As a longtime fan of both DC comics and gritty, character-driven dramas, I was immediately intrigued by Theo Rossi’s introduction as Dr. Julian Rush in The Penguin. His enigmatic and unsettling debut has left me questioning if we are indeed witnessing the emergence of a beloved Batman villain, albeit under a different moniker.
In Episode 2 of “The Penguin”, we encounter a fresh character who isn’t featured in DC comic book stories. Theo Rossi, known for his roles in “Sons of Anarchy” and Marvel’s “Luke Cage”, joins the cast as Dr. Julian Rush, a doctor/therapist from Arkham State Hospital with a past connection to Sofia Falcone, dating back to her time in the asylum. While fans were initially introduced to Julian Rush, they suspect that this character might be the emergence of a well-loved villain from Batman’s world, despite the name change.
(WARNING: Penguin Spoilers Follow!)
Upon introducing Dr. Julian Rush, he’s administering an unconventional therapy on Sofia Falcone (played by Cristin Milioti). He uses a trio of flashing red lights to induce a trance in Sofia, which transports her mentally to Arkham. In this dreamlike state, Rush urges Sofia to “Enter” her imaginary prison cell. The dreamscape then transforms into a conversation between Sofia and her brother Alberto, who appears through prison glass and speakers. However, a chilling detail emerges when she notices that his pinky finger is missing – just as it was on his deceased body in reality. This scene gradually morphs into a terrifying nightmare. In this nightmarish vision, Sofia witnesses Alberto being shot from behind by an unidentified gunman, sees his lifeless body, and becomes trapped in the loop until Rush rescues her from it.
Sofia appears distressed after the workout, slipping into a highly emotional state. There’s an unusual intensity in the way Rush interacts with Sofia, physically holding her and speaking reassuring words to bring her out of her agitation. The scene concludes with Rush expressing his intention to assist Sofia, which she seems uninterested or indifferent towards.
Is Penguin’s Julian Rush Really Doctor Hugo Strange?
Many fans of Batman are speculating that the character “Dr. Julian Rush” might actually be a disguise or new identity for one of Batman’s villains, Hugo Strange. This theory seems plausible because Hugo Strange is often portrayed as a corrupt psychiatrist, working at Arkham Asylum or other Gotham medical institutions, where he uses unconventional, sometimes illegal, and potentially risky methods to extract secrets from his patients. (Although it’s worth noting that the Batman universe may not adopt the “Monster Men” aspect of Hugo Strange’s character.)
In his acting career, Theo Rossi has excelled at playing formidable villain characters and could potentially bring an intriguing twist to the role of Hugo Strange within the Batman Universe. However, considering that director Matt Reeves and the team behind the franchise have been known for unconventional casting choices (such as Colin Farrell as the Penguin), it might not be as surprising a pick as one might initially think.
The Penguin airs on Sunday nights on HBO, and streams on Max.
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2024-09-30 04:09