft apartment. This is another expression of his desire to be rich and respected.
But even in a higher echelon, with all their wealth, the Falcone mob family still aspires to higher status, to become the city’s true elite – just like the Wayans family. They live in luxury, albeit with old money.
“Penguin” (2024)
The third obvious theme in the first episode is that Oz will never be able to please his mother, who is clearly the most important person in his life and the only person he truly needs approval from. In their first scene together, the bombastic villain turns into a whiny whiner when he’s forced to admit his latest misstep in front of her.
This moment does a great job of humanizing him, but also foreshadows a complex thematic thread that will hopefully be unraveled in later episodes.
Whether it’s the pain of mommy issues or the dangers of wealth extraction, remember to build a theme at the foundation of your story. This will add weight to your script and provide a deeper connection for your audience.
Read more: How to build a great TV pilot
