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Recap / The Batman S 1 E 2 Call Of The Cobblepot
aka: The Batman S 1 E 3 Call Of The Cobblepot

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A strange set of robberies committed by birds and an intrusion at a charity benefit introduce Bruce Wayne to a new supervillain — Oswald Cobblepot, alias the Penguin.

This episode provides examples of:

  • Acrofatic: The Penguin is a better fighter than he looks.
  • And This Is for...: Alfred manages to land the final blow on Penguin, saying "And that's for Grandpa Pennyworth."
  • Badass in Distress: Penguin incapacitates Alfred when he catches the latter sneaking around in his house. Alfred later frees himself with his serving tray.
  • Bad Boss: Alfred recalls that the Cobblepots were like this towards his grandfather:
    Alfred: Well, I, for one, have certainly heard of the Cobblepots. My grandfather used to butler for them back in England, and they were an obnoxious lot then as well. Grandpa Pennyworth worked himself to the bone for those wretched snobs, and they treated him like a stray dog, then had the nerve to fire him!
  • But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Inverted; Cobblepot does remember the name Pennyworth once Alfred mentions it; not that he cares.
  • Casanova Wannabe: Penguin tries this with Amanda Raymont. Predictably, it fails.
  • Evil Is Petty: Downplayed. Cobblepot is rather petty, but that's not the reason, as Alfred at first suspects, he stole the serving tray. He's a more prolific thief than Alfred suspected.
  • Evil Laugh: The Penguin, several times.
  • Fed to the Beast: Cobblepot attempts this with Alfred, via his army of birds, but not fast enough to avoid the Batman.
  • Feuding Families: Alfred points out of the feud between the Cobblepots and Pennyworths due to his grandfather getting bullied by them.
  • Impoverished Patrician: The reason for the Penguin's crime sprees. The first clue to his financial straits is shown when Oswald tosses a bankroll into the fireplace as a way of making a scene; after dousing the money, Alfred finds out it's a single hundred wrapped around a roll of ones.
  • Jabba Table Manners: Oswald Cobblepot shovels hors d'oeuvres into his face by the handful.
  • Jerkass: Oswald is a rude obnoxious jerk as well as a villain, imperiously snapping orders at Alfred and (offscreen) hitting on a woman in a way that earns him a face-slap.
  • Lightning Lash: In the climax, Penguin utilizes an umbrella that allows the handle to unravel into a chain that he can electrify. Not only that, but the chain can also be used as what is basically a laser-like whip that can slice through objects.
  • Malicious Misnaming: Oswald contemptuously addresses Alfred as "Jeeves" when barking at him to serve more food.
  • Mythology Gag: Just as in the DCAU, this episode introduces Penguin with him using birds to steal jewelry
  • Nice to the Waiter: Played straight. Bruce, the hero, is polite to everyone, whereas Oswald Cobblepot, the new supervillain, calls Alfred "Jeeves" and rudely orders him around.
  • Not Distracted by the Sexy: Bruce ignores Amanda’s attempts to hit on him in order to check on the police watching his party.
  • Not on the List: The Penguin checks the guest list to make sure. Batman later realizes he was using it as a means to learn who to rob.
  • O.O.C. Is Serious Business: Alfred, the entire episode. Cobblepot brings him out of his usual deadpan attitude and causes him to show genuine anger that he rarely exhibits.
  • Phlegmings: Penguin noticeably slobbers as he gloats over his assured victory over Batman, while he has the hero tied up in his electrified umbrella-chain. It helps in highlighting how much more feral this depiction of him is.
  • Poke the Poodle: Inverted, mostly. Alfred thinks Cobblepot swiped the serving tray simply to spite him. Turns out he's "pilfered" far more than that.
  • Smarter Than You Look: Penguin's Jabba Table Manners suggest someone who wouldn't be bright enough to rob so many places using birds.
  • Superhero Paradox: Discussed by Bruce and Ethan at the very end of the episode.
    "Hopefully it's not the Batman who brings out the freaks..."
  • Villain: Exit, Stage Left: Penguin’s henchwomen from the Orient disappear when everyone looks away.
  • Waif-Fu: The Penguin's Kabuki Twins, who can fight Alfred and Batman.

Alternative Title(s): The Batman S 1 E 3 Call Of The Cobblepot

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