The Penguin The Penguin on HBO - General Discussion

[Kane52630]

The Penguin is a great show but it’s a viewership flop so far.

Adding Netflix numbers is gonna do that to any show.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Ah yes the show that has been widely reported by basically every entertainment outlet as a gigantic success is a flop.

 

[Sawyer]

“But the Nielsen numbers—!”

 

[emielaen]

Lol love a user who occasionally pops up just to put something down.

 

[Boom]

I can’t really imagine a whole series devoted to Two-Face (although I probably would’ve said the same for Penguin five years ago, and Two-Face is about to get his first shot at a solo comic, so… that could change), but as District Attorney, I could picture Dent being a factor in a GCPD series.

Arkham, I could go either way on… if we’re talking an origin tale taking inspiration from Grant Morrison and Dave McKean, then I’m into it. If we’re talking a present day series, I’m less certain. There just aren’t enough rogues in the mix at this time to make that feel overly exciting (and I can’t imagine we’d see as much of the Joker as some folks think we would) and it also might dilute the nightmarishness a bit if we get too long a glimpse behind closed doors.

That's what I would want out of an Arkham show: the Amadeus Arkham storyline from ASHOSE but with the rogues gallery (Joker, Ivy, Croc, Pyg, Zsasz, etc). The main character is either a member of the Arkham family who is also a psychiatrist, or just another random psychiatrist employed at the asylum. Each episode focuses in on a different villain while the main character descends deeper and deeper into madness.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

I have no faith in this universes take on Arkham. Just felt like Gotham without the intentional comedy. The less we see of it the better, unless it’s a substantial improvement in the movies (which I am sure it will be - Penguin is great but it’s only ever close to The Batman’s quality when it really laser focuses on Oz.)

 

[Sawyer]

Adding Netflix numbers is gonna do that to any show.

Also worth pointing out that “4 days of episode 2” is bull**** if it’s the week ending 9/29, because that’s the day the second episode aired.

 

[DCDAVE]

It’s almost impossible to truly measure streaming viewership because Netflix has such a stranglehold on streaming as a whole. Max/HBO is 4th behind Netflix, Prime and Disney + in subscribers. What Game of Thrones did in its prime years was absolutely incredible. For some reason some expect those numbers for Penguin. The show has been number 1 on Max/HBO since it came out. That is what really counts.

 

[Sawyer]

It’s almost impossible to truly measure streaming viewership because Netflix has such a stranglehold on streaming as a whole. Max/HBO is 4th behind Netflix, Prime and Disney + in subscribers. What Game of Thrones did in its prime years was absolutely incredible. For some reason some expect those numbers for Penguin. The show has been number 1 on Max/HBO since it came out. That is what really counts.

After only one episode it seems like. While it goes up against shows with an entire season available at once (and on much bigger platforms) or veteran shows with a whole slew of episodes that people can stream at any time.

 

[DCDAVE]

After only one episode it seems like. While it goes up against shows with an entire season available at once (and on much bigger platforms) or veteran shows with a whole slew of episodes that people can stream at any time.

That is why it is so hard to judge streaming viewership.

 

[solidsnake86]

I couldn't care less about the numbers on Nielsen. The bottom line is this, it's a limited series and was never designed to have a season 2. It's gotten great reviews and, so long as HBO is happy internally with the numbers, we may get another limited series.

 

[theastsunnn]

Farrell is doing some award winning acting in this show

 

[DJ Kornphlake]

I think my brain still refuses to 100% accept that that's actually Farrell, because every time he shows up in those after episode interviews with the cast and crew out of costume, my immediate thought is 'Why the hell is he here? Oh, right.'

 

[J.Drangal]

I think my brain still refuses to 100% accept that that's actually Farrell, because every time he shows up in those after episode interviews with the cast and crew out of costume, my immediate thought is 'Why the hell is he here? Oh, right.'

Same. And I really like that.
It's really movie magic at its finest. That face looks real, that whole character feels real... and in a certain way, it's not Farrell.
The whole thing, from mannerisms to the visual is unique to that Penguin. We will never see that face and hear that voice somewhere else.

Not sure I'm expressing myself too effectively there. I'm tired and had some wine...

 

[Sithborg]

I think my brain still refuses to 100% accept that that's actually Farrell, because every time he shows up in those after episode interviews with the cast and crew out of costume, my immediate thought is 'Why the hell is he here? Oh, right.'

The more closeup shots we get of Oz, the more I can see Farrell under the make up.

 

[J.Drangal]

The more closeup shots we get of Oz, the more I can see Farrell under the make up.

I guess if you're really familiar with the actor's work, you may be able to guess him here and there.
Are you referring specifically to episode 5 by any chance? I have to say that there were one or two scenes in that episode where, for the first time, I felt the make-up was a bit noticeable (especially the hair). I touch on this on my "review" of it in another thread : that episode looked to me a bit off visually in some scenes. But not enough to break anything.

 

[Sawyer]

 

[J.Drangal]

The monocle would be cool but I don't see it happening here, “organically” if I may say so.
Although I personally find Reeves' Gotham kind of timeless in its visual presentation, I can't see the costume designers going in that direction.
... Unless it's decided that Oz would start wearing it to look deliberately offbeat, old-fashioned...

On the other hand, I need Oz to be carrying around a huge a** cigar.
For me, it's really part of the character's atirail, he MUST smoke!



Just look how happy and charismatic he is here!

(and no, me being French has nothing to do with my opinion, relationship or appreciation of tobacco... )

 

[Kane52630]

 

[DCDAVE]

With the success of the Penguin series. I believe we will get another Reevesverse show but I don’t hear anyone talking about a Joker/Riddler spin off to lead into Batman 3. Especially with the way Joker 2 bombed, I think Reeves Joker becomes even more important to WB.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

View attachment 109649

I said this while watching, but snow in Gotham City is such a nice aesthetic, just as it was in Batman Returns.

 

[Kane52630]

I have to say that it's so funny where they shot that mob meeting in the last episode because I'm pretty sure they used that same hanger in New York about 20 times on Gotham.

 

[chintai80]

loving how fleshed out this version of gotham is.

the nolan films did touch on the theme of class disparity, especially in the dark knight rises.

but the reevesverse is going even deeper with it.

and i'm digging that.

this show is just hyping it up for batman part II even more.

 

[chintai80]

With the success of the Penguin series. I believe we will get another Reevesverse show but I don’t hear anyone talking about a Joker/Riddler spin off to lead into Batman 3. Especially with the way Joker 2 bombed, I think Reeves Joker becomes even more important to WB.

i feel they can do a catwoman or gcpd spin-off after batman part 2 to lead into part 3.

but that depends on how part 2 plays out.

joker's pretty over-exposed at this point - don't see the need to do any stand-alone spin-off with him.

i can imagine keeping him in a sort of hannibal lecter kind of role throughout this universe.

 

[theastsunnn]

I really like these speeches he gives Vic about standing up for himself and holding space. Good general life advice