Why ‘The Penguin’ Moniker Is Rarely Mentioned in HBO’s Series

Summary

In the opening chapter of the HBO series, Colin Farrell’s character unfolds like a dark, enigmatic riddle; he’s addressed as “Oz,” “Oswald,” and even met with some biting insults. Yet, the hauntingly iconic title of “The Penguin” remains conspicuously absent. This deliberate omission is not a trivial detail; it echoes through the narrative of the series, hinting at a deeper exploration of identity and self-perception. Showrunner Lauren LeFranc sheds light on this decision, explaining that Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, while steeped in mobster culture, rejects the mocking connotations of his nickname. It’s not a badge he wears with pride but a label used by others to belittle him. In a world riddled with gangsters who thrive on nicknames, possessing the one associated with a debased creature doesn’t sit well with Oz. Instead, LeFranc prefers to confront the character on his own terms, steering the narrative away from comic tropes and savvy preconceptions. In homage to the lore surrounding the Penguin, viewers will notice the familiar figure wielding an umbrella, yet it lacks the charred edge of lethal gadgetry. The bombardment of flamboyant attire like top hats and tails is also elegantly eschewed, leaving room for a rawer, more nuanced portrayal. LeFranc aims to unveil Oswald as he is—a formidable crime figure, intertwined in the gritty underbelly of urban life, rather than a caricature plucked from the pages of comics. LeFranc conveys her vision with somber clarity, stating that the show positions itself not merely as a comic book adaptation but as a gripping crime drama—an emotional journey rooted in relatable storytelling. By delicately portraying aspects of Oz’s character, including his club foot, LeFranc embraces a lens of empathy rather than pity, sidestepping tired stereotypes that have often been criticized in traditional comic narratives. The nuanced design of the character seeks to present Oz as a man whose villainy is deeply woven into the fabric of his emotional state, untouched by physical deformity. Colin Farrell himself reflects this nuanced journey, acknowledging the lack of the iconic nickname in the screenplay, though he whimsically laments one specific moment’s edit where it could have found a home. As children remark on his resemblance to a penguin, Farrell embraces the notion, hinting at a deeper evolution where Oswald reconciles with his moniker, seeing it as a source of power rather than mockery. As the series unfolds, submerging viewers in the shadows of Gotham, it teases an intricate exploration of identity, revealing that sometimes the names we are given do not define us, but rather how we choose to wield them.

Original Source: deadline.com