‘The Penguin’: Instant Classic? Reactions to the ‘Penguin’ Finale | The Midnight Boys

[@Frank-ui3gh]

The penguin set up the Batman 2 perfectly. Everything flows into the Batman 2. From Sophia/catwoman connection, to the penguin and the new underworld. No MCU show has complemented a future in universe movie like this, instant classic🐧

[@ImPepsiCOLA]

To me when Oz gave up Sophia, it seemed more like a fate worse than death. She had actually accepted her fate and maybe even had some peace with it, but Oz robbed even that from her and put her back in hell. It’s ironic that was some of his final words to her. “You’re going to hell.”

[@mackstacks8913]

Van said that he felt Oz was pure evil and had no humanity after killing Vic, but for me it was when he would have let his moms finger get cut off because he refused to admit something everyone in the room clearly knew. Sofia kind of spelled it out for us. He doesn’t really care about her well being that much. He cared more about accomplishing what he set out to accomplish to prove to her that he could and get validation from it. Because of that scene, I saw the Vic murder happening before it did.

[@JM-tr2mx]

Colin Farrell and Cristin Milioti need to be nominated for all the awards.

[@ajil112]

there totally was an umbrella when he put his tophat down

[@icytangus6683]

Collin earned a award with this performance

[@rigsby1454]

What's good about The Penguin is its pure pulp. It treats the Batman world as a pulpy story as it should be.

[@bugbite]

If you watch the extras/behind the scenes on MAX, the showrunners confirm him murdering his brothers was intentional. He is insecure and wanted them out of the way. Also, the scene with his mother pretty much confirms it. His mother knew who he is was, but it's crazy how many people interpret it differently. When he killed his brothers, that was my first clue something was off with him. He didn't care about Vic or anyone in his life. He only kept his mom around to show her what he could do and make her "proud". And when he found out about her stroke, he wasn't worried about her well-being, he was sad he missed his chance to show her. He is so proud and narcissistic he even disobeys her wishes and keeps her alive. He doesn't even care if he has real love, he just wanted everyone to play a part in his fantasy....everything is superficial.

[@truboss9470]

Van… Oz did nothing morally defensible in this series. Killing his brothers, lying and damn near letting his mother get her finger cut off, killing Alberto and manipulating Sophia, burning the Maroni’s alive, he did SO MUCH EVIL.

[@Demidota2009]

most of the series was him screwing over other criminals who were arguably just as bad or worse than him, so it felt okay. but with the extended info we learned about Sofia and Oz by the end of it, Oz is clearly the least human criminal in Gotham

[@dreigivetimpoolmassivewedg7646]

Not to mention the numerous times he nearly killed Vic in earlier episodes

[@DiedonSunday]

I felt exactly the same way but I struggle with one thing…. I wanted him to win.

[@dreigivetimpoolmassivewedg7646]

@@DiedonSunday the scene where he killed Vic was so brutal man. That actor and the show did a great job of making me really pull for his character.

[@nickkay1377]

I loved this The Penguin finale. This story telling is so good and respectful to the IP. Rewatching The Batman and then going into this is such a good refresher. Now I’m excited for the next Batman movie from this team of producers, writers, actors, cinematographers, makeup artist, everything. Just a great team of tv/filmakers. They took their time with this story and the continuity of this city of Gotham from movies to tv. I’m so excited for more from this team. Congrats to everyone who had anything to do with this. Keep doin you’re thing ❤

[@clstuff1]

Pew! Pew!

[@curtisharris966]

An all timer. The perfect 1st season of a comic series since Watchmen.

[@BillBixby-qi1uf]

True dat homie!! Im hard pressed to name a better 1st season of ANY show ever which is not hyperbole..from the very 1st scene of him being so sensitive as to kill his newly appointed crime boss without thought or hesitation to the very end of the season..best watch since breaking bad imo! great comment buddy!

[@quinnsahler970]

The Leftovers and True Detective s1’s are pretty damn good too

[@TheThizzelle]

😂 "The Goon Market in Gotham is crazy." Great line

[@2rosaryfortv]

Van Lathan for mayor of Gotham 🤝🏾😂

[@robdon3472]

Its interesting that Oz didn't even consider sending Vic away. The kid wanted to leave esrlier in the show. Hes got the girl out. He easily couldve given Vic a plane ticket and some cash and told him that whole thing about family being something that can be exploited. Did that even cross his mind?

[@GreenJay15]

Cuz no matter how far away he is, he’s still a personal connection that someone could theoretically find out about and exploit, not to mention there’s always a chance that Vic could come to his senses and rat Oz out if he isn’t there to constantly manipulate him.

