#Pennyworth 2019

[thebibliosphere]

Me and about four other people will care about this, but it has taken me this long to realize that in season 2 episode 9 of Pennyworth (shut up, it’s enrichment in my enclosure) when Alfred is posing as Tommy’s driver and waxing lyrical about how, when he’s in America, he’s going to have a car just like this one. And the car, is a Ford Lincoln Futura.

A Ford Lincoln Futura.

Aka— the original Batmobile as driven by Adam West.

He’s driving the original Batmobile!!!

[leechlets]

everytime I rewatch pennyworth im in awe about how nobody watched this. like, this is the greatest and worst show on earth.

bruce wayne's parents meet the devil, two separate main characters get baby trapped into marriage, there's an entire season about martha and thomas trying to get alfred into a life of crime, thomas only orders milk at bars (60s batman refrence i love you), alfred fucks the queen of england.

alfred fucks the queen of england

i cannot say how batshit crazy this show is, it's my favorite piece of comic media ever it's fucking crazy.

[rjnonymous]

Hey it is actually Fucking Unbelievable that people in this fandom have Not Watched Pennyworth because is has to be the only live action dc thing I will ever truly love and it's amazing and there should be a bigger fandom for it

[mirobraz]

Michael Caine in Get Carter (1971) and The Ipcress File (1965).

[pennyworthhq]

-UPDATE-

Both Alfred and Martha's character playlists are now up on my masterlist!

[fantastic-nonsense]

got a message out of the blue about that 'why Batman doesn't kill' explanation I left on someone else's post like two years ago but it was just "wait is Alfred dead????" and I sort of forgot that most of tumblr Batfam fandom doesn't actually read comics and so largely has no idea that Bane killed Alfred back in 2019 and he's stayed dead since

[lands-of-fantasy]

Modern DCTV

(Most) Live-action series from 2000-present (2024)

SUPERMAN MYTHOS: Standalone Superman-related series

Smallville (2001-11)

Krypton (2018-19)

Superman & Lois (2021-) | The series is a spin-off of the 2015 Supergirl series, but it is set in its own continuity, on a different Earth. A different version of the titular characters, as played by the same actors, can be seen in the Arrowverse.

BATMAN MYTHOS: Standalone Batman-related series

Birds of Prey (2002-03)

Gotham (2014-19)

Pennyworth (2019-22)

Gotham Knights (2023)

ARROWVERSE: These series share continuity, each having their own separate storylines but also periodically connecting for a joint one.

Arrow (2012-20)

The Flash (2014-23)

Supergirl (2015-21)

Legends of Tomorrow (2016-22)

Black Lightning (2018-21) | The series joined the Arrowverse mid-season 3, and while it is affected by the events of the crossover of that year, it remained mostly independent.

Batwoman (2019-22)

"TITANSVERSE": These series are independent but Titans features its own version of the Doom Patrol (same cast, different universe) and has a Stargirl cameo.

Titans (2018-23)

Doom Patrol (2019-23)

Stargirl (2020-2022)

THE SUPERNATURAL: Standalone series centered on supernatural characters and events

Swamp Thing (2019)

Constantine (2014-15) | After the series' cancellation, the actor reprised his role as John Constatine in the Arrowverse, eventually joining the main cast of Legends of Tomorrow.

From the pages of DC Vertigo/DC Black Label:

Lucifer (2016-21)

The Sandman (2022-)

OTHER SERIES

Watchmen (2019)

Peacemaker (2022-) | This series is a part of the DC Extended Universe, taking place after the events of The Suicide Squad (2021) movie

See also: Marvel Television

[heroesriseandfall]

Alfred Pennyworth and Damian Wayne about fathers and legacies from 2009-2011, in Robin Vol. 2 #168, Batman and Robin Vol. 1 #1, Batman Vol. 1 #703, and Batman and Robin Vol. 1 #22.

