![<description><p><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> In this special bonus episode, we return to the shadowy corners of Gotham to unpack <em data-start="249" data-end="262">The Penguin</em> — the gritty, character-driven follow-up to <em data-start="307" data-end="319">The Batman</em>.</span></p> <p data-start="324" data-end="485"><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobblepot is a study in power, loyalty, and moral decay — and in this breakdown, I explore <strong data-start= "438" data-end="466">five key writing lessons</strong> from the series:</span></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" data-start="488" data-end="520"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]--><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">How ambition reshapes identity</span></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" data-start="523" data-end="567"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]--><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">How setting becomes a mirror of conscience</span></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" data-start="570" data-end="612"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]--><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The art of sharp, subtext-heavy dialogue</span></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" data-start="615" data-end="652"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]--><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">The burden of legacy and validation</span></p> <p style= "margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;" data-start="655" data-end="703"> <!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style= "font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span> <!--[endif]--><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;">And why moral ambiguity keeps audiences hooked</span></p> <p data-start="705" data-end="896"><span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Whether you're a screenwriter, storyteller, or just a fan of dark, character-based drama, this episode dives deep into how <em data-start="828" data-end="841">The Penguin</em> turns crime and chaos into masterclass storytelling.</span></p> <p data-start="898" data-end="1031"><span style= "font-family: 'Apple Color Emoji'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Apple Color Emoji';"> 🎧</span> <span style= "mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-bidi; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-bidi;"> Plus, download the <strong data-start="920" data-end="944">free companion guide</strong> to follow along — complete with reflective writing prompts and scene-based analysis.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;" align="center"><strong> </strong></p> <p style="text-align: center;" align="center"><strong><span style= "font-size: 13.0pt; font-family: 'EB Garamond'; color: #222222; letter-spacing: .15pt; background: #FCFCFC;"> Download the FREE guide here:</span></strong> <a href= "https://tony-ortiz-69va.squarespace.com/s/The-Penguin_Companion_Guide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style= "font-size: 13.0pt; font-family: 'EB Garamond'; color: #222222; letter-spacing: .15pt; background: #FCFCFC;"> The Penguin Companion Guide</span></a></p> <p><em><span style= "font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></em></p> <p><em><span lang="UZ-CYR" style= "font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ansi-language: UZ-CYR;" xml:lang="UZ-CYR">The Spun Today Podcast is a Podcast that is anchored in Writing, but unlimited in scope. 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mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; color: #222222; letter-spacing: .15pt;"> Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way</span></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; background: #FCFCFC;"> <span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href= "https://www.amazon.com/FRACTAL-Time-Travel-Tony-Ortiz-ebook/dp/B07PXZJNH2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=QAD87LRE4CHJ&keywords=fractal+tony+ortiz&qid=1560299425&s=gateway&sprefix=fractal+tony%2Caps%2C146&sr=8-1"> <span style= "font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: major-latin; color: #222222; letter-spacing: .15pt;"> FRACTAL – A Time Travel Tale</span></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; background: #FCFCFC;"> <span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href= "https://amzn.to/48js7Uz"><span style= "font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif; 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margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> Outro Background Music:</span> <a href= "https://www.bensound.com"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; background: white;"> https://www.bensound.com</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "line-height: 15.1pt; margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "line-height: 15.1pt; margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> Spun Today Logo by:</span> <a href= "https://www.naveendhanalak.com/"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; background: white;"> https://www.naveendhanalak.com/</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "line-height: 15.1pt; margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "line-height: 15.1pt; margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> Sound effects are credited to:</span> <a href= "http://www.freesfx.co.uk"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; background: white;"> http://www.freesfx.co.uk</span></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "line-height: 15.1pt; margin: 5.0pt 0in 5.0pt 0in;"><span style= "mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; color: #0d0d0d; background: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style= "mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: center;" align="center">Listen on: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/4lUwpYlFWz73bZelcCHcQq?si=1bRsJ22QS5a3TicWU73GQw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ApplePodcasts</a> | <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/show/4lUwpYlFWz73bZelcCHcQq?si=1bRsJ22QS5a3TicWU73GQw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spotify</a> | <a href= "https://pocketcasts.com/podcasts/29c33c20-c136-0132-3824-0b39892d38e0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pocket Casts</a> | <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHSaFPkNAE-jSjIt3fL5fCg" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">YouTube</a> | <a href= "https://www.spuntoday.com/podcast" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Website</a></p></description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/0a/d5/8f/0ad58fef-4916-9eec-3b94-12aa9181b0dc/mza_15469481581524004639.png/600x600bb.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)
Spun Today with Tony Ortiz
Tony Ortiz
Bonus: Writing Lessons from Gotham's Underworld (Companion to Ep. 278)
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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Links referenced in this episode
Get your Podcast Started Today! https://signup.libsyn.com/?promo_code=SPUN
(Use Promo code SPUN and get up to 2-months of free service!)
Check out all the Spun Today Merch, and other ways to help support this show! https://www.spuntoday.com/support
Check out my Books
Make Way for You – Tips for getting out of your own way
Melted Cold – A Collection of Short Stories
http://www.spuntoday.com/books/ (e-Book, Paperback & Hardcover are now available).
Fill out my Spun Today Questionnaire if you're passionate about your craft. I'll share your insight and motivation on the Podcast: http://www.spuntoday.com/questionnaire/
Shop on Amazon using this link, to support the Podcast: https://amzn.to/4km592l
Shop on iTunes using this link, to support the Podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewTop?genreId=38&id=27820&popId=42&uo=10
Shop at the Spun Today store for Mugs, Notebooks, T-Shirts and more: https://spuntoday-shop.fourthwall.com/
Music: https://www.purple-planet.com
Outro Background Music: https://www.bensound.com
Spun Today Logo by: https://www.naveendhanalak.com/
Sound effects are credited to: http://www.freesfx.co.uk
Listen on: ApplePodcasts | Spotify | Pocket Casts | YouTube | Website