Warning! This episode contains spoilers for The Penguin Episode 5The penguin Episode 5 features a collection of exciting Easter eggs from the batman, Multiple DC Comics references, and even a potential connection to Tim Burton Batman Returns. While Sofia Falcone (Cristin Milioti) finally claims 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 of The penguin Episode 5. As such, there are several nods and teases along the way as both characters are headed for an epic confrontation.
in The penguin Episode 5, Sofia took over the Falcone crime family and renamed it the Gigantes, honoring her late mother Isabella Gigante. She also teamed up 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 in The penguin Episode 5.
9
Rex Calabrese’s car
Another mention of the old Gotham crime boss
In the beginning of The penguin Episode 5, Oz Cobb and Victor set fire to the Penguins already damaged purple Maserati. while it burns, Oz reveals another story about Rex CalabreseA Gotham gangster whom Cobb looked up to when he was a child. Apparently, Rex drives a gold Cadillac with white leather seats, a car Oz refers to as his “chariot”. To this end, it is clear that the purple Maserati was inspired by Rex, a chariot that Oz was able to call his very own.
Rex was from the original DC Comics, and was actually an older crime boss in Gotham known as “The Lion” before he was pushed by the Falcons. Calabrese is also the father of Selina Kyle in certain continuities. Rex was first mentioned in The penguin’s premiere, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s mentioned again in future episodes Seeing as he was, apparently, Oz’s idol is growing.
8
LFG
Not the first superhero project to feature the phrase in 2024
Confirm that he is committed to working for Oz, Victor says “let’s go” After promising that he is with Cobb for a long timeAnd the Penguin certainly seems to appreciate Victor Aguilar’s ambition and enthusiasm. While it’s certainly not an exclusive phrase, it’s still notable and fun to point out that “Let’s go” was used in a 2024 superhero project before The penguin Episode 5. After all, it was the primary tagline for Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & WolverineBeing told by both titular characters in the movie itself.
7
GCPD Chief Constable McKenzie Bock
First seen in The Batman
After the murder of her own family members that she made to look like a gas leak, Sofia Falcone meets 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 belong to one of Gotham’s most prominent crime families. Bock was first seen in 2022 The Batman Where he butted heads with both Lt. Jim Gordon and the Dark Knight himself.
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It is also important to note that Bock tells Sofia that a new era is coming for Gotham, especially due to the intentions of Mayor-elect Bella Reál to disperse crime and corruption. However, Sofia also reminds him that the GCPD is far from perfect, seeing how some of its officers have been on the Falcones’ payroll and received kickbacks, not to mention involvement in the Gotham Renewal Fund conspiracy. Regardless, it will be very exciting to see how the GCPD will respond as Gotham’s underworld continues to evolve.
6
Gloria (1980)
Playing in Francis’ home
As Oz sends Victor to get his mother somewhere safe, a movie is seen playing in Francis’ apartment. The movie is 1980s Gloria Starring Gena Rowlands. The movie details the story of an ex-girlfriend of a gangster who protects and is on the run with a young boy who is tracked by the crowd for information. As such, it’s a perfectly suitable movie to be playing in the background The penguin It also fits into the bandit genre.
5
Don Mitchell Jr. Billboard
Gotham’s corrupt mayor
After Penguin kills Taj and Nadia Maroni in The penguin Episode 5 and Escapes with Part of the Bliss Supply, An old campaign billboard can be seen from Don Mitchell Jr. First seen in 2022s The BatmanDon Mitchell Jr. Was Gotham’s original corrupt mayor who was involved in the Gotham Renewal Fund conspiracy. As such, he is also the Riddler’s first victim, his murder serving as the opening scene of the movie before Edward Nashton taps up his face and leaves his first puzzle for Batman and the GCPD.
Ironically, the billboard’s slogan says “cAntinuity for Gotham“, the very reason Riddler killed Mitchell for what would have been the continuation of his corruption when he was re-elected. After all, Don Mitchell Jr. was complicit in the Falcones’ crimes. To that end, one of Riddler’s Green Question. One can see signs spread across the billboard, showing that Edward Nashton’s followers have not forgotten what the Riddler was fighting against.
4
The giant crime family
Sophia honoring her mother
Sofia Falcone, who found one of her mother’s old coats with her maiden name embroidered on the inside, decided 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 you buy her people’s ongoing loyalty with the money her father kept for himself. As such, it’s also a very cool twist on the original DC comics.
On this page, Sofia’s full name was Sofia Falcone Gigante as she was married to Rocco Gigante. However, the new twist in The penguin Episode 5 with her mother’s name has much more narrative significance. Sophia is choosing to honor the member of her family who did not betray her (and was similarly betrayed just as Sophia herself was).
3
Gotham basketball team
Are they the Gotham Knights or the Guardsmen?
When Victor takes Francis to hide in a condemned part of Crown Point, You can see a large poster promoting Gotham’s premiere basketball team. Although it’s hard to make out, it looks like the name of the team is the Gotham Guardsmen, the same name the team has in the comics and in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. However, it is worth noting that the basketball team also went through the Gotham Knights in other continuities.
2
“The Zoo” at Crown Point
A nod to Batman Returns?
The condemned building itself that Victor takes Francis to is called “The Zoo”, a large collection of condos in Crown Point. While it may be a stretch, this could be a potential reference to Danny Devito’s Penguin Batman Returnswhich was based out of Gotham’s old zoo. Devito’s Oswald Cobblepot specifically has his lair in the zoo’s Arctic World, complete with a collection of real-life penguins.
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to this end, It’s also worth noting that Farrell’s Penguin is now based underground as seen at the end of The penguin Episode 5. This is unlike Danny DeVito’s Penguin, who used the city’s underground sewer systems to get around the city as seen in Tim Burton’s. Batman Sequel. While it may not be an intentional reference, the parallel is still fun to point out all the same.
1
Gotham’s underground trolley system
Mirroring the Batcave at Wayne Terminus
Reminded of his childhood with his brothers, Oz and Victor discover Gotham’s old trolley system under Crown Point. Exploring the tunnels, the duo eventually discovers a central hub and a generator, realizing that the site 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.
keep this in mind, Penguin’s new base mirrors the Batcave seen in The Batman. After all, Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne built his own secret hideout in the similarly decommissioned Wayne Thermius station located underground. Much like the trolley system, the private train station was built in the 1960s before being shut down in the 80s. Since being abandoned, its location under Wayne Tower and its tunnel systems leading to the city itself made it the perfect Batcave for Bruce’s campaign against Gotham’s criminals. In a similar way, it is clear that Penguin will soon enjoy similar advantages, although for the distribution of his brand new medicine.
New episodes of The penguin are released Sunday nights on Max.
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