The Penguin: Episode 1 | Canadian First Time Watching | TV Reaction | TV Review | TV Commentary

Simone & George are reacting to The Penguin for the first time! Canadians React!
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[@VforVictory00]

In the comics, Oswald Cobblepot is just a regular dude that happens to have features like a pointed nose, short stature, wears a top hat, black and white suit and either walks with a limp (depending on the writer) or waddles like a penguin, which is how he got the nickname "The Penguin". He's a criminal mastermind and is often using his high society club "The Iceberg Lounge" as a front for his criminal activities like robbery, money laundering, arms dealing, ect. Penguin has often worn purple, like in the Adam West Batman TV series.

[@blofeld39]

For some reason, now he's just "Oswald Cobb" in this series. No "lepot" to be seen, I fear.

[@Valzahd]

@@blofeld39 They're going for a blue collar background for this depiction of Penguin. Lower working class type. So it makes sense to shorten Cobblepot to just Cobb.

[@ThreadBomb]

@@Valzahd That logic only works if you think "Cobblepot" is a posh name, lol

[@Valzahd]

@@ThreadBomb I mean that was the original intention behind the name. To sound old school aristocrat.

[@mero7731]

​@blofeld39 Oz Cobb actually comes from the comics. Although it's a pseudonym in the comics. I kinda hope at the end Oz wants to sound more dignified and changes his name to cobblepot but that might be too much.

[@andrewhelmer6853]

The Penguin wasn’t even on my radar. Couldn’t have cared less …. Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti absolutely KILLED IT (literally). Hard to believe that’s Farrell . I used to love Milioti … now I’m terrified of her . This Pilot episode was just about perfect .

[@todd8398]

Penguin has an apartment above a store named Burgess Jewelry (see at 15:29), which has to be a shout-out to Burgess Meredith.

[@AlejandroGonzalezPolo]

Cristin Milottis range is crazy. You see her be crazy like this in this episode and then you watch something like Palm Springs and she’s hilarious in that

[@richardb6260]

In the comics, the Penguin was a criminal who committed a lot of bird themed crimes and used a lot of gimmick umbrellas. Visually, the DeVito version looked more like the comic version. But the stuff about growing up in the sewers and being so grotesque was all from Burton. The comic and 60s TV version was a dapper gentleman type. The Penguin who is more of a crime boss who owns a nightclub, I believe, originated in the animated series from the 90s.

[@MsOsgood9]

The black and white film is Gilda and you saw it in Shawshank Redemption.

[@DavetheGrue]

Rita Hayworth, biggest sex symbol of the early '40s, in her most famous role. But it was a deep dark studio secret that her singing was dubbed.

[@dougstevenson1503]

Matt Reeves has said that Batman won't show up in this show because he wants the focus to remain solely on The Penguin. Maybe he's throwing everybody off the scent, but it makes sense that they don't rush bringing Batman back yet.

[@alexkruger6728]

Wow, didn't expect you're guys to watch this series. Hope you're enjoy this.😊

[@DocteurNS]

What I really like is that this first episode was really... an episode. It didn't feel like a 9 hour movie got chopped into 10 pieces, each ending in a clifffhanger.

[@claycrawford7]

So in terms of the comic character this is definitely way closer than Batman Returns. He’s really just a high level crime boss who has a distinctive “beak” nose and uses umbrellas with hidden weapons. Granted he is typically short and squat like Danny Devito so great casting, but he’s not normally supernatural by any means. P.S. Yes the Penguin tends to have a suit with some purple and gold, like his car. Joker’s purple tends to be lighter, to go with the green and white.

[@theylied1776]

They used the song 9 to 5 because that movie is about a bunch of people who are dismissed and underappreciated... So they get their revenge by taking down the boss.

[@DavetheGrue]

Not a bad film for reaction, but it seems to be forgotten.

[@weyland1000]

I stood right next to him when we filmed The Batman in Liverpool. Did not recognise him till he spoke in his normal accent. He looked amazing.

[@tomlangdonec]

woohoo!! what a lovely surprise. thank you!

[@shadowrio923]

Wonderful first episode! Part of me wants the whole season now, but part of me is enjoying the weekly drop to really enjoy each episode!

[@peterkoester7358]

The Batman - Part II is in production right now. According to interviews, this series will lead into Part II much as the first film led directly into this series.

[@Joeshoki]

Notice that Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone never blinks in any scene.

[@vickyvind]

One of the best pilot ever!!