[@liamcephus9687]

It’s also far more visceral for Oz. He even says it to Vic right before killing him. Vic had seen him at his lowest…to a narcissist like Oz that was not something he could ever handle it ate at him.

[@JosephHastings-xm2cs]

Agree with all above, but Oz simply loves killing people. We saw it earlier in the season when he set the Maroney family on fire. He gets a sick joy out of it; you even see him smile a little after offing Vic.

[@panckreous]

Ive wondered about shows/movies that would be 11's and not 12's (if anyone remembers which they picked, please let me know) - I think this is a perfect example of an 11. It's game-changing in what it did and will hopefully inspire more like it.

[@BillBixby-qi1uf]

The Wire, Breaking Bad, Much of The Walking Dead too lol!

[@albertadache2572]

The Penguin 🐧 Deserves all of the Awards

[@Atomic_Brunette]

Van for mayor of Gotham lmao 🔥

[@PlanetAfrika]

Vic was used as an analog for Robin, to show how different Penguin is to Batman.

[@hueyhoopin]

Prolly best finale I’ve seen

[@ancrathjustice8516]

Am I bugging for saying this show is comparable to Better Call Saul in quality?

[@DonnyKanone]

yeah... Its punching the above fandom weight but dude, just cinematography alone in BCS. And the whole Chuck, Hammond and Jimmy arc alone? But dude, if it hits as hard for you, dope! Its definitely a 9 minimum objectively imho.

[@jeremygilbreth8333]

Yes.

[@BillBixby-qi1uf]

I agree with that assessment! I love The Boys but this is my new favorite current running show!

[@cmiller1300]

You are tripping so bad

[@damageman215]

1) I don't think Oz intentionally killed his brothers. Nothing we're shown of him as a child paints him to be a killer. All we're shown is his obsessessive relationship with his mother. Like Van said he locked them in their out of spite but not intending for them to die. HOWEVER that he never reveals to his mother where they are does pose him as being complicit in their unfortunate demise. 2) Oz's darkest turn was in killing Vic. Narratively this was necessary to make Oz the villian. Him killin Vic in an odd way shows how much he actually cared about Vic. He says that say family that makes ya strong makes ya weak. After everything that happened with his mom being in danger and that influencing how he had to move I think he feels like he doesn't want that type of risk out there because it becomes a liability that could cost him everything he's fought for.

[@marcusmcgill4423]

Oz was always impulsive. Whenever he feels like he's being teased or disrespected, he snaps and reacts impulsively. That was just our first instance of seeing him do that within the continuity of the story. However, he knew what he was doing. Look at his face when he was alone with Francis and he kept checking how much it was raining and that smirk of his. And while killing Vic was ruthless, I think his keeping Francis alive is far worse. She made him promise to end it for her so she wouldn't have to be in that vegetative state, but he went back on that promise. That single tear of hers told the whole story of how she was feeling at that moment.

[@BillBixby-qi1uf]

Wats up Van! I wish Sofia had been victorious and living on an island having exacted revenge on all of her enemies and burned down and utterly erased her fathers family legacy..I saw shock and true fear wen she was caged again after being a few steps away from total freedom at the hands of Oz yet again!! Best 1st season finale of any truly great all-time classic show ever!! Already iconic in just 8 episodes!!

[@marcusmcgill4423]

Can we talk about the glove and what looks like a sack mask on Dr. Julian Rush's (Theo Rossi) desk? In one scene where Sofia is in his office, there's a glove that looks like the gloves Scarecrow wore in the Arkham games and some comics. The gloves that inject his fear toxin. Maybe that rumor is true about him truly being Crane/Scarecrow. We shall see in the future if they were to bring Rossi back.

[@zeke5561]

My new favorite Podcast

[@earlskinner615]

I love how the midnight boys are30 percent about review and 70 percent their schenaigans.

[@ulisesmendoza7339]

I really want kerm to be part of the main midnight boys. Love his voice

[@JosephHastings-xm2cs]

I can save Sophia.

[@marcusmcgill4423]

Daggett Industries was another big corporation in Gotham.

[@cecilboyd1692]

Im surprised by how Van misinterpreted Oz's handling of Sophia. The mercy would have been putting a bullet in her. Sending her back to arkham was the worst thing he could have done to her. He wants her to suffer for the rest of her life.

[@ehsanrahee7411]

Where do i even find Mint Edition?? Is it not on KZbin?

[@tri3183]

Spotify

[@icytangus6683]

Can’t wait to watch it. Happy yall saying it’s amazing. Hope Charles alright! Kerm if you want comic book review show let me know I’ll fan club it for you. Charles if you want to review anime arcs let me know I’ll fan club it for u

[@DonLyfe556]

Where is Baby Chuck?

