Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Penguin episode 7The Penguinepisode 7 features several Easter eggs and references as the childhood of the titular Oz Cobb (Colin Farrell) is finally revealed. Not only is Oz’s past explored with some very dark truths, but the episode also includes some major deaths as well. There’s also a critical decision that turns The Penguins' entire conflict with Sofia Gigante (Cristin Milioti) on its head, as key references and flashbacks are featured throughout this new episode.
InThe Penguinepisode 7, Oz Cobb’s mother has been taken by Sofia Gigante and Salvatore Maroni (Clancy Brown). Following some significant reveals from Oz’s dark past as a child and a major confrontation with Sal, Oz now has to contend with Sofia Gigante becoming even more volatile and dangerous than she already was, especially with his mother’s life still in her hands by the end of the episode. To that end, here are 13 ofthe biggest Easter eggs and references inThe Penguinepisode 7,the penultimate episode before the new DC show’s finale.
13"Islands In The Stream"- Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers
Ties Back To Penguin’s Premiere
DuringThe Penguinepisode 7’s flashback sequence set 34 years before the DC show’s present-day events in 2022,Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers' “Islands in the Stream” can be heard playing on Francis Cobb’s record player. However, this isn’t the first time a Dolly Parton song has been heard inThe Penguin. Not only was “9 to 5” heard on Penguin’s car radio in the show’s premiere, but it also served as the end-credits track for the series' very first episode. As such,Francis' apparent love for Dolly Parton likely explains why “9 to 5” was playing in Penguin’s car.
12Oz’s Leg
Dating Back To His Childhood
Featuring Oz Cobb as a young boy duringThe Penguinepisode 7’s flashback sequences,young Oz can be seen wearing a leg brace. This confirms that Oz’s “bum leg” has been an ongoing condition, rather than something that happened to him later on in life during his career as a Gotham gangster. Likewise, this also means that the “Penguin” nickname given to him due to his unique limp and stride has likely been with him for his entire life, while also setting him apart from his brothers Jack and Benny.
11Rex Calabrese Finally Makes His Penguin Debut
Having Been Referenced Multiple Times In The DC Show
After multiple references made in previousPenguinepisodes,DC’s Rex Calabrese finally makes his live-action debut inPenguinepisode 7’s flashback sequences. Also known as “The Lion” in the original comics, Rex was Oz’s hero who eventually hired the young man to be his driver, beginning Oz’s career as a gangster in Gotham City. To that end, Rex’s gold car Oz previously referred to as a “chariot” is shown in this new episode as well. The flashback also confirms that Francis did some likely illicit bookkeeping for Rex as a side hustle.
10Trolley Coin
Same Coin Oz Found In Penguin Episode 5
While playing flashlight tag in the abandoned trolley system tunnels beneath Crown Point,young Oz finds a trolley coin while searching for his brothers Jack and Benny. This is likely the very same trolley coin adult Oz found in his mother’s things duringThe Penguinepisode 5, prompting his rediscovery of the tunnels and central hub that became the perfect new base of operations for his drug empire.
9The Overflow Tunnel Door
First Seen In Penguin Episode 5
As a truly disturbing twist,it’s revealed that young Oz locked his brothers in an overflow tunnel during a storm. Leaving them to drown and returning home to be with his mother, the implication is that Oz never said anything about what happened to Jack and Benny, having been jealous about having to share his mother’s love. To that end, this overflow door is the very same one adult Oz was shown looking at inThe Penguinepisode 5. Additionally, this same overflow tunnel ironically saves Penguin’s life after Sofia sends a rigged car to blow up his underground operations at the end ofThe Penguinepisode 7.
8Beetlejuice
Released In 1988 (A Year Before Burton’s First Batman Movie)
When Francis asks Oz where his brothers are, he claims they went to the movies to watch 1988’sBeetlejuice.Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as the titular ghost, it’s worth pointing out that Burton’sBatmanwas released the very next year in 1989 and starred Keaton as Bruce Wayne, the same iteration of The Dark Knight who fights Danny DeVito’s Penguin in 1992’sBatman Returns. Likewise, Burton’s sequelBeetlejuiceBeetlejuicewas just released in theaters in September of this year. Keeping that in mind, one has to wonderwhat movies Burton made instead of theBatmanmovies in this universe.
7Oz’s Favorite Movie Explains A Lot
Fred Astaire’sTop Hat(1935)
Putting on a movie with his mother,it’s revealed that young Oz’s favorite film is 1935’sTop Hatstarring Fred Astaire. Shown tap dancing while wearing a top hat, coattails, and holding a cane, the connections between Fred Astaire’s style in this movie and DC Comics' original depictions of The Penguin on the page aren’t hard to miss. Likewise,The Penguinepisode 7 itself is also titled “Top Hat”. As such, it’s certainly one ofThe Penguin’sbest references and connections to the comics yet.
6"Ginger F***ing Rogers"
(Also inTop Hat)
Held in the Falcone mansion as Sofia’s captive,Francis tells Sofia that after her son kills her she’ll tap dance on her grave"like Ginger f***ing Rogers".Another classic actress,Ginger Rogers was Fred Astaire’s frequent co-star, including in 1935’sTop Hat.
5"I Got You! I Got You!"
Mirrors Penguin’s Batmobile Chase
Even though Salvatore Maroni ends up dying of a heart attack while fighting Oz Cobb, The Penguin still acts like he beat the Gotham crime boss.Likewise, Oz repeatedly tells Maroni’s corpse that he got him. Keeping that in mind, it does somewhat mirror Penguin’s premature celebrations inThe Batman, believing he had evaded The Caped Crusader and says the same thing during their car chase, only to immediately get flipped over byThe Dark Knight’s powerful muscle car version of the Batmobile.
4Salvatore Maroni’s Ring
It Finally Belongs To Penguin
The Penguin also takes Salvatore’s ring off his dead body and puts it on his own finger inThe Penguinepisode 7. Having originally been Sal’s,Carmine Falcone took the ring when he ratted out Maroni’s drug businessbefore the events ofThe Batman. Then, his son Alberto Falcone took the ring after the Riddler killed Carmine. While Oz took the ring after killing Alberto and gave it back to Maroni as a sign of good faith, he now has the ring in his possession once more. As such, it’s very much a symbolic token, one that certainly suggests The Penguins' rise to the top of Gotham’s underworld is nearly complete.
