Gotham
This workweek ’s episode ofGothamconfirmed a long - standing fan theory : Penguin ’s controller , Arthur Penn , is the show ’s translation of classicBatmanvillain , The Ventriloquist . While never a top - level threat alongside the like of Joker , Riddler and Bane , The Ventriloquist has always been a popular enemy among Bat - fans and has come along in comic strip , video games and the 1990s animize series . know as the meek and unassuming Arnold Wesker , his sapless psyche is " controlled " by a gangster - themed ventriloquist ’s dummy who encourages the man handling him to put an raiment of felonies .
Initially , it was reported that The Ventriloquist would be one ofGothamseason 5 ’s main antagonist , but when it was afterward confirmed that the final run would consist ofa reduced instalment counting , it seemed like plans for Wesker may have been junk . This was reaffirmed by showrunner John Stephens who , when was asked prior to the time of year 5 premiere which villains he was disappoint to miss out on adapting , andThe Ventriloquist was his first pick .
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Some fans believed thatGotham ’s Ventriloquist had already been enclose back during season 4 in the form of Penguin ’s close accountant , Arthur Penn ; he too boasted round field glass , a mouselike demeanour and formal causa costume . As the sequence function by , however , this translation began to look more and more unlikely , particularly after Penn ’s apparent death earlier this time of year , but it now seems the theory was correct after all .
Gotham ’s latest installment , fittingly titled " Nothing ’s disgraceful , " foundPenguin and Riddlerbeavering forth on their architectural plan to work up a hoagy from scratch and escape Gotham City with as much treasure as they could bear . Their efforts were interrupted by the reaching of Penguin ’s former assistant , Arthur Penn , who was assume dead after being shot by an irritated thug a few episodes ago . Penn had n’t resurface alone , however , and to Penguin and Riddler ’s sodding bafflement , the accountant pulled out a blank called Scarface and began using him to communicate , switching to a stereotypical New York gangster accent when doing so . While Penn himself continue as feeble and subservient as ever , he appear to be taking orders from the far more dominant and volatile Scarface and would ’ve shot his former hirer were it not for the intervention of Riddler , who put Penn down with a bullet of his own .
It ’s interesting to view that throughout the last two season , Gothamhas been steady building Penn ’s Ventriloquist backstory . The accountant was constantly belittled , step and underappreciated by Penguin , a frustration that ( presumably combined with his close - end experience ) resulted in his psyche splitting into " Alphonse Capone , " provide the booby to say the things Penn always bid he could ’ve said to his boss .
Despite this alter origin story , Gotham ’s Ventriloquist stays fairly faithful to the comic Scripture in damage of both invention and personality , especiallycompared to some other villainson the show . Scarface ’s bad position and the fact that Penn was " free " when Penguin destroyed the blank are both taken straight from the source material . In an spare touch , Penguin also erroneously advert to his employee as " Arnold " on several occasions - a cleared nod to the scoundrel ’s existent name in the cartoon strip .
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Unfortunately , Penn is unbelievable to rip off destruction a second time ( although it would n’t be the first sentence ) and it ’s perhaps safe to assume that , hadGothamseason 5 not been the show ’s last , The Ventriloquist would ’ve had a far more important role to play in the overall news report . With that say , it ’s still commendable that the show was able to give this popular villain a healthy , if abbreviated , show before the serial reason out .
Next:Gotham’s Joker Wasn’t The Proper Joker (But Still The Show’s Best Villain)
Gothamseason 5 continues with " The Trial Of Jim Gordon " March 7th on Fox .
