The Penguin: Scarface meets Gotham in HBO’s new superhero saga (review).

The PenguinHBO’s latest foray into Gotham’s deliciously grim underbelly is a show that proves one thing: the only thing better than watching Colin Farrell slither around in prosthetic makeup is watching him do it while shooting, scheming, and schmoozing his way up the criminal ladder. Yes, Gotham’s favorite bird is back, and this time he’s not just waddling, he’s clambering to the top with all the grace of a mobster Tony Soprano with a quack.

We pick up where The Batman left behind, with Gotham more soaked than an episode of Water worldand Farrell’s Oswald “Oz” Cobb (because apparently “Cobblepot” just wasn’t “real” enough for modern TV) is the latest mafioso on the rise. And he’s on the rise — well, after a series of murderous accidents, juvenile delinquent side plots, and awkward family moments that make your average Thanksgiving dinner seem like a wholesome episode of The Waltons.

Colin Farrell, as expected, steals the show, channeling the energy of every classic gangster you can think of – Vito Corleone, Scarface, that guy you owe money to at the pub – but with a disfigured face and an ever-present grin that’s just… well, perfect. His performance? Emmy-worthy, no doubt about it. It’s the kind of “give him that award now” vibe that HBO probably banked their entire marketing budget on.

And then there’s Cristin Milioti as Sofia Falcone, playing an Arkham escapee with the charming demeanor of a sociopath who’s just decided Gotham is hers, too. Of course, we can’t forget the hodgepodge of characters floating in and out of Oz’s orbit. Rhenzy Feliz as Victor Aguilar brings that classic “I’m a teenager, but I’m also a gangster enforcer” vibe that really says, “The streets of Gotham just feel different.”

The show has the noir aesthetic down pat: imagine The Sopranos but with a little more murder and a little less pasta. It’s dark, gritty, and at times seems to revel in the violence for sheer shock value. Yes, there’s a plot, but let’s face it, we’re all here to see Farrell menace, strut, and have the occasional awkward moment with his demented mother. That’s the real heart of the show: a gritty family dynamic that’s both uncomfortable and surprisingly compelling, and gives this series a depth beneath the mob clichés.

But not everything is great. While Farrell’s Penguin is magnetic, the pace sometimes feels sluggish, as if Oz himself is waddling through unnecessary plot points. You might be wondering: do we really need eight episodes of this? Well, yes and no. If you’re here for the slow-burn character study, this is your cup of tea. If you’re more into Batman sashaying through the skyline and kicking ass, then maybe not so much.

In short, The Penguin is everything you could want from a Gotham crime story: violent, stylish, and occasionally a little too slow-paced for its own good. But with Farrell at the helm, it’s hard not to get sucked into its world of power, bloodshed, and yes, penguins. So, buckle up—Gotham is going to get messy, and you’ll be grinning the entire time.