[awhitehead17]

I realised I never created a list of links to each of my Batfam Bingo Card stories when I completed it, so here is that list. Thank you to those who have read the stories, liked them and even re-blogged them! :D

Also on AO3

Care - Tim & Bruce & Alfred

2. The Big Damn Kiss - TimKon

3. Titus - Damian & Dick & Titus

4. Crossover Fic - TimKon & BillyTeddy (Wickling)

5. War - TimKon & Dick & Jason

6. Wally West - Dick & Wally

7. AU: Zoo - Batboys

8. AU: Secret Agents - Dick & Jason & Tim

9. Fear Toxin - Dick & Jason & Tim

10. Idiots In Love - TimKon

11. AU: Magic - Dick & Jason & Tim

12. Can't Touch Each Other Curse - TimKon

13. Don't You Dare Pity Me - TimKon & Dick

14. AU: Ghosts - Jason & Tim

15. Hurt/Comfort - Tim & Dick

16. Amnesia - Tim & Bruce & Dick & Jason

17. Did Not Get the Guy/Girl - Jason & Damian

18. Baby Fic - TimKon

19. Villainous Crush - Jason & Tim

20. Down - TimKon

21. Clark Kent - TimKon & Batfam & Clark

22. Dark Fic - TimKon & Cassie & Bart & Dick

23. Steph Brown - Tim & Steph

24. Piano - Dick & Jason & Tim & Damian

[bobbinalong]

finally reading jimmy olsen and i think this is my favourite page so far.

[leechlets]

pennyworth series enjoyers (and others): by the end of s3 alfred had fucked no less than 2 heads of states for different countries (one of them being queen elizabeth)

[anastasiareadsnwrites]

Can I request a Peggy Sykes x female reader? I just watched Pennyworth and she has my whole heart even though she and bet are sorta 💫💫🫨🫠

Mad World Part I (Margaret "Peggy" Sykes x Fem! Reader)

Author's note: Thank you so much for requesting. It means the "world" to me 😉. I will certainly make a Pennyworth masterlist in due time.

Summary: In the middle of your class game, you just caught a glimpse of a green suit in the mix of the disarray of people. You lock eyes with the most gorgeous person you've ever seen. Of course, a formal introduction will have to take place.

Warning(s): flirty! Reader, smoking, brief fighting, gun(s), your a hoot, womanizer?, slight delusions, you may be crazy?, good siblings, more to be added

The MAIN masterlist

You sat there playing a chess game in the park with another person. Someone you earnestly don't even know. They just approached you and asked if you wanted to play. A little girl. Well you honestly couldn't turn her down cause her eyes shone with brightness, something in this world that you want to see again.

Being a Lady in this society was quite overwhelming. Your husband died long ago. You grew tired of his constant nagging about traveling and such other things that he would go on and on about. You had no children and that was one of the topics that he would constantly bring up. Saying how infertile you were and how you would die in a canal somewhere. Honestly, the nerve of some men. But it didn't last long until he dropped dead at the dinner table into his food. You sipped away at your drink and sighed. Freedom at it's best.

"Your move." The little girl spoke as you stared at the board in front of the both of you.

"Yes, my apologies." You smiled at the beaming little redhead.

It made you wonder where her mother was. Or her parent. Surely, enough they won't be far. Today is gloomy as always. Mobs on the street protesting about Lord Harwood and Salt and other people. In some conversations, you caught the names of the Sykes sister's, Alfred, and even the Martha Kane.

You moved your queen one square to the right checkmating her king. No other possibilities of getting out of checkmate, the little girl sighed and knocked over her king.

"I yield." she said making you smile.

"You know, your actually pretty good at chess. What is your name by the way?"

"Samantha. But everyone calls me Sammy and yours?"

"Y/n L/n" You smiled as you extended your arm. You chuckled at how wide her eyes got as she realized who you were. "You mean you live in that big house by yourself?" Her hands were very small compared to yours.