[@poobs1252]

Steve got that Justin Herbert thing going for him

[@BCyepThatsME]

charles ????

[@Bricks_shakur]

MCU needs to grow up, DC is clearly telling more compelling adult themed stories. Stories with real life complexities that dig deep. The mother and son dynamic between OZ and his mom alone is more riveting than any emotion Marvel ever made me feel. The Penguin is a great show that hopefully leads the way for the future of the entire genre.

[@bchild10]

I'm sorry, but I did not feel bad for Oz when the mom revealed her true feelings, especially since it came as a result of him not wanting to admit he killed his brothers and her finger was about to be cut off. He would rather see his mother suffer through a painful act than tell the truth.

[@joicooper5497]

38:44 it's the indifference

[@Sellers.Realtor]

I believe Batman II will be so insane, warner brother discovery already expressed they fully support the trilogy.

[@icytangus6683]

So they seen it early?

[@D3athL1vin]

they got that exclusive midnight boys access van has deep connections to powerful people

[@Rocket-w8l]

They get screeners.

[@eatingwithmyhands]

Van got the hollywood satanist cabal connect

[@gl0bal7474]

one of the best shows on tV

[@Slotmachine305]

National treasure is awesome, puzzle movies we need more of, last one i can can think of was uncharted

[@marcusmcgill4423]

Van, Revan is up there with Anakin.

[@abdirizakm9426]

I don’t think oz killed his brothers on purpose. He didn’t know they weren’t gonna get out. Or rain I was feeling uneasy when he was walking away.

[@commaJim]

Penguin & Vic reminded me of Tony ending Christopher

[@Bricks_shakur]

That’s what I believe they were going for

[@_Waingro]

Jomi only has one can to drink here? My man((s) plural)) is starving to death 17:08

[@jeremygilbreth8333]

Man the vibes are so much better when Charles isn’t here shitting on everything.

[@Redjack10]

It’s just nice to hear people discuss the show instead of having to give Charles a therapy session.

[@ClarissaBerrios]

Never lied lol 💯

[@feelred]

Its better without Jomi and Steve

[@jeremygilbreth8333]

@@feelred This is a bad take.

[@_Waingro]

The first right thing you’ve said 19:50

[@_Waingro]

Sofia is solidified in the Gotham rogues gallery!!! This is a good thing 20:35

[@2rosaryfortv]

Batman should've been on top of the building or watching through the window in the shadows could've been cgi

[@djaydrane]

The thing with oz mom I feel They did a good job of sticking with the theme of batman villains all having mental illnesses. He’s got deeeeeeep rooted mommy issues

[@Coffeewiththegods]

17:40 he killed his brothers. That sealed the deal for me. He was always bad.

[@_Waingro]

Spoiler Alert: STEVE IS NOT…SPITTIN 36:33

[@jasmininterian634]

There will be no Joanna Robinson slander allowed ❤❤❤❤

[@_Waingro]

I’m your Huckleberry

[@ImPepsiCOLA]

In my eyes Sophia was already an asshole after she blew up the bomb in the tunnels. She killed a bunch of innocent people

[@WatTheFrAk]

See what I love about yall talking about the goons. That it happened. There was a batman comic and I'm sure it involved Jason Todd's dad. He was petty criminal who worked multiple gangs...and it's been long time but they it's shows a Lil bit what the goons go thru. I mean he dad was still shit but under circumstances

[@CrookedShoeTales]

The last 2 episodes made me very ok with Batman kicking his ass in the future.

[@cosmas4108]

Jobs for Goons 😂😂😂 5:54

[@calfowler6838]

I don't feel sorry for Sophia she has plenty of chances to leave

[@_Waingro]

Who has bigger thunder thighs Old Man Van or Jomi the 5 incher #jomieatworld 0:20

[@flangeslammer]

the hyperbole around this show is wild. only folks calling this show an instant classic are the same ones who are too superhero pilled to admit that the last 30 minutes of the batman (reeves) was profoundly dumb and bad and really killed what would have been as close to perfect of a batman film as there could have been. stan culture, baby. rally the troops.

[@tdup191]

I didn't care for the Batman at all BUT the Penguin 1st season is among the best ever 1st seasons of a show

[@feelred]

I miss Charles on this show. Hope he didnt get fired.

[@DIADIA95]

I hope he didn’t either but his response to people enjoying this show was…concerning?

[@thedefinitionisthis]

I’ve missed pods eps for a while. Tbh, Charles became too insufferable for me to listen to about any content. What did he say/do?

