Cristin Milioti has been underrated for so many years, I am so happy to see her finally getting he recognitions she deserves with this amazing TV series. From comedy to Broadway theater to comedy again to a crime drama based on a comic book, she's amazing 🙌
@@jim1242I've tried myself to get to watch that series (especially after meeting Cobie Smulders two days ago at my country's comic con) but as I was accidentally spoiled by the terrible ending, I just couldn't help myself to watch the whole thing
Yes that was beautiful, it also makes sense in the movie he said “it’s a big city, can’t be everywhere” also the aftermath of the riddler probably had him busy but remember this is the night after a day of chaos. Bombing, multiple deaths and Sofia arrest must had Gordon saying nah something bigger is going on we need Batman.
@@Tevin-MK If you were picking a team of Batmen for dodgeball, Reeves's Batman would get picked last, and get his lunch money stolen by all the other competent Batmen
So so good seeing a villain story where the bad guy actually stays bad (and gets even worse if anything). See Sony THIS is what you should be doing with your Spider-Man villain movies, not making them all anti-heroes.
One of my favorite acting choices from this show was after Penguin threatens and assaults the city council member he helps him back his car out "You got more room than you think" and I think it was completely improvised!
The penguin learned two things by the end . 1) having someone you care about is a weakness and enemy can exploit 2) a bosses #1 can turn on you so don’t trust anyone. That is why he killed Vic.
That’s a key difference with Spider-Man v someone corrupt like The Penguin. When villains threaten to kill MJ or Gwen Stacy, Spidey goes out of his way to protect them. Here, The Penguin just chokes him out so other bad guys can’t exploit that weakness!😂. I thought Vic was going to get it when he didn’t defend Oz’s mom and let Sofia take her, but he still needed Vic. He also knew Vic might turn on him someday like how the other underlings killed their bosses! Brilliant stuff!👍🏽😃
Oz was just SAVAGE with Vic! I mean BRUUUUUUTAL!!! I didn't see that coming. I ❤ being surprised in a good way! ✍️🔥👍👍 And the other good surprise was that Oz's mother knew all along that Oz killed his brothers!
I think he specifically compliments Vic by saying "That's good, I didn't think of that." So we can add in that he now knows he can't always anticipate Vic so he's especially vulnerable to 2.
Penguin has a better ending than shogun And imdb ratings I mean shogun was beautiful crafted but Penguin writing is more cunning and on edge❤@@BananaJoe12345
Easily top 5 of mine of this year, alongside with Trying Season 4, Only Murders In The Building, Baby Reindeer, and Quiet On Set The Dark Of Kids TV, I still need to rank them but maybe later
I knew from the beginning Vic would die. I just wasn't sure how..but I partly suspected Penguin might kill him. When he made it to the end, I kinda relaxed a little..and thought..wow..he made it..but then He said the line where he told Oz that "You're family.." And I knew Oz well enough at this point, that that was it. As soon as he said that, I knew he'd just sealed his own fate. And seconds later, he met his fate.
No love here for Shehulk ? ! Seriosuly though, HBO are on another level when they come to television. I hope will continue to get great tv from DC with James Gun coming in. They have really set the challenge for Marvel to raise their game when it comes to tv..
Netflix and Marvel have such bloated fluff and padding and characters doing stupid things. The Penguin tightly-plotted has no fat, no fluff, no pointless moments.
I really hope they keep releasing spin-off shows that flesh out the villains and have Batman exclusively appear in the films as an event that acts as the culmination of the crime and chaos that builds up over the TV shows.
Colin Farrell got to win awards for this show. I have never seen a character played like that in a longtime. I honestly think it rivals may even surpass Heaths Joker 🤷🏾♂️
Honestly I think you're right I do feel like most people won't say that only because Nostalgia for Heath. Colin Farrell's Penguin lowkey might be better than Heath ledgers Joker to me
Jesus Christ. You're comparing Heath Ledger's Joker to this hacky impression of James Gandolfini! Because he put on makeup? Are you all high on mushrooms? Have you watched "The Dark Knight"?
The episode of Sofia’s backstory was my favourite episode of the whole show. I feel it changed the tone and direction of the show for me. It got to a new level and definitely it was interesting to see the whole episode dedicated to someone else (considering only 8 episodes length of the show).
It also made that defeated, scared look in her eyes when she was arrested so much more intense. Knowing she will be back at Arkham. Bravo to all that made this.
I think the escort dancing with Oz at the end was also a great reveal. The show hinted at it when Sofia asked Eve what role Oz wanted her to play, and I think Oz had been having her pretend to be his mother all along because that was the love he was fixated on.
