Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 8The Penguinepisode 8 is the finale of the new DC series, featuring several Easter eggs and references to the original comics, prior episodes,The Batman, and potential connections toThe Batman - Part II. By the end of this major finale, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) has finally made it to the top as the new kingpin of Gotham’s criminal underworld. Likewise, there are plenty of connections and references to be found, including those that very much symbolize Oz’s rise in power which serves as mirrors to the original Penguin seen on the page.
InThe Penguinepisode 8, Oz Cobb’s rivalry with Sofia Falcone/Gigante (Cristin Milioti) comes to an epic end, one that leaves the former leader of the Falcone Crime Family back in Arkham while Oz himself claims Gotham for himself. Furthermore, this major conflict featured its fair share of nods at the DC series came to a close while setting up the events of Matt Reeves' upcomingThe Batman - Part II. To that end, here are 10 ofthe biggest Easter eggs and references inThe Penguinepisode 8,the new DC show’s epic finale.
10Gotham Renewal Banner
And More Gotham Graffiti
Having rallied the other Gotham gangs to help Oz after Salvatore Maroni and Sofia Gigante made their move against the Penguin,the explosion at Crown Point seen inThe Penguinepisode 7motivates the gangs to turn back and abandon Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz), Oz’s right-hand man.To that end, several posters and graffiti can be seen on the side of the street while Victor tries to convince the gangs to help.
This notably includes a banner for the Gotham Renewal Corporation, the major Gotham fund that was used by Carmine Falcone and corrupt city officials before The Riddler exposed the truth as seen in 2022’sThe Batman. To that end, Riddler’s question marks can also be seen on the walls amid old campaign posters for Don Mitchell Jr. Posters protesting against the police are featured as well with the slogan, “Protect and Abuse?”, confirming the corrupt nature of the GCPD, and that good officers like Jim Gordon are currently the exception, rather than the rule.
9Bella Real’s Nameplate
Mayor-Elect of Gotham City
After escaping Sofia and her men at Monroe’s and getting his mother to a hospital, Oz Cobb visits Gotham City Hall inThe Penguinepisode 8. Meeting with Councilman Hady to discuss his plan to pin all the recent criminal violence on Sofia,Oz briefly looks at the nameplate belonging to none other than Mayor-Elect Bella Reál (Jayme Lawson). With Hady confirming that Reàl intends to go big on an anti-corruption campaign, it makes sense that Penguin would be interested in making himself appear as clean as possible (using Sofia as the perfect scapegoat for his recent crimes).
8Penguin Forging Connections With Gotham’s Elite
Just Like In The Comics
Having been featured earlier inThe Penguin, it’s worth noting that Councilman Hady is a character from the original DC Comics who at one point was Gotham’s corrupt mayor. As such, it doesn’t bode well for Gotham that he and Oz have become allies, though it does serve as a cool connection to the comics.After all, the comics' Penguin has great influence and connections with Gotham’s elite, so it’s very exciting to see Oz beginning to do the same on-screen.
7Bella Reál In A Sling
Still Recovering from 2022’sThe Batman
As Penguin exits City Hall,Oz does see Mayor-Elect Bella Reál herself talking with various aides and officials on a balcony above. She’s also notably featured wearing a sling, still recovering from her recent gunshot wound. This makes sense, seeing as how the events ofThe Penguintake place almost immediately afterThe Batmanwhich ended with Riddler’s followers shooting at Reál while she was on stage at the Gotham Square Gardens (as was saved by the intervention of Robert Pattinson’s Batman).
With Penguin continuing to gain more influence and power, it will be interesting to see whether Oz tries to ally himself with Bella. That said, it’s highly doubtful that she’d ever work with him given his anti-corruption agenda. Instead, it’s far more likely that the Penguin might one day try to remove Bella Reál from the equation altogether (perhaps replacing her with someone like Hady who would work with him).