[@ec889]

Where'd you get that? He's on PTO lol.

[@feelred]

@diadia95 @thedefinitionisthis Y’all needa make friends. Not everyone likes the shows you like. Not everyone hoppin on your DC/Marvel bullshit. Come back and show these kids up, Chuck!

[@thedefinitionisthis]

@@feelred Not everyone needs to agree, but the way he goes about it is just super insufferable. Like, he can't fathom how people can disagree with his take in the face of being in the minority. If i'm being real, I wasn't digging Agatha for the first 3 or so episodes, but Charles' takes just seemed so ridiculous to me still. Not to mention some of his critiques flew in the face of criticisms he had of past MCU shows; criticizing the show for doing something that he explicitly wished other shows did in terms of continuity. He's not showing anyone up. He's just exposing himself.

[@ClarissaBerrios]

Keep Charles away at all cost 🙌🏼😂

[@lashundrashinell]

Regarding Gotham’s infrastructure…. They need to get the lead out of those pipes and the paint and stuff. Their looney is pathological

[@Xmj202]

Ma!

[@_Waingro]

What kind of Ellen Degeneres haircut Steve wearing? And how come it looks so Third Reich ish 13:07

[@Redjack10]

Checking on a dude’s haircut is so weird.

[@jayamo-addae415]

This pod (or whatever) is always over the place. Like Evander Holyfield's kids.

[@_Waingro]

Wow! How can Steve be so wrong?

[@_Waingro]

What are you clapping for, that was trash 10:43

[@rickyclover9393]

Besides Deadpool and Wolverine ruling the box office in 2024, MCU is lame asf this year. The Penguin sticking to gangster genre was a bold, gritty move on DC that made Oz Cobb a major crimelord of Gotham City. He took down Morani and Falcone, street gangs and got politicians in his back pocket. The World Is His! BUT.....someone has flashed the batsignal into the night sky......

[@calfowler6838]

Dude in a cowboy hat is an annoying troll

[@toxicknicksfan5547]

Batman would have ruined this show, thank god Van not running it

[@dariustaefreeman2171]

So, I'm the only one that didn't like Andor, right? I mean...

[@DonLyfe556]

Yea, you are. Show is amazing. Season 2 is coming April 2025!

[@dhatroit]

Too much plot armor Loved it except for ep 7 and 8 escape plot armor And an old white man being about to strangle a young black kid.... never believable Amazing show, crashed out a bad as wandavision, which is still my favorite mcu show

[@DIADIA95]

Weird racial take but ok. Vic trusted Oz. Anyone you trust enough can get close enough to kill you. Simple.

[@D3athL1vin]

Congratulations on the Krispy Kreme Award for glazing Andor

[@DonnyKanone]

That spoiler warning segment video gotta go. Its really tough to watch cringe. The video, the audio is the dopest spoiler warning in entertainment.

[@frankbufano5494]

Joanna Robinson is probably going to trash this episode and series overall. She sucks

[@barrycrimefield6710]

Shut your crybaby ass up

[@johnphicks7]

Joanna is amazing Take your whiny bro baby energy elsewhere

[@barrycrimefield6710]

A nerd and a crybaby? Rare combination

[@Frank-ui3gh]

Swear, a lot of MCU fans only want MCU style content only. I can’t imagine being that closed minded to not recognize the penguins greatness.

[@barrycrimefield6710]

Wimp

[@SpideySensei72]

OMG, I can't believe I'm saying this but they actually need Charles on this show. Without him Jomi and Steve seem even lamer than usual.

[@DonnyKanone]

Hopefully the president catering to your sensibilities for entertainment will tide you over.

[@jeremygilbreth8333]

No

[@Redjack10]

Nah, it has been fantastic without him these last several episodes.

[@burgercheezes]

Jomi and Steve are fine, they talk about the show and give their insights about it. Charles would always give some clickbait criticism and then never explain himself they would spend 10 minutes explaining to Charles why his trash headline that he wouldn’t explain makes no sense. It’s fine to be contrarian sometimes but everytime without explanation, no thanks. Charles be like, “Gotham reminded me of the Wizard of Oz, I don’t like it it’s not for me” and they’ll be like that’s interesting why do you say that? And Charles is like “I don’t know I just came up with it thought it sounded clever.” But now they do ten minutes on how the Tin Man is nothing like the Penguin even tho that point was really never but Charles hinted at it so here we go. I’m good.

[@DonnyKanone]

@burgercheezes Nothings going on for 4 episodes. Whats with all the rushed plot for 4 episodes? Who cares about the penguin? What are we even doing? Alrrrright! Be honest!