I was gripped into every episode by the tremendous performances and the supremely smart storytelling. So much depth and character development in every episode is what kept me so appreciative of this show. I listened to the official podcast after every episode, and watched the little featurettes at the end of each episode on Max. It’s definitely an HBO quality series on all levels. This show made you go to empathize with these dastardly characters while also coming to realize that they’re monsters. Masterful work! You just kept rooting for and against so many people at the same time.
1:21 I like that both Agatha & Penguin didn’t sell us short of a Villain in favour of Anti-Hero kinda of laid things straight in their twisted glory. They make an interesting double-watch!!
He just couldn't let Vic live after him having seen everything he had seen, and potentially becoming another soft-spot for Oz for his enemies to exploit, like his mother. Extremely horrible, but pretty in-character for Oz.
I felt like Penguin did what Joker 2 tried and failed to do - educate the audience that the villain isn't someone to admire. After people flocked to the Joker character from the first film, misunderstanding this was a movie about illness, not heroic resistance - Joker 2 came out to say "No, he is really just a sick bad man and you're wrong about him" - it felt chastising and angry and made for a poor movie. Penguin comes out and says "Look, he isn't a model, he's a menace who can't be trusted by the people closest to him. Don't idolize him. HE's not your father figure" in a way that felt enlightening, not berating.
Someone on Twitter brought up such an interesting observation about how the penguin is a dark mirror of Bruce Wayne. If Vic was stealing rims off Bruce’s car he’d either be given new opportunity whether that be some money or even training to be Robin right now. Bruce learns in the movie that he needs those people he loves in his life like Alfred to keep him from losing himself, while Oz seems to learn that he must rid himself of these connections to make the aspirations he wants come true.
Regarding Oz going through Vic's wallet, he kept the money, left the wallet on the corpse and tossed his ID. Surely this was to make it look like a random mugging more than anything else.
Loved how Sophia's gift at reading faces saw something wrong in Oz at the hanger before the shooting started. Vic was the Robin to the Penguin. When the light showed on Sophia's face I thought she was in the afterlife Ha!
@@insertname2035 yeah but IGN has a track record of some of the worst reviews ever. And having it deduce points for having to much betrayal. That's some insanity over there
Not much competition to be fair lol Daredevil... ummm.... something else 🤷 I really loved Legion but I also understand that it's definitely not for everyone
With a 3 hour movie and an 8 hour TV Show this is the most we ever got from a live action Batman universe and I‘m glad it‘s that one! It‘s been amazing so far and I can‘t wait for more! Also, with all the gang leaders dying in the final episode I was like oh wow I didn’t expect The Godfather!
The ending blew my mind and sickened me. I thought that maybe this character was an antihero with a shred of humanity. I was so very wrong. Great analysis and insight.
1:16 Talk about a gut punch, the murder of Vic was devastating! The way Oz was painted as a sympathetic character only to reveal the monster inside was one of the best twists in recent memory.
I sensed Vic was toast from the beggining. The ending of the very first episode set it up perfectly that Vic was eventually gonna die. But it still hurt when Oz did it in the final episode.
The ending scene with Vic was completely improvised. The line was “That’s right Vic, me and you all the way to the top.” But Colin Ferrel just started strangling Rhenzy and the director loved it
when that scene started i knew oz was gonna kill vic. as soon as vic said that they were like family i was expecting a gunshot and then the reveal that oz shot him. oz was a bit more ruthless than i thought he'd be at the end but wasn't surprised cause i knew the writers were gonna wanna make sure we remembered that he was a villain so him brutally choking him and then stealing his money and just discarding his ID casually was such a great way to show that oz really is "the devil". looking forward a rewatch of the show knowing everything now.
We all know Oz would kill Vic as soon as he saw the text messages (episode 3, I think) but we really hoped our intuition was wrong. Oz played and manipulated him, the same as he did everyone else, from start to finish! That’s what made it better for me, he is what he is!
this performance makes me think Collin Farrell could play Penguin , Joker, Bane , Ras Al Gul and prolly even poison Ivy all in the same movie and somehow make it work... his face change in killing Vic was insane...
This is what we mean when we say we just want female writers to write compelling female characters. They didn’t make this project with an agenda to preach, but to entertain
So it was Vic's idea to reach out and work with Link and the other underbosses. He was the reason that Oz won. And I think that's why Oz killed him, not because of the "family is a weakness thing" but because he saw Vic as a possible threat. Just like how he saw his brothers. Vic's genuineness was probably closer to what Rex Calabrese was like, while Penguin was always just another Carmine Falcone in the making. Vic was better than Oz, and Oz simply couldn't stand it.