[@kebernet]

This is basically something I have wanted to see, in almost exactly this form, for AGES. In my head it was Philip Seymour Hoffman playing Penguin, though. At his best, this is pretty much exactly the characterization of the Penguin in either the really old, or really new Batman comics -- he's just a gangster with a penchant for dramatic style. For a long time they gave him the gimmicky umbrella thing, which always kind of made him a little silly. Also, in Caped Crusader on Amazon, they gender swapped Penguin, and she is also pretty great as a character.

[@mugbarron2172]

The Penguin/Oswald Cobblepot did wear some purple or “plum” color lol in his first appearance in the comics back in the 1940’s. Even Catwoman’s costume had some purple as well. But they changed as they got older while the Joker stayed wearing purple. So the show is going back to Penguins origins from his first appearance which is cool. Not to be a know-it-all lol just answering George’s question lol. P.S. Great Reaction !!!

[@blofeld39]

The movie is "Gilda", and that's Rita Hayworth lip-synching to Montreal-born Anita Ellis singing "Put the Blame on Mame". The film also stars a fellow Canadian -- Glenn Ford! 😀It's a classic noir.

[@azathoth528]

Even in the comic books the character of the Penguin has changed through the years, the oldest versions are more cartoony and the newest ones are more grounded if you will.. but in his essence he's the major crime lord in Gotham City, he loves being surrounded and appreciated by the upper social class, but he's a grotesque person, inside and out.. his looks don't inspire respect wich is why he's so obsessed with it

[@Dularr]

The feature missing from this series is the gimmick umbrellas. Helicopter umbrella. Bullet shooting umbrellas. Knockout gas umbrella. Sword umbrella.

[@TheTidalBreeze]

I mean, it's only been one episode

[@reynaldolorenzo8409]

This is supposed to be grounded, they even changed his name because they though it wasn't grounded enough. I don't expect them to use all type of umbrellas, maybe one with a blade but that's it.

[@Dularr]

@@reynaldolorenzo8409 the Easter egg was Oz wadling down the street with the umbrella.

[@ThreadBomb]

@@Dularr You want him to wear a top hat too?

[@Dularr]

@@ThreadBomb with a monocle, cigarette holder and morning suit. Channeling his inner Burgess Meredith.

[@superby1]

What a great surprise! I really enjoyed this first episode.

[@theeLonelyRedPanda]

I just need one simple umbrella gimmic could be a one bullet one shot type deal or a secret knife compartment, but it be realistic lmao. also im pretty sure he went to a local coffee shop when he was filming for the batman to see if anybody recognized him, nobody did after waiting a while then he just left.

[@parthantal3384]

common mate let's now just jump the gun this is just episode 1 and all the classic umbrellas stuff is the classic, established Penguin. This is him just in his initial phase.

[@unholytako]

Really enjoyed the first episode. Feels like watching early Gotham again, so good

[@davidgalvez5341]

It was Rita Hayworth, who made a "guest appearance" in "The Shawshank Redemption". By the way, the original Stephen King story was called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption".

[@Madly_Zen]

You laughed at it but “he’s just really really ugly” is 100% what he is lmao. He wasn’t cursed by some dark god, he didn’t eat something magic or go to a nuclear bomb site, he legit is just a guy so ugly that it made him so pissed off that he became basically like gothams napoleon. Where he’s really not THAT ugly, but because he lets it get to him 24/7 that it’s like 70% of his character

[@StarsDie88]

Milioti was also in the Sopranos. So she knows how this all goes. Show looks amazing IMO.

[@thomasgriffiths6758]

You can definitely see the Tony Soprano influence with the relationship with his mom.

[@unxprienced9548]

The mobster Oz references (Rex Calabrese) is Catwoman's father in the comics! (This may have changed since comics love retcons) He was nicknamed 'The Lion' because of his alias 'Leo Leone' and because he had fanged dentures that he'd use to kill people like a lion.

[@dennai7695]

Actually, Calabrese as Catwoman's father is itself a retcon. Before that, Selina believed she was the abandoned daughter of Carmine Falcone, fact that The Batman movie adapted.

[@unxprienced9548]

@@dennai7695 oh no way! thx for letting me know

[@MrTickleTrunk]

The canonical Penguin is just an upper class guy with a penguin gimmick. He's best seen in the original animated series which is also the most faithful, and best, version of batman I've ever seen off the page.

[@VforVictory00]

"Batman The New Animated Series" to be more accurate. The beginning part that was "Batman The Animated Series" portion of the show animated him as he was in the Batman Returns with the flipper/bird like hands.

[@MrTickleTrunk]

@@VforVictory00 I'm talking the 1992 version.