"Well, yes it does get quite lonely." You slumped your shoulders as you thought about the house and how everything had just lost it's lost. You parent's were actually quite good people. Investing in such things that'll bring happiness to little one's and you vowed to do the same.

"Say, why don't you come and visit sometime? Maybe I can teach you a thing or two about chess?" You smiled showing your pearly whites.

"Let me go get my mom." Sammy giggled and ran off without putting away her chess pieces and boards, she was going to be back anyways. The slight breeze ran through your short hair. Trees in this side of the small park were bristling and some old leaves were falling down onto the concrete.

Noticing a few people get into a brawl in one of the streets that had nothing but shops. Among st all the people the piercing blue's caught your attention. She looked so regal and demanding.

Her hair was black and her ponytail flowed down her right shoulder. She noticed you were staring and she raised a brow and smirked. Your heart swooned at the idea of her beside you, living in the big manor. Your lonely heart ached at the idea as well.

"Mama! Hurry!" Sammy's voice pulled you from the small staring contest that you were having with the unknown woman. Surely, you would ask Mr. Pennyworth about the woman. He seemed to well acquainted with everyone here in London.

"Alright, Alright. We don't want to fall now do we." The mother smiled as she seen her little one run toward you.

You smiled as you met the mothers gaze as her eyes widened as how Sammy's eyes did when she first realized who you were.

"Ms. Y/l/n, My apologies for my daughter disturbing your schedule." She nodded in curtsy.

"It's perfectly alright, she's no bother." Chuckling you ruffled the young-lings hair as she pouted. Sammy continuously put away her chess pieces.

"I was telling Sammy, here, that the two of you can come over to my house or whatever you want to call it anytime. Just make sure to call first." You smiled and gave her a piece of paper, or more of a card.

A card that had your house number on it. The maids or your butler were sure enough to answer the phone. Her blush didn't go unnoticed as you took her hand into yours. Sammy's mom was very pretty, her brown eyes mixing with her white skin and her red hair.

"Thank you so much, Ms. Y/I/n. "

"No need for formalities, call me Y/n" You chuckled and she blushed even more.

"Oh? Kathy." She smiled.

"Well I must be on my way, Kathy...Sammy." You smiled at the pair as you nodded your head and walked into the opposite direction. You gave another glance to where you seen the black haired lady but to be met with nothing. You glance into another direction as you caught a glimpse of a green suit similar to the one that Lady was wearing and a redhead right behind her as she got into a car. The redhead on the other hand gave you a sneer and got in right after her.

How unusual, she looked familiar, surely you had seen her some where but most redheads were all the same. Sneering at people and thinking that they were in high society. So, you put it off.

You walked along the street, to your car. With a sigh you stood there pulling out a cigarette and match box. Now you were actually going to ask Alfred about these people that he so called worked with in some certain formalities. You took a big drag of the cigarette and blew the smoke, sighing as you did so.

"Ma'am, we retained the man." Your butler walked up behind you giving you a bow and walking toward the car door, opening the car door for you to get in.

You took another drag of the cigarette, you threw the remain of it onto the sidewalk and stepped on it as you blew out the smoke from your lungs. You got into the vehicle and sighed. You tried to cut down on smoking but certainly this mad world wouldn't let you. You had a side business other than the reputation that your parents had set before you and you were very pleased with what you achieved.

***

"Ah, Mr. Pennyworth, I was expecting your arrival." You smiled at him.

"Yes, Ms. Y/l/n. I was aware that you had retained Mr. Richard." You rolled your eyes at the mention of the man that was tied somewhere down stairs or possibly in one of the rooms upstairs.

"The little moments count Alfred. I believe Esme should've taught you that." You sighed as you remembered the skinny woman. The trust issues that she developed over time after having a terrible encounter. You believed she fell for a woman. Sadly, you loved her but apparently not enough to save her from being killed.

"Don't you ever miss her?" You asked the man that stood by on of the settee's. Knowing his answer and who killed him, you couldn't help but feel the anger that arose during your question.