It was amazing! I hope they don’t make the mistake of doing a season 2, but this shows that stand-alone spin-offs like this one can be great when done right.
The last episode was a gut punch. My hate for the Penguin is at the same level as Joffrey Baratheon. Never thought anyone would be able to achieve that again.
A stunning show with an incredible ending that really did hammer home that oh yeah, he's a very bad man but justice is coming. Farrell and Milioti were phenomenal.
long time watcher first time commenter. i loved the show overall. easily one of, if not the best show on tv right now. your review summed up a lot of my thoughts on the character relationship. to your point on Oz’s callousness after killing Vic: i think Oz taking his money was to make it look like a robbery gone wrong and throwing his ID in the river was to make it seem like Vic was a John Doe. reminds you Penguin is diabolically methodical.
The major roles were all well cast, written and directed. The writers, directors and actors should all get awards. There was also a logic to the actions. And how the other characters are working and moving along and not just waiting for the leads to act. Mrs. Maroni surprising Oz and Sofia, is a great example. Great writing.
I thought Sofia’s character was heartbreaking. Besides Victor, she was the only other moral character who was simply trying to survive in a world of psychopaths. She was betrayed by every single person around her, including her own family. I suppose one message could be that to survive in a world of psychopaths you must actually be one.
Nando V Movies said Vic was an unnecessary character and now I know not to ever watch any of his reviews anymore. Vic is so fundamental to this story that if you miss that then I question whether you understand any storytelling at all
Dan, spot on with your assessment of this show. The constant subverting of expectations over and over again, had me thoroughly entertained. Another show, with really great writing and performances, is Paramounts Lioness. How are more people not talking about it? Criminally underrated!
I was so mad after he killed Victor, I didn't even pay attention to the last few minutes lol had to rewind it to find out about the Selena Kyle letter.
The show did a great job at making you understand Penguin without excusing him. He's a bad guy and always has been, even as a kid. Shot out to the child actor playing young Oz, he was adorably twisted Also in fairness Sophia did blow up a city block. She probably killed and injured a lot of innocent people. Maybe she belongs in Arkham
I'd fight Batman for Sofia. Yeah I'd lose immediately, but still would fight him a hundred times for her (spoilers) Vic's death at the end was not just tragic but a harsh, brutal reminder of the monster Ozwald really is. Without Vic, Oz wouldn't have his kingdom, yet he just killed him to "tie a loose end" and cause "family is a weakness". I really hope Vic survived and gets some revenge, they were literally right by a hospital for fuck's sake. He was the heart of the show.
This was such a great show and the finale yesterday blew me away. There's so much to think about, after this has wrapped up, but for me the character I have been thinking about the most so far is Francis, Oz's mother.
“What made the Oz / Vic relationship work isn’t that I don’t think Oz was manipulating him, I think this was a real connection between the two of them.” I think it’s both. I think the scene where Eve is interrogated by Sofia speaks into the same thing. Sofia asks if it was love or if it was about the money, Eve says something about Sofia being privileged enough to think in black and white, when their relationship was both. There’s love and use present together in a lot of the relationships in Penguin, and it makes me wonder about my own relationships.
Although his pseudo-romantic relationship with his mother was indeed very messed up, there technically isnt anything immoral about it? Its just extremely unhealthy. His ability to manipulate and murder people without remorse is much worse.
We needed to hate Penguin by the end of the show and having Vic being built up as not only the right hand man for Penguin but practically family, there was no other way but for this to happen. Loved the show overall though i do think it got a little lazy towards the end with characters acting dumb and Penguin conveniently making it out of scenarios he shouldnt have. Just wish it was a bit tighter at the end there.
Perfect series. Not a single rock unturned or detial overlooked. I hope they don’t screw it up with a second season… just let the universe they’re building tell the rest of the story
Was amazing at giving you complex character that you understand isn't as complex in his base motivations as it might appear. They did present him as someone who often seems to believe what he is saying in the moment, and really does care about the people in that second, but has no hesitation or emotion on those people he claims to care about dying. Especially if they are in the way of something he wants, like his mother, or specific power or respect. And I wouldn't say he was a master manipulator. More a pathological manipulator. But it wasn't usually chess, it was at best checkers most of the time, with occasional moments of deeper strategy.
I feel there is no need for a season 2. This explained how he came into power, and who he his as a person which is pure evil. This is a one and done that's perfect!