[@theylied1776]

Yes George, you've seen that footage before. It was in the Shawshank Redemption when Andy Dufresne was in the theater asking Red for a poster of Rita Hayworth.

[@dreambrother82]

that b&w film, Gilda” is one of my favorite movies. Top tier writing.

[@ZombieFeet]

Oh my god! Checked out your Patreon and laughed my ass off! George and Simone looking like the bosses in the Conan universe! I love your reactions. Unfortunately, I'm unable to pitch in yet. Thank you so much for sharing with me/us on KZbin!

[@The_Phantasm]

Since you were curious, comparatively Colin Farrell's Penguin is much more, character than the Danny DeVito Penguin. It's a bit closer to an Italian mobster than the comic book Penguin but it's still more accurate. However the best and most accurate Penguin is Burgess Meredith from the Adam West Batman show.

[@joegreene7619]

You really need to see the Burgess Meredith (Mick from the Rocky movies) version of the Penguin on the 60s TV show.

[@b.3662]

Penguin wears purple alot in comics, especially classic comics or ones that are trying to show the past/ look old, usually as part of a purple and gold color pallett. They are colors associated with royalty, you got emporer penguins, king penguins and the Penguin himself is a kingpin. Nowadays he weres more black/ white or grey, Joker often wears purple and green, but will bring in other colors like red or orange as well. His concept being a clown makes it more important that the colors are bright than what the colors themselves are. Green, purple, and orange are common colors of villains or morally questionable characters in both Marvel and DC. As oppossed to the red and blue worn by heroes. This is more of a guideline (or general trend) than a rule, with several exceptions on either side.

[@theylied1776]

Depending on the comic, the falcone extended family are either saints or pit vipers.

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Sofia is the daughter of Carmine Falcone who Riddler killed in the movie She's also nicknamed The Hangman. She was a serial killer in the comics. And Alberto was a junkie.

[@ArchMano]

I loved The Penguin From the "Gotham" series the best but this Colln Ferrell Penguin was great in this one too.

[@hessu275]

This was such a great first episode. Colin Farrell is such a versatile actor, he shines so much here. Cristin Milioti became one of my favorite actresses, I already liked her in Palm Springs and Black Mirror and she's nailing it here

[@TrickyDicky2006]

In comics the colours purple and green are often associated with the villains which is why so many 'golden age' villains have variations of them as costumes. if you rewatch unbreakable Mr Glass often wears them too as a nod to the comic book theme of the films.

[@larsickenroth7169]

First off: amazing, I really didn't know what to expect of this show. Second: so happy to see the legend that is Clancy Brown in this (Highlander, Starship Troopers, Mr Krabs, Surtur (Thor Ragnarok), etc.) But yes: the acting is amazing, but I'd imagine everything needs to be able to fall into place to make this work. Farrell is setting a great new precedent though for working with prothetics and character so exactly. Question though: recently rewatched The Untouchables, and I did kind of get the idea that DeNiro's Al Capone from that might have inspired this approach; the mannerisms etc.

[@Hopehubris1492]

You recognize Rita Hayworth from the scene they showed of her in Shawshank

[@ProgressiveRoxx]

In the movie, Batman shoots himself up with a drug in the final fight at the stadium that many fans theorise is Venom. In the comics, Venom is a super steroid type drug that gives people immense strength and rage and is massively addictive. There's a comic arc where Batman takes it to give him an edge in crimefighting and becomes addicted - which he only kicks because he has Alfred lock him in the Batcave for a month with no way out. I'm hoping that Venom is the "new drug" that was mentioned in this episode, and if it is, we may get to see Bane in the show. Bane is one of Batman's most formidable villains of all time, and one of the few who have thoroughly and unambiguously beaten him.

[@O_Towne_Bear]

This is my third incarnation of The Penguin. The first being Burgess Meredith (he played Rocky's trainer) from the 60s television show. ALSO: Nice that he has a supportive mother. 😁

[@natannovaes4508]

Im SOOOO glad you guys are reacting to this. pleaseee keep going

[@wizofauzz]

Her giant anime bug eyes really add to the performance

[@The_Phantasm]

7:58 Traditionally purple is incorporated in Penguin's suits and tuxedos yes but it's not the primary colour. Although Joker does always wear purple yes.