"Don't answer that, we both know how she died." Your tone bit him visibly.

"Apologies Ma'am, but someone has called the estate for Mr. Pennyworth. A Bet Sykes." Your butler said as her entered the room unnoticed by the both of you.

"She has sent a message stating tomorrow at 2 PM, sir." Your butler bowed and left the room once again. You raised a brow at the man in front of you and chuckled. "Already? Calling the brothel?" You laughed at the face he made at you.

"Certainly not, I mean, you must've heard about her and the sister?" You tilted your head as he spoke, you wondered about the two.

"No, I don't recall. Heard the name a couple of times but doesn't ring a bell." You smiled.

Surely, you must've meet the sometime, but the names don't ring a bell at all. Interesting. Now, maybe this was the best time to ask about the woman wearing the green suit and her blue eyes that seemed to stare back at you in the back of your mind. Her smirk replaying in your mind.

"But there is someone whom I seen and she was most intriguing to me, green suit, lovely long black hair, and blue eyes. " You quirked a brow at him as he thought about names.

I haven't seen the Sykes's sisters in a while, but with the way you describe her, it sounds like Margaret Sykes." He sighed.

"Well, before we waste anymore time, Dani should have your money." You yawned. Surely you would deal with the man tomorrow. Yes, it would only be wise to do so.

Alfred nodded and walked out when you waved your hand, dismissing him from the room. A nap sounded pretty enticing right now, and that was what you we're going to do.

***

"Hello, Love," someone said as you sat there reading on the settee. You turned your head to the woman beside you. Her hair was down from it's usual up do. You loved it when your wife let down her hair around the house.

Her blue eyes stared at you as you smiled and continued to read the newspaper.

You could spend the whole day with her and not get tired of it. That's how much you loved your wife. Your husband could never compare to the genuine love you have for the woman you sat beside you on the settee.

It was rather upsetting that she was leaving today as well. To visit her sister and spend the night there to rekindle or work out whatever they were going through.

"Bet said she's coming over here." She muttered as you looked her way. She raised a brow at you as you dropped the paper in your lap. The paper crinkled and made a ripping noise as you moved into her personal space.

Her eyes were memorizing. You gently took her hand into yours and placed kissed onto it keeping your gaze on the woman as she blushed. Her lips parted slightly as her breathing quickened.

You could pleasure the woman right here, right now. But with your guests coming in a few minutes, wouldn't allow that.

"Margar-"

You jumped up from your bed hearing a knock at your door. You groaned as your head it the pillow again and yelled "Come in!"

The door opened to reveal one of the maids. "My lady, you have a guest waiting for you."

"Name?"

"A woman named Bet Sykes, Ma'am." The maid looked visibly shaken at the name causing you to wonder what this woman may impose onto you. The name did sound rather familiar, far too familiar from the words the Pennyworth guy had said and from your dream.

Sighing you got up from the bed and reached toward the chair that was facing upside down from your last outburst.

You tied the robe on your body and fixed your face. The maid waited for you, to follow along your orders just in case it was someone important that you had to have a quick chat with. She would usually bring tea if it was.

"Alice, bring some tea. I believe our guest is thirsty." You gave her a gentle smile.

You entered the room to a red head woman similar to the one you saw out in the park.

"Oh, you're the chit, we seen at the park." You said more to herself than to you.

"Excuse me?" You tilted your head in confusion.

"Apologies, My name is Bet Sykes. Ms. Y/l/n" She gave a nod.

"Yes, I believe you gave me a sneer. But what do I owe the pleasure for you to be visiting this time in the morning." You yawned, covering your mouth in the process.

"Yes, about that. I need something that you have. Or someone." You lifted your head and sighed. The man.

"Well I'm afraid I need him first." You sighed as you shook your head. You hair falling softly to frame your face. Of course, Lord Richard was going to have a few people after him. Not only were you to deal with this but you might as well deal with him after this as well. It wouldn't be no bother if you were to deal with it now. After all, everyone here is getting paid to keep their mouths shut about what happens on the estate.

