‘Gotham’ Season 4 Spoilers: Robin Lord Taylor On Penguin’s ‘Terrifying’ Ordeal

If there is anyone who has worked his way to the top in “Gotham,” it is undoubtedly Oswald Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor). He started the first season as Fish Mooney’s (Jada Pinkett Smith) umbrella boy, then he became the criminal kingpin in Season 4.

However, he was brought to his knees once again during the mid-season finale after Sofia Falcone (Crystal Reed) framed him for the murder of an orphan boy. Because of this, Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin, was thrown in Arkham Asylum.

During a live Tumblr Q&A, Taylor told Inverse that he is excited to see Cobblepot evolve again, especially with the help of Jerome Valeska (Cameron Monaghan). “I’m excited for fans to see the interplay between Jerome and Penguin,” Taylor said. “I think it’ll change minds about people’s ideas about both the characters.”

It’s clear right off the bat that Jerome is in charge of Arkham Asylum, and Cobblepot acknowledges it since the place is “chaotic and fits his personality” well.

On the other hand, Cobblepot likes control. He is a fish out of water in a place that has no order, and for him, that’s very troubling. “It’s very terrifying for him to be in this situation. It’s emotional too, because for once he didn’t do anything bad. To find himself at the whims of a madman that is Jerome, it’s one of the most challenging things he has to deal with,” he said.

Executive producer John Stephens earlier talked to TV Insider to shed some light regarding their partnership. “Jerome has taken over Arkham and now runs it as his own personal, twisted kingdom,” he said. “Jerome has plans for Gotham as well — plans that Penguin is integral to. And from Jerome’s point of view, Penguin will join him or die.”

Given Stephens’ statements, it’s safe to assume that Cobblepot’s “friendship” with Jerome isn’t really a true friendship, and they are bound to turn on one another once they get what they need. For Jerome, who knows what his intentions are? As for Cobblepot, his plan is clearly to break out of Arkham Asylum and get revenge on Sofia.

“Gotham” Season 4 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.