Warning! This episode contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 5The Penguinepisode 5 features a collection of exciting Easter eggs fromThe Batman,multiple DC Comics references, and even a potential connection to Tim Burton’sBatman Returns. While Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) is finally claiming her rightful seat at the table, Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) takes on the Maronis before establishing his own base of power in Gotham’s underworld by the end ofThe Penguinepisode 5. As such, there are several nods and teases along the way as both characters are headed for an epic confrontation.
InThe Penguinepisode 5, Sofia has taken over the Falcone Crime Family and renamed it the Gigantes, honoring her late mother Isabela Gigante. She’s also joined forces with Salvatore Maroni after Oz killed his wife and son. Meanwhile, Oz and his right-hand man Victor Aguilar find the perfect new place to grow Penguin’s new drug operation, allowing him to build his very own criminal empire in Gotham.To that end, here are 9 of the biggest Easter eggs and references to be found inThe Penguinepisode 5.
9Rex Calabrese’s Car
Another Mention Of The Old Gotham Crime Boss
At the beginning ofThe Penguinepisode 5, Oz Cobb and Victor set fire to the Penguins' already damaged purple Maserati. While it burns,Oz reveals another story about Rex Calabrese, a Gotham gangster whom Cobb looked up to when he was a kid. Apparently, Rex drove a gold Cadillac with white leather seats, a car Oz refers to as his “chariot”. To that end, it’s clear that the purple Maserati was inspired by Rex, a chariot Oz had been able to call his very own.
Hailing from the original DC Comics, Rex was indeed an older crime boss in Gotham known as “The Lion” before he was pushed out by the Falcones.Calabrese is also the father of Selina Kyle in certain continuities.Rex was first mentioned inThe Penguin’spremiere, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s mentioned again in future episodesseeing how he was seemingly Oz’s idol growing up.
8LFG
Not The First Superhero Project To Feature The Phrase In 2024
Confirming that he’s committed to working for Oz,Victor says “Let’s fing go"after promising he’s with Cobb for the long haul, and thePenguin certainly seems to appreciate Victor Aguilar’s ambitionand enthusiasm. While it’s certainly not an exclusive phrase, it is still notable and fun to point out that “Let’s fing go” was used in a 2024 superhero project prior toThe Penguinepisode 5. After all, it was the primary tagline for Marvel Studios’Deadpool & Wolverine, having been said by both titular characters in the movie itself.
7GCPD Chief Police Mackenzie Bock
First Seen InThe Batman
Following the murder of her own family members which she made to look like a gas leak,Sofia Falcone encounters none other than GCPD Police Chief Mackenzie Bock outside the Falcone mansion. Played by Con O’Neill, Bock questions the suspicious nature of the murders, especially considering they all belonged to one of Gotham’s most prominent crime families. Bock was first seen in 2022’sThe Batmanwhere he butted heads with both Lt. Jim Gordon and The Dark Knight himself.
The Penguin Show Cast & DC Character Guide
Set to release in 2024, The Penguin will continue to flesh out Matt Reeves' Gotham with Colin Farrell set to reprise his role as Oz Cobb.
It’s also important to note that Bock tells Sofia that a new era is coming for Gotham, especially due to Mayor-Elect Bella Reál’s intentions to crack down on crime and corruption. However, Sofia also reminds him that the GCPD is far from blameless, seeing as how several of its officers have been on the Falcones' payroll and were receiving kickbacks, not to mention involvement in the Gotham Renewal Fund conspiracy. Regardless, it’s going to be very exciting to see how the GCPD will respond as Gotham’s underworld continues to evolve.
6Gloria (1980)
Playing in Francis' Home
When Oz sends Victor to get his mother someplace safe, a movie is seen playing in Francis' apartment.This movie is 1980’sGloriastarring Gena Rowlands. The movie details the story of a gangster’s former girlfriend who protects and is on the run with a young boy being tracked by the mob for information. As such, it’s a rather fitting movie to be playing in the background considering thatThe Penguinitself fits within the gangster genre as well.
