Bonus: Writing Lessons from Gotham's Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278)
Description
In this special bonus episode, we return to the shadowy corners of Gotham to unpack The Penguin — the gritty, character-driven follow-up to The Batman.
Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot is a study in power, loyalty, and moral decay — and in this breakdown, I explore five key writing lessons from the series:
· How ambition reshapes identity
· How setting becomes a mirror of conscience
· The art of sharp, subtext-heavy dialogue
· The burden of legacy and validation
· And why moral ambiguity keeps audiences hooked
Whether you're a screenwriter, storyteller, or just a fan of dark, character-based drama, this episode dives deep into how The Penguin turns crime and chaos into masterclass storytelling.
🎧 Plus, download the free companion guide to follow along — complete with reflective writing prompts and scene-based analysis.
Download the FREE guide here: The Penguin Companion Guide
The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. Give it a whirl.
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