Oz taking his money from his wallet is also him thinking in the moment, what if cops show up and find the body. Let's make it look like a robbery. After all he needs to be "clean as a whistle".
This show was truly one of those things that comes along and just makes you excited about acting and storytelling - it was phenomenal and over way too soon! The Batman Part 2 needs to hurry up!
thumbs up alone for getting Dan so emotional about Vic's death at the end of the video. I am imagining Dan instantly trying to call Gotham's police officer in order to make Batman taking revenge for Vic's death 🙂
Fantastic series. The writers manipulated us so well they may as well be doctors from Arkham. After Vic, most people hated Oz 100%. We thought the last scene with Frances was the cherry on top, moving the dial to 11 of how messed he is but no. The writers had to give us that Eve scene. Penguin is as crazy as any Batman character.
I feel that last scene with vic would have been stronger if he he would of tossed him in the river . I really wasn't sure that he killed him because chocking someone out probably wouldn't kill a young kid like that.
Cristin Milioti has been underrated for so many years, I am so happy to see her finally getting he recognitions she deserves with this amazing TV series. From comedy to Broadway theater to comedy again to a crime drama based on a comic book, she's amazing 🙌
She was great in How i met your mother. She managed to live up to the much hyped up mother (although the ending sucked).
@@jim1242I've tried myself to get to watch that series (especially after meeting Cobie Smulders two days ago at my country's comic con) but as I was accidentally spoiled by the terrible ending, I just couldn't help myself to watch the whole thing
Palm Springs was really really good!
@@Charlesyo_ Absolutely adore it, probably my most comfort movie during the COVID quarantine
I loved her in the USS Callister episode of black mirror
WB and DC needs to give Lauren LeFranc a blank check to do whatever she does next. Unbelievable job from her and the team in writing the show
💯
Yess
Don't do that, that's how we got Joker 2 💀
@@rawreviews4733 Having any type of faith in Todd Phillips is folly to begin with.
@@rawreviews4733 Easy - If it's bad, then of course they'll rein her in, but if it's good, then it pays off
I don't think I've ever shouted louder than when that light hit the sky. Justice is coming at the exact time I needed the reminder
Yes that was beautiful, it also makes sense in the movie he said “it’s a big city, can’t be everywhere” also the aftermath of the riddler probably had him busy but remember this is the night after a day of chaos. Bombing, multiple deaths and Sofia arrest must had Gordon saying nah something bigger is going on we need Batman.
@@GladwinAbel exactly. Thank you
But Batman in the Reeves universe is an incompetent, so.....
@@CogMissives2323 he just started
@@Tevin-MK If you were picking a team of Batmen for dodgeball, Reeves's Batman would get picked last, and get his lunch money stolen by all the other competent Batmen
Sofia Falcone is one of the best live action Batman villains now and she hasn’t even shared a frame with him. This show absolutely RIPPED!
The entire series was phenomenal. One of the best series on streaming that I’ve watched in a long time. The finale was off the hook!
So so good seeing a villain story where the bad guy actually stays bad (and gets even worse if anything).
See Sony THIS is what you should be doing with your Spider-Man villain movies, not making them all anti-heroes.
I just hope this team does other Batman villain series!✍️🔥🍿👍👍
One of my favorite acting choices from this show was after Penguin threatens and assaults the city council member he helps him back his car out "You got more room than you think" and I think it was completely improvised!
“You’ve more room than you think” is a real Irish expression when you’re helping someone back out.
I luaghed out loud at that scene!!! 😂
08:58 "This is what happens when you CHOKE" with Vic in a grave is wild now, damn
Gil Scott-Heron's Me and the Devil at the end of the third episode tried to warn us
The penguin learned two things by the end .
1) having someone you care about is a weakness and enemy can exploit
2) a bosses #1 can turn on you so don’t trust anyone.
That is why he killed Vic.
True but I think it's mostly number 1 he was feeling
That’s a key difference with Spider-Man v someone corrupt like The Penguin. When villains threaten to kill MJ or Gwen Stacy, Spidey goes out of his way to protect them. Here, The Penguin just chokes him out so other bad guys can’t exploit that weakness!😂. I thought Vic was going to get it when he didn’t defend Oz’s mom and let Sofia take her, but he still needed Vic. He also knew Vic might turn on him someday like how the other underlings killed their bosses! Brilliant stuff!👍🏽😃
Oz was just SAVAGE with Vic! I mean BRUUUUUUTAL!!! I didn't see that coming. I ❤ being surprised in a good way! ✍️🔥👍👍 And the other good surprise was that Oz's mother knew all along that Oz killed his brothers!