[@sonofyah_chosen1950]

Glad y’all doing this show, already can’t wait for episode 2

[@TheOctaviusLee]

Colin Farrell is killing it, stole the movie, but even though I loved him in the movie I wasn't really super pumped for this show, decided to check it out last week and wow, I hope this series doesn't get slept on, it's fuggin GOOD. Also I love you Simone

[@finkelmana]

Batman hasnt been in a live action show, since the 66 Batman. Some people speculate that WB/DC doesnt have the live action TV rights to Batman -- and some speculate further that Disney might own partial rights due to the acquisition of one of the companies that were part of the 66 Batman show. However, James Gunn says this isnt true. Dunno. However, it has been confirmed that Batman will not be in this show.

[@ericb9252]

Well he did technically appear in the CW Crisis on Infinite Earths event, just not in costume.

[@finkelmana]

@@ericb9252 Bruce Wayne was on the CW's crisis. Bruce Wayne was also in Titans and Gotham. However Batman has not been in a TV show almost 60 years ago.

[@marshwalker8322]

One of the best first episodes I've seen in the past few years.

[@maxnorton1209]

The scene where they were watching Rita Heyworth singing “Put The Blame On Mame” should be familiar to you. It’s from the movie “Gilda”, which is the movie the inmates are watching (the hair flip scene) in “Shawshank Redemption”, when Andy asks Red if he can get Rita Hayworth (Andy’s first poster).

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Riddler was chatting to Joker in the end... he even laughs. You guys really casuals 😂😂😂

[@jbp9653]

I personally think doing the set up for the characters in TV series form helps the movie of The Batman 2 focus on setting up newer villains and Batman, so it wouldn't feel rushed or too short. Great 1st Episode of end of 2024-2025, hoping this series gets an Emmy.

[@derps0n839]

There is some Penguin backstory in the TV show Gotham, he is a lot younger, but the actor for him in that show is really good too.

[@x_warhog_x8701]

The purple coat and car and the "Burgess" Jewelry store are shoutouts to Burgess Meredith who played the Penguin in the 60s Adam west camp Batman and was awesome.

[@monogamousmatt546]

This was the most unsafe/uncomfortable my armpit has ever felt in possibly forever.

[@tylerbrown5526]

Love it ending with Wayne Tower in the background lol

[@RashidRashed-g1w]

The girl’s face is making me comfortable and happy Very friendly

[@Flesharrower]

You should check out Cristin Milioti as Abby the Writer in 30 Rock. She's got some range obvs.

[@jeffleftjustified]

"it's not an act. i'm a very sexy baby."

[@fuzzy__dunlop]

Nice! Glad you two are watching this. Hi Simone 👋

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Bloody brilliant first episode!!! And Colin Farrell was announced as Penguin a YEAR before the movie was made. So i don't understand people being shocked that Colin Farrell is in it. And no, Penguin was originally depicted as just a rich guy with a waddle and a long nose who was a crime boss. Tim burton made him look like a Penguin. But technically Colin Farrell is the most accurate to the comics. That's the best thing about Batman villians. They are realistic and not supernatural at all.

[@MrTickleTrunk]

Crossing my fingers that this will be the new Breaking Bad.

[@SJ-GodofGnomes21]

This is how a first episode should be made!

[@simongoddard7692]

This was a really solid start to this show. Hoping it gets even more intense

[@mojoshivers]

I think Matt Reeves said that this show will function as the bridge between The Batman films in much the same way the MCU has its shows connect the films together. Hopefully that doesn’t mean too many dangling plot threads by the end because I feel this show is good enough to be a full entity on its own and not just connective tissue.

[@JW666]

Yes, the deleted post credit scene was The Joker. It's only the 1st episode but I honestly liked it much more than Batman: Caped Crusader.

[@sheldoninexile]

That thumbnail scared the crap out of me. I guess it's scary Swan season.

[@blofeld39]

Have Simone Swan and Kate Mara ever been seen in the same place at the same time, anywhere?

[@vickyvind]

Peak series!

[@balansboy]

Phenomenal

[@joshuaweber4266]

This episode was more than great I can't wait for episode 2

[@gemelwalters2942]

I think we forget Batman mostly operates at night. This gives them some leeway since most of this will be daytime which sort of explains his absence

[@zombiepicnic9683]

I'm so happy you're doing this series as it comes out. As for Batman, I don't think we'll see him in this show for a couple of reasons. One is that in the movie he realized that he needed to be less of a vigilante and more of a hero. So my guess is that he's helping with disaster relief both as Batman and Bruce. The other reason is that he's still new to being Batman, taking on all (or the heads) of organized crime is a tall task for him at this point. Now I could see the ending to this series being the event that catches Batman's attention. I think this show is supposed to flow right into the second Batman movie. However it plays out, it looks like it's going to be one hell of a show.

