The latest episode of ‘The Penguin’ explains why a DC project got canceled

Episode 4 of The Penguin, titled “Cent’anni,” takes viewers deep into the darkness of Arkham Asylum, shedding light not just on Sofia Falcone’s (Cristin Milioti) traumatic experience, but also on a canceled DC project: the Arkham Asylum series. Through a gritty, raw depiction of the infamous institution, the show underscores the cruel irony of Arkham, where patients meant to be rehabilitated face unrelenting abuse, pushing them further into darkness. Sofia’s harrowing ten-year experience within Arkham—marked by physical abuse, mental torment, and constant survival struggles—drives home the idea that Gotham’s notorious mental institution may worsen patients’ mental health, making it a breeding ground for the city’s future villains.

The depiction of Arkham in The Penguin also makes a strong case for revisiting Matt Reeves’ abandoned Arkham Asylum series. Initially, Reeves envisioned a police-focused spinoff of The Batman that later evolved into an Arkham-centric story, promising a look at Gotham’s villains in the unsettling environment of Arkham. With Antonio Campos on board, and rumors that it would tie into James Gunn’s reimagined DCU, this series sounded like it could offer a unique exploration of the city’s twisted criminal psyche.

While Reeves’ Bat-verse has kept things grounded, The Penguin shows that there’s room for an Arkham-based story, one that remains true to this grounded tone while allowing for a closer look at lesser-known characters, like Magpie. The success of The Penguin could be the encouragement needed to bring the Arkham Asylum project back to life in Reeves’ gritty Gotham world. Until then, The Penguin offers an unsettling glimpse into the institution that fuels Gotham’s darkest stories.