5Don Mitchell Jr. Billboard
Gotham’s Corrupt Mayor
After Penguin kills Taj and Nadia Maroni inThe Penguinepisode 5 and escapes with part of the Bliss supply,an old campaign billboard can be seen from Don Mitchell Jr.’s mayoral run. First seen in 2022’sThe Batman, Don Mitchell Jr. was Gotham’s original corrupt mayor who was involved in the Gotham Renewal Fund conspiracy. As such, he was also The Riddler’s first victim, his murder serving as the movie’s opening scene before Edward Nashton taped up his face and left his first riddle for Batman and the GCPD.
Ironically, the billboard’s slogan says “Continuity for Gotham”, exactly the reason why Riddler killed Mitchell due to what would have been the continuation of his corruption had he been reelected. After all, Don Mitchell Jr. was complicit in the crimes of the Falcones. To that end,one of Riddler’s green question marks can be seen spray-painted on the billboard, showing that Edward Nashton’s followers haven’t forgotten what The Riddler was fighting against.
4The Gigante Crime Family
Sofia Honoring Her Mother
Finding one of her mother’s old coats with her maiden name embroidered on the inside,Sofia Falcone decides to take the last name Gigante, leaving her father’s name and legacy buried in the past.The same goes for the Falcone Crime Family with Sofia officially renaming her new criminal empire “The Gigantes"before buying her men’s ongoing loyalty with the money her father had kept for himself. As such, this is also a very cool twist from the original DC comics.
On the page, Sofia’s full name was Sofia Falcone Gigante as she was married to Rocco Gigante. However, the new twist inThe Penguinepisode 5 with the name coming from her mother carries far more narrative significance. Sofia is choosing to honor the member of her family who didn’t betray her (and was similarly betrayed just as Sofia herself was).
3Gotham Basketball Team
Are They The Gotham Knights Or The Guardsmen?
When Victor takes Francis to hide out in a condemned part of Crown Point,a large poster can be seen promoting Gotham’s premiere basketball team. While it’s hard to make out, it does look as though the name of the team is the Gotham Guardsmen, the same name the team has in the comics as well as inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, it’s worth noting that the basketball team has also gone by the Gotham Knights in other continuities as well.
2"The Zoo” at Crown Point
A Nod to Batman Returns?
The condemned building itself that Victor takes Francis to is named “The Zoo”, a large collection of condos in Crown Point. While it might be a stretch, this may be a potential reference toDanny Devito’s Penguin inBatman Returns, who had been based out of Gotham’s old zoo. Devito’s Oswald Cobblepot specifically had his lair within the zoo’s Arctic World, complete with a collection of real-life penguins.
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To that end,it’s also worth noting that Farrell’s Penguin is now based underground as seen at the end ofThe Penguinepisode 5. This is not unlike Danny Devito’s Penguin who used the city’s underground sewer systems to get around the city as seen in Tim Burton’sBatmansequel. While it might not be an intentional reference, the parallel is still fun to point out all the same.
1Gotham’s Underground Trolley System
Mirroring The Batcave at Wayne Terminus
Reminded of his childhood with his brothers, Oz and Victor uncover Gotham’s old trolley system underneath Crown Point. Exploring the tunnels, the duo eventually discovers a central hub and a generator, realizing that the space could serve as the perfect base of operations going forward. Not only is the trolley system abandoned and largely forgotten, but its humidity means it’s perfect for getting the Bliss operations back up and running.
Keeping that in mind,Penguin’s new base does mirror the Batcave seen inThe Batman. After all, Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne built his own secret hideout in the similarly decommissioned Wayne Termius station located underground. Much like the trolley system, the private train station was built in the 1960s before being shut down in the 80s. Having been abandoned, its location underneath Wayne Tower and its tunnel systems leading to the city itself made itthe perfect Batcave for Bruce’s campaign against Gotham’s criminals. In a similar vein, it stands to reason that Penguin will soon enjoy similar advantages, albeit for the distribution of his brand-new drug.
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.
