Spoiler alert! This article contains spoilers for The Penguin episode 1.The first episode of The Penguin offers a thrilling spin-off from DC's The Batman and with a suitably dynamic soundtrack to boot. The Penguin recommences the narrative from The Batman just one week after Riddler's final scheme partly destroys Gotham. It depicts the Penguin's rise to power, with Gotham's criminal network shaken by Carmine Falcone's death at the hands of the Riddler. The Penguin episode 1 handles this directly and is perfectly matched by its choice of songs throughout.
The Batman boasted a very memorable soundtrack, combining a memorable original score with classics like Nirvana's "Underneath the Bridge." This helped convey the movie's angsty and grungy tone succinctly. Fittingly, a comparable use of music has transitioned into The Penguin, each conveying major themes to its audience.
4 Michael Giacchino - The Batman Theme
The first song in The Penguin episode 1 was Michael Giacchino’s main theme from The Batman. The memorable theme appeared throughout The Batman, perfectly reflecting the movie’s somber and foreboding tone. This theme appears during the opening credits in The Penguin, as Oz is watching a news broadcast.
This news report details important details from The Batman and the initial fallout. This establishes the show’s premise, including the power vacuum in Gotham’s criminal underbelly, and those most likely to claim the top spot. Using The Batman theme, The Penguin recalls the movie and bridges the gap between the movie and the series, carrying over important developments along with the score.
3 Dolly Parton - 9 to 5
Dolly Parton's classic "9 to 5" was originally written for her movie of the same name. It quickly became anthemic, representing workers subjugated by a boss everywhere, though it is particularly aimed at women. “9 to 5” appears when Oz and Victor are driving to Oz's mother's house. The song loudly plays as Oz starts the engine, prompting a slight chuckle from Victor.
Its use in The Penguin partly refers to the hard work behind Oz's criminal activity and how it consumes his life. Its subsequent use in the closing credits represents his newfound plan to not have a boss from one of Gotham's crime families. Moreover, despite the predominance of male characters in The Penguin, there is a distinctly feminist message referenced by Dolly Parton’s song.
2 Rita Hayworth - Put the Blame on Mame
When Oz and The Penguin's Victor Aguilar visit Oz's mother's house, the pair watch a clip from the 1946 noir movie Gilda. The scene features Rita Hayworth performing the song "Put the Blame on Mame," which blames a fictional woman named "Mame" for several cataclysmic events in history. Oz is clearly beguiled by Hayworth's eponymous Gilda, turning up the volume and watching intently.
Interestingly, when Victor enquires who Bame is, Oz responds that it doesn't matter, noting that she's "just a scapegoat." This seemingly inspires Oz to find himself a scapegoat for the murder of Alberto Falcone, for which, similarly, who this was doesn't matter. This led to the dramatic scene where Alberto's body is discovered by the Falcones while Penguin is held captive.
1 When In Rome - The Promise
When Oz is attacked by Falcone's goons in his car, they accidentally turn on the radio, which plays a 1987 classic by the British synth-pop band, When in Rome, "The Promise." The chorus to this song greatly foreshadows the subsequent scene. The chorus begins: "I'm sorry but I'm just thinking of the right words to say," moments before Oz himself is scrabbling for the "right words to say" to Sofia Falcone that will save his life. It references Oz's ability to talk himself out of any situation, as noted by Sofia herself in The Penguin.
