Between the death of his mother and the series of mental tortures he endured during his stay at Arkham Asylum, I think it's safe to say that Oswald Cobblepot is having a pretty rough year on Gotham Season 2. However, things may finally be looking up for our flat-footed friend, considering that Monday night's episode "Wrath of the Villains: Mad Grey Dawn" will find Penguin reuniting with his dad, Elijah Van Dahl, played by Paul Reubens, best known for his portrayal of the iconic, fictional character, Pee-Wee Herman. But what exactly are Elijah Van Dahl's plans on Gotham ? Odds are this family reunion will only help to send Penguin spiraling further down the villainous rabbit hole.
According to a recent interview TV Insider has with executive producer John Stephens, Reubens' character is going to be just like Gretchen Wieners' hair: full of secrets. "He’s a man with enormous wealth and even more secrets," Stephens teased. However, he won't be the only shady family member to come out of the woodwork for Copplepot. The Penguin's extended family will also include his father's new wife, Grace, as well as her devious children, Sasha and Charles —all of whom are privileged to the utmost degree. And they won't let thing or anyone get the in way of their lavish lifestyle.
"They’ll do whatever it takes to keep the family’s fortune," Stephens shared, which means we can expect Papa Penguin to be the epitome of evil in the best way possible. We may not know what his exact plan is or how he intends on using his son to his advantage, but I think we can all assume this reunion isn't out of some long overdue paternal grief. If money and power is what he values above all else, then Penguin is most likely just a means to an end and could be just the thing that awakens his currently dormant inner demons.
It's also worth mentioning that this isn't Reubens' first time portraying a version of Penguin's father. He also took on the part back in 1992 during the Tim Burton-directed film Batman Returns. (If you recall, he and his snobby rich wife threw baby Oswald into the cold winter river to die, horrified by his condition.) So it's fitting to see him back in the role in a much bigger capacity, though I don't think the city of Gotham will be the better for it.
After all, if Penguin has been able to wreak havoc on the city, just imagine was his father can do. Many people argue that villains aren't born, but made. However, even if that is the case, there are always exceptions to the rule.
Images: Cara Howe/FOX (2); Nicole Rivelli/FOX