"Me sister needs this man alive."

"Well, if your sister needs him alive I suggest she comes today." You retorted noticing the slight irritation that laced her voice as she spoke to you.

"Fine, she's waiting outside anyways." She muttered as she started walking past you.

This was definitely going to be fun. People who interrupted your business wasn't on a daily basis but this here, was going to be interesting. You sat on the settee as Alice, the maid, brought in some tea and pouring it as well. The redhead had walked out not long ago to retrieve her sister.

Was her sister the one with the blue eyes? If so, then you were definitely going to have fun. You had a thing for blue eye'd women. Like the one in the park. You were more likely not interested in relationships but more into just bedding the woman.

You sipped slowly on the tea as you heard knocking on the door, that was rather quick if you say so.

It wasn't until you heard a gun clicking behind your head. You groaned and placed your tea back onto the saucer.

"I believe you were suppose to get your sister. Not put a gun to me head." You sighed as your head someone 'tsk' behind you. "You know a simple gun isn't going to scare me." You soothed out your robe once more before standing and your turned to see who was holding the gun.

Blue eyes.

"Ah, I see and you are?" You rested your hands on your waist and licked your lips.

"Peg." Was a simple answer and you wouldn't prod any further.

"Margaret? Correct. I prefer that name better. Seems more formal. Yes?" You chuckled noticing that she squinted her eyes at you and lowered the gun.

"Where is your sister? Bet?" You asked as you gestured for her to sit down.

"She had something to take care off." You quirked a brow and sighed. If she was planning on head down to the basement in hopes on finding the man, she was on a dead end.

"Well, I believe we can have a small chat before we head to get your sister in the basement." You smiled as Margaret made her way over to the other settee.

Her lips were cherry red, appealing feature, that made you want to press your own against hers to see if it actually tasted like cherries.

"I must say, Ms. Sykes. You do look rather gorgeous this morning." You signaled the maid that entered shaking to pour the tea. Her shakiness went unnoticed as you gazed at the other woman.

Peg gave you a smile and sighed.

"I would rather have you call me Peg." She said slightly irritated that you didn't want to call her Peg, her nickname.

"Fine, Peg it is." Slightly you slumped your shoulders.

You both sat there in silence as you sipped and slurped your tea. The silence was welcome but you couldn't help but wonder what this woman does for a living.

"If I must, Peg. What do you do in your free time?"

"She likes to flog old people with candles." Someone said as they entered with your butler. It made you choke on your tea as you reached for a napkin, dabbing your chin to clean yourself up.

"You bloody cheek." Peg glared at her sister as she grinned.

"How nice of you to join us." You coughed out.

"Yes," Bet smiled and sat beside her sister.

"My lady, I found her in the basement, she was merely stating that she was lost." Your butler said as he glared at the redhead.

"No bother. I suspected she was going to be there." You had the maid pour Bet some tea and you gave them all a big grin.

"Now, let's discuss a few rules. Since you both are staying here."

"Oh no, we're leaving."

Guns clicked behind the women as you smiled even wider. "I think a few days won't hurt." Bet grabbed the tea cup and began to sip on the concoction inside the cup.

Peg muttered something under breath toward the other woman as she turned and said "Am not"

You chuckled and smiled it reminded you of your brother. How you both used to fight and call each other names. Sadly he was killed, and you swore that you would kill everyone that was involved.

You slightly raised your hand to dismiss the butler and the maid as they both carried the guns out.

"Now my rules ar-"

After sometime you discussed the rules you all took a tour of your house. Assigning them their rooms as you did so. "My room is just down the hall, take a left and it's the third door to the right." You clasped your hands together as you ended the tour.

Both women nodded and looked at one another.

"Now excuse me, I need to get properly dressed and tend to a few things." You said as you walked off toward your bedroom, your butler following shortly behind. There was one door that you didn't give them a tour of.

You would rather leave it that way.

