Batman: The Animated Series
Episode 47
Birds of a Feather
The best Penguin episode ever made. BtAS never really got the Penguin right until The New Adventures of Batman. His episodes seemed like chores to the writing staff. They didn’t really know what do with one of Batman’s most famous rogues. The other rogues were all certified crazy but Penguin was considered sane. It didn’t help his character design resembled Danny Devito’s from Batman Returns but he acted more like a Bostonian Aristocrat.
Birds of a Feather truly captured the heart of the villain. He’s been paroled because the justice system in DC’s Gotham NJ is poorly enforced. During his stint at going straight he befriends Bruce Wayne’s spoiled rich friend Veronica Vreeland. She’s using him for laughs among her rich friend but Penguin is head over heels into her. Vreeland starts to see the softer side of the Penguin and is gradually falling for him. But Penguin discovers it’s part of a gag and unlike 1990s teen films where it sorts itself in a love connection, he goes nuts and commits a series of horrible crimes. He kidnaps her, holds her hostage, tries to kill a bunch of people, ends of in jail again after Batman steps in and saves the day.
It’s a tragic ending to what might have blossomed into a pretty love story and has you feeling bad for Penguin. We get to see a good-natured persona, which could have shined given the right support. It’s those sad endings which make BtAS so brilliant. Batman may have saved the day but Penguin loses his friend, Vreeland is guilt ridden about her behavior. A solid lesson for kids about judging people based on reputation and looks as well as betrayal.
Written by
Joseph Ammendolea
Owner/President
“I Like To Play With Toys” Productions®
ILikeToPlayWithToysProductions@Yahoo.com