I think he specifically compliments Vic by saying "That's good, I didn't think of that." So we can add in that he now knows he can't always anticipate Vic so he's especially vulnerable to 2.
He also didn’t need a baby sitter for his mom anymore
The penguin is arguably the best tv show this year. Amazing acting and set design❤
You should watch Shogun.
It's amazing when you look at Disney and see how they can't even come close to this show.
Penguin has a better ending than shogun
And imdb ratings
I mean shogun was beautiful crafted but Penguin writing is more cunning and on edge❤@@BananaJoe12345
@@jazwilly85Disney owns Hulu
And Hulu made shogun so..
Easily top 5 of mine of this year, alongside with Trying Season 4, Only Murders In The Building, Baby Reindeer, and Quiet On Set The Dark Of Kids TV, I still need to rank them but maybe later
I knew from the beginning Vic would die. I just wasn't sure how..but I partly suspected Penguin might kill him. When he made it to the end, I kinda relaxed a little..and thought..wow..he made it..but then He said the line where he told Oz that "You're family.." And I knew Oz well enough at this point, that that was it. As soon as he said that, I knew he'd just sealed his own fate. And seconds later, he met his fate.
Good insight…I was wondering if that comment made a difference in his fate. I think you’re right.
Best TV series in this comic book genre since Netflix's Daredevil and that's saying something
No love here for Shehulk ? ! Seriosuly though, HBO are on another level when they come to television. I hope will continue to get great tv from DC with James Gun coming in. They have really set the challenge for Marvel to raise their game when it comes to tv..
I think it’s better but that’s my opinion
They're both definitely in the same neighbourhood. Although the fight scenes in Daredevil make them different kind of shows.
Thanks for the revelation.... The Penguin could be in the same universe of daredevil.
Netflix and Marvel have such bloated fluff and padding and characters doing stupid things. The Penguin tightly-plotted has no fat, no fluff, no pointless moments.
I really hope they keep releasing spin-off shows that flesh out the villains and have Batman exclusively appear in the films as an event that acts as the culmination of the crime and chaos that builds up over the TV shows.
This one was a very rare 10/10 for me. Couldn't believe they pulled off what they did.
Interesting since the Sopranos did exactly the same thing 10 years ago.
Colin Farrell got to win awards for this show. I have never seen a character played like that in a longtime. I honestly think it rivals may even surpass Heaths Joker 🤷🏾♂️
I don't think anything will ever quite equal Heath's joker but this is a near-equal.
Honestly I think you're right I do feel like most people won't say that only because Nostalgia for Heath. Colin Farrell's Penguin lowkey might be better than Heath ledgers Joker to me
Jesus Christ. You're comparing Heath Ledger's Joker to this hacky impression of James Gandolfini! Because he put on makeup? Are you all high on mushrooms? Have you watched "The Dark Knight"?
@@James9000 Why not? the penguin is objectively better than heath joker on many factors
@@Tevin-MK Are you high? Its a bad James Gandolfini impression.
The episode of Sofia’s backstory was my favourite episode of the whole show. I feel it changed the tone and direction of the show for me. It got to a new level and definitely it was interesting to see the whole episode dedicated to someone else (considering only 8 episodes length of the show).
It also made that defeated, scared look in her eyes when she was arrested so much more intense. Knowing she will be back at Arkham. Bravo to all that made this.
I took the Bat signal as a sign of Penguin finally reaching a level that would demain Batman's attention.
I think the escort dancing with Oz at the end was also a great reveal. The show hinted at it when Sofia asked Eve what role Oz wanted her to play, and I think Oz had been having her pretend to be his mother all along because that was the love he was fixated on.
I was gripped into every episode by the tremendous performances and the supremely smart storytelling. So much depth and character development in every episode is what kept me so appreciative of this show. I listened to the official podcast after every episode, and watched the little featurettes at the end of each episode on Max. It’s definitely an HBO quality series on all levels.
This show made you go to empathize with these dastardly characters while also coming to realize that they’re monsters. Masterful work! You just kept rooting for and against so many people at the same time.
It's certainly a rip-off of a qualityHBO show. You got that part right
One of the best DC shows ever and that ending broke my heart and I was legit so upset. 10/10 would recommend.
“This upset me deeply. 10/10 would recommend” 😂
1:21 I like that both Agatha & Penguin didn’t sell us short of a Villain in favour of Anti-Hero kinda of laid things straight in their twisted glory.
They make an interesting double-watch!!
Kendrick called Drake a master manipulator and habitual liar. The Penguin said hold my beer.