"Daniel, see to it that they don't leave this estate. Or that they don't go into me brother's room." You said as you flicked your wrist to dismiss him.

He gave a short and brief bow saying "Yes Ma'am" and he was gone before you could turn around.

Surely, this was the start of a small game your brother liked.

Maybe a game of cards would soothe your growing headache. Maybe even a cigarette.

But you swore to cut back. Fuck it, who's counting anyways. You entered the dimly lit room and walked toward your vanity. You brushed out your hair, placing the brush on the counter in front of the mirror.

In the reflection you could see someone standing there. Short hair of curls and a suit. "Brother what I am to do." You sighed lighting up a cigarette and putting it to your lips.

"You said you were to stop smoking. You promised." Your brother walked up behind you.

"Yeah, well it runs in the family." You coughed.

"You need to let me go, find love." He placed some cards onto the table to the left of you and you turned around in the chair. No one to be found inside the room beside you in the darkness of it all.

"I will find love after I find who took you from me."

This was certainly a mad world and you were another victim to it's hands.

[your-royal-villainess]

DC Super Hero Girls: Gotham Academy - Senior Year

(It’s badly written but I think it’s okay hehe)

Alfred: Miss Ashton, the sauce you made for the penne is just absolutely exquisite!

Harvey: -I can tell, I took a spoonful

Letrexa: Aw shucks, thanks guys... but uh Alfred, you can just call me Letrexa I- I'm fine with that

Alfred: *clears throat, slightly flustered* Yes, of course. Would you mind me asking how you get the right consistency while maintaining the flavor? It can be a bit tricky at times even though you are doing precisely what is written in this very top-notch cookbook that I own. *shows the enormous vermilion velvet-covered book with elegant bronze decorative bands perfectly attached into the spine that was laid across the marble countertop.*

*Harvey and Letrexa stared intently with their eyes widened.*

Harvey: Wow, that is a book.

Letrexa: *turns back to Alfred's question* Oh um, that's probably just the boiling temperature, try checking the heat if we're talking about the consistency. I'd like to think that in a dish they're all the same but they're made differently. That's why instead of following one thing that applies to the other, why not do the same procedures but use a definite method because they all got their individual process. Take this as an example, for the most part, I only followed your recipe that you told me then I just dumped stuff in that I think it'll taste good with. Though it's important to follow the right amount of proportions when adding the ingredients, trusting your guts adds up a big advantage in defining the flavor you wanna give.

Alfred: *his eyebrows were raised impressed with her aptitude* Duly noted!

Harvey: So what's your next masterpiece? Mines a chocolate mousse - *whispers* don't tell them I already made some but I ate it so I have to start all over again.

Letrexa: *giggles* Heh, don't worry, that would be telling. So it's sort of an um a béchamel but with a bit of a twist, I'm adding a few drops of Worcestershire sauce, this thing has been one of the most long-running favored ingredients in our household. *held up one arm holding a long wine-like bottle*

Alfred: You must have a great mentor to have such a fine skill in cuisine!

Letrexa: *bents her head down avoiding eye contact* Er I wouldn't say "fine skill in cuisine". However I did pick up a thing or two from great moving folks... I see my mom do it all the time and those cooking shows on television. Nothing but some prevalent influential ideals, I guess. -Anyway, don't you think it's a little too much pasta? We still have some tagliatelle and lasagnas over that bowl.

Alfred: Not at all! *his tone was cheerful and ecstatic not long after his brow started to furrow while his voice lowered a bit, slowly changing his aura into a doleful one* Well I uh suppose it is kind of rather too much since there won't be any other guests around. *sighs* ...But it is what he wants at the moment, I cannot argue with that.

*Letrexa and Harvey exchanged perturbed glances, then a moment of silence took over while everyone worked on their own course.*

Harvey: Say Alfred, you've known Bruce longer than we have, so was he always that sad and cryptic?

