Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 1
The Dolly Parton song played at the end ofThe Penguinepisode 1 perfectly captures where Oz Cobb’s path is leading him in hisDCsolo series. HBO’sThe Penguinintroduces the most complex version of the villain ever put on screen so far, with a short temper and a twisted mind, but also with empathy towards the people he feels identified with and an aversion towards terrorists like the Riddler. Oz Cobb is an inherent part ofGotham’s criminal underworld inThe Batmanuniverse, butThe Penguinreveals that he’s far from being the most powerful gangster in Gotham.
Expanding Matt Reeves’The Batmanfranchise,The Penguinadopts a similarly grounded tone and realistic stakes. Gone are the top hat and the monocle from the comic books, as well as the inhumanly long nose and the black blood from Tim Burton’sBatman Returns. Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb is simply a well-known criminal with ties to the Falcone family and the"drop"business. And asThe Penguinepisode 1’s soundtracksuggests, Oz sees himself as the hero of his own story.
The Penguin Episode 1 Ends With Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5”
Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5” Appears Twice In The Penguin Episode 1
Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”, released in 1980 alongside the eponymous comedy film co-starring Parton herself, first appears inThe Penguinepisode 1 whenOz Cobb and his sidekick Victor Aguilarenter Oz’s second car. Oz quickly scrambles to turn off the radio, but the song reappears not long afterward, duringThe Penguinepisode 1’s animated credits.Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” scoresThe Penguinepisode 1’s credits shortly after Oz and Cobb deliver Alberto Falcone’s corpse to Sofia Falcone— a seemingly odd song choice to accompany such a twisted plan. The chorus of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” includes the lyrics:
Working nine to five, what a way to make a livin'
Barely gettin' by, it’s all takin' and no givin'
They just use your mind and you never get the credit
It’s enough to drive you crazy if you let it
Nine to five, yeah, they got you where they want you
There’s a better life and you think about it don’t you
It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it
And you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet
The Penguin’s animated credits are followed by traditional credits scored byThe Penguin’s main theme. Afterward,The Penguinepisode 1 includes a teaser trailer for the next upcoming episodes. This teaser features Oz Cobb saying"I’m just a poor kid. Born out of nothing. Just got something to prove.“The Penguinchanges Oz Cobb’s comic book backstoryand adapts him to the gritty, realistically torn-down Gotham that Matt Reeves’The Batmanintroduced, which adds a little more context toThe Penguin’s use of Dolly Parton’s working-class-themed “9 to 5” song.
Why “9 To 5” Is The Perfect Song For Colin Farrell’s Oz
The Penguin Episode 1’s End Credits Poke Fun At Oz Cobb’s Peculiar Psyche
Unlike his comic book counterpart, Colin Farrell’s Oz Cobb comes from a working-class family. Oz’s mother owns an old house in the suburbs and Oz seems to have amassed his wealth through hard yet criminal work while working for the Falcone family.Oz has been"Working nine to five… Barely gettin' by, it’s all takin' and no givin'".Even though he has been a diligent ally to the Falcone family, he clearly doesn’t hold any particular affection for them, and the feeling seems to be mutual. In Oz’s mind, the Falcones"just use (his) mind and (he) never get(s) the credit”.
Departing from Dolly Parton’s sensible critique of oppressive systems, Oz just wants to replace"the boss"and run the show himself
Oz finally let his place in the Falcone hierarchy"drive (him crazy)“to the point that Alberto laughing at him made him snap. The Falcones think"they got (him) where they want (him)”, as Oz has been spending"his life putting money in (their) wallet",but he now accepts that"there’s a better life"awaiting him. Oz tells Victor that they must take what they believe is rightfully theirs by overthrowing the Falcones. However, Oz misunderstands the “9 to 5” struggle. Departing from Dolly Parton’s sensible critique of oppressive systems, Oz just wants to replace"the boss"and run the show himself.
Dolly Parton Has Another Message In The Penguin
The Penguin Features Several Strong Yet Flawed Female Characters
Dolly Parton wrote “9 to 5” as the main theme of the 1980 comedy of the same name, which follows three women (played by Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and LIly Tomlin) as they overthrow their bigoted boss. Directed by Colin Higgins,9 to 5was a very successful film that spawned a TV show and a Broadway musical. Hence,the addition of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” inThe Penguinepisode 1’s endingand animated credits is also a nod toThe Penguin’s female characters, who all have a certain degree of influence over Oz Cobb.
The Batman’s New Name In The Penguin Explained
Batman officially earns his name in The Penguin episode 1, which shows how Gotham media has reacted to the Dark Knight since the Riddler’s attack.
Oz’s mother Francis is directly affected by the system Dolly Parton criticizes in “9 to 5”, as she can’t climb the economic system’s nonexistent ladder exclusively through hard work. On the other side of the spectrum, Sofia Falcone is powerful and influential enough to rule Gotham. Yet, the seemingly innocent Francis motivates Oz to topple the Falcones no matter what it takes, and the supposedly untouchable Sofia is easily tricked by Oz and his novice accomplice. WhileThe Penguinhas a heavy focus on powerful male characters, female characters play a key role as well.