I thought he was just choking Vic out so he could leave without having to say bye.....and then I realized THIS IS GOTHAM, and he's not leaving 😂😂
He just couldn't let Vic live after him having seen everything he had seen, and potentially becoming another soft-spot for Oz for his enemies to exploit, like his mother. Extremely horrible, but pretty in-character for Oz.
@Baronnax I'm well aware. It was just a split second thought bc I " trusted him"
I felt like Penguin did what Joker 2 tried and failed to do - educate the audience that the villain isn't someone to admire. After people flocked to the Joker character from the first film, misunderstanding this was a movie about illness, not heroic resistance - Joker 2 came out to say "No, he is really just a sick bad man and you're wrong about him" - it felt chastising and angry and made for a poor movie. Penguin comes out and says "Look, he isn't a model, he's a menace who can't be trusted by the people closest to him. Don't idolize him. HE's not your father figure" in a way that felt enlightening, not berating.
Ryder Allen was fantastic as young Oz. I hope he's able to springboard into some bigger parts off this.
Someone on Twitter brought up such an interesting observation about how the penguin is a dark mirror of Bruce Wayne.
If Vic was stealing rims off Bruce’s car he’d either be given new opportunity whether that be some money or even training to be Robin right now. Bruce learns in the movie that he needs those people he loves in his life like Alfred to keep him from losing himself, while Oz seems to learn that he must rid himself of these connections to make the aspirations he wants come true.
Great parallel
I was so impressed with The Penguin. This, X-Men ‘97 and Baby Reindeer are my favourite TV shows of the year!
Regarding Oz going through Vic's wallet, he kept the money, left the wallet on the corpse and tossed his ID. Surely this was to make it look like a random mugging more than anything else.
A mugger wouldn't likely choke their victims.
@JaiPKapoor99 fair.
Loved how Sophia's gift at reading faces saw something wrong in Oz at the hanger before the shooting started. Vic was the Robin to the Penguin. When the light showed on Sophia's face I thought she was in the afterlife Ha!
I don’t understand how IGN gave this a 5/10 but gave She-Hulk an 8 or Moon Knight a 7. Like do they only like colorful simplistic stories?
Why are so many of you so triggered about this? 😭 People are allowed to think something you like isn't all that. Art is subjective
@@insertname2035There’s a difference between difference in opinion and sheer stupidity
@@insertname2035but everyone has to think like me 🤓 . No one else can have opinions outside my individual opinion.
IGN just straight up blew that one.
@@insertname2035 yeah but IGN has a track record of some of the worst reviews ever. And having it deduce points for having to much betrayal. That's some insanity over there
The best comic book show ever made in my opinion. 🐧
Not much competition to be fair lol Daredevil... ummm.... something else 🤷 I really loved Legion but I also understand that it's definitely not for everyone
@@stephenthedude4383 Legion is criminally underrated
@800Ms-k6n facts
@@stephenthedude4383I love The Boys and Peacemaker as well! 😊
It's not saying much and it goes way beyond a "comic book show".
The Best TV Series of 2024.
Masterpiece.
With a 3 hour movie and an 8 hour TV Show this is the most we ever got from a live action Batman universe and I‘m glad it‘s that one! It‘s been amazing so far and I can‘t wait for more!
Also, with all the gang leaders dying in the final episode I was like oh wow I didn’t expect The Godfather!
We are all in line to watch Bats beat this guy
The ending blew my mind and sickened me. I thought that maybe this character was an antihero with a shred of humanity. I was so very wrong. Great analysis and insight.
Dan, that was the perfect breakdown. This show was a masterpiece. I absolutely DESPISE the villain Penguin, and I love it! Lol
1:16 Talk about a gut punch, the murder of Vic was devastating! The way Oz was painted as a sympathetic character only to reveal the monster inside was one of the best twists in recent memory.
I sensed Vic was toast from the beggining.
The ending of the very first episode set it up perfectly that Vic was eventually gonna die.
But it still hurt when Oz did it in the final episode.
The ending scene with Vic was completely improvised. The line was “That’s right Vic, me and you all the way to the top.” But Colin Ferrel just started strangling Rhenzy and the director loved it
Agreed! These surprises weren’t for the sake of subverting expectations-these were all earned in the service of story and character. #RIPVIC
Who else needs therapy after that ending 😢
Me man. And I don't even believe in therapy. I'm in pieces.