[@tylerbrown5526]

Honestly hope Batman doesn't show up in this show. He should be a presence in the city though. Show the signal, show criminals feeling jumpy about it etc.

[@LacTV-videos]

this was great. ngl, would love to see you guys do more shows when they come out. add you to my rotation of TV show reactors :)

[@JohnfromManitoba]

I'm probably never going to watch the show meaning I won't be watching this series with you guys but I'm leaving this comment for the algorithm and George if he reads the comments

[@CineBingeReact]

oh i do.

[@blofeld39]

@@CineBingeReact The movie's "Gilda", George -- I put a longer comment on here elsewhere, but I couldn't tag properly. :-P lol

[@hitblank2320]

You should Watch it tho

[@JohnfromManitoba]

​@@hitblank2320I should watch it the beginning did look interesting

[@JohnfromManitoba]

​@CineBingeReact yippee George replied 😁

[@dannyheel1]

I did the experiment with my mother. I put it on and asked her who the Penguin was, and she was stumped.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Hope you two are having an great and awesome day ❤

[@theylied1776]

I have to say... Colin Farrell is one hell of an actor.

[@dfbovey]

Colin Farrell is really rivaling James Gandolfini/ Tony Soprano with what he’s doing with the Penguin. Would be shocked if he doesn’t get an Emmy.

[@MetastaticMaladies]

I hope we are getting another Pattinson Batman. He was the last person I thought would be a good batman, but he’s great, much better than Christian Bale imo.

[@MrFredstt]

In the comics Penguin is just a regular ole dude that comes from a rich family

[@JosephHernandez-u1n]

Bad, evil and insane, that perfectly sums up the Batman rogue's gallery. Some are bad, thieves and hustlers, evil like Black Mask and insane like Joker.

[@bullpup33]

George. Don't forget Bateman is a crime comic. That city is fudged up 😮

[@tylerbrown5526]

I hope Catwoman shows up since she's half-siblings with Sofia and Alberto.

[@Ejay669]

With the chaos in the city I can't imagine internal mafia squabbles are more important to Batman than the crime happening to innocent citizens right now. If Penguin keeps messing with the Falcone/Maroni family rather than bystanders I don't see Batman getting himself involved.

[@TearDownGenesis]

The only way I could tell it was Colin was in the eyes. There was one or two spots where he does a little wink where it reminded me of him, but outside that, it's amazing makeup work. The Batman had Gordon Batman Alfred Riddler Joker Catwoman Likely this series may make some references to Batman but we won't see him.

[@Zaburino]

Yeah its the eyes, and I think there's some subtle jittery head movements that Farrell does naturally that kinda makes it feel like him in very brief moments; I only really get that sense during the scenes when Oz is monologuing, and only when I'm not looking for it.

[@Ghost8386]

Dope episode.

[@NOG9003]

Really enjoying shows going up as well as movies keep up the good work guys. Also post firefly

[@lathspell87]

Cristin Milioti crushed that role. I am so conflicted with her eyes. I find them both incredibly sexy and incredibly scary at the same time.

[@troikas3353]

"I forgot this was a batman universe" Yeah, thats the biggest criticism I have of it. It's amazing so far as just a regular crime drama don't get me wrong, but I hope this isn't a sign we are backsliding into the age of shows and movies being ashamed of having comic source material. Which given the show runners comments about not even wanting to use Oswald's actual name.. meh. The Batman universe is wild and at times absurd but has still had incredibly well made and often mature stories told in it.

[@paddyofurniture705]

You must watch the Batman series . The original Penguin , played by Burgess Meredith,Mick from Rocky ,was a real gas to watch. (1907-1997)

[@bmarty748]

Thumbnail really got me in tears

[@unxprienced9548]

Funnily enough, if you mixed this version of The Penguin and the one from Batman Returns I think you'd get the comics version. I think you'd only need to add in more umbrella gimmicks.

[@brianegendorf2023]

If you want to know more about Sofia Falcone/The Hangman, watch Batman:The Long Halloween Pts. 1&2. Her story is told in that adaptation.

[@easyBob100]

I had no idea, never saw that Batman movie either. When I saw the ads, I didn't believe it lol.

[@tomlangdonec]

I see some of Tony Soprano (and Trump 😂) in his performance, it's amazing.

[@sirmaaxford]

While i sorta don't want Batman to show i had the idea that if he did in like a cool horror movie style maybe have Oswald doing a deal or getting into a fight and in the background Bats comes in and is fighting people while he tries to escape.