6Goodwin International Airport
Named After Archie Goodwin
Intending to leave Gotham for good after killing Oz,Sofia heads for Goodwin International Airport at the end ofThe Penguinepisode 8. Goodwin International Airport is the same primary airport of Gotham in the comics, having been named after Archie Goodwin who was a comic book writer and editor for both DC and Marvel Comics. Goodwin notably served as editor oniconicBatmantitles such asThe Long Halloween.
5Sofia Burning Carmine’s Watch
Falcone’s Birthday Present
Before arriving at the airport,Sofia finds the watch she was going to give her father the night of his birthday, the same night he had her arrested and eventually institutionalized in Arkahm State Hospital as was seen inThe Penguinepisode 4. Having already destroyed her father’s legacy and intending to give away his empire to whichever gang could give her Oz, Sofia burning the watch along with the Falcone family painting and mansion was her ultimate closure. Had Oz not gained the upper hand, Sofia would have left Gotham and never looked back as she started a brand-new life.
4Selina Kyle’s Catwoman Sends A Letter
Selina is Sofia’s Half-Sister
After Oz gets Sofia arrested and placed back in Arkham, it’s revealed that her doctor, Julian Rush seemingly got his job back to remain close to her. To that end, he’s shown giving her a letter in a black envelope he tells Sofia she’ll want to read.The letter itself is confirmed to have come from Selina Kyle aka Catwoman who first debuted inThe Batman(played by Zoë Kravitz). Presumably, Selina heard about what happened to Sofia and what she did with Carmine’s empire, and wanted to reach out to her half-sister.
3Catwoman Theme Plays
Will Sofia Meet Catwoman In The Future?
As Sofia opens and begins to read Selina’s letter,Michael Giacchino’s “Catwoman” theme fromThe Batmanplays in the background. While the contents of the letter are not revealed, it stands to reason that Selina and Sofa would have a lot in common considering their shared hatred of Carmine and the fact that he murdered both their mothers.WhileThe Batmanconfirmed that Selina Kyle intended to leave Gothamand start a new life in the nearby city of Blüdhaven, it’s quite possible that the two half-sisters could one day meet in the future.
2Penguin’s New Clothes
Umbrella, Tux, and Top Hat
Seen living in a penthouse suite,Oz is shown at the end ofThe Penguinepisode 8 wearing a tuxedo, complete with a top hat which he places on an umbrella once he gets inside. Not only does this connect with his childhood dreams and favorite movie (confirmed inThe Penguinepisode 7 to be 1935’sTop Hat), but it also connects to The Penguin’s iconic appearance in the original comics. It’s a simple yet incredibly effective way to show that Oz Cobb has indeed made it to the top, having finally become the new kingpin of Gotham as he always wanted (though it certainly wasn’t without cost).
1The Bat Signal Lights Up In Penguin’s Finale
Where Has Batman Been?
The final shot ofThe Penguinepisode of 8 sees Penguin dancing with Eve (who’s dressed and acts like Oz’s mother). Ironically, the Bat-Signal is shown lighting up in the Gotham night sky just after Eve tells Oz that there’s nothing else standing in his way. As such, this is more than likely a direct tease for the upcoming events that will be depicted in Matt Reeves’The Batman - Part II.
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That being said, it’s still unknown where Robert Pattinson’s Batman was during the events ofThe Penguinitself. Considering all the damage and violence that has occurred across Gotham thanks to Oz’s ambition and rivalries with the Maronis and Falcones/Gigantes, one would think that The Dark Knight would have intervened long before things escalated as much as they have by the end ofThe Penguin’sfinale. That said, there are several theories and clues thatBruce Wayne may have gone missing following the events of 2022’sThe Batman, and that his whereabouts will eventually be revealed in the upcoming sequel.
The Penguin
Cast
Created by Lauren LeFranc, The Penguin is a crime-drama spin-off television series of 2022’s film The Batman. Set shortly after the events of The Batman, Oz Cobb, A.K.A. the Penguin, begins his rise in the underworld of Gotham City as he contends with the daughter of his late boss, Carmine Falcone, for control of the crime family’s empire.