Loved Loved Loved the show! Colin Farrell deserves an Emmy. Couldn't get enough of his character!
when that scene started i knew oz was gonna kill vic. as soon as vic said that they were like family i was expecting a gunshot and then the reveal that oz shot him. oz was a bit more ruthless than i thought he'd be at the end but wasn't surprised cause i knew the writers were gonna wanna make sure we remembered that he was a villain so him brutally choking him and then stealing his money and just discarding his ID casually was such a great way to show that oz really is "the devil".
looking forward a rewatch of the show knowing everything now.
Or you could watch the Sopranos which is actually good.
We all know Oz would kill Vic as soon as he saw the text messages (episode 3, I think) but we really hoped our intuition was wrong. Oz played and manipulated him, the same as he did everyone else, from start to finish! That’s what made it better for me, he is what he is!
this performance makes me think Collin Farrell could play Penguin , Joker, Bane , Ras Al Gul and prolly even poison Ivy all in the same movie and somehow make it work... his face change in killing Vic was insane...
The last episode broke me. It's was a fantastic series
Sofia was my absolute favourite character. Dr Rush deserves more appreciation too!
This is what we mean when we say we just want female writers to write compelling female characters. They didn’t make this project with an agenda to preach, but to entertain
So it was Vic's idea to reach out and work with Link and the other underbosses. He was the reason that Oz won. And I think that's why Oz killed him, not because of the "family is a weakness thing" but because he saw Vic as a possible threat. Just like how he saw his brothers. Vic's genuineness was probably closer to what Rex Calabrese was like, while Penguin was always just another Carmine Falcone in the making. Vic was better than Oz, and Oz simply couldn't stand it.
It was amazing! I hope they don’t make the mistake of doing a season 2, but this shows that stand-alone spin-offs like this one can be great when done right.
What if season 2 is even better tho
The last episode was a gut punch. My hate for the Penguin is at the same level as Joffrey Baratheon. Never thought anyone would be able to achieve that again.
I totally saw it coming, but didn’t know if the show would have the commitment to do it
Sofia killed a teenager in Episode 1... She did deserve to go back to Arkham...😅
People gloss over that way too much
A stunning show with an incredible ending that really did hammer home that oh yeah, he's a very bad man but justice is coming. Farrell and Milioti were phenomenal.
The finale was the most brutal experience since Eddard Starks' beheading, but that was over a lot faster.
long time watcher first time commenter.
i loved the show overall. easily one of, if not the best show on tv right now. your review summed up a lot of my thoughts on the character relationship.
to your point on Oz’s callousness after killing Vic: i think Oz taking his money was to make it look like a robbery gone wrong and throwing his ID in the river was to make it seem like Vic was a John Doe. reminds you Penguin is diabolically methodical.
THAT scene was Tony and Christopher all over again.
The major roles were all well cast, written and directed. The writers, directors and actors should all get awards.
There was also a logic to the actions. And how the other characters are working and moving along and not just waiting for the leads to act. Mrs. Maroni surprising Oz and Sofia, is a great example. Great writing.
Best review ever! Your words captured everything I felt!
I thought Sofia’s character was heartbreaking. Besides Victor, she was the only other moral character who was simply trying to survive in a world of psychopaths. She was betrayed by every single person around her, including her own family. I suppose one message could be that to survive in a world of psychopaths you must actually be one.
Nando V Movies said Vic was an unnecessary character and now I know not to ever watch any of his reviews anymore. Vic is so fundamental to this story that if you miss that then I question whether you understand any storytelling at all
Thanks to this show and to Andor, I figured out that my favorite niche right now is IP shows I never knew I wanted.
I'm still on board with Penguin. I like rooting for despicable villians if they are well writte and acted.
Yup I'm riding with Penguin to beat batman.
Dan, spot on with your assessment of this show. The constant subverting of expectations over and over again, had me thoroughly entertained.
Another show, with really great writing and performances, is Paramounts Lioness. How are more people not talking about it? Criminally underrated!
Great ending, Freud remains undefeated... RIP my boy Vic
I was so mad after he killed Victor, I didn't even pay attention to the last few minutes lol had to rewind it to find out about the Selena Kyle letter.
The show did a great job at making you understand Penguin without excusing him. He's a bad guy and always has been, even as a kid. Shot out to the child actor playing young Oz, he was adorably twisted
Also in fairness Sophia did blow up a city block. She probably killed and injured a lot of innocent people. Maybe she belongs in Arkham
She also shot a kid
Incredible season of TV. Cannot wait for the 2nd movie. Great review as always.
I'd fight Batman for Sofia.
Yeah I'd lose immediately, but still would fight him a hundred times for her
(spoilers)
Vic's death at the end was not just tragic but a harsh, brutal reminder of the monster Ozwald really is. Without Vic, Oz wouldn't have his kingdom, yet he just killed him to "tie a loose end" and cause "family is a weakness".
