“The Penguin,” HBO’s latest foray into the Batman universe, is a gritty, captivating crime saga that sheds the superhero tropes to focus on the raw underworld of Gotham City.

Colin Farrell reprises his role as Oswald “Oz” Cobb, delivering a performance so transformative that it alone makes the series worth watching.

Farrell fully embodies Oz as a cunning, violent, and deeply insecure mid-level gangster yearning for power. Think Tony Soprano, but with a darker, more unlikable edge.

The series excels in its atmosphere, painting a Gotham City drenched in grime, rain, and decay. The tone is dark, with shadows lurking in every corner, fitting for a story centered on gangland warfare.

Yet, The Penguin is more than just a spin-off; it stands on its own, weaving together a power struggle between Oz and Sofia Falcone (played by Cristin Milioti), the formidable daughter of Carmine Falcone. Milioti’s performance is another standout, with her portrayal of Sofia blending fragility and ferocity in ways that make her just as magnetic as Farrell.

However, the series isn’t without its flaws. While the performances and atmosphere are top-notch, the pacing is uneven.

The series can’t resist the modern trend of structuring shows like drawn-out movies, which makes the storytelling feel plodding at times. And the family drama, especially Oz’s relationship with his mother, is overemphasized, detracting from the more exciting crime plotlines.

But it’s not enough to derail the series. “The Penguin” delivers a dark, compelling vision of Gotham’s underworld, driven by outstanding performances from Farrell and Milioti. It’s a show for fans of crime dramas and character studies, even if its pacing may occasionally drag.