Alfred: *lets out a deep calm breath* Answering truthfully from my stance... he wasn't always like this, yes at times, but it's hard to differ one's behavior as a young child and as they mature.

Harvey: Hmm 'kay, so Alfie, why don't you tell us more about yourself? Since we're here and guess it's time to get ourselves to know more about each other, right?

Alfred: Now then, what do you two want to know about?

Harvey: Ehhm... hm, maybe about your career? Hobbies..., hidden talents... or anything!

Alfred: Career... let's see. How about my history with the Wayne family? Think I could share a bit of some non-confidential stories.

Harvey: Sure, go ahead

Alfred: How do I start this? *takes a short ambivalent look from afar* Well... as you both have already known I've lived most of my life serving my departed masters who deemed me as if I were a part of their family...

*Tiny hints of smiles lit up their faces*

Alfred: ... and that I've been looking after Master Bruce for almost two decades from now

Letrexa: Hm, must be a living heck- ah! Uh a heck of a ride!

Harvey: Nice save

Alfred: Heh, I presume it is in that case. Going back, there has been some legal dispute after- *beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!*

*The loud chirping of the heat alarm interrupted the conversation*

Alfred: Oh dear! Looks like I got too absorbed in reminiscing! *pulls out the tray in the oven*

Harvey: *to Letrexa* Do you think Wayne acting all this got something to do with Hammerhead?

Letrexa: Maybe... but I don't entirely believe it-

Alfred: Thank goodness they're not all burned!

Harvey: Well that's a relief!

Letrexa: *peers at the bowl in front of her, looking pensive* Hey, uh Alfred, this is a little mortifying to ask this favor, but can we make Bruce's favorite food that you serve to him?

Alfred: Why what a thoughtful idea, Miss Ashton- eh ey- I meant, Letrexa! I'd be glad to help out.

Background redrawn for better quality based on the cameo of the Wayne Manor East kitchen from the episode MultipliciZee.   Alfred Pennyworth and Harvey Dent are canon characters, and they respectfully belong to DC/Warner Bros., as does the DCSHG concept. Letrexa Ashton admittedly belongs to me.   The storyline does not distort any timeline in the DC Super Hero Girls show by default.

[psalmsofpsychosis]

Pennyworth (2019-2022): A Review

*messages temple* so anyway, i'm dropping the show at second episode.

Pennyworth is a good competent execution of a forced, subpar story really. The aesthetics, the visual storytelling, the narrative transitions are very clean and pleasing and wonderful, pains me to say it truly— but it's far better editing than the majority of Gotham TV.

And that execution still doesn't save it. The story feels cliche, vaguely vapid and inconsequential. really, good directing and good OST wasted on a lukewarm story. it's nonthreatening, "occasionally weird and flirty" is the best it gets, and it tries so hard for plot, but there's none, and what little there is to look for, it just can't make you care about it. The whole story is trite and unsure of itself, flimsy at the edges. And none of it matter at all to the characters or to you as an audience.

And another thing is— the story feels so uncomfortably detached and standalone-ish for a narrative that cannot stand on its own two feet. It tries to individuate from the common Batman [and more particularly GothamTV's] interpretations while establishing such willy nilly relationship with its preceding narrative and ultimately Alfred's characterization falls flat on its face somewhere inbetween Gotham's and Pennyworth(2019)'s story. "Pennyworth" miraculously leaves out everything that made the Gotham!Alfred interpretation distinct and captivating —It leaves out the uncomfortable weirdness. Pennyworth!Alfred feels too hip, too trendy, too effortlessly sly, too acceptably proper, too sanded and smoothed all around the edges. Which is such shame really, because the cinematography, the atmosphere, the music, it's all done so tastefully, so well executed, but the narrative pace and the story is so forced and too fast and too insincere and cliche.

[lifewithaview]

Pennyworth (2019) Pilot

Alfred Pennyworth, a young man just out of the British Special Air Service and at loose ends, endeavors to start a security company. At the same time, Thomas Wayne offers him his first real job.