I really hope Vic survived and gets some revenge, they were literally right by a hospital for fuck's sake. He was the heart of the show.
Damn, didn't think you'd be so impacted by that. It was very well done. Great show!
Just binged the show and 100% agree. It was a tour de force for all involved
great review, you showed me some really interesting things that i missed. starting me rewatch tonight with all this in mind. thanks dan!
Loved the thoughts and completely agree. Many great performances and twists that always felt genuine.
I gasped as soon as Oz passed him the drink!
This was such a great show and the finale yesterday blew me away. There's so much to think about, after this has wrapped up, but for me the character I have been thinking about the most so far is Francis, Oz's mother.
“What made the Oz / Vic relationship work isn’t that I don’t think Oz was manipulating him, I think this was a real connection between the two of them.”
I think it’s both.
I think the scene where Eve is interrogated by Sofia speaks into the same thing. Sofia asks if it was love or if it was about the money, Eve says something about Sofia being privileged enough to think in black and white, when their relationship was both. There’s love and use present together in a lot of the relationships in Penguin, and it makes me wonder about my own relationships.
The show should sweep every Emmy Category 👏🏼
Vic losing his life was unavoidable …but Oz having a sexual fantasy for his mom …..was beyond immoral
And yet it is a common thing especially amongst sociopath’s
@ psycho !!!!
Although his pseudo-romantic relationship with his mother was indeed very messed up, there technically isnt anything immoral about it? Its just extremely unhealthy. His ability to manipulate and murder people without remorse is much worse.
Incredible writing, spectacular acting, great show!
I still want to know what the letter said. I guess they didn’t want to pay Zoe for a V.O.
Vic getting murdered was just really good writing.
We needed to hate Penguin by the end of the show and having Vic being built up as not only the right hand man for Penguin but practically family, there was no other way but for this to happen.
Loved the show overall though i do think it got a little lazy towards the end with characters acting dumb and Penguin conveniently making it out of scenarios he shouldnt have. Just wish it was a bit tighter at the end there.
Perfect series. Not a single rock unturned or detial overlooked. I hope they don’t screw it up with a second season… just let the universe they’re building tell the rest of the story
Was amazing at giving you complex character that you understand isn't as complex in his base motivations as it might appear. They did present him as someone who often seems to believe what he is saying in the moment, and really does care about the people in that second, but has no hesitation or emotion on those people he claims to care about dying. Especially if they are in the way of something he wants, like his mother, or specific power or respect. And I wouldn't say he was a master manipulator. More a pathological manipulator. But it wasn't usually chess, it was at best checkers most of the time, with occasional moments of deeper strategy.
Thanks for the review, Dan!
I’m late on this show, but the fact Oz killed Vic with his bare hands.
What a great review. I really enjoyed this series. I can only wait to see what they will do next with Selina and Batman
The penguin and Loki are examples of absolute perfect television
Dude get out more
My wife and I just sat in silence. Stunned.
Great season breakdown. Co-sign on everything you said, 100% 👍🏽
Ugh...literally welling up hearing you talk about Vic in this review. Our precious boy deserved so much better!
Victor was the most loyal soldier 😎💯
I feel there is no need for a season 2. This explained how he came into power, and who he his as a person which is pure evil. This is a one and done that's perfect!
Oz taking his money from his wallet is also him thinking in the moment, what if cops show up and find the body. Let's make it look like a robbery. After all he needs to be "clean as a whistle".
This show was truly one of those things that comes along and just makes you excited about acting and storytelling - it was phenomenal and over way too soon! The Batman Part 2 needs to hurry up!
thumbs up alone for getting Dan so emotional about Vic's death at the end of the video. I am imagining Dan instantly trying to call Gotham's police officer in order to make Batman taking revenge for Vic's death 🙂
Next Spin-off idea: A GCPD show focused on Jim Gordon working to solve Vic's murder and uncovering Oswald's entire criminal enterprise in the process.
The most well written show and structuring since Succession.
Fantastic series. The writers manipulated us so well they may as well be doctors from Arkham.
After Vic, most people hated Oz 100%. We thought the last scene with Frances was the cherry on top, moving the dial to 11 of how messed he is but no. The writers had to give us that Eve scene.
Penguin is as crazy as any Batman character.
I feel that last scene with vic would have been stronger if he he would of tossed him in the river . I really wasn't sure that he killed him because chocking someone out probably wouldn't kill